PocketWizard for Canon - FINALLY!

[phoakm]

New products updates from PW.
Main highlights in RED

Product Updates - October 2009
Yes, it’s been awhile since the last update and for those that feed off every tidbit of information, we apologize for our silence as we work on the products you are anxiously waiting for. Here’s what we can tell you today.

AC7 RF Shield: The mold making process takes time and the molds for the AC7 are now in the finishing stages. We’ve received “first shots” and made some tweaks and are awaiting the next round of samples. The “shoe filter” component of this product is an assembly of several parts and production of this is moving in parallel with the shield.

We are expecting to see the first production shipments in a few weeks.


We have several units in testing and the results have been excellent so far. In the shots below we were in an old quarry near Burlington, Vermont. The range across the quarry was measured via Google Earth at 280 feet and the flash fired without a hitch.


AC5 RF Soft Shield:
As an alternative to the hard shell AC7, we’ve been working on a fabric version of an RF shield. After extensive research and testing, we’ve found what we’re looking for in a combination of the shoe filter found on the AC7 combined with a simple fabric cover for the flash. The inside of the fabric uses an RF shielding material and is backed with a regular fabric. Put together, you have a very powerful shield that packs away into a very small space. Is it pretty? No, but it works.

Details on distribution of both the AC7 and the AC5 will be available shortly.

Zone Controller: Tooling times have been far longer than expected. First production units are anticipated towards the end of the year and not early November as our optimism had previously predicted. We have prototypes in testing and the results have been great. Rob Galbraith has a unit and will be doing a write-up in the future.


Firmware & Utility: The latest version of the firmware, v4.30, solved a lot of open issues, especially with the 5D Mark II camera. The next release, scheduled for November, will add a couple new features and 7D compatibility. To ensure firmware performance, we will be launching a public beta-test program in the near future. You will be able to download beta versions of the new firmware and test it for yourself before the final release becomes available. Your feedback on the beta firmware will help improve the final release. More details to follow.

Other Info: Like most consumer products companies, we are constantly working on new stuff and right now PocketWizard has never been busier in product development. A month ago we teased about two new products and then fell silent. What happened? First, these products are still coming and they will greatly expand the capabilities of the ControlTL system and the MiniTT1 Transmitter and FlexTT5 Transceiver. For several reasons, but especially our desire to provide you with accurate release date information, we’re going to hold the announcement until we have firm availability dates.

Rumors: We’ve been seeing and hearing some interesting things from the marketplace. One rumor is that there are new frequency radios coming to the market. We believe that the frequencies we operate on (FCC 344MHz and CE 433MHz) are the best available and we will continue to improve the ControlTL system reliability and performance on these frequencies. With the latest firmware and upcoming RF shields, product performance should now meet or exceed almost everyone’s expectations. If your radios have the latest firmware and are still not operating consistently, even at close range, please contact us so we can troubleshoot and if needed, we’ll have you send them in for a warranty checkup.


Nikon: Our development of the Nikon system continues. The anticipated release date is still being targeted as January 2010.
That’s it for now.

The PocketWizard Team.

The link to the quote and images here: Oct 09 Update

 

[phoakm]

A video by Mark Wallace on the explanation of PW AC5 RF Soft Shield.

[vid]6lxUpfKiR-M[/vid]

The additional hotshoe adaptor looks flimsy.
I am curious how to adjust the settings on the flashgun when it is fully covered. :think:

 

[phoakm]

Updates from LPA on the Beta tester for the latest Utility.

Rob Galbraith

More information on the latest firmware update. This time it included the 2nd or rear curtain sync and Pre-flash boost Mode.

677Beta Firmware Overview

 

[phoakm]

Mark Wallace testing on the AC5

[vid]pKd2vLuVfms[/vid]

 

[lchoong78]

for those who owned the Pocket Wizard Flexi TT5 and mini TT1, can your use the "2nd Curtain Sync" flash when attahed the TT5 and TT1?

Thanks.

 

[Paranoid]

I have a another newbie question.

I understand MiniTT1 is a Transmitter. FlexTT5 is a Transceiver.

Do I need to use both together?

My purpose as follows :

1) use as wireless remote shutter release

2) use for 580EXm2 remote flash with Softbox.

Read through some reviews but still do not understand. Very chim. :bsmilie:

Thanks!

 

[phoakm]

for those who owned the Pocket Wizard Flexi TT5 and mini TT1, can your use the "2nd Curtain Sync" flash when attahed the TT5 and TT1?

Thanks.

Tried 2nd curtain sync using the beta firmware on TT5. It works and more flexible in duration adjustment.

 

[phoakm]

I have a another newbie question.

I understand MiniTT1 is a Transmitter. FlexTT5 is a Transceiver.

Do I need to use both together?

My purpose as follows :

1) use as wireless remote shutter release

2) use for 580EXm2 remote flash with Softbox.

Read through some reviews but still do not understand. Very chim. :bsmilie:

Thanks!

Depends on what situation. Base on your discription, you are likely use the flashgun in manual mode. You can trigger the TT5 with either TT1 or TT5. Your flashgun must connect with a TT5.

For wireless remote shutter release. You need a TT5 with a cable to connect to your camera. The system can be triggered using TT1 by hand.

 

[lchoong78]

Tried 2nd curtain sync using the beta firmware on TT5. It works and more flexible in duration adjustment.

Thanks for the information and I will going to try tonight.

 

[phoakm]

New beta firmware update from LPA

Beta firmware v4.374

 

[chalib]

Does anyone know where to get TT1 & TT5 in HK with good price?

Thks guys

 

[lhjz]

sorry the thread is just too long
is there a shop selling plusII, mini or flex in SG?
anyone know the price?

or is it just thru online orders?

just got some pricing in HK, so would like to compare the prices b4 making the purchase

thanks in advance

 

[Dennis Thong]

sorry the thread is just too long
is there a shop selling plusII, mini or flex in SG?
anyone know the price?

or is it just thru online orders?

just got some pricing in HK, so would like to compare the prices b4 making the purchase

thanks in advance

U can buy fr Cathay Photo, they have the full range of Pocket Wizard products: Mini, Flex, PlusII & MultiMax.

http://www.cathayphoto.com.sg/node/540

 

[lhjz]

thanks Dennis

 

[shootwide]

i wonder if you buy the flex or mini, the PW AC5 RF Soft Shield comes with it? rathe ris it on sale already in states or CATHAY phot? anyone knws? thks!

 

[phoakm]

i wonder if you buy the flex or mini, the PW AC5 RF Soft Shield comes with it? rathe ris it on sale already in states or CATHAY phot? anyone knws? thks!

The AC5 will not be included, when you buy either flex or mini. This item will be given free only to US customers depends on how many flexes you have. You may have to wait for the item to be sold online or available in CP.

News on AC5

 

[CS TAN]

The AC5 will not be included, when you buy either flex or mini. This item will be given free only to US customers depends on how many flexes you have. You may have to wait for the item to be sold online or available in CP.

News on AC5

I thought 433 MHz units sold in Singapore and other parts of the world are not greatly impacted by RF interference so AC5 is not need?

 

[phoakm]

I thought 433 MHz units sold in Singapore and other parts of the world are not greatly impacted by RF interference so AC5 is not need?

Yap, this is mentioned in the PW web. But some of the users here are using FCC frequency.

 

[CS TAN]

Yap, this is mentioned in the PW web. But some of the users here are using FCC frequency.

I got the FCC unit before their 433Mhz was available. Just send them a request to get the soft shield...

 

[phoakm]

I got the FCC unit before their 433Mhz was available. Just send them a request to get the soft shield...

Do announce here if the AC5 available free for Singapore.