Peety3
Who makes zonecontroller, I am trying to research it and it looks like you recommend it over the pocketwizard?
Peety3
Who makes zonecontroller, I am trying to research it and it looks like you recommend it over the pocketwizard?
It's an accessory that PocketWizard is making.
It'll go on sale October 2009. Nope,
It'll go on sale December 2009. Nope,
It'll go on sale March 2009. Maybe.
http://www.pocketwizard.com/news_events/news/dec_updates/
[Edit: Oops, should have added for clarity here: it's an accessory that sits on the on-camera Mini/Flex and manages the E-TTL or manual flash balance for remote-adjustable flash units.]
We're a Canon/Profoto family: five cameras, sixteen lenses, fifteen Profoto lights, too many modifiers.
To elaborate a little further, Canon's stock wireless flash system offers both E-TTL and manual flash settings.
In E-TTL mode, it's possible to split your remote flashes into two or three groups, A/B/C, with group C being optional (unavailable to ST-E2, it requires a 580 or 580/II as trigger). It's assumed/recommended that the C group not be used to light the subject. On-camera flash can be a part of group A, or merely a trigger point. Adjustments are set using flash exposure compensation (FEC), A:B balance, and (A:B):C balance (i.e. C is balanced relative to the A:B level), all using the existing flash metering methods and modes. As a result, if the A and B flashes are striking the subject in different ways (i.e. A is snooted to light the head, while B is gridded to light from shoulder up), A:B can be challenging to adjust. Newer cameras (from the 40D forward) offer the option to set this using the camera menus, which can be quicker and easier to understand than the flash menus. Slave flashes are always assigned to one group, A or B or C. If ratios (groups) aren't enabled on the trigger, all flashes (that receive the trigger signal) fire. If ratios are enabled as A:B, I don't think the C group will fire.
In Manual mode, the flash levels can be set relative to full power (1/1, 1/2, 1/4, etc.). Remote flashes can be split into A/B/C groups. Groups can be set to very low power (i.e. 1/128) but can't otherwise be turned off AFAIK.
There was no way (that I know of) to have Canon's stock system trigger some flashes via E-TTL and others at manual power (either set on-flash or from the camera) without aftermarket tricks.
The ZoneController, supposedly, allows easy off/ETTL/manual settings per-group, with some sort of spin wheels for adjusting the group balances. Amongst other things, it may become an expensive but easy/safer way to turn off remote flashes for a particular shot without having to change channels or turn off the on-camera Mini/Flex (necessitating 1-2 calibration shots before the E-TTL and timing variables are aligned).
We're a Canon/Profoto family: five cameras, sixteen lenses, fifteen Profoto lights, too many modifiers.
I not sure if I am getting the gist or just getting more confused but I am setting up to try group A/B to see how it works.
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