PocketWizard Mini TT1 and Flex TT5: TTL Radio Triggers for Canon and Nikon

[DREBEL187]

can you use the ettl with ef580II inside a softbox?

[Mahargbot]

@DREBEL187 Yes

[geowar09]

if i got a a transmitter i would need a reciever to opertate a flash? right?

[awakethrucolor]

Jeff Winger from Community?

[thecrazygardener]

there not the easiest thing to set up. i just got 1 mini and 3 flex today lot of learning to do.

[lalalaina4life]

He so smug about it. "Even your stupid flash thinks it's on a camera".

[krazykorican]

This guy mad corny

[WLTPHOTOGRAPHY]

This product has simply pushed my photography into a Fantastic new direction. Amazing system for on location shoots, small and light weight. wayneleetaylorphotography

[Dtufino]

Can these be used with any other flashes other than Canon/Nikon?

[Miscellaneousviidz]

Dude i paid $899 for 1 mini tt1 and 3 flex tt5's, im only 16 and that was all the money i had! I better be making it back with customers! :|

[sajor10nemrac]

@Miscellaneousviidz I believe it's a little bit too much for their products... I rather buy the canon speedlite transmitter myself shoot!

[Pinnger]

search for Pixel TR-332

[techkid1998]

cool

[KeijinShiho]

I went to their website because its a fun place to hang out.

[1TOMDEWITTE]

Not for Canon stobes!!!!!

[1TOMDEWITTE]

not for Canon strobes!!!!!!!!!!

[MrJorgemana]

I have the FlexTT5 with Canon Mark IV and Canon Speedlight 480 EG, but I cant make them work togheter. Any suggestions?

[comrade86]

@MrJorgemana ya buy cowboy studio triggers...

[Pinnger]

@MrJorgemana did you ask pockerdwizard crew?

[Firefighter11A]

Now all that would be Great, if it worked... NOT!!!

[aiwayamaha]

Can i buy a Mini TT1 so i can have the fast shutter speeds on my camera and still use my Plus II's to trigger my flashes?

[Buhzie15]

what PW setup would i need for a basic wireless flash system? I have a canon t2i, and a sigma flash... which PW units would i need?

[PsykoOps]

Even though this is a commercial I still love how it gives enough technical detail instead of being just image selling like 99.9% of modern commercials are.

[LEXPIX]

Great product line. I like the reliability and construction of the PW over third party wireless controllers. You do get what you pay for. Thing I don't understand is how people use the cheaper "eBay style " triggers on their pro level DSLRs?

I can't wait to try out the Flex and Mini for the Nikon. I've had good results with the Plus IIs in my Canon system in the past.

[estebanmorales1982]

Hi!

I'm planning to buy the MiniTT1 and the FlexTT5 so i can use them with 4 studio flashes from the AlienBee company using the AC9 AlienBees Adapter. The questions are: can i control 4 flashes or more? Can i moderate manually the intensity of light that i want in each flash independently? and will the MiniTT1 will take the reading automatically?

Thank You

[tyleremt1]

@estebanmorales1982

I was just at wppi for the last two days here in Las Vegas. I spoke directly with the company regarding these products. They told me that honestly they would buy all flex TT5's rather than buying a MiniTT1. For the 20 bucks difference it makes sense as the TT5 can be both a transmitter and a receiver where the TT1 can only transmit. Yes you can use the flashes in manual mode. The mini TT1 does not read anything, it just transmits data from your camera, which is what reads.

[estebanmorales1982]

@tyleremt1 I need to use a meter?

[PhotoMattMuirhead]

This is the system that I use and I have been fairly happy with it - aside from the issues with RF interference using the 580 line of flashes (which PW addressed by giving out the RF soft-shield at no cost last year), I've been pretty content with the system.  Admittedly, I've had it fail to fire a few times and the TT1 seems to eat thru batteries faster than I'd like. I really want to try an AC3 ZoneController... would make my style of portrait shoots much easier. @Tom - the prices are fair.

[pierrec06]

So If I read correctly, everything is fixed right now for the Canon Flashs. So I'll have no problem with my 580EXII and my two 550 EX. So If I want to be well equiped I need to get 2 mini TT1 and 1 Flex TT5.

[sTiNkYkIlLeR]

What about the 800' Coverage ??

Does someone test for this ?

'Cause I read it's fake, it only cover for 100' Maximum

[pocketwizardvids]

@sTiNkYkIlLeR Original bench testing and prototype testing did provide some amazing distances. PocketWizard has had problems with the RF noise generated by some Canon flash units and has spent great time and capitol to contain the problem. The AC5 and AC7 were developed to combat the distance limiting noise and have been quite successful. Please see tests done by Rob Galbraith here: robgalbraithDOTcom/bins/multi_­page.asp?cid=7-10050-10598 (continued)

[sTiNkYkIlLeR]

@pocketwizardvids Do you plan to make your products to work in higer Frequencies ?

I watch a video series (8 Videos) from tricoastphoto

And facts talk by itself. RadioPopper work greater than PW. I'm deciding on which brand to select as emerging photographer.

[pocketwizardvids]

@sTiNkYkIlLeR Thanks for asking! Selection of the best radio frequency to use for PocketWizard radios was well studied by LPA-PocketWizard when they started designing the PocketWizard system. Larger radio waves, lower numbers, can penetrate walls and work around and under things better than higher frequencies. Extreme example: The US Navy uses ultra low waves that enable talking to submarines on the other side of the world. (con't)

[pocketwizardvids]

@sTiNkYkIlLeR The frequency that is used by PocketWizards has very little competition which is vital to good communication. Other available frequencies such as 900Mhz are now being heavily populated by industry and municipal government communications. And 2.4Ghz is crowded with WiFi, cellphone and many other forms of communication. The major problem that PocketWizard faced with the Canon system was ineffective RF shielding of some of the Canon flashes. (con't)

[pocketwizardvids]

@sTiNkYkIlLeR We have since found ways to shield the noise produced by them. Also, the newer Canon 430EXII is well shielded and works wonderfully well with the Mini and Flex. The new Nikon system PocketWizard radios are just coming to market. Nikon flashes have properly shielded circuitry and we believe that the MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 for Nikon will be greatly appreciated and very popular. (con't)

[pocketwizardvids]

@sTiNkYkIlLeR We are big fans of TriCoast Photography for the excellent education they provide to the photography community. Besides being innovative and fun, they are a great bunch of guys. Unfortunately, the RF shielding was not available for their tests. And holding a radio will not make the body holding it part of the antenna. Actually the reverse is true. It’s a radio thing. As once on the web, always on the web, we will have to live with the old news in these videos. (con't)

[pocketwizardvids]

@sTiNkYkIlLeR The fact is, PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 radios do work very well and at distances that are well beyond the TTL metering capabilities of the cameras that use them. Fortunately, the PocketWizard AC3 allows photographers to immediately switch remote FlexTT5 connected flashes to manual control with a flip of a switch for proper flash exposure. That’s with only a MiniTT1 and AC3 on the camera weighing less than 3 ounces. Amazing. (con't)

[pocketwizardvids]

@sTiNkYkIlLeR I hope you will take the time to check out PocketWizard in person before counting us out.

[pocketwizardvids]

@sTiNkYkIlLeR Newer Canon flashes are well shielded and work very well. Nikon flash units are also well shielded and work very well at distance. That said, unless one is using a very long lens, the flash illuminated part of the subject read for exposure for a subject more than 100ft from the camera will probably not be well exposed as the camera’s viewfinder TTL flash metering system is not detailed enough to compute accurate auto exposure.

[etaksotekili]

did he say "potographers" at 2:41?

[Snakekilla12]

I'm still confused on what's the difference of Mini TT1, Flex TT5 and the Plus? If I buy just the Flex TT5 do I need the mini TT1 or/and Plus?

[BobTheBeastFace]

@Snakekilla12 no if you bought a plus it wouldnt transmit the TTL signals. You need a TT5 and either another TT5 or a TT1

[du1cimer]

David Ziser has a good explanation of this when he talks about cheating the flash synch. I cant post the link here for some reason, but google it.

[du1cimer]

Now, look at the picture at 2.48. The black bar is covering the sky, trees AND girl. Are you trying to tell me that everything in this image - including the sky - is iluminated by flash? No!

The illumination on the sky and trees has nothing to do with the flash, it is ONLY a product of the shutter speed. If the shutter speed is correct to properly illuminate the top of the image (and it is) then it should also illuminate the bottom of the image.

[du1cimer]

I understand perfectly, but I am not wrong here. When you shoot faster than a 1/250 of a second (if that is your synch speed), a black bar does get in the way - of anything illuminated by the burst from the flash. That means that anything illuminated by the flash will have a black bar, because the flash goes off while the shutter is closing. With me so far?



[brucehendricks]

@du1cimer

Out of the box at factory settings I was able to bump up my speedlight sync speeds up to 1/1000 without losing any significant exposure or seeing black bars with my D3. My studio strobe synced at 1/320th.

[willjessel]

he annoys me

[du1cimer]

Interesting fake picture at 2:45. Apparently, without hypersynch, the synch speed is too fast, and you get a black bar - even over the trees in the background. That means that the flash is supposedly illuminating everything - even the trees. Yeah, not likely.

[pocketwizardvids]

@du1cimer It would appear that you may be confusing HyperSync with High Speed Flash sync. HyperSync is a Special PW Mini and Flex timing function that enables firing the flash sooner than it normally would with Standard Canon manual flash. In normal full-power manual flash, the shutter fully opens and the flash fires. The fastest speed that can be used for this is one where the second shutter curtain has not moved before the flash burst is fully expended.

[pocketwizardvids]

@pocketwizardvids (continued) Let’s assign a speed of 1/250 for the max sync speed (this is a usual speed with today’s cameras). If a faster shutter speed is used, say 1/320 or 1/400 second, or faster, the second curtain is moving when the first curtain reaches its “full open” position and the flash is commanded to fire. As the second curtain is moving, it covers a part of the imaging sensor and blocks the light from the flash.

[pocketwizardvids]

(continued) If the ambient light is bright enough, you will see exposure in the picture caused by the ambient light. The dark area at the bottom of the picture is the physical second shutter curtain. As the camera uses faster speeds, 1/500, 1/800, 1/1000sec, the size of the dark area would increase because more and more of the second curtain is in front of the sensor when the flash fires. The flash, by the way, is only illuminating the girl.

[pocketwizardvids]

(continued) The inverse square law dictates that a good exposure on her would result in illumination so low that by the time it reached the trees there would be virtually nothing left of the flash light for the leaves to reflect.All of that said, PW discovered that if you advance the trigger time of the flash, that is, fire it sooner than it is normally triggered (say before the shutter even starts to move), you can use a faster mechanical speed.

[pocketwizardvids]

(continued) Many cameras are capable of a faster mechanical sync speed. The Canon 1D series is the best of the full sensors. The Canon 5D/5DMKII has the slowest moving shutter and is the worst in this respect. The APS sensors are usually good for 1/500 and a bit above. They can get away with this because a big flash does not create all of its light in one instant. Power is applied to the flash tube quickly but in the first milliseconds, the light is ramping up to full output.

[pocketwizardvids]

(continued) The light peaks and then tails down into darkness. The PW timing misses the first part of the light. The shutter picks up the peak and downward.

They also found that it is possible to pass the shutter slit through the peak of the flash if the timing is right. This requires working with the PW software sync timing, your camera and manual, full-power flash.

[pocketwizardvids]

(continued) As an example, I found that my Canon 7D can get a pretty consistent 1/2000sec with full power manual flash when the sync timing is set for -1900. The simpler the flash system, the bigger the light and the better it works. I have some 35-year-old Vivitar 283s that have gotten out of my closet and gained a new life in my photography.

[FloatingOnAZephyr]

@du1cimer That's not accurate. The black bar is the shutter in the camera that can't get out the way fast enough, not shadow on the trees. That looks very much like what I get if I try to shoot faster than 1/250 of a second with flash. Try it.

[tk375]

...and thank you for flying with us. see you soon!

that guy is funny!

[supercanadiandude]

HAHAHAHAHAHA 3:40

[imLams]

this guy talks like such a boner..

[jgda9rs]

would that work with a sigma ef 500 on a nikon d60?

[swinginjonny]

I own them and they still don't work well. They are getting better with firmware updates and are pretty good if you're within 15 feet and using them to fill in bright sun but they over-expose everything in darker situations. (The build quality is awful. I've broken 3 feet in 4 months doing pretty basic stuff. FYI, I've never broken the foot off of anything else.) That said, the ability to high-speed-sync is addictive so I'm still using them. I keep Cactus around for the inevitable PWiz fail.

[PANOTONE]

Nice if it worked.

We have tt1 and flex 5 on a 580 and get less than 10ft range with ETTL. Phoned PW who just said they were aware of the fact the new PW's don't work well with some Canon flash units. They did say we "might" get more range if we put a sock over our flash units.

[pocketwizardvids]

This appears to be improper operation. Assuming that you are a USA resident, please send them into service for a full diagnostic check. They will fix, tune, upgrade to V5.0 and whatever else might be needed to get you the operation they can achieve which is quite amazing. An AC5 will accompany your FlexTT5 on return. The AC5 is really not necessary for normal use inside about 50ft or more.

[Socarbon]

@pocketwizardvids do you need a pocket wizard for nikon or is cls good enough ??

[NeighborThunder]

@PANOTONE that's why i always order from b&h. they have AWESOME costumer service ;)

[BerkeleyGang]

I'm hoping Yangnuo clones this in their next generation of <$50 radio triggers. They keep getting better and better. It's only a matter off time.

[michaeldelmonte]

FALSE. It does not work as easy as he says.

[mvadinan540]

He looks baked!!! Canon #1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[erjohnson227]

This guy doesn't know anything about what he is saying does he... I feel like i'm watching some testimonial for a weight loss product.

[WoahkOd]

Agree,

but the pocket Wizards are amazing

[erjohnson227]

oh hell yea man, gonna get mine as soon as they come out with the Nikon variation.

[catullorampazzo]

Too expensive, expecially in Europe... 230 euro at least, that means 330 dollars.

[akissgr1]

Ha ha

[in2food]

I see. And you know him? If not, how could you possibly know this?

[OgCoda]

Hopefully this knocks down the price on the regular price on the older ones...

[sdflksdfkfh]

This actor sucks. Next time get a real guy on who knows what he's talking about and can speak plainly.

[jalil0b]

I thought the same thing lol.. it's abvious he learnt the script by heart and knows nothing about what his mouth is spitting out..

[koziat66]

there are any for nikon d300 ????

[BluesBoyJonny]

They do not have anything for Nikon yet :( According to their website, they're hoping to have something by January 2010!

Lets keep our fingers crossed :)

[NastySlashinBro]

This is going in my bag real damn soon, and it's amazing shit, but this dude irks me. I feel like I'm watching a Direct TV commercial. Haha.

[rtogog]

Make it also for Pentax!!

[punkdude1668]

please make this for sony! please please please please please please

[timfrench1]

This can all be done using a clear understanding of exposure and manual slaves, if you are willing to put the leg work in...the old pocket wizards should work with the Siny

[StreetEnglishTV]

this is really good

awesome actor too.

[macrojen84]

This is AWESOME!

[markus1030]

I can't wait to mount these on my D700 and strobes.

[Frosty1962]

Nikon shooters should consider Radio Poppers, more range and faster sync speeds, IMHO.

[kpierce118]

I rather not have to put tape on my flashes and hope the inferred signals match up.

[barnitube]

genial, ya me quiero comprar uno¡¡¡

[SchweizerStolz]

F-i-n-a-l-l-y the size of the industry leader- Elinchrom

[perpro2]

Cool. Give me one :)

[kpierce118]

Make the nikon one already! Please!

[bcmooney101]

I got my hand on these at the PPO show and I believe they were the Nikon version they were on a nikon sb-900 :). ( could of been a canon one though just stuck on it) Let me just say that i was radio popper right now I would be VERY worried. these are sweet and don't feel wrong in anyway way they felt just right on the sb-900 and the transmitter seemed just the right size.

[TOMEKWARDZALA]

Do not you think that their products are overpriced ?!

[ichirootaniguchi]

@TOMEKWARDZALA pocketwizard prices are bullshit

[EddieTLawson]

@TOMEKWARDZALA

well, you're paying for reliability. but the biggest weighting on it is the name. since they own that reliability that no one else seems to come close to. they can charge the ridiculous amounts that they do without fear of competition.

[Pinnger]

@TOMEKWARDZALA well you can buy long pc cable...

[yangboi88]

@TOMEKWARDZALA yes they are a bit over price. I own a pair...and they are way to expensive. Plus, some of the parts on the system feels like cheap plastic. With the price of the mini and flex they at least should make the switches and mount metal or something more durable. Every time i use them i have to be careful not to secure them on too tightly on the camera and flash, afraid the plastic part might snap.

[indoful]

So much money we are spending just for a little creativity ehhh?

Looks like a solid product from pocketwizard.

[bcmooney101]

This is very nice. If you had Nikon versions coming out by end of march I'll buy but if not, your forcing me to go with radio poppers. One thing though Radio poppers have is the ability to high speed sync with any flash and even control power output of Alien Bee and White Lighting.

[l33thustla]

Very very expensive :S

[PeteZ28]

Only one question... When is the Nikon version coming out??? This is awesome! What the photographic world has been waiting for, seamless, easy RF TTL. THANK YOU POCKETWIZZARD!!!!!

[aperkins0531]

I really want to try this new system. Getting reliable ttl outdoors on a sunny day - without worries about line of sight issues - that would really help me! Sign me up!

[CaptainBestephar]

Nice video! PW goes apple... =P

Product(s) looks good too!

[05awwrx]

PocketWizards aren't copying anyone. It's not like TTL metering is anything new and it's not like anyone couldn't have guessed where the future of wireless triggering was going next.

[54east]

so basically Pocket Wizards are now copying the Radio Poppers?  heh heh

[FDPictures]

they are perfect! hope the price won´t be to high!

[n1ckotene]

15% more expensive than the Pocket Wizard Plus 2 - to I hear!

[FDPictures]

oh crap xD

[wowcolors]

Hahaha, wtf, I don't think I would want a wending picture of a bride on the train tracks, weird. Cool system though.

[RonaldsSulcs]

Will I be able to reach 1/500 sync speed or higher using Mini or Flex on CanonSLR and PlusII with Canon580EXII?

And If I have mini as transmiter and flex as reciever, can I rach 1/8000 sync speed using Canon system?

[bobbydurston]

Thats what the site says.

[dialac1]

wow!!! Nice