PocketWizard AC3, MiniTT1, FlexTT5, AC9, PowerST4, PowerMC2, MultiMAX, E640 Quick Guide

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Quick Guide
ZoneController with
for Nikon
• UPDATE FIRMWARE: Be sure ALL your PocketWizard ControlTL®
radios are updated to the latest firmware for proper AC3
functionality. Latest firmware version can be found at:
PocketWizard.com/support/downloads
• Please read Quick Guide thoroughly before operating.
• Visit wiki.PocketWizard.com for complete operating
information.
ZoneController
Release Button
Mode Switches
Power Dials
Nikon-style Hot Shoe
(for connecting to a MiniTT1®
or FlexTT5 ® Nikon only)
Status LED
READ ME FIRST:
• All equipment should be turned OFF when connecting.
• The first exposure after connecting is a calibration shot and may not be
properly exposed. Always test at least twice.
• Set all radios to the same channel.
• No batteries required – the AC3 is powered by the connected radio.
Power Dials
Sets the flash output power.
Mode Switches
0/ = OFF - Flashes will not trigger. Set unused zones
to 0/.
M = Manual Mode - ControlTL compatible flashes
will use the manual power output value set on the
AC3 Power Dial. See the AC3 Manual Mode section
for more information.
A = Auto Mode - ControlTL compatible flashes will
use the Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC) as set
on the AC3 Power Dial. Nikon Speedlights will perform
i-TTL exposures. When compatible studio flashes are
used, PowerTracking will engage (see PowerTracking
section in AC9 AlienBees Adapter, PowerST4 or
PowerMC2 Quick Guides for more information).
Release Button
Press the release button to remove the AC3 from your transmitter.
Status LED
The green Status LED blinks occasionally to indicate normal operation.
To use your AC3 ZoneController:
AC3 ZoneController with Remote Speedlights
1. Slide the AC3 onto your on-camera MiniTT1 or FlexTT5. Power on the transmitter, then the camera.
2. Set up remote Speedlights on FlexTT5 radios normally. Power on the flash, then the FlexTT5.
a.Set all Speedlights on remote FlexTT5 radios to
normal CLS / i-TTL Mode. Do not use Manual or
MASTER / REMOTE on your remote Speedlights.
The AC3 will use CLS / i-TTL commands to control
manual power levels when the AC3 Mode Switch is
set to M (Manual).
b. Use the FlexTT5 Zone Switch to assign Zone A, B, or
C to the Speedlight.
3. On the AC3, set the Mode Switches to M (Manual) or A (Auto) for the zones in use.
Adjust flash output power with the Power Dials:
+=Black numbers on a white background increase flash output by the stops shown.
– = White numbers on a black background decrease flash output by the stops shown.
4. Take pictures normally.
The AC3 ZoneController enhances the ControlTL capabilities of your MiniTT1
and FlexTT5 radios by allowing you to control the flash output power manually
from the camera’s position or use CLS / i-TTL.
AC3 Manual Mode: The Power Dial sets the remote Speedlight power output as
shown in the table on the right.
Manual Power Settings
AC3
Power
Dial =
Nikon Speedlights
Manual Power
Output =
3
1/1
AC3 Auto Mode: The Power Dial sets the Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC)
relative to the i-TTL exposure for that zone.
2.7
1/2 + 0.7
2.3
1/2 + 0.3
Manual and Auto modes can be used at the same time. Manual zones will not
be calculated as part of the CLS / i-TTL exposure. Zones set to 0/ (OFF) will not
trigger.
2
1/2
1.7
1/4 + 0.7
1.3
1/4 + 0.3
FEC NOTE: In Auto Mode, Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC) can be set in more than one place and the values are used together - all positive and negative FEC values will be combined.
FEC can be set:
• On each zone independently using the AC3 Power Dial when the zone is set to A (Auto)
• Using the camera’s FEC control. All AC3 zones set to A (Auto) will be affected equally.
If the combined FEC adjustments are more or less than your flash’s capabilities, then the flash will operate at maximum or minimum output accordingly.
* The Power Dial can adjust over a 6 stop range. To achieve the lowest manual power settings on your Nikon Speedlight, like 1/128, you’ll need to adjust
FEC down accordingly.
1
1/4
0.7
1/8 + 0.7
0.3
1/8 + 0.3
0
1/8
0.3
1/16 + 0.7
0.7
1/16 + 0.3
1
1/16
1.3
1/32 + 0.7
1.7
1/32 + 0.3
2
1/32
2.3
1/64 + 0.7
2.7
1/64 + 0.3
3
1/64 *
NOTE: Make sure the camera is awake (half-press the shutter button) when changing settings to assure AC3
settings are transmitted to remote ControlTL® radios.
Compatibility and Specifications
The AC3 ZoneController works with the following radio combinations when used with an on-camera MiniTT1
or FlexTT5 (required):
ControlTL Radios
• FlexTT5 radios with Nikon Speedlights using CLS / i-TTL
• FlexTT5 radios with AC9 AlienBees Adapters and AlienBees, White Lightning, or Zeus flashes
• PowerST4 radios with Elinchrom RX flashes
• PowerMC2 radios with Einstein™ E640 flashes
Note: The Elinchrom, Einstein™ and AlienBees flash output will not be calculated as part of an i-TTL exposure.
See the AC9 AlienBees Adapter, PowerST4 or PowerMC2 Quick Guides for their manual power output tables and
other information.
Standard / Built-in Radios
• AC3 ZoneController controls zone on/off only for PocketWizard Standard Channel Receivers with
Quad-Triggering like the MultiMAX or flash packs with built-in PocketWizard radios
Temperature
Operating Temperature: Above -15° C (5° F) and below 50° C (120° F)
Storage Temperature: Above -30° C (-22° F) and below 85° C (185° F)
PocketWizard Utility
The PocketWizard Utility is required for the
following operations:
• Sharing Speedlights with another photographer (changing channels)
• Setting PowerTracking Mode for studio flashes (with AC9, PowerST4, PowerMC2)
• Controlling modeling lights for studio flashes (with AC9, PowerST4, PowerMC2)
Download the Utility at PocketWizard.com/support/downloads
and visit wiki.PocketWizard.com for more information.
PocketWizard.com
Warranty:
This PocketWizard product is covered under a one-year limited manufacturer’s warranty. For warranty details, and to
register your product, please go to PocketWizard.com/support or contact your local PocketWizard Distributor.
Distributor contact information can also be found at PocketWizard.com. To receive a copy of the one-year limited
manufacturer’s warranty on this PocketWizard product, e-mail us at [email protected] or write to us at
LPA Design, 21 Gregory Drive, Suite #140, South Burlington, VT 05403, United States of America, Attn: Warranty.
Information in this Quick Guide is subject to change. For current operating documentation, features, specifications and
compatibility visit wiki.PocketWizard.com.
© 2011 LPA Design. All rights reserved. Product features and specifications are subject to change without notice. PocketWizard, ControlTL, MiniTT1, FlexTT5,
PowerST4, AC3, AC9, HyperSync, Plus II and MultiMAX are either trademarks or registered trademarks of LPA Design. All other trademarks contained herein
are the property of their respective owners.
LPF733 v1.1
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