Max

thanks for your advice. might as well answer here. maybe others can get something out of my questions.

ive done some basic sync testing with a canon 550ex. config is 5D and 5DMK2 hooked with (seperate) pre trigger cables to pocketwizard plus’s (1s). ive got the 550ex hooked to a multimax (set to .1601 delay).

im firing all three remotes (5D, 5DMK2, and 550ex) from another mulitmax.

still early days in my testing. monday i go nuts on profotos. for now the 5D and the 5DMK2 seem to be getting a good flash sync with the 550ex and the multimax set to .1601 delay.

Any cameras that use the same set of flashes must be fired simultaneously. In your example, the Mk2 is firing a strobe as well as a camera, hence the mk2 and 5D are NOT firing simultaneous, but in seriation. The mk2 will get the flash, but the 5D will not. Similiarly, if the 5D were to relay to the flash, firing the mk2 triggering the 5D would mean the mk2 would NOT receive the flash, but the 5D would. What you need is to make the mk2 AND the 5D remotes, with the mk2 being a handheld remote. Then you use a separate trigger (usually a plunger button) on a PW. It would then trigger the mk2 and 5D simultaneously, with one of them (whichever has the most consistent lag from shot to shot) relaying to the flash, so both would get the flash most of the time (I say most because with differing and inconsistent lag times, it is a crapshoot at best). Sound complicated? It’s not. But if you need more info, why not email me (link on the sidebar) and we can discuss your specific situation further.

Max

thanks for this! so… i am trying to sync a 5D and a 5DMK2 and a set of profoto strobes. im using multimaxes. im hand holding the MK2 and have the 5D on tripod. it’s not going so well. the hand held is syncing to the strobes and the remote camera is lagging. any tips on tweaking the pocketwizards to get the cameras to joint sync to the strobes?

thanks!!

sorry I missed your IM. I’m glad you decided to comment. Basically, when using pocket wizards, you have a lot of channels to choose from. If it’s a huge event, there may be a sign up sheet where you write your name and channel. Often, people with Multimax units will avoid channels 1-4, leaving them for the people using Plus units. Also, you can simply press TEST on your multimax to scope out what’s firing. And, for channels 17-32, the Quad Zones actually also have different icons to show what is and isn’t active, which you can use to scope out what’s in play. Finally, if the event is insanely large, such as the Olympics, there are exclusive channels. You can pay PW to add a digital code to any one channel of your Multimax units. The code can be added to as many PW as you like, and only you can get Multmax’s implanted with that code. It’s expensive, but the only way to secure your remote from being interfered with. Generally speaking though, it’s pretty easy to avoid stepping on each others toes when it comes to using PW. Feel free to email me or comment again with any more questions.

How do you avoid triggering other photographers cameras or flashes when using pocket wizards? How do you know which channel another photographer is using? Is there some way to use a custom channel or something? If so, can the Pocket Wizard Plus II do this or do you need the MultiMax version?

Cheers!