Difference between revisions of "HyperSync/HSS Tab"

Revision as of 13:17, 7 December 2010

HyperSync Offset

HyperSync allows for a PocketWizard-connected manual flash to begin firing just *before* the camera triggers a sync pulse. Since you are triggering 'faster than a wire' with HyperSync, you can sync at shutter speeds faster than X-sync for many cameras and get more usable flash energy before Auto FP (High Speed Sync) is activated.

Adjusting HyperSync is done in this Utility. To explore HyperSync's full potential, disable FP Flash/High Speed Sync completely by checking the High Speed Sync (FP Flash Sync) Disable Mode box. Try the default setting and look for clipping (black lines in your images). Adjust the HyperSync Offset up or down as needed to eliminate the black lines. It is not always possible to eliminate the black lines as the shutter speed increases.

NOTE: If you have a flash in the shoe of the MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 on your camera, it must be set to High Speed Sync (FP Flash). If not, the camera will be limited to a 1/200 shutter speed and will not use HyperSync timings.

HyperSync is set in a transmitting radio only. It is not used in a remote FlexTT5. All receiving PocketWizard radios, including the Plus II, etc., will trigger in sync with HyperSync.

If you are seeing Front Curtain clipping (top of frame is dark), then your HyperSync offset should be moved towards 0 (zero).

If you are seeing Rear Curtain clipping (bottom of frame is dark), then your HyperSync offset should be moved away from 0 (zero).

When making adjustments, try adjusting in 30 microsecond steps until you see some changes, then try smaller steps to fine tune your setting. Remember to press Apply Changes in the Utility after every adjustment.

For some camera and flash combinations it is not possible to eliminate clipping, especially at the faster HyperSync shutter speeds like 1/400 and 1/500. Use a slower shutter speed or use FP Flash/High Speed Sync for faster shutter speeds.

High Speed Sync (FP Flash Sync) Disable Mode:

Allows you to turn off High Speed Sync (HSS or FP Flash) and use HyperSync for any remote flash units all the way up to 1/8000 shutter speed. Default is to have this box unchecked to allow seamless operation of HSS.

Normally, the MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 automatically enable FP Flash/High Speed Sync above the camera's X-sync speed. When HSS/FP is automatically engaged in this fashion, Standard Channel triggers are not transmitted.

When using this feature, HSS/FP is never engaged and Standard Channel triggers are used at all shutter speeds.

This allows you to have a remote manual flash trigger at any shutter speed and control trigger timing using the HyperSync Offset. This works with the FlexTT5 as a receiver, or any other PocketWizard receiver including the Plus, MultiMAX, and devices with PocketWizard radios built-in.

While using this mode enables your camera to trigger a flash at any shutter speed, it does not guarantee that your camera and flash combination will achieve proper sync at every shutter speed and flash duration. You will need to experiment with different HyperSync Offset values and different flash duration settings on your flash (longer is often better at the faster shutter speeds) to achieve usable results. As you increase shutter speeds and the camera is exposing the frame with a moving slit, you might get gradations across the frame in either brightness or color depending on your flash unit's light output profile. You may also get black bars, an indication that flash duration is too short or your HyperSync Value is too extreme. It may not be possible to eliminate these conditions for your camera and flash combination.

NOTE: If you place a Speedlite in the shoe of a MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 on the camera, and the radio has High Speed Sync (FP Flash Sync) Disable Mode checked (not recommended), you should be aware of the following behaviors:

If that Speedlite also has HSS disabled, then you will not be able to set your camera shutter speed higher than X-sync.

If that Speedlite has HSS enabled, then it will allow the camera to be set to all shutter speeds. The Speedlite will attempt to perform normal E-TTL II triggers (in ETTL mode, not HSS mode) but may not be able to provide proper sync as you increase shutter speeds.

High Speed Sync Begins At:

Select the shutter speed where HyperSync Timings are no longer used and High Speed Sync/FP Flash is engaged.

Rear Curtain Sync Begins At:

Choose when Rear/Second Curtain Sync will engage for this and slower shutter speeds or disable Rear Curtain Sync completely. This is a transmitter only function.