Difference between revisions of "Flash Tab"

Latest revision as of 07:38, 8 November 2013

The flash tab contains controls that influence the behavior of both TTL and manual flashes connected to compatible PocketWizard radios.

Rear Curtain Sync Begins At (Canon Only):

Use this setting to control the shutter speed that Rear Curtain Sync begins at with your Canon camera. The default setting is 1/100th.

(Nikon's Rear Curtain Sync is controlled on the Camera Body instead, and begins at 1/125th.)

Read more about Rear Curtain Sync here.

Optimized Rear Curtain Sync / Manual Shutter Speeds:

This setting will allow for a more precise sync between the camera and the flash, greatly reducing afterglow. This setting is only for shooting with your camera set to manual shutter speeds. If you are using Aperture Priority Mode which automatically selects the shutter speed for you, make sure to uncheck this control.

Speedlite:

Adjusts how Speedlites will respond to the AC3 or ControlTL Transmitter with no AC3. Set to "Normal E-TTL" or "Normal i-TTL" to have remote E-TTL/i-TTL flashes respond to ControlTL or TTL changes normally. Set to "No Change (Trigger Only)" and this transmitting radio will not change the light level put out by remote Speedlights - the remote Speedlite will trigger at the last level set. Use "No Change (Trigger Only)" if you are working with another camera that is controlling the flash output levels.

Note that selecting "No Change (Trigger Only)" on this menu disables power controls ONLY for Speedlights - studio power controlled flashes using a PowerST4/PowerMC2/AC9 will still respond normally. To disable studio power controls as well, select "No Change (Trigger Only)" under the PowerTracking Tab.

Force TTL Master Mode (Canon Only):

This mode enables the use of a Speedlite that lacks Master Mode in the shoe of a ControlTL transmitter to trigger remote flashes. The transmitter tells the camera that Master Mode is active even though that mode is not available or set in the flash. All TTL remotes will operate as one zone of light when used this way.

This also benefits the 580EX (I and II) as it will emit fewer communication flashes. This reduces the "flickering pre-flash" that bothers some subjects. All flash controls remain active including the ability to adjust remote flash power from a 580EX. If you wish to retain the ability to toggle on and off your remote flashes using the control on your 580EX or 580EX II when not in ratio mode, you will need to uncheck "Force TTL Master Mode."

Pre-Flash Boost Mode (Canon Only):

In certain TTL situations, especially when shooting in full sun or over long distances, the normal pre-flash is simply not enough for the camera to see. When Pre-Flash Boost is engaged, you get a pre-flash that is two stops brighter. This will approximately double the distance that the camera can make sense of the TTL pre-flash information, or help compensate for the reduced output caused by a light modifier or bounced flash.

This setting has three options:

Disable Pre-Flash Boost: (Default Setting) This turns Pre-flash Boost off completely and uses native power levels for preflashes.

Auto Pre-Flash Boost: Selecting this option enables Pre-Flash Boost whenever the flash head is rotated in any direction other than the standard 90º position. In the standard 90º flash head position, Pre-Flash Boost will not be used.

Enable Pre-Flash Boost: Selecting this option enables Pre-Flash Boost full-time (helpful when using diffusers).

Remote Beeper:

Determines what settings the remote flash's ready beeper will use the next time you half-press the camera's shutter release. Note that this control affects studio strobes only, and will not have any effect on Canon or Nikon speedlights.

Remote Optical Trigger:

Determines what settings the remote flash's optical trigger will use the next time you half-press the camera's shutter release. Note that this control affects studio strobes only, and will not have any effect on Canon or Nikon speedlights.