PocketWizard Games - Revision history

Heathers: /* Hot Shoe Disable */ added note about hot shoe connection with mirrorless

2025-11-06T16:11:36Z

‎Hot Shoe Disable: added note about hot shoe connection with mirrorless

Heathers: /* The Essentials of Remote Camera Triggering - Tips from Shawn */ misc adjustments

2025-08-04T02:28:01Z

‎The Essentials of Remote Camera Triggering - Tips from Shawn: misc adjustments

Heathers: /* CABLES ARE CRITICAL! */ added 13377

2024-06-03T02:40:51Z

‎CABLES ARE CRITICAL!: added 13377

Heathers: /* Troubleshooting & Best Practices */ updated FW version and changed pandemic line

2024-02-26T01:07:52Z

‎Troubleshooting & Best Practices: updated FW version and changed pandemic line

Heathers: /* Batteries vs AC Power Supplies */

2024-02-26T01:04:41Z

‎Batteries vs AC Power Supplies

Heathers: /* Batteries vs AC Power Supplies */

2024-02-23T16:25:06Z

‎Batteries vs AC Power Supplies

Heathers: /* Hot Shoe Disable */ detailed Hot shoe disable on a MM

2024-02-23T16:20:34Z

‎Hot Shoe Disable: detailed Hot shoe disable on a MM

Heathers: /* Mini phone extensions and Isolation/Mounting Bar */ added info about MMX and MB4

2024-02-23T16:14:41Z

‎Mini phone extensions and Isolation/Mounting Bar: added info about MMX and MB4

Heathers: /* The Essentials of Remote Camera Triggering - Tips from Shawn */

2024-02-23T16:10:45Z

‎The Essentials of Remote Camera Triggering - Tips from Shawn

Heathers: /* The Essentials of Remote Camera Triggering - Tips from Shawn */ added note about Shawn's credentials

2024-02-23T16:10:04Z

‎The Essentials of Remote Camera Triggering - Tips from Shawn: added note about Shawn's credentials

@@ Line 129: / Line 129: @@
 In a situation such as the World Series, NCAA Final Four, Track and Field World Championships, FIFA World Cup, or the Games, photographers need to register the Channels they plan to use. If a photographer is only planning on triggering remote cameras on (for example) Channel 24, another photographer could be assigned Channel 25. When the photographer using Channel 24 fires his camera remotely, his connected Plus III will trigger any PocketWizard receiver set to Channel 25.
-We have also found that the hot shoes of some mirrorless cameras seem to behave differently with a radio in their hot shoe and may note properly trigger the camera. We suggest disabling the hot shoes of your Plus III radios for best results, especially if you are using a mirrorless camera.
+We have also found that the hot shoes of some mirrorless cameras seem to behave differently with a radio in their hot shoe and may not properly trigger the camera. We suggest disabling the hot shoes of your Plus III radios for best results, especially if you are using a mirrorless camera. In some cases, you may need to also block the connection between the PocketWizard's center pin and the camera's sync pin. You can use a thin piece of tape or paper to cover that contact point or just take the PocketWizard out of the camera's hot shoe.
 ====How to Disable a Plus III Hot Shoe====

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 ==The Essentials of Remote Camera Triggering - Tips from Shawn==
-When setting up your remote camera there is a lot to consider and think about.  Obviously, you want to select the best spot for composition of the image but the way your PocketWizard device is also very important. You will need to determine the best location to mount the receiver, plus consider other factors as well to ensure that receiver unit can receive the signal from the transmitter consistently and reliably. Shawn has set up literally thousands of cameras at various events, from small gyms to international stadiums, all around the world. His tips and tricks are incredibly valuable and have served him well over the years.
+When setting up your remote camera there is a lot to consider and think about. Obviously you want to select the best spot for composition of the image but the way your PocketWizard device is mounted is also very important. You will need to determine the best location to mount the receiver, plus consider other factors as well to ensure that receiver unit can receive the signal from the transmitter consistently and reliably. Shawn has set up literally thousands of cameras at various events, from small gyms to international stadiums, all around the world. His tips and tricks are incredibly valuable and have served him well over the years.
 {| class ="wikitable" style="background-color: #fccccc;"
-|'''NEW FIRMWARE UPDATES'''
+|'''PLUS III E Release FIRMWARE UPDATES'''
 Firmware 2.717 or higher: This firmware adds a new mode: Rx LR. This mode is specifically designed for remote camera triggering, when you have a camera in your hand transmitting to a remote camera. Use regular LR mode for the transmitting radio and Rx LR on the remote radio. IMPORTANT: You should also DISABLE the hot shoe on the remote camera. You can do this by taking it out of the hot shoe, turning the camera's hot shoe off, or by holding in the D button till the display changes from CH to Cd to indicate the Plus III's hot shoe is disabled.
@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 When you are using a mirrorless camera in your hand (with a PocketWizard in the hot shoe) to trigger a remote camera, you '''MUST''' use a cable on the handheld camera as well as one on the remote camera. Many settings on the camera will automatically disable the hot shoe. Using a cable connected to the remote port will ensure the transmitting radio will get a trigger signal from the handheld camera. It is always more reliable than the sync pulse from the camera's hot shoe. We also suggest disabling the hot shoe on Plus III radios for best results. Hold in the D Zone button for a few seconds until the display changes from CH to Cd.
-'' '''SONY USERS:''' for your transmitting camera/PocketWizard with Plus III or Plus IV radios, you '''MUST''' use the S-VPR1-ACC cable on your handheld camera as well as one on the remote camera. For the remote cameras, you can use the S-VPR1-ACC, the 13377-S, OR the 13369-S (with the USB power tail).''
+'''SONY USERS:'''
 There are 6 main cables, based on camera connections:
-*N10-ACC: for Nikon cameras with the 10 pin connection, like the D6
+*N10-ACC: for Nikon cameras with the 10 pin connection, like the D6 and Z8
-*N-MCDC2-ACC: for Nikon cameras with the 4 pin MCDC2 port, like the Z series
+*N-MCDC2-ACC: for Nikon cameras with the 4 pin MCDC2 port, like the D750 and Z7
-*CM-N3-ACC: for Canon cameras with the 3 pin port, like the 1DX Mark III
+*CM-N3-ACC: for Canon cameras with the 3 pin port, like the 1DX Mark III and EOS R3
 *CM-E3-ACC: for cameras with the 2.5 mm subminiphone port, like most Canon mirrorless as well as many Fuji or Olympus cameras
 *S-VPR1-ACC: for Sony cameras with the micro USB port, like the a9 II, when using the Plus III or Plus IV radios
@@ Line 88: / Line 94: @@
 Only (Receive Only), and LR (Long Range mode). With Plus III firmware 2.716 or higher, you will also have RxLR. For more details and other modes, please see the MultiMAX or Plus III pages. Rx LR mode increases the contact time for your remote camera, which gives you more reliable and consistent triggering, especially in continuous drive mode.
 Personally, I always choose LR (Long Range) mode for triggering remote cameras. It is a slightly slower traveling signal, specifically designed for frequency stability. This keeps the signal true to the transmitted frequency, limiting the frequency drift to prevent it from spreading to adjacent frequencies or Channels. This frequency stability increases signal reliability and distance. The new Rx LR mode also increases contact time on the remote camera, resulting in more reliable triggering. If you have that option, you should be using LR mode on your transmitting radio and RxLR mode for the remote radios.

@@ Line 73: / Line 73: @@
 When you are using a mirrorless camera in your hand (with a PocketWizard in the hot shoe) to trigger a remote camera, you '''MUST''' use a cable on the handheld camera as well as one on the remote camera. Many settings on the camera will automatically disable the hot shoe. Using a cable connected to the remote port will ensure the transmitting radio will get a trigger signal from the handheld camera. It is always more reliable than the sync pulse from the camera's hot shoe. We also suggest disabling the hot shoe on Plus III radios for best results. Hold in the D Zone button for a few seconds until the display changes from CH to Cd.
-'' '''SONY USERS:''' for your transmitting camera/PocketWizard, you '''MUST''' use the S-VPR1-ACC cable on your handheld camera as well as one on the remote camera. For the remote cameras, you can use the S-VPR1-ACC, the 13377-S, OR the 13369-S (with the USB power tail).''
+'' '''SONY USERS:''' for your transmitting camera/PocketWizard with Plus III or Plus IV radios, you '''MUST''' use the S-VPR1-ACC cable on your handheld camera as well as one on the remote camera. For the remote cameras, you can use the S-VPR1-ACC, the 13377-S, OR the 13369-S (with the USB power tail).''
-There are 5 main cables, based on camera connections:
+There are 6 main cables, based on camera connections:
 *N10-ACC: for Nikon cameras with the 10 pin connection, like the D6
 *N-MCDC2-ACC: for Nikon cameras with the 4 pin MCDC2 port, like the Z series
 *CM-N3-ACC: for Canon cameras with the 3 pin port, like the 1DX Mark III
 *CM-E3-ACC: for cameras with the 2.5 mm subminiphone port, like most Canon mirrorless as well as many Fuji or Olympus cameras
-*S-VPR1-ACC: for Sony cameras with the micro USB port, like the a9 II.
+*S-VPR1-ACC: for Sony cameras with the micro USB port, like the a9 II, when using the Plus III or Plus IV radios
 If you are not sure which cable you need, you can [https://pocketwizard.com/contact/ contact us] at PocketWizard support.

@@ Line 182: / Line 182: @@
 *MultiMax II 8.117
 *Plus III Legacy 1.215
-*Plus IIIe (E Release) 2.704
+*Plus IIIe (E Release) 2.740 / 2.840
 '''Check or change your batteries and check your battery contacts'''
@@ Line 196: / Line 196: @@
 If you have 10 Plus III radios and have a problem with one unit, you’ll probably just swap it out for an immediate fix if you’re in a tight spot. But if you don’t know which radio you swapped out and that unit has a problem, how will you know that for next time? When testing equipment, it’s a good idea to label everything-your cameras, flashes, radios, and cables. Then you can swap things around and know what did or didn’t work and can narrow down the issue.
-We hope these tips will help ensure a troublefree and successful photo shoot. Please do not hesitate to reach out to PocketWizard tech support for assistance if you are stuck. When contacting us, keep in mind we are typically available from about 10 am – 4 pm EST, Monday through Friday. Due to the pandemic, we are not always in the office so email is typically best. If you have an urgent matter, please email us at [https://pocketwizard.com/contact/ PocketWizard tech support] with the word URGENT in the subject line, so we can better see it. We will try to respond as soon as possible. We do check email on the weekends sometimes and will do our best to contact you as soon as possible.
+We hope these tips will help ensure a troublefree and successful photo shoot. Please do not hesitate to reach out to PocketWizard tech support for assistance if you are stuck. When contacting us, keep in mind we are typically available from about 10 am – 4 pm EST, Monday through Friday. We do work remotely sometimes and are not always in the office. If you have an urgent matter, please email us at [https://pocketwizard.com/contact/ PocketWizard tech support] with the word URGENT in the subject line, so we can better see it. We will try to respond as soon as possible. We do check email on the weekends sometimes and will do our best to contact you as soon as possible.

@@ Line 154: / Line 154: @@
 AC power supplies obviously need a power outlet to plug into to power your PocketWizard device.  It is up to you, the user, to decide what is an acceptable distance to run an extension cord to the nearest power outlet. Most modern arenas, stadium, and sports venues now have power outlets within 10’-20’ of each other eliminating the need for long extension cord runs.
-The type of AC power supply depends on your PocketWizard device. The MultiMAX has three options depending on what version of the MultiMAX you have. Please see the [[AC Adapters]] Wiki page to find the correct adapter for your specific MultiMAX.
+The type of AC power supply depends on your PocketWizard device. The original MultiMAX has three options depending on what version of the MultiMAX you have. Please see the [[AC Adapters]] Wiki page to find the correct adapter for your specific MultiMAX.
- The original first generation MultiMAX with no USB connector uses the PW-AC-MX power supply without the add on PW-MXA.  The PW-AC-USB can be used with MultiMAX unit serial numbers 5578506-5578569, 5578601-5578900, and 5579001 and higher, along with all MultiMAX II units.  You can find the serial number inside the battery compartment of your MultiMAX unit.  Any MultiMAX unit with a serial number that does not fall within the number mentioned above you will need the PW-AC-MX, and you will need to install two AA batteries inside the MultiMAX unit to work with this AC power supply.  The AC power supply for the MultiMAX II, and Plus III is the PW-AC-USB.  In all honesty, if you find yourself in a pinch to power your Plus III with AC, you could even use an iPhone charging cube and a USB Mini B cable.
+The AC power supply for the MultiMAX II, Plus IV, and Plus III is the PW-AC-USB.  In all honesty, if you find yourself in a pinch to power your Plus III with AC, you could even use an iPhone charging cube and a USB Mini B cable.
 In the event of a power failure or a tripped circuit breaker for the outlet the AC power supply is plugged into, the MultiMAX USB, MultiMAX II, Plus III, and Plus IV, will all still operate as long as two fresh AA batteries are installed.  Unfortunately, the first generation MultiMAX using the PW-AC-MX power supply will not work even with batteries installed.

@@ Line 111: / Line 111: @@
 ===Hot Shoe Disable===
-This feature that allows the photographer to disable the hot shoe contact of their radios. Hot Shoe Disable can be used on both the transmitter and receiver.
+This feature that allows the photographer to disable the hot shoe contact of their radios. Hot Shoe Disable can be used on both the transmitter and receiver. There are a few reasons to use this feature.
 When you’re using a handheld camera with a radio in the top shoe and triggering remote cameras, you may sometimes want to disable the hot shoe of the transmitting radio. This prevents the handheld camera from triggering your remotes with every picture taken, as the radio in the hot shoe won’t get the sync signal from the camera. Turning off the hot shoe gives the photographer the ability to use a trigger button cable (like the BT1) plugged into the transmitting radio, to trigger the remotes when you see fit, just by pressing on the trigger button.
-The reason for disabling the hot shoe contact of the receiver is to prevent Auto Relay Mode from engaging. When using a Plus III in the hot shoe of a remote camera, connected by a remote cable, after triggering the camera, the Plus III will automatically transmit a relay signal one Channel higher than the signal it received. For example, if the transmitting radio and the Plus III receiver connected to the remote camera are set to Channel 1, the remote Plus III will then relay a transmitting signal on Channel 2 to trigger a third Plus III unit set to receive and set to Channel 2. This feature was designed in order to trigger strobes with the third Plus III unit.  This is the way the product is designed to work.
+The reason for disabling the hot shoe contact of the receiver is to prevent Auto Relay Mode from engaging. When using a Plus III in the hot shoe of a remote camera, connected by a remote cable, after triggering the camera, the Plus III will automatically transmit a relay signal one Channel higher than the signal it received. For example, if the transmitting radio and the Plus III receiver connected to the remote camera are set to Channel 1, the remote Plus III will then relay a transmitting signal on Channel 2 to trigger a third Plus III unit set to receive and set to Channel 2. This feature was designed in order to trigger strobes with the third Plus III unit. This is the way the product is designed to work.
 However, if a second photographer is using Channel 2 and the first photographer is not using relay but just a remote camera, the relay signal could inadvertently trigger the second photographer’s equipment.
 In a situation such as the World Series, NCAA Final Four, Track and Field World Championships, FIFA World Cup, or the Games, photographers need to register the Channels they plan to use. If a photographer is only planning on triggering remote cameras on (for example) Channel 24, another photographer could be assigned Channel 25. When the photographer using Channel 24 fires his camera remotely, his connected Plus III will trigger any PocketWizard receiver set to Channel 25.
 ====How to Disable a Plus III Hot Shoe====
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 ====How to Disable a MultiMAX Hot Shoe====
-Start by turning on your MultiMAX to transmit.  Then press the Menu button.  Next press the “L” button for Other Functions.  Now you will press “B” for Hot Shoe Off.
+Start by turning on your MultiMAX to transmit. Then press the *MENU button. Next press the “L” button for Other Functions. Now you will press “B” for Hot Shoe Off. The MultiMAX will show what function is active. For example, if it says "Hot Shoe Off", the shoe is disabled. When you press *MENU L B again, it will change to "Hot Shoe On" and the shoe will be active again.
 ====Other Ways to Disable a Hot Shoe====

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 ===Mini phone extensions and Isolation/Mounting Bar===
-I always make it a practice to carry some miniphone extension cables for those situations where I need to mount the receiver in places the remote camera cable will not reach. There are also situations where you might want to place the transmitter off the camera to obtain line of sight to the receiver unit. For example, when shooting under an overhang, or dugout.  I suggest having options from 10’ to 20’ mini phone extensions just to make sure you can place the receiver in the best spot possible. However, with the longer cables try to avoid running your cables near any power control panels, conduit, Wifi routers, radio antennas, or objects with high water content.
+I always make it a practice to carry some miniphone extension cables like the PocketWizard MMX for those situations where I need to mount the receiver in places the remote camera cable will not reach. There are also situations where you might want to place the transmitter off the camera to obtain line of sight to the receiver unit. For example, when shooting under an overhang, or dugout. I suggest having options from 10’ to 20’ mini phone extensions just to make sure you can place the receiver in the best spot possible. However, with the longer cables try to avoid running your cables near any power control panels, conduit, Wifi routers, radio antennas, or objects with high water content. The MMX is a 10' cable.
-As mentioned earlier, Isolation/Mounting bars are very useful in placing your PocketWizard device in a more optimal position for receiving or transmitting a signal.  These bars are only sold in 4” lengths, however you can connect two of them together by threading one into the other to make an 8” length.  And don’t forget about key rings to run your safety cables through. Never ever use the lanyards that come with the PocketWizard devices.  They were not designed with intent to be used as a safety when mounting remote cameras. Make sure that the key ring is big enough to slip through the eyelet on the Plus III, and big enough to to slip the safety cable through.
+As mentioned earlier, Isolation/Mounting bars are very useful in placing your PocketWizard device in a more optimal position for receiving or transmitting a signal. These are called MB4s and are sold in 4” lengths, however you can connect two of them together by threading one into the other to make an 8” length. And don’t forget about key rings to run your safety cables through. Never ever use the lanyards that come with the PocketWizard devices. They were not designed with intent to be used as a safety when mounting remote cameras. Make sure that the key ring is big enough to slip through the eyelet on the Plus III, and big enough to to slip the safety cable through.
 ===Hot Shoe Disable===