Sekonic L-478DR

Product Description

The Sekonic L-478DR has an integrated PocketWizard transmitter with the ability to control the output power of compatible remote flashes connected to PocketWizard ControlTL receivers. The meter comes with PocketWizard Legacy firmware installed but can be upgraded to the E Release firmware protocol.

Using the meter’s zone control features, you can adjust the power levels of compatible Nikon or Canon Speedlights attached to FlexTT5 or FlexTT6 Transceivers. You can also control the power of certain studio flashes from Elinchrom and Paul C. Buff equipped with receivers like the PowerST4 and PowerMC2. The L-478DR also includes the ability to switch zones on and off to make measuring individual lights easier.

The L-478DR works just like the MiniTT1 and AC3 ZoneController when used off camera to set power levels, but with the added ability to measure the light.

The meter also works with all PocketWizard radios like the Plus and MultiMAX radios, as well as with flash units incorporating Standard PocketWizard radio receivers. You won’t be able to control the power of these flashes, but you may be able to toggle on and off specific zones of light to control how you meter the scene.

PocketWizard Firmware & Radio Compatibility

The Sekonic L-478DR comes from the factory with the PocketWizard Legacy firmware installed and can trigger any PocketWizard using Legacy firmware. Plus and MultiMAX radios use Standard and QuadZone Triggering Channels, as well as some studio packs with integrated PocketWizard receivers. FlexTT5 and FlexTT6 transceivers, as well as PowerMC2 and PowerST4 receivers, use ControlTL Channels.

• Standard Channels 1-16: the meter will trigger all remotes set to the same Channel
• QuadZone Triggering Channels 17-32: the remote radios can be set to specific Zones. The meter can trigger each Zone independently or can trigger as many Zones at the same time as you choose.
• ControlTL Channels: the remote radios can be set to specific Zones. The meter can trigger each Zone independently or can trigger as many Zones at the same time as you choose. The meter can also adjust power to each individual Zone.

With PocketWizard E Release firmware, the meter can trigger any PocketWizard using E Release firmware. E Release firmware is available for Plus III, Plus IV, FlexTT5, and FlexTT6 transceivers and PowerMC2 receivers.

• E Release Channels 1-32 with Plus radios: the remote radios can be set to specific Zones. The meter can trigger each Zone independently or can trigger as many Zones at the same time as you choose.
• E Release Channels 1-32 with ControlTL radios: the remote radios can be set to specific Zones. The meter can trigger each Zone independently or can trigger as many Zones at the same time as you choose. The meter can also adjust power to each individual Zone.

• E Release LR Channels 1-80: The L-478DR is not compatible with E Release LR Channels.

The Sekonic L-478DR can be shipped to LPA Design to have the E Release firmware installed in the unit. It can only be done at our corporate office in Vermont, it is not user upgradeable. For more information about the E Release firmware protocol, please see our PocketWizard Firmware wiki page. For more information about upgrading your meter, please contact PocketWizard support.

NOTE: as with all PocketWizard radios, the L-478DR is available with either FCC or CE frequency. The meter's frequency must match the PocketWizard radio frequency. An FCC meter cannot trigger CE PocketWizards or vice versa.

TTL Compatibility

The Sekonic L-478DR does not have specific features for measuring or integrating information about TTL flash pulses from remote Speedlights. TTL (Through The Lens) metering is calculated by the camera using pre-flashes, and the flash power level used can vary dramatically from shot to shot. With a Sekonic L-478DR, the meter, not the camera, is used to make precision calculations. You control your lighting with exact repeatable results shot to shot. We typically suggest using manual power control when using the meter for best results.

Note: When using the L-478DR to trigger a remote Speedlight on a FlexTT5, the Speedlight will still need to be set to TTL (normal operation for any FlexTT5-mounted Speedlight – set it to TTL, not MASTER or REMOTE/SLAVE). This allows the FlexTT5/FlexTT6 to control the Speedlight for all kinds of flash triggering, including manual power control operation from a Sekonic L-478DR. If you set the FlexTT5-mounted Speedlight to Manual using the Speedlight’s controls, you will not be able to control its power level with your Sekonic L-478DR.

If you want to know how much light was emitted during a camera-controlled TTL exposure, you can get an approximate power value by setting your meter to “Cordless multiple (cumulative) flash mode” and pressing the measuring button up to 90 seconds before triggering the camera. This measurement will include light emitted from all communication and pre-flashes which are not included in the camera’s exposure, and are not always of a repeatable value. You will need to account for this extra light in your interpretation of the meter’s readings.

No Change (Trigger Only):

ControlTL receivers will respond to the last power level command they receive from any ControlTL transmitter on the same channel and zone. To ensure the L-478DR is exclusively controlling the power level of remote flashes, the on-camera/transmitting MiniTT1, FlexTT5, or FlexTT6 should be set to “No Change (Trigger Only)” mode. This will allow the meter to be the master power controller, and make sure the camera triggers the remote flashes but does not change their power levels. The meter can turn off individual Zones for measuring their values, but the transmitting radio will always fire all Zones, regardless of the meter's setting.

With the PocketWizard Utility running on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Connect your transmitting PocketWizard (MiniTT1, FlexTT5, or FlexTT6) to the computer using a USB cord.
2. Click the “Advanced Mode” check box located on the bottom left to reveal all available options and tabs.
3. Select the FLASH tab.
4. In the SPEEDLIGHT section, click the drop down and select “No Change (Trigger Only). NOTE: If you are using a FlexTT5/FlexTT6 as a Transmitter, you may want to take this opportunity to set it to “Transmitter Only” Mode. With this mode set, your on-camera FlexTT5 will not respond to triggers or power level commands from the L-478DR and will instead give its full attention to triggers from your camera. “Transmitter Only” mode is set on the MISC tab.
5. Click “Apply Changes” to set these features in your radio.

These modes only need to be engaged for your on-camera/transmitting MiniTT1, FlexTT5, or FlexTT6. Do not need engage this setting for remote radios triggering flashes.

AC3 & PowerTracking

When using the L-478DR to meter and adjust your lights, it is possible to also use the AC3 attached to a transmitting radio with PowerTracking enabled to make adjustments from your camera. To do this, use the following procedure:

1. Set the transmitter to use your desired PowerTracking method
2. Trigger the remote strobes with the L-478DR
3. Make adjustments to power levels on the meter’s sliders
4. Note the meter’s measurement (aperture and shutter speed) as well as the slider positions
5. Before firing the camera, manually change the AC3’s dials to match meter’s sliders. Setting any Zone on the AC3 to 0 will disable that respective Zone from triggering its flash
6. Before firing the camera, manually change the aperture and shutter speed to match the L-478DR’s reading
7. Fire your first shot on the camera (set PowerTracking center to same power level used by the meter)
8. Use PowerTracking to make fine adjustments, or to adjust depth of field & ISO
9. If metering again, repeat in reverse (set the meter to match your adjusted camera settings before pressing the meter’s measurement button)

Useful Links

If you would like to learn more about the Sekonic L-478DR visit the following links:

Sekonic L-478DR User Manual

Sekonic L-478DR Product Page

Sekonic Support FAQs: (US)

Note: If you are outside North America, you will have to first visit Sekonic’s homepage and select the appropriate country.

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