Using speedlights wirelessly

Diddy2theJJ · Jul 19, 2011

I'm getting more comfortable with using my speedlights outside with a set of pocketwizards. I really like the little bit of fill light it provides to allow the rest of the scene/sky to be properly exposed. A couple things that confuse me a little bit is the ETTL exposure. What I generally do is expose for the overall shot so the sky isn't blown out, and then set the flashes to ETTL to let them determine how much fill to use. It works great sometimes, and sometimes it doesn't work that well at all and my subjects are too bright or dim.

I understand that at different frame ups of the shot, you are going to have different readings from the camera to the flashes as to how much power to fire with, but sometimes it seems like it's way off. So I'll set the flash exposure compensation to -1/3 in etc in camera and keep trying different settings until it looks right. And when I have it right, all of a sudden it will change itself....and I don't really understand why. Sometimes it's due to how fast it recycles, and I get that...I'm thinking about investing in the CP-E4 battery pack to eliminate the lag in recycle times.

Other than that...if the light doesn't change, what else could affect this? I'm tempted to just use manual settings every time, but it gets time consuming continually adjusting the speedlight at it's source when I have to lower it down from the lightstand etc.

Thanks,

Big Mike · Jul 19, 2011

I'd have to look it up...but I think the metering mode of E-TTL, may default to centre or centre weighted. So the amount of light that it gives you may depend on what exactly is in that area. But it can certainly change depending on the scene you are shooting....and yes, sometimes it's just way off.

This is one of the main reasons why photographers like to use manual flash....it's consistent. With E-TTL, there is always that element of unpredictability.

And really, once you understand how to use manual flash efficiently, it just seems so much easier than having to worry about E-TTL giving you wonky results.

Diddy2theJJ · Jul 19, 2011

Thanks Mike. I do like wirelessly alot better for my results. But in the videos I watched about it, everyone seemed to be using E-TTL and talking about how easy and great it is. So I wondered if I was missing something. I'll check out the metering mode as well...but I will probably end up sticking to manual.

Thanks!

Robin Usagani · Jul 19, 2011

Are you using PW with 580EX II? It is a known problem.

Robin Usagani · Jul 19, 2011

Also regarding you using FC, well ETTL is almost like metering mode on your camera. It depends on how much your subject REFLECTS light. If your subject wear blacks, then you tend to get overflash, if they wear white then you tend to get underflash. So yes you need to use FC. ETTL is great for event photography I think.

Diddy2theJJ · Jul 20, 2011

Yeah I'm using PW with 580EXII.

I understand that it depends on how much light they reflect too, I just didn't understand why it would vary from photo to photo of the same setup of the same person.

Robin Usagani · Jul 20, 2011

Yup.. there is your problem. PW and 580exII dont work very well together. Google it, you will see. It has something to do with the frequency of the signals or something.

joealcantar · Jul 20, 2011

May I ask what pocket wizards we are using?

TT5 and TT1?
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Shoot well, Joe
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If you are using the multimax or plusII's they do not support the ETTL systems. I'm not a Canon shooter but know how it works with Nikon. Looked at your info and looks like you have the TT5 and TT1 , is everything up to date? software wise and settings wise.

Diddy2theJJ · Jul 20, 2011

Yes, I'm using the Flex TT5 and the Mini TT1, which i have accidentally managed to remove my signature lol.

Joe, that's a great point about updates....I'll have to see if there are any firmware updates available when I get home. I updated them before...but now that I'm thinking about it I think it may have been a year ago now so there probably is an update out by now.

Schwetty, I think that mainly affects range issues. I did see some tips on placing the antennae away from the 580EXII to double the wireless range. I was actually having some issues with that this weekend so that could be why. They came with some little sock looking things to put over the speedlight to reduce this issue, but then I can't change any settings on the back of them which gets kind of annoying. Better than not working at all though I guess.

Mike_E · Jul 20, 2011

Go manual, it gets faster as you get used to it.

Robin Usagani · Jul 20, 2011

Even with the sock you will still have issue. Either use manual with PW OR use commander and slave mode with ETTL. I like manual better though

Diddy2theJJ · Jul 20, 2011

Sounds good...I will start using manual. Thanks!!

KmH · Jul 20, 2011

A lot of those videos are actually advertisements, and the video maker is being paid by the gear maker to promote the gear.

joealcantar · Jul 20, 2011

Diddy2theJJ said:
Yes, I'm using the Flex TT5 and the Mini TT1, which i have accidentally managed to remove my signature lol.

Joe, that's a great point about updates....I'll have to see if there are any firmware updates available when I get home. I updated them before...but now that I'm thinking about it I think it may have been a year ago now so there probably is an update out by now.

Schwetty, I think that mainly affects range issues. I did see some tips on placing the antennae away from the 580EXII to double the wireless range. I was actually having some issues with that this weekend so that could be why. They came with some little sock looking things to put over the speedlight to reduce this issue, but then I can't change any settings on the back of them which gets kind of annoying. Better than not working at all though I guess.

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Looked at the video that you were talking about and looks like the flash RFI is affecting the electronics in the PW so they came up with this shield. They mention that the shield has to be in contact with the metal piece for a reason so I would make sure that is happening near the base as that is where the conductivity is taking place for the shield to work. Wish they would have cut a door for you to get to the controls on the back, imagine you can always cut a 3 way slot and make a door and have someone sew velcro around the edges if it really is a pain. Looks like this is a problem with this particular model and it sucks since you want to use the PW full functionability.
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What Pocket Wizard should have done is redesign the antennae so the wave length would not affect the flash or vise versa, but imagine that would come at a higher price and is easier to blame it on the flash.
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This is only to increase the shooting range according to them , are you shooting that far away from the unit?
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Hon
Shoot well, Joe

cnutco · Jul 20, 2011

KmH said:
A lot of those videos are actually advertisements, and the video maker is being paid by the gear maker to promote the gear.

I agree!

Manual is where it's at anyway. I bought the Mini TT1 not for the TTL capabilities, but rather for the sleek and low profile design to have on camera. I use PW2 on flash. Works like a charm everytime!

Light it up!!!

PS.
I'm using these on Nikon stuff...