AC9 AlienBees Adapter
| Next recommended reading: MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 |
Contents
Adapter for Paul C. Buff lighting systems.
The AC9 AlienBees Adapter paired with a FlexTT5™ Transceiver enables remote power control of AlienBees or White Lightning flash. With a MiniTT1™ Transmitter or FlexTT5™ Transceiver on your camera, you can now adjust the power settings on your AlienBees or White Lightning flashes from the camera’s position. Add the AC3 ZoneController and you can control three different groups of lights in 1/3-stop increments with a six-stop range. Utilize PocketWizard’s unique features such as HyperSync™ and Optimized Rear Curtain Sync for maximum control of your lighting.
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Using your AC9
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Make sure all your radios are set to the same PocketWizard ControlTL channel. For more information on Channels, see our Channels wiki page.
1. Slide the AC9 onto your remote FlexTT5 and connect the REMOTE cable from the AC9 to the flash.
2. Turn on the flash first, then the remote FlexTT5 radio. If this order is reversed, the flash may not trigger properly. The AC9’s Status LED blinks green occasionally to indicate normal operation.
3. Turn on the modeling light and set it to Cycle or Ready mode as desired, and disable the optical slave by inserting a plug or adapter into the sync port. Power level will be set by the AC9.
4. Set up your camera and PocketWizard ControlTL transmitter.
5. Take pictures.
6. Adjust the Camera’s Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC) to adjust the output power of your remote flash. See the Camera FEC Range and Basic Power Control sections for more information on FEC.
Note: The AC9 overrides flash power output settings you make directly on your flash. If you wish to control the flash from its control panel, then you need to disconnect the REMOTE cord and connect a regular sync cord from the P2 port on your FlexTT5 to your flash.
Important: The AC9 will only work with a transmitting ControlTL radio in the hot shoe of a compatible camera. The AC9 will NOT work in Basic Trigger Mode. If you wish to use your receiving FlexTT5 in Basic Trigger Mode, please use a cable.
ControlTL
PocketWizard’s newest firmware platform taps into the camera’s digital communications to enable an entirely new level of remote flash capability through our proven radio system. ControlTL allows for remote Manual Power Control of your AlienBees or White Lightning flashes. ControlTL firmware is configurable and upgradeable for “future-proof” continuous improvement.
Manual Power Control
Adjust the manual power settings of your remote AlienBees flash directly from a AC3 ZoneController, or master flash mounted on your on-camera MiniTT1 or FlexTT5. You can independently control the power output of up to three remote groups of lights (you can have as many lights in each group as you want) from full power down to the lowest setting through the user interface on the back of the master flash or with the dials of the AC3 ZoneController. Now you can work with total control with your remote lights, without leaving your shooting position.
HyperSync
Our patent pending HyperSync® technology allows photographers to achieve faster X-sync speeds with full power flash. That extra speed can be used to freeze action or cut ambient light - both of which can produce results never possible before. HyperSync works automatically with the AC9 and FlexTT5 in conjunction with your AlienBees or White Lightning flash. All you need is a MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 on camera to gain the benefits of HyperSync. While performance varies by the camera and flash equipment being used, HyperSync will get the maximum possible out of any configuration.
PowerTracking
When engaged, any changes to aperture and ISO on your camera are automatically tracked by your remote flash output power to maintain the current exposure level. For example, if you open the aperture on your camera by one stop, then the power output level on your remote flash will decrease by one stop.
Basic Power Control
With only a MiniTT1® or FlexTT5® on your camera, your camera’s FEC (Flash Exposure Compensation) control will adjust your flash power output level for all your AC9-connected flashes as shown in the table below:
| AlienBees, White Lightning, Zeus Power Output Settings | ||
|---|---|---|
| Camera FEC/EC - or - AC3 Power Dial in Manual |
Most Models | White Lightning X800, X1600 & X3200 Only; Low Range Mode |
| +3 | 1/1 | 1/4 |
| +2.7 | 1/2 + 0.7 | 1/8 + 0.7 |
| +2.3 | 1/2 + 0.3 | 1/8 + 0.3 |
| +2 | 1/2 | 1/8 |
| +1.7 | 1/4 + 0.7 | 1/16th + 0.7 |
| +1.3 | 1/4 + 0.3 | 1/16 + 0.3 |
| +1 | 1/4 | 1/16 |
| +0.7 | 1/8 + 0.7 | 1/32 + 0.7 |
| +0.3 | 1/8 +0.3 | 1/32 + 0.3 |
| 0 | 1/8 | 1/32 |
| -0.3 | 1/16 + 0.7 | 1/64 + 0.7 |
| -0.7 | 1/16 + 0.3 | 1/64 + 0.3 |
| -1 | 1/16 | 1/64 |
| -1.3 | 1/32 + 0.7 | 1/128 + 0.7 |
| -1.7 | 1/32 + 0.3 | 1/128 + 0.3 |
| -2 | 1/32 | 1/128 |
| -2.3 | 1/32 | 1/128 |
| -2.7 | 1/32 | 1/128 |
| -3 | 1/32 | 1/128 |
| Nikon Only |
| Canon Only |
FEC. For example, if your first picture was at ISO 200, and you adjusted ISO down to 100, your flash power level would be 1 stop brighter for all FEC settings. This operation assumes PowerTracking is set to Full Manual in the PocketWizard Utility which is the default.You can use any PocketWizard receiving radios together in the same exposure, including other ControlTL radios. Remember that studio and manual flash output will not be calculated as part of an E-TTL / i-TTL exposure.
ControlTL® Center Point
The center point for all ControlTL operations, including Basic Power Control, PowerTracking, or when using an AC3 ZoneController, is 3 stops down from your flash’s maximum. For example, in Basic Power Control, this means 0 on your camera’s FEC equals 1/8 on your flash and FEC +3 equals 1/1 (full power). This setting may be customized using the PocketWizard Utility under the PowerTracking tab to place the center point anywhere within the flash’s 5 stop range.
Camera FEC Range and Basic Power Control
You can change the center point to better match your camera’s FEC range. Adjust the AC9 Flash Exposure Compensation control in the PocketWizard Utility for each FlexTT5 with ACP to better align your camera’s FEC with the flash’s 5 stop range. See the PocketWizard Utility FlexTT5® Receiver settings section for more information.
This setting must be configured on each receiving FlexTT5 radio. Adjusting it on a transmitting FlexTT5 has no effect on your remote flash’s power output level.
| Camera FEC Range | Maximum remote AC9 power level available using default settings | Minimum remote AC9 power level available using default settings | Set each AC9 FEC so camera maximum FEC equals flash maximum output power | Set each AC9 FEC so camera minimum FEC equals flash minimum output power |
| Canon +3/ -3 | 1/1 at FEC +3 | 1/32 at FEC -2 through -3 | 0 | 0 |
| Canon +2/ -2 | 1/2 at FEC +2 | 1/32 at FEC -2 | +1 | 0 |
| Nikon +1/ -3 | 1/4 at FEC +1 | 1/32 at FEC -2 through -3 | +2 | -1 |
PocketWizard Utility
Some settings require the PocketWizard Utility software and your ControlTL® radio connected to a computer via the Mini-USB port. Download the Utility at: www.PocketWizard.com/support
FlexTT5® Receiver settings that affect the use of an AC9:
PowerTracking Tab
- AC9 Flash Exposure Compensation: Use this control to adjust the FEC of the flash directly connected to the AC9 in this receiving radio’s hot shoe. This setting is cumulative with other FEC values set in the system. See the FEC
- NOTE for more information. FEC can be adjusted in +/- 3 stops. Default = 0.0
- This setting can be used as a simple FEC control for an individual flash, or it can be used to set flashes on the same zone to different power outputs or to balance them. For example, you could set it to -1.0 to make an AlienBees B800 match the power of a B400.
- This control can also be used to adjust where the PowerTracking center point aligns with your camera’s FEC control. See the Camera FEC Range section for more information.
Sleep Tab
- Local Flash Sleep Mode/Delay: The modeling light will turn off after the set time if no triggers are received. Uncheck the box to have the modeling light stay on. Default = Enabled at 600 seconds (10 minutes)
- The remaining settings on the Sleep Tab do not apply to the AC9.
FlexTT5® Transmitter settings that affect the use of an AC9:
Modeling Tab
- Modeling Light Control: Check this box to control modeling light behavior from the transmitter. Default = Enabled
- Control Mode: Determines when the modeling light will go to its active setting. Set to Camera Wake to have the modeling light go active when the camera’s shutter release is half-pressed. Set to AF-Assist to have the modeling light go active only when the camera requests auto-focus assist. Default = Camera Wake
- Modeling Light Autotrack: Enable this control for the modeling light level to track with the camera exposure or AC3 Power Dial settings. Default = Enabled
- Modeling Light Active XX%: Sets the active output level of the modeling light if Autotrack is not used. Default = 100%
- Modeling Light Sleep: Check this box to have the modeling light automatically go to a set output level after a set time. If this box is unchecked, the modeling light will never sleep. Default = Enabled
- Modeling Light Sleep XX%: Sets the output level of the modeling light when it sleeps. Default = 10%
- Modeling Light Delay After Camera Sleeps: Sets the number of seconds after the camera sleeps (meters go inactive) when the modeling light will go to its sleep value. Default = 30 seconds
PowerTracking Tab
- PowerTracking Control: Adjusts how ControlTL-capable remote studio flashes, like flashes connected to an AC9, respond to the AC3 in Auto Mode, or to a ControlTL Transmitter with no AC3. See the ControlTL & PowerTracking section for information.
- Full Manual (default): Turns off PowerTracking for aperture and ISO. See the Camera FEC Range and Basic Power Control section for more information.
| Nikon Only |
- With no AC3 ZoneController on the transmitter, only the camera’s FEC/EC control will adjust flash power output level.
| Canon Only |
- With no AC3 ZoneController on the transmitter, the camera’s ISO and FEC controls will adjust flash power output level.
- With an AC3 ZoneController on the transmitter, any zones set to Auto Mode will operate as Center on ISO & Aperture with First Shot (see below) when this control is set to Full Manual. AC3 Manual Mode can be used to adjust flash output power manually with an AC3.
- Center on ISO & Aperture with First Shot: Aperture and ISO as set on the camera for the first exposure will be aligned with the ControlTL center point (3 stops down from your flash’s maximum output power). For example, if your camera is set to ISO 100 and F:5.6 for its first exposure, then those exposure settings will yield a flash output power of 1/8. Adjustments to aperture, ISO, and FEC will adjust flash output power accordingly, as will adjusting the Power Dial on AC3 zone in Auto Mode. See the Automatic PowerTrackingsection for more information.
- Center on ISO & Aperture: Lets you set the aperture and ISO that will be aligned with the ControlTL center point (3 stops down from your flash’s maximum output power). Adjust the drop-down boxes for the Aperture Center-On and ISO Center-On values you want to use
- Center on Aperture Only: PowerTracking will only work with aperture changes. Set the desired aperture using the Aperture Center-On control. ISO changes will be ignored for PowerTracking for Nikon cameras, and FEC/ISO changes for Canon cameras.
- Center on ISO Only: PowerTracking will only work with ISO changes for Nikon cameras and FEC/ISO changes for Canon cameras. Set the desired ISO using the ISO Center-On control. Aperture changes will be ignored for PowerTracking.
- No Change (trigger only): Turns off PowerTracking and the Power Dials on the AC3 will not adjust the power output of your remote flash. Use this setting if another photographer is controlling the flash’s manual power output, like when sharing flashes with another photographer and you want to use the exact same manual flash output power.
- AC9 Flash Exposure Compensation: This control is only for receiving FlexTT5 radios with an AC9 AlienBees Adapter in the hot shoe. Adjusting this setting on a transmitting FlexTT5 will have no affect on your flashes. See the PocketWizard Utility FlexTT5 Receiver settings sections for how to use this control on a receiving FlexTT5.
Requirements
The FlexTT5 for Canon requires AC9-C / FlexTT5 for Nikon requires AC9-N.
The AC9 AlienBees Adapter requires a receiving FlexTT5, a transmitting PocketWizard ControlTL radio such as a MiniTT1 or FlexTT5, and a compatible Paul C. Buff flash with a REMOTE terminal.
Compatibility
| AC9 AlienBees Adapter Compatiblity | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AlienBees | White Lightning | Zeus | UltraZAP | Ultra |
| B400 | X800 | Z1250 | UZ800 | Ultra600 |
| B800 | X1600 | Z2500 | UZ1600 | Ultra1200 |
| B1600 | X2400 | Ultra1800 | ||
| ABR800 | X3200 | |||
Specifications
Temperature
Operating Temperature: Above -15° C (5° F) and below 50° C (120° F)
Storage Temperature: Above -30° C (-22° F) and below 85° C (185° F)
