Einstein with PocketWizard PowerMC2, MiniTT1, and AC3

Read my writeup here: http://www.ocabj.net/?p=1663

Demonstration of the PocketWizard MiniTT1 and AC3 ZoneController to control/trigger the Paul C. Buff Einstein studio strobe with a PocketWizard PowerMC2 receiver.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• PocketWizard
• Pocket
• Wizard
• Paul
• Buff
• Einstein
• 640
• MiniTT1
• AC3
• Zone
• Controller
• ZoneController
• PowerMC2
• flash
• strobist
• photography
• Canon
• 5D
• Mark
• II
• Alien
• Bees
• Alien Bees
• Bee
• Alien Bee
• Einstein 640
• Pocket Wizard

[Goingblindphotos]

I had my first photoshoot session using the TT1/TT5 system and MC2 on my Einsteins, but I had a problem, shooting indoors, one of my einsteins started going off twice everytime I was pressing the shutter. Have you ever had this problem? all my pocketwizards have been updated to the latest firmware. Have you tried shooting with the mini vagabond? how you keep the model light off? thanks !!

[ocabj]

@Goingblindphotos Can't say that I had that problem. Is it reproduceable? If so, you might want to contact PCB. As far as keeping the modeling lamp off, you need to hook up the TT1 to your computer and use the PW utility to turn off the modeling lamp override. That way it won't toggle the modeling lamp setting that you set on the back of the Einstein.

[johnny48166]

What made you choose the PocketWizard system over the Paul C Buff Cyber Command system ?

[ocabj]

@johnny48166 I started off in flash photography with just a pair of 580 EX II units so I decided to go with the TT1/TT5 system. I never really leveraged the Hypersync, but quickly started using Alien Bees strobes and simply adapted the PocketWizards for the strobes. Had I started off with just AB strobes, I probably would have bought Cybersyncs, instead.

[bthemedia]

@ocabj Have you thought to tie your 580 EX II in with your Einsteins with the AC3 zone controller and some FlexTT5 receivers for the speedlights? This PW solution seems to be the only way to do this.

[ocabj]

@bthemedia I have yet to mix 580 EX II Speedlites with Einsteins in a single setup. Just haven't gotten into a situation where I needed to. Though I keep Speedlites and TT5 units in my bag just in case I do need them.

[photobyjewell1987]

amazing video thanks for the video learned alot ac3 is a great buy for speedlights mostly using it ass strobes is a another issue thanks

[bthemedia]

Great professional video - well done! So glad to see this. =)

Only downside for me is PW is still stuck in their archaic 300/433mhz instead of international 2.4ghz for transmission. Shooting internationally (US/Europe) is a PITA with PW.

Hope I can get the CyberSync Commander to work on the Pixel King, or next equivalent ETTL remote with TX hotshoe.

[bthemedia]

Great professional video - well done! So glad to see this. =)

[mver]

Nice overview of AC3. If you place the AC3 in A for Auto, you can use the camera's FEC +-2 stops in conjunction with the +-3 stops on the AC3. This gives you FULL control, +- 5 stops on the Einsteins.

[Goingblindphotos]

Thanks a lot for your response, I went into the pocket wizard utility, and I did what you told me to do, Excellent, modeling light is off now! Now I can use my mini outdoors Thanks a lot !! About my other issue, I didn't update my MC2 to the latest firmware, now it's working sweet. I love the Einsteins with the Pocketwizards! smart choice!

Thanks Again!!