Canon Compatibility
This section contains compatibility information for the Canon MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 ControlTL radios.
| Next recommended reading: PocketWizard Utility |
Future Compatiblity
The following is the prioritized list of planned BETA firmware releases and production releases for compatibility with newly released photography gear from Canon. Prioritization is based on when gear was received, complexity of reverse engineering and majority of users:
- New Canon Gear
- Limited compatibility now available for the Canon 1D X, 6D and T4i with Canon Firmware 6.400. Exploring TTL compatibility is our top firmware priority.
- Canon 1D X
- Canon 6D
- Canon T4i
This page will be updated when beta firmware is released and we will also post on the PocketWizard Facebook page.
Detailed Nikon Compatibility is available here.
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:
| Canon 1Ds Mark III | Canon 1D X | 7D | 60D | Rebel T4i/650D |
| Canon 1Ds Mark II | Canon 1D Mark IV | 6D | 50D | Rebel T3i/600D |
| Canon 1D Mark III | 5D Mark III | 40D | Rebel T3/110D | |
| 1D Mark IIN | 5D Mark II | 30D | Rebel T2i/550D | |
| 1D Mark II | 5D | 20D | Rebel T1i/500D | |
| Rebel XSi/450D | ||||
| Rebel XTi/400D | ||||
| Rebel XT/350D | ||||
| Rebel XS/1000D |
NOTE: The 1D X, 6D, and T4i do not support TTL operation at this time. See the operational notes on the 1D X, 6D, and T4i for more information.
For optimal performance, it is highly recommended to specify your camera model in the Misc Tab of the PocketWizard Utility for your transmitting radio.
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 PowerShot cameras, such as the 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
- 600EX-RT
- Supported Modes:
- Master E-TTL
- Master Manual
- Remote E-TTL
- Remote Manual
- Unsupported Modes:
- Multi (stroboscopic) is not supported.
- Group mode is not supported.
- "ALL" selection is not supported, but Ratios are available in supported Master modes.
- 580EX II
- Full feature compatibility.
- Range limited due to RF interference from flash only when connected to a remote FlexTT5. See Long Range Performance.
- 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.
- 270EX II
- Can be used on the MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 (Transmit or Receive) in ETTL mode.
- Significantly range limited due to RF interference from flash only when connected to a remote FlexTT5. See Long Range Performance.
- 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.
- This flash will not do AF assist, as it uses the flash itself to do AF assist on camera, rather than using IR like other flashes. As such, this different mode is not supported.
- 320EX
- Full Feature Compatiblity
- Excellent range performance with this flash.
- Some RF interference present when LED lamp is on.
Previous Generation
- 580EX
- Full feature compatibility.
- Range limited due to RF interference from flash only when connected to a remote FlexTT5. See Long Range Performance.
- 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 Long Range Performance.
- 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 v5.0)
- 48 AF-1 (Metz firmware v4.0)
These flashes can only be used if Pre-Flash Boost is disabled on the Flash Tab in the PocketWizard Utility is disabled. Note: Pre-Flash Boost is disabled by default.
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.
Note: The Di866 Mark II and Di622 Mark II are currently not compatible.
Operational Notes
1DX, 6D, and T4i
- For remote manual power control to work, remote Speedlites on FlexTT5 radios must be set to TTL, as is normal operation for the ControlTL system.
- A Master Speedlite on the camera’s radio set to E-TTL mode will not trigger. Any remote zones set to TTL will not trigger.
- A Master Speedlite on the camera’s radio set to manual mode, with or without remote manual zones, will function normally.
- The Canon 600EX-RT Group and ALL modes are not supported in the ControlTL system for any Canon cameras, including the 1D X, 6D, and T4i. Master Manual Mode works properly with these cameras.
- An AC3 ZoneController will not trigger any zones set to A for either TTL remotes (Speedlites) or PowerTracking studio remotes.
- If the 1D X, 6D, or T4i are woken up with a very quick full-press of the camera’s shutter release, flashes may misfire or clipping may occur. Try to always wake the camera with a slow, deliberate half-press of the shutter release before taking the exposure. On the 1D X, consider setting C.Fn6 (“Timer Duration”) to 1 min or longer to keep the camera awake longer after a full-press.
- When using a bare shoe FlexTT5 or MiniTT1 on the 1D X, 6D, or T4i (no Master Speedlite and no AC3 ZoneController), the camera’s FEC adjustment can adjust the manual power of remote Speedlites or studio flashes per the following table:
- This adjustment is not real time. To apply an FEC adjustment, either wait for the camera to sleep, and then wake it with a half-press of the shutter release button, *or* press the FEC button, make your adjustment, and then press the FEC button again to “set” the adjustment.
- On cameras other than the 1D X, 6D, or T4i, using a bare shoe MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 (no AC3 ZoneController or Master Speedlite) would cause the remote flashes to be used as TTL flashes, with FEC controlling compensation to output power in real time.
- Only the “Full Manual” PowerTracking mode is available for the 1D X, 6D, and T4i. If other PowerTracking modes, like “Center on ISO & Aperture” are selected, they will perform as “Full Manual.” “No Change (Trigger Only)” will work as expected.
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.
1D Mark II as Remote Camera
The 1D Mark II can be used with as a remote camera with our Standard radios or our ControlTL radios. ControlTL radios must be set to Basic Trigger mode. If the radios are set to ControlTL Channels, the 1D Mark II will not trigger.
5D 1/8000th in Automatic Metering modes
With some 5D's, the camera's shutter speed can get stuck at 1/8000th or f/22 when in P, 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.
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, because Bulb exposures are terminated manually by the photographer. With rear curtain sync, the radio sends a signal to the flash to fire just before the shutter closes. In Bulb mode, the exposure timing is infinitely variable, and the radios cannot receive commands indicating that an exposure is about to end.
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
