Difference between revisions of "Canon Compatibility"

Revision as of 11:59, 18 January 2011

This section contains compatibility information for the Canon MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 ControlTL radios.

Camera Compatibility

The MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 for Canon are compatible with these modern Canon digital cameras capable of using Canon's latest E-TTL II protocol:

BASIC TRIGGER MODE: Almost all cameras and flashes are compatible with the MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 when the radios are configured for Basic Trigger Mode. Basic Trigger Mode disables all flash power control and TTL functions of the radios.

Canon's G9, G10, G11, G12 and earlier models are not supported with our radios. Although these cameras can use many of the same flashes as modern Canon DSLRs, they use a very different implementation of Canon's ETTL II protocol.

Speedlite Compatibility

Special Note: Canon Speedlite models 580EX and 580EX II, and especially the older 430EX (not the newer 430EX II), emit RF interference that can substantially reduce the effective operating range of many radio slaves, including the FlexTT5 when used as a receiver. For these model flashes, please utilize the mounting suggestions on PocketWizard.com

The MiniTT1/FlexTT5 are E-TTL II compatible with these Canon flashes:

Current Generation

580EX II

Full feature compatibility.

Range limited due to RF interference from flash only when connected to a remote FlexTT5. See Range Extending Solutions.

Not range limited when used on a transmitting radio.

430EX II

Full feature compatibility.

Excellent range performance with this flash.

270EX

Can be used on the MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 (Transmit or Receive) in ETTL mode.

Range slightly limited due to some RF interference from Speedlite only when connected to a remote FlexTT5.

To use this flash on a ControlTL radio mounted on a camera at HSS shutter speeds, you first need to enable HSS mode in the flash. Mount the 270EX directly on a camera (no radio in-between) and enable HSS mode via the camera’s menus. Once that mode is enabled, the flash will work properly at HSS shutter speeds when mounted on a MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 when used as a transmitter. HSS operation is automatic (no need to set it) when used on a FlexTT5 as a receiver.

This flash may have occasional exposure issues when used on a MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 mounted directly on certain cameras like the 5D Mark II, 40D, 20D, and possibly others.

Previous Generation

580EX

Full feature compatibility.

Range limited due to RF interference from flash only when connected to a remote FlexTT5. See Range Extending Solutions.

Not range limited when used on a transmitting radio.

430EX

Full feature compatibility.

Significantly range limited due to RF interference from flash only when connected to a remote FlexTT5. See Range Extending Solutions.

Not range limited when used on a transmitting radio.

550EX

Full feature compatibility.

Excellent range performance with this flash.

420EX

Full feature compatibility.

220EX

Can be used on FlexTT5 as a receiver in E-TTL mode only.

Cannot be used on MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 as a transmitter.

This flash performs better if an OC-E3 cable is used.

BASIC TRIGGER MODE: Almost all cameras and flashes are compatible with the MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 when the radios are configured for Basic Trigger Mode. Basic Trigger Mode disables all flash power control and TTL functions of the radios.

3rd Party Speedlite Compatible Flashes

Metz

58 AF-1 (Metz firmware v3.0)

48 AF-1 (Metz firmware v2.0)

These flashes can only be used if Pre-Flash Boost is disabled on the Flash Tab in the PocketWizard Utility.

These flashes may only be used on a remote FlexTT5 used as a receiver. They are not compatible as on-camera MASTER flashes.

Nissin

Di866

Di622

A control was added to the Misc Tab in the PocketWizard Utility called “Top Shoe Detection Mode.” To use a Nissin Di866 or Di622 for Canon this control must be set for “Nissin Flash.” Most features of these flashes are supported.

These flashes may only be used on a remote FlexTT5 used as a receiver. They are not compatible as on-camera MASTER flashes.

Operational Notes

7D and 17-55 EF-S Lens

The Canon 7D has an operational consideration specifically with the 17-55 EF-S lens, and possibly other fast EF-S glass. If there is a Speedlite in Master Mode or a ST-E2 in the top shoe of an on-camera MiniTT1 or FlexTT5; the camera is set to a shutter speed between 1/100th and 1/400th; and the lens is set to a small aperture (such as f22), you will get banding, black frames, and occasional "blowouts" (over-exposed frames).

50D and on-camera Speedlite in Master Mode with ratios enabled

When attached to an on-camera PocketWizard and set to Master Mode with ratios enabled, the Speedlite will occasionally drop out of Master Mode completely and enter normal ETTL mode. Sometimes changing the mode dial on the camera will turn Master Mode back on. The flash can forget the Zoom setting when this occurs as well.

30D as remote camera

When remote triggering the 30D camera remotely, it must be set to “Auto Power Off – Disable” otherwise once camera sleeps, trigger will not work.

5D 1/8000th in Av mode

With some 5Ds, the camera's shutter speed can get stuck at 1/8000th or f/22 when in Av or Tv mode if a Speedlite is used in the top shoe of an on-camera PocketWizard. There is a known bug in the camera's firmware where the camera exhibits the same symptoms but only with a Speedlite in manual mode. This can occur with or without PocketWizards.

Rebel T2i banding at 1/640th or higher

Due to camera timing limitations, the Rebel T2i's shutter speed is limited to about 1/640th in High Speed Sync. Shutter speeds faster than that will show clipping (a black bar) in the images.

Remote camera triggering delays

With the default settings, remote cameras will be limited to Single Shot mode and there will be a delay between subsequent triggers. You can avoid this delay completely if you set the FlexTT5 attached to the remote camera to Basic Trigger Mode. A PocketWizard in this mode acts as a simple trigger. Advanced features like TTL flash and High Speed Sync won't be available.

Rear Curtain Sync not supported in Bulb Mode

Rear Curtain Sync and Bulb mode cannot be used together, as the radios cannot know when the shutter will be closed until it has been already.

1D Mark IV shutter clipping

The 1D Mark IV can display clipping (black bands in the image) at higher shutter speeds if camera model isn't specified in the PocketWizard Utility.

20D Remote Wireless Manual Mode over-exposures

If you use Remote Wireless Manual controls with a 580EX II in the top shoe of a Mini or Flex on a 20D, about 20% of the exposures result in overexposure with remote Speedlites.

Modes Not Supported

• Speedlite controls set via the in-camera menus, like Flash Exposure Compensation and ratio settings, are not currently supported.
• FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing) and Stroboscopic Flash are not currently supported
• Enabling 1/2-stop exposure increments via the in-camera Custom Function menu will not work properly with our radios. The attached PocketWizard will blink red three times to indicate an error.