Pocket Wizard FlexTT5 Transceiver For Canon TTL Flashes and Digital SLR Cameras
by Pocket Wizard
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Our Price: $229.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $209.99 (click here) Category: Digital Camera See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Pocket Wizard FlexTT5 Transceiver For Canon TTL Flashes and Digital SLR Cameras
Customer Review: Nothing but trouble
Summary: 1 Stars
This was my first Pocket Wizard product. I so wanted this product to work but after trying everything I could, I give up. A product that costs this much money should not be this much trouble. I was trying everything I could to get it to 'maybe' work consistently. It would fire, then I would take one step backward, then no fire. I would take two steps forward, then maybe it would fire one out of two times. I just cannot recommend this to anyone as it is right now. I also do not want to take the chance that 'maybe' it will work with a future update. Final experience: 3 out of 5 shots worked (with a lot of stepping back and forth to reach the sweet spot). Maybe 10-15 feet at most inside with a clear line of sight. Would not work around walls or obstructions. Outside maybe 50 feet if line of sight was just right. Did not work at all with a Canon 420EX. All tests were shot with a Canon 580EXII.
As I said, I so wanted this to work but it feels and acts like this was rushed and not ready for prime time yet. Had to send my unit back.
Customer Review: C2 did not work with the first pair but replacement units did
Summary: 4 Stars
Bought a MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 pair. Out of the box, the C1 setting worked but the C2 did not. Both units are at the latest 5.00 firmware level. I tried following trouble shooting steps but none helped.
1. Refreshed the firmware to 5.00 using the latest PocketWizard Utility 1.18.9.
2. Changed the C2 transmit and receive control TL channels on TT5 and transmit on TT1 to match TT5.
3. Reset the units by holding the test button for 10 seconds until the status light blinked green four times.
Called the PocketWizard support. They thought I did everything I could and the unit should work with the steps I did.
Created a RMA. Amazon promptly shipped replacement units. When using each of the replacement unit with the old pair, the problem still exists. However, the two replacement units worked together like they should!
It is still puzzling why such problem exists. But in the end, Amazon sent me the working units and that is all that matters!
Customer Review: Amazing!
Summary: 5 Stars
These worked right out of the box! I did what a lot of people do when getting a new product...we didn't read the manual. But it worked regardless! Then I finally read the manual because I wanted to do some custom configurations. This was where I had a bit of trouble because the online manual (a MUST to download) was extremely technical. it took me a while to get that info into my head.
I found out one of my FlexTT5 units didn't work. it was frustrating until I opened up the Pocket Wizard Utility and corrected a configuration. Yup, it was definitely user error.
We tested these out in the busy NYC streets and it worked great beyond 150+ feet! It was placed in between cars and it worked!
I think Pocket Wizard is working out the kinks of these units. So far I haven't had any problems with them at all. Hypersync looked pretty good at 1/8000 in bright sunlight!
I will be buying another FlexTT5 since I just purchased another 580EX II.
Customer Review: Works as great
Summary: 5 Stars
I bit the bullet and went all Canon 580II and the new PW TT1/TT5/AC3/AC7 route and it's an amazing portable studio combination. I can have 3 flashes on stands all running TTL and individually controlled intensity from the camera (AC3) without moving away from the camera tripod. All this works as well for on-location shoots as it does int he studio.
The only downside I have seen so far is that if you forget to turn off the TT5 it will completely drain itself in about 24 hours. So bring lots of space batteries and you'll be in good shape.
I've not had any issues with interference (using AC7) or distance or bad communication. I think the trick is to use all new gear and making sure all of it is on the same firmware number before the shoot. These still work as remote triggers for studio strobes as well, but they are definitely overkill for that purpose.
Using Canon 7D and 17-55f/2.8 most of the time with these.
Customer Review: Useful once you work around the limitations
Summary: 4 Stars
I pre-ordered two of these the moment they were announced looking forward to what sounded like a perfect solution. When I received them I tried them first with my 580ex and 430ex and found the range to be terrible (at best 40 feet with the 580ex). I was about to return them when I got word of a firmware update. The new firmware corrects a lot of problems and opens up other flashes that work perfectly (the 430exI, 580exI, and 580exII all have terrible RF interference due to Canon design). Now I have 800 feet working ETTL with a great design.
The physical design is great, I love being able to mount an on-camera flash up top for fill quickly and easily. The units are backward compatible and I can achieved a 1/500th sync speed with my 1D mkII. The help break down creative walls. More of these are in my future. I look forward to the day when new Canon flashes do not cause radio interference problems.