Plus III

This page covers information for both Plus III and Plus IIIe Transceivers.

The Plus III is a radio transceiver, capable of acting as a transmitter or receiver for triggering remote flashes and cameras. It requires at least one other PocketWizard radio for wireless triggering. It can be connected to almost any remote flash or camera with the proper cable.

Like the Plus II, the Plus III is a manual flash trigger. It is compatible with all other PocketWizard radios operating on the same frequency. Learn more about the frequencies we use on our Frequency Page. It can transmit and receive on Standard Channels, not the ControlTL Channels used by some other radios for TTL flash and power control.

PocketWizard announced the E Release firmware upgrade on September 12, 2019 for the Plus III and Plus IV radios. Please see our PocketWizard E Release page for details. Operational differences between the 2 generations of firmware are noted below.

Plus III Basics

Connecting

Connect a Plus III to your camera via the hot shoe. This will be your transmitting radio. Connect a Plus III to each of your remote flashes using the appropriate sync cable. These will be your receiving radios. If you are using a camera with no hot shoe, or the hot shoe cannot be used, connect the transmitting Plus III’s Flash/Camera Port to the camera’s sync terminal. Visit our cablefinder for correct camera cable.

Powering On/Off

Make sure batteries are properly installed. To turn on your Plus III, hold down the Power/MODE Button for about two seconds. The Status LED blinks green every few seconds to indicate normal operation. It will blink red in sync with a trigger. Hold down the Power/MODE Button for about two seconds to turn off your Plus III.

Channels & Zones

Your Plus III needs to be on the same Channel as other PocketWizard radios. The radios must also have the same firmware. A radio with Legacy firmware will not be able to communicate with a radio with the E Release. Channels can be set via the Plus III’s Channel Up/Down Buttons.

• Legacy Firmware: When using Channels 17-32, you can specify Zones A, B, C, and D. See “Channels and Zones” section for more info.
• E Release Firmware: When using E Channels 1-32, you can specify Zones A, B, C, and D. When using LR Channels 1-80, you can specify Zones A, B, C, and D. See “Channels and Zones” section for more info.

Plus III FAQ

Having trouble with your Plus III? Check out our Plus III FAQ page!

Remote Flash Triggering

With transmitting and receiving PocketWizard® radios set to the same channel and zone, remote flashes will be synchronized with the camera.

1. Attach a Plus III to your camera’s hot shoe. You may also connect the Plus III radio to your camera’s PC sync port using the included cable.
2. Connect a Plus III to your remote flash via the appropriate sync cable.
3. Select Channel and Zone A, B, C, or D via Channel Up/Down Buttons and Zone Toggle Buttons. Set any other PocketWizard radios to a matching Channel and Zone. See the “Using Zones” section for more information.
4. Take pictures normally at or below your camera’s X-sync speed.

Momentarily pressing the TEST button will test trigger the flash.

Remote Camera Triggering

A Plus III, paired with any PocketWizard transmitter, can be used to trigger a remote camera. The camera needs to have an electronic shutter release connection and have a compatible PocketWizard remote camera cable available. Please visit www.PocketWizard.com to determine the correct motor drive cable. With transmitting and receiving PocketWizard® radios set to the same channel and zone, remote flashes will be synchronized with the camera.

1. Connect Plus III to your remote camera via the appropriate remote camera cable.
2. Select Channel and Zone A, B, C, or D via the Channel Up/Down Buttons and Zone Toggle Buttons.
3. Press the TEST button on the transmitting PocketWizard radio or fire the camera in your hands. The remote camera will trigger.

If the transmitting PocketWizard radio in your hands is a Plus III, you can pre-release the remote camera by pressing the TEST button half way. This wakes up the remote camera and lets it respond more quickly and consistently. It can also engage autofocus.

• Legacy Firmware: This function is available when using QuadZone Triggering Channels 17-32.
• E Release Firmware: This function is available on all QuadZone Triggering Channels - E Channels 1-32 and LR Channels 1-80.

If you are using a handheld camera to transmit to a remote handheld camera (with Plus IIIs on each camera), we suggest using a -ACC cable on both cameras for best results. Using QuadZone Triggering Channels and half pressing on your transmitting camera's shutter button will keep both cameras set to pre-release and enables the cameras to respond more quickly and consistently.

Remote Manual Flash with Local TTL Flash

Plus III Transceivers do not transmit TTL information. You can use a TTL flash directly connected to your camera and have remote flashes (not in TTL mode) triggered by PocketWizard radios. To operate in this manner, simply connect the Plus III's sync port to your camera’s PC terminal and make all other camera-to-TTL-flash connections normally.

There is a 1/2000 second delay when triggering via PocketWizard radios. This means your radio remote flashes will trigger 1/2000 second after your camera connected flash triggers. For very fast moving objects this may result in image streaking or 2 distinct flash moments on the same image (double exposures).

Auto-Relay

Auto-Relay allows you to trigger remote flashes in sync with a remote camera and requires only three PocketWizard® radios. Using Auto-Relay is the only situation where not all PocketWizard radios are set to the same Channel since the relaying radio triggers them one Channel higher than it received on. For more details about Relay Mode, please see the Relay Mode page.

1. Set the transmitting PocketWizard radio in your hands to a desired Channel and Zone.
2. Set the relaying Plus III for your remote camera to the same Channel as the radio in your hands and set Triggering Mode to TxRx.
3. Connect the relaying Plus III’s Flash/Camera Port to the remote camera triggering port of the camera via a remote camera cable.
4. Slide the relaying Plus III into your remote camera’s hot shoe.
5. Connect your remote flash to a PocketWizard receiver via the appropriate sync cable and set it to one Channel higher than the transmitting PocketWizard radio in your hands.
6. Press and release TEST on the PocketWizard transmitter in your hands to begin the sequence. Make sure your transmitting and relaying PocketWizard radios are set to the same Zone.

• Legacy Firmware: Simply use the next higher Channel as described above for the receiving radios for the flashes.
• E Release Firmware: You can combine LR Channels with E Channels for this. Use the LR Channels for the transmitter to camera, then an E Channel for the flash(es). The Channel numbers and Zones need to match as described above. For example: LR Channel 1 in your hand, LR Channel 1 on the camera, and E Channel 2 for the flashes.

Modes of Operation

The Plus® III Transceiver supports six modes of triggering for different applications. You can switch between modes by pressing and quickly releasing the MODE button.

	TxRx Mode allows the radio to be used as a transmitter attached to a camera or as a receiver connected to a remote flash or remote camera. As an Auto-Sensing Transceiver, the Plus III automatically switches between transmit and receive. This is the default mode.
	Tx Only Mode disables all receiving (Rx) functionality and allows you to use your Plus III as a transmitter only. Use this mode when sharing remote flashes with other photographers. This mode will prevent other photographers from triggering the Plus III on your camera.
	Rx Only Mode disables all transmit (Tx) functionality allowing you to use your Plus III radios as receivers for remote flashes or remote cameras. Use this mode when you do not want a remote Plus III to perform relay functions when mounted in the shoe of a remote camera, or to prevent a remote Plus III from triggering other radios when its TEST button is pressed.
	LR (Long Range) Mode dramatically increases the maximum range of a radio in a given shooting environment. Long Range Mode must be enabled on both transmitting and receiving radios. Use this mode when triggering remote cameras at greater distances. It can also be used with remote flash, but there may be a reduction in maximum X-sync speed. This function behaves differently with Legacy firmware than with the E Release upgrade. Please see below for details.
	RP (Repeater) Mode allows you add one or more Plus III radio(s) between a pair of transmitting and receiving units to extend your range and increase the maximum triggering distance. This mode is recommended when triggering remote cameras. It can be used with flash with a reduction in maximum X-sync speed. This is not the same operation as Auto-Relay Mode This function behaves differently with Legacy firmware than with the E Release upgrade. Please see below for details.
	HSR (High Speed Receive) Mode shortens the contact time of the Flash/Camera Port, allowing for triggering of remote flashes at higher FPS (frames per second). This radio does not support HSS (High Speed Sync)

LR (Long Range) Mode Details:

• Legacy Firmware: Hit the Mode button to select LR mode. This function is only available in QuadZone Triggering Channels 17-32. Both the transmitting and receiving PocketWizard radios must be set to LR.
• E Release Firmware: Hit the Mode button to select LR mode. You can now choose from LR Channels 1-80. Both the transmitting and receiving PocketWizard radios must be set to LR.

RP (Repeater) Mode Details:

• Legacy Firmware: This mode automatically retransmits any triggers on the selected Legacy Channel. Place a Plus III half way between the transmitting and receiving radios and set the transceivers all for the same Channel. You may use multiple repeaters for extremely long distances. Make sure each repeating radio can only receive the signal from one other radio, otherwise an endless trigger loop could occur! Put the transmitting radio into Tx ONLY Mode for best performance when using Repeater Mode.
• E Release Firmware: RP mode with the E Release uses different Channels. Set the transmitting and first Repeater radio to the same Channel. Then increase the Channel number for each successive repeater unit. For example: If you are using ONE Repeater in the middle, set the transmitting and Repeater radio to Channel 1. Set the receiving radio to Channel 2. If you are using a total of 5 radios for a very long distance, set the transmitter and first Repeater to Channel 1, the second Repeater to Channel 2, the third Repeater to Channel 3, and the receiving radio to Channel 4.

Channels and Zones

Some PocketWizard® radios, like the MiniTT1® or FlexTT5®, operate on Standard Channels as well as ControlTL® Channels. ControlTL Channels work with TTL or remote flash power control. The Plus III with Legacy firmware installed can work with any PocketWizard radio transmitting or receiving on Classic Channels, not ControlTL Channels. Plus IIIs that have been upgraded to the E Release can only work with other radios that have also been upgraded to E Release firmware. A radio that has been upgraded to the E Release can also be downgraded at any time via the Utility to work with Legacy Channels.

• Legacy Firmware: The Plus® III Transceiver supports 32 different Standard Channels. Each Standard Channel represents a digital code transmitted on specific PocketWizard radio frequencies. This enables many photographers to work in the same area or for one photographer to exclusively control different sets of receivers. A Plus III will trigger any number of receiving PocketWizard radios set to the same Channel. Radios set to different channels will not trigger each other. Press the Channel Up/Channel Down Buttons to change channels. Features that use Zones are only available on channels 17-32.
• E Release Firmware: The Plus® III Transceiver supports 32 different E Channels and 80 different Long Range (LR) Channels. Each Standard Channel represents a digital code transmitted on specific PocketWizard radio frequencies. This enables many photographers to work in the same area or for one photographer to exclusively control different sets of receivers. A Plus III will trigger any number of receiving PocketWizard radios set to the same Channel. Radios set to different channels will not trigger each other. Press the Channel Up/Channel Down Buttons to change channels. To access the LR Channels, push the mode button until you see LR appear. The radio is now in Long Range mode and you are selecting LR Channels.

Zones can be used to toggle remote cameras or flashes on or off from a transmitting PocketWizard radio. Zones can also be used when sharing flashes with another photographer so only some of the remote flashes are shared, even when using the same Channel. Zones A, B, C, and D are selectable via the Plus III’s Zone Toggle Buttons when using channels 17-32. The enabled Zones are displayed in a box on the right side of the LCD. You can enable any combination of all four Zones. A receiving Plus III will only trigger if the transmitting PocketWizard radio has at least one matching Zone enabled.

• Legacy Firmware: Zones A, B, C, and D are selectable via the Plus III’s Zone Toggle Buttons when using Channels 17-32.
• E Release Firmware: Zones A, B, C, and D are selectable via the Plus III’s Zone Toggle Buttons when using all Channels - E Channels 1-32 and LR Channels 1-80.

Other Functions

TEST Button (Two Stage Trigger)

Half-pressing the TEST button on a transmitting Plus® III pre-releases a remote camera connected to a receiving PocketWizard® radio with a remote -ACC camera cable. This wakes up the camera and makes it respond more quickly and consistently, but also reduces battery life. Half-pressing this button does not affect remote flashes. Fully pressing the TEST button fires any remote cameras or flashes connected to receiving PocketWizard radios set to the same Channel and Zones.

• Legacy Firmware: This function is available with QuadZone Triggering Channels 17-32 only.
• E Release Firmware: This function is available with all QuadZone Triggering Channels - E Channels 1-32 and LR Channels 1-80.

To learn more about receiving radios that are compatible with Plus III remote half-press, visit our Plus III Half-Press Compatibility page.

Status LED

When you first turn on the radio, you will see a specific power on signal.

• Legacy Firmware: You will see one bold green blink.
• E Release Firmware: You will see a red, green, red, green red sequence.

Then the Plus III’s status LED will blink in three different colors: green, red and amber.

1 Green blink indicates good battery life.

2 Amber blinks indicate the batteries are getting low or when TEST button is half-pressed.

3 Red blinks indicates batteries are critically low and should be changed immediately. The status LED turns solid red when Plus III is transmitting or receiving a trigger.

Reset

To reset your Plus III Transceiver back to the default setting, hold the TEST button as you power the radio on.

• Legacy Firmware: The default mode after a reset is TxRx on Channel 17 with all Zones enabled.
• E Release Firmware: The default mode after a reset is TxRx on Channel 1 with all Zones enabled.

USB

The Plus III can be powered via USB with a compatible AC adapter or from most computers. Future firmware updates can be installed via the PocketWizard Utility.

Sustaining High Performance

Your PocketWizard® radios use the environment as a medium for transmitting and receiving radio signals. The performance of your radios depends on their placement in the environment, nearby radio interference, and the radios’ orientation and position relative to each other.

Wireless Basics

Whenever possible, maintain a line of sight between radios and keep antennas parallel. Make sure radios are not near any large metal, concrete, or high water-content objects. People and trees are mostly water! Make sure radios are not blocked by these objects or by hills.

The Plus III Transceiver’s antenna is fairly omnidirectional and its orientation should not significantly impact performance in most shooting scenarios, but optimizing for radio reception will always improve the maximum range.

Maintain at least a 12” distance between antennas. Avoid direct antenna contact with anything metallic. “Dead spots” have a number of causes, but the solution is usually the same: move the radio a few inches or feet away from the problem area. Always obey the laws of physics.

Technical Information

Frequency: Plus® III FCC/IC: 340.00 – 354.00 MHz

Plus® III CE: 433.42 – 434.42 MHz

Transmit Output Power: Less than 1 milliwatt (1/1000 of a watt)

Batteries: 2 x AA (IEC:LR6)

Battery Life: Up to 50 hours (with alkaline batteries)

Triggering Delay: 1/1200 of a second

Bandwidth: Narrowband

70KHz Transmit

230KHz Receive

Operating Temperature:	Above -15° C (5° F) and below 50° C (120° F)
	Always use fresh batteries in cold temperatures.

Storage Temperature (without batteries): Above -30° C (-22° F) and below 85° C (185° F)

Flash/Camera Port Sync Voltage Tolerance: 300 Volts

Backlit LCD: The Plus III backlit LCD activates automatically when any button other than TEST is pressed. It turns off after 5 seconds.

LEDs: Red LEDs are used for dim light application and do not indicate a hazardous status.

CE Directive: Plus III CE confirms to council directive (1999/5/EC).

RoHS: Plus III FCC/IC and CE versions are RoHS compliant.