Difference between revisions of "Power Control for Non-Compatible Cameras"
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| − | [[File:Sony with 430EXII-3611.jpg|right| | + | [[File:Sony with 430EXII-3611.jpg|right|400px]] |
| − | This page | + | This page explains how to use a MiniTT1, FlexTT5, or FlexTT6 with an [[AC3 ZoneController]] on nearly any non-TTL compatible camera with a basic hot shoe to get manual power control. |
==Setup== | ==Setup== | ||
| − | For | + | For most mirrorless cameras and other non-compatible camera brands like Sony, Olympus, Hasselblad, Mamiya, and others, using manual power control with your [[ControlTL]] radios and remote speedlights is simple. A [[MiniTT1 and FlexTT5|MiniTT1, FlexTT5, or FlexTT6]] with an [[AC3 ZoneController]] must be used on-camera to transmit. Remote speedlights must be used with receiving FlexTT5 or FlexTT6 radios. Only compatible Canon/Nikon speedlights are supported and the receiving FlexTT5 or FlexTT6s must match the flashes they are attached to. |
How to set up your radios for manual power control with non-compatible cameras: | How to set up your radios for manual power control with non-compatible cameras: | ||
| − | # Put a MiniTT1 | + | # Put a MiniTT1, FlexTT5, or FlexTT6 in the hot shoe of your non-Canon or non-Nikon camera. |
# Slide your AC3 ZoneController into the top shoe of the radio on your camera. Make sure all Zones are set to M or 0. A mode is not supported for non-compatible cameras. | # Slide your AC3 ZoneController into the top shoe of the radio on your camera. Make sure all Zones are set to M or 0. A mode is not supported for non-compatible cameras. | ||
# Place your remote speedlights into the top shoes of the receiving FlexTT5s. | # Place your remote speedlights into the top shoes of the receiving FlexTT5s. | ||
# Set remote speedlights to TTL mode on the back of the flashes. | # Set remote speedlights to TTL mode on the back of the flashes. | ||
| − | # Turn on your remote speedlights, and then the receiving FlexTT5s | + | # Turn on your remote speedlights, and then the receiving FlexTT5s or FlexTT6s. |
# Turn on your transmitting radio, and then the camera. | # Turn on your transmitting radio, and then the camera. | ||
# Use the camera to fire the flashes! You can adjust the AC3 dials for remote manual power. | # Use the camera to fire the flashes! You can adjust the AC3 dials for remote manual power. | ||
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Some of these operational notes may also be helpful: | Some of these operational notes may also be helpful: | ||
| − | * [ | + | * [[Current Firmware|Update your firmware!]] The ability to use an AC3 and ControlTL radio on a non-compatible camera was added in Version 6.400 for Canon radios and Version 3.400 for Nikon radios. This feature will not work using old radio firmware. |
* Make sure your camera has flash usage enabled. Some cameras (like the Fuji X-10 and X100 cameras) cannot use flash when Silent Mode is enabled. | * Make sure your camera has flash usage enabled. Some cameras (like the Fuji X-10 and X100 cameras) cannot use flash when Silent Mode is enabled. | ||
* If the smaller TTL pins in the hot-shoe of your camera line up with the transmitting radio's TTL pins, the radios try to communicate with the camera, which can result in bad exposures. Use tape to cover all but the large center pin in your camera’s hot-shoe if you see problems with your radios or flashes. | * If the smaller TTL pins in the hot-shoe of your camera line up with the transmitting radio's TTL pins, the radios try to communicate with the camera, which can result in bad exposures. Use tape to cover all but the large center pin in your camera’s hot-shoe if you see problems with your radios or flashes. | ||
| + | * If you are using a camera that is not TTL compatible with your radios but is the same brand (such as a Canon mirrorless camera with a Canon MiniTT1), you will need to cover the extra TTL pins as described above. | ||
| + | * We have found some Fuji cameras (The X-Pro2 specifically) will give an "overheat" warning when used with a Canon MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 in the shoe. If you tape over the extra TTL pins (as described above), this should solve that issue. | ||
* The MiniTT1 has an auto-standby feature that is enabled after 180 seconds when an AC3 is mounted in the transmitter's top-shoe. You may need to press the TEST button on the side of your MiniTT1 if you experience missed exposures after this time period. | * The MiniTT1 has an auto-standby feature that is enabled after 180 seconds when an AC3 is mounted in the transmitter's top-shoe. You may need to press the TEST button on the side of your MiniTT1 if you experience missed exposures after this time period. | ||
| − | * You may notice a lower overall maximum sync speed when using manual power control on your non-compatible camera. If you want faster flash firing, use [ | + | * You may notice a lower overall maximum sync speed when using manual power control on your non-compatible camera. If you want faster flash firing, use [[Misc Tab#Basic Trigger|Basic Trigger Mode]]. Basic Trigger Mode disables manual power control. |
* Power control with non-compatible cameras is only possible if the radio brand matches the speedlight brand. For example, you need to use Canon radios if you have Canon speedlights. This feature will not work with flashes that are not compatible with the ControlTL system. | * Power control with non-compatible cameras is only possible if the radio brand matches the speedlight brand. For example, you need to use Canon radios if you have Canon speedlights. This feature will not work with flashes that are not compatible with the ControlTL system. | ||
<br/> | <br/> | ||
Latest revision as of 18:27, 15 June 2024
This page explains how to use a MiniTT1, FlexTT5, or FlexTT6 with an AC3 ZoneController on nearly any non-TTL compatible camera with a basic hot shoe to get manual power control.
Setup
For most mirrorless cameras and other non-compatible camera brands like Sony, Olympus, Hasselblad, Mamiya, and others, using manual power control with your ControlTL radios and remote speedlights is simple. A MiniTT1, FlexTT5, or FlexTT6 with an AC3 ZoneController must be used on-camera to transmit. Remote speedlights must be used with receiving FlexTT5 or FlexTT6 radios. Only compatible Canon/Nikon speedlights are supported and the receiving FlexTT5 or FlexTT6s must match the flashes they are attached to.
How to set up your radios for manual power control with non-compatible cameras:
- Put a MiniTT1, FlexTT5, or FlexTT6 in the hot shoe of your non-Canon or non-Nikon camera.
- Slide your AC3 ZoneController into the top shoe of the radio on your camera. Make sure all Zones are set to M or 0. A mode is not supported for non-compatible cameras.
- Place your remote speedlights into the top shoes of the receiving FlexTT5s.
- Set remote speedlights to TTL mode on the back of the flashes.
- Turn on your remote speedlights, and then the receiving FlexTT5s or FlexTT6s.
- Turn on your transmitting radio, and then the camera.
- Use the camera to fire the flashes! You can adjust the AC3 dials for remote manual power.
Operational Considerations
Some of these operational notes may also be helpful:
- Update your firmware! The ability to use an AC3 and ControlTL radio on a non-compatible camera was added in Version 6.400 for Canon radios and Version 3.400 for Nikon radios. This feature will not work using old radio firmware.
- Make sure your camera has flash usage enabled. Some cameras (like the Fuji X-10 and X100 cameras) cannot use flash when Silent Mode is enabled.
- If the smaller TTL pins in the hot-shoe of your camera line up with the transmitting radio's TTL pins, the radios try to communicate with the camera, which can result in bad exposures. Use tape to cover all but the large center pin in your camera’s hot-shoe if you see problems with your radios or flashes.
- If you are using a camera that is not TTL compatible with your radios but is the same brand (such as a Canon mirrorless camera with a Canon MiniTT1), you will need to cover the extra TTL pins as described above.
- We have found some Fuji cameras (The X-Pro2 specifically) will give an "overheat" warning when used with a Canon MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 in the shoe. If you tape over the extra TTL pins (as described above), this should solve that issue.
- The MiniTT1 has an auto-standby feature that is enabled after 180 seconds when an AC3 is mounted in the transmitter's top-shoe. You may need to press the TEST button on the side of your MiniTT1 if you experience missed exposures after this time period.
- You may notice a lower overall maximum sync speed when using manual power control on your non-compatible camera. If you want faster flash firing, use Basic Trigger Mode. Basic Trigger Mode disables manual power control.
- Power control with non-compatible cameras is only possible if the radio brand matches the speedlight brand. For example, you need to use Canon radios if you have Canon speedlights. This feature will not work with flashes that are not compatible with the ControlTL system.
