Difference between revisions of "The FAQ"

Revision as of 13:45, 8 September 2011

Our TOP TEN (plus one) most asked simple questions.

It’s understandable you might get into a situation while working with the MiniTT1® and FlexTT5® and today’s complex camera systems where you’re not sure why something isn’t working as you would expect it. Most of the time, there is a simple solution. We asked our tech support crew to give us the “Top Ten” questions consumers asked to keep their system working properly. Here they are:

Nothing is working! What should I do?

A: Try these steps:

• Check the batteries: weak batteries can cause strange behavior.
• Make sure all radios (and cameras and speedlights) are updated to the latest firmware. Try our beta firmware as it often has new fixes ready to be tried.
• Factory Reset the radios.
• Take your first shot at 1/160th or 1/200th so the system can properly calibrate timing.
• Wait about 3 seconds after turning on your radio before taking your first picture.
• Take your time! Whenever possible, compose the image with the shutter release half-pressed before taking the picture.
• If still having issues after trying the above, save your camera’s custom functions, reset the camera, then start adding them back in one at a time.

In what order should I turn things on?

A: Top down: Flash, then radio, then camera. Wait 2-3 seconds between each step. Older Quick Guides may have this slightly different, but top down works for all current radios and firmware.

My Nikon camera won’t let me choose a shutter speed faster than x-sync. How can I shoot at faster shutter speeds?

A: Nikon cameras require that FP-sync is enabled to shoot faster than x-sync if they detect a TTL-capable device in their hot shoe. Enabling FP-sync is done in the Custom Settings menu. Set “e1 flash sync speed” to 1/250s (Auto FP).

Note that some cameras may have different a different menu setting to enable Auto FP, and that some cameras are not capable of HSS/FP-Sync operation. Check your camera's manual for more information.

The ISO on my remote Nikon Speedlight is stuck at 200. What’s wrong?

A: It isn’t required for TTL operation on the remote flash and has no effect on exposure, so the radios do not transmit camera setting information like ISO to remote flashes. The remote FlexTT5 simply gives the flash a default value on power-up, which is ISO 200.

I set my speedlight to MASTER and stuck it on a remote FlexTT5. Why won’t it control other flashes when I have a MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 on my camera?

A: The ControlTL® system, just like Nikon and Canon native systems, expects the MASTER speedlight to be only at the camera position so “Remote MASTER” operation is not supported. Setting a remote flash to MASTER mode will result in an Error Condition You need a receiving FlexTT5 for each remote speedlight.

My remote speedlights don’t change their zoom when I zoom the lens on my camera. What’s wrong?

A: Zoom tracking is a feature for on-camera flash and would cause some lighting issues if done on remotes. Nikon and Canon native systems do not have zoom tracking for remote or slave flashes either.

How can I trigger a FlexTT5 from a PocketWizard module-equipped Sekonic meter?

Note: We recommend using Basic Trigger Mode to set the Standard Channel, instead of the "Use ControlTL for Receive" checkbox mentioned in this video. Check Basic Trigger Mode under the Misc tab first, and then set your Standard Receive Channel under the Channels Tab. If using a Canon FlexTT5, you'll need to first uncheck Force TTL Master Mode.

What cable do I need?

A: You can use the Cable Finder at PocketWizard.com to find the right cable for lots of different cameras and flashes.

Can I combine radio and optical so I don’t have to buy as many FlexTT5s? Can I connect more than one speedlight to a single FlexTT5?

A: Currently you need to have one FlexTT5 for each speedlight you want to control via radio.

Is “xxxxxxx” brand/model flash compatible with your radios?

A: Some third party flashes are compatible with our radios – you can read more about our radios compatibility on their respective product pages (FlexTT5 for Canon, FlexTT5 for Nikon). Also, almost any flash can be used in Basic Trigger Mode for simple triggering operation.

Will you ever have ControlTL in a Sekonic meter?

A: A module with the ControlTL channels is being developed. We do not have a release date for it at this time.

Still have a question? Search this Wiki, see a list of our worldwide distributors, or contact us by email!