Owner’s Manual MiniTT1 /FlexTT5 for Canon ™ 340 – 354 MHz, US FCC/Canada IC ™
Safety Warnings Please pay attention to the following safety warnings: • Operating temperature: above -15° C (5° F) and below 50° C (120° F) • Storage temperature, without batteries: above -30° C (-22° F) and below 85° C (185° F) -- Remove batteries during storage. • Battery Requirements: Qty. 2 AA (IEC:LR6) for FlexTT5 CR2450 or CR2354 for MiniTT1 • Do not remove instrument covers during operation. • Do not operate the device in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.
Congratulations Congratulations on your purchase of the PocketWizard MiniTT1™/ FlexTT5™ System for Canon DSLR E-TTL II cameras and flashes. Canon owners can use the MiniTT1 Transmitter and FlexTT5 Transceiver to control single or multiple off-camera Canon E-TTL II flashes at speeds up to 8fps. The PocketWizard ControlTL™ System takes the complex E-TTL II data being sent through the camera’s hot shoe and digitally interprets and transmits it as a reliable radio signal.
Table of Contents Safety Warnings 2 Congratulations 3 Batteries 6 MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 Key Features 7 MiniTT1 Feature Call-outs 8 FlexTT5 Feature Call-outs 9 READ ME FIRST 10 Powering On 11 Basic Wireless E-TTL II: MiniTT1 OO FlexTT5 12 No Flash on Camera 12 Flash on Camera 13 Ratio Wireless E-TTL II: MiniTT1 OO FlexTT5 14 General E-TTL II Considerations 15 Manual Flash 4 14 Flash on Camera 16 Remote Speedlites 16 Other Manual Flashes 17
Table of Contents (cont’d) 5 HyperSync® & High Speed Sync (FP Flash) 18 Advanced Features via PocketWizard Utility 20 Channels 22 Channel Tables 23 LEARN Mode 24 Remote Camera Triggering 26 Auto-Relay Mode 27 Reset 28 Status LED 29 Mounting 30 Long Range Performance 31 Troubleshooting 32 Canon Compatibility 35 Specifications 36 FCC Warning 39
Batteries CAUTION Turn OFF your equipment (PocketWizard units, electronic flash units, cameras, etc.) before making connections or changing batteries. FlexTT5: Install 2 fresh AA (IEC:LR6) batteries into the FlexTT5 Transceiver. Make sure to note proper polarity. Alkaline batteries are recommended. Rechargeable or other chemistry batteries will also work, though life expectancy may vary.
MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 Key Features ControlTL: PocketWizard’s newest firmware platform taps into the camera’s digital communications to enable an entirely new level of remote flash capabilities through our proven radio system, beginning with remote TTL for Canon E-TTL II flash systems with Slide-n-Shoot Simplicity. HyperSync - Achieve better than X-sync with many cameras and flashes – up to 1/500th second.
MiniTT1™ Internal Antenna page 31 Configuration/Channel 1 Configuration/Channel 2 Power Off page 11, 22 TEST/LEARN Button page 24 Battery Compartment (on bottom) page 6 USB Connector (under rubber cover) page 20 Canon-style Hot Shoe with Pass Through page 12 Status LED page 29 Locking Ring (on bottom foot) page 12 8
FlexTT5™ USB Connector (behind antenna) page 20 Adjustable Antenna page 31 Zone Selector page 14 Configuration/Channel 1 Configuration/Channel 2 Power Off page 11, 22 TEST/LEARN Button page 24 Remote Studio or other flash Triggering Port page 17 Remote Camera Triggering Port page 26 Status LED page 29 9 Lanyard Loop page 30 Battery Compartment (2 AA [IEC:LR6]) page 6 1/4-20 mount (on bottom) page 30 Canon-style Hot Shoe with Pass Through page 12 Locking Ring (on bottom foot) page 30
READ ME FIRST If this is the first time you are using a remote E-TTL II flash system, we recommend you consult your camera and flash manuals for your camera for the basics of positioning your flash units. Review the owner’s manuals for your camera and flash system. For most basic functions when using Canon’s system or PocketWizard’s, operation is identical. Important exceptions will be noted in this manual.
Powering On 1. Turn OFF all your equipment (PocketWizard radios, electronic flashes, cameras, etc.) before making connections. 2. When all equipment is connected, turn ON your MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 first by setting the power switch to C.1 or C.2 (see Channels for more information on C.1 and C.2). Verify radio blinks normally (short blink every 2 seconds) 3. Turn on your connected camera and flash equipment last. The first exposure after making initial connections and powering on may not be properly exposed.
Basic Wireless E-TTL II: MiniTT1 OO FlexTT5 No Flash on Camera This simple mode of operation allows you to use one or more remote E-TTL II flashes as one zone of light. All remote E-TTL II flashes will fire at the same power level which is chosen automatically by the camera. 1. Slide the MiniTT1 Transmitter onto the camera and tighten the locking ring. 2. Slide the remote Speedlite onto a FlexTT5 Transceiver, tighten the locking ring, and secure the FlexTT5. Repeat for each remote Speedlite.
Basic Wireless E-TTL II: MiniTT1 OO FlexTT5 (cont’d) Flash on Camera This mode is identical to the previous page, adding a flash to the top hot shoe of the MiniTT1. All remote E-TTL II flashes and the master flash will be treated as one zone of light and will fire at the same power level which is chosen automatically by the camera. IMPORTANT: The Speedlite in the MiniTT1’s top shoe must be in mode, otherwise the remote flashes will not trigger.
Ratio Wireless E-TTL II: MiniTT1 OO FlexTT5 Flash on Camera This mode uses Canon’s Wireless Flash Ratio with E-TTL II system. Place remote flashes into different slave groups and control the balance of light among the groups or zones. O Please read your Canon manuals for more information on Flash Ratio with E-TTL II and how to control groups from the master flash. 1. Slide the MiniTT1 Transmitter onto the camera and tighten the locking ring. 2.
Ratio Wireless E-TTL II: MiniTT1 OO FlexTT5 (cont’d) General E-TTL II Considerations There are several important factors to keep in mind when using the ControlTL system to extend Canon’s wireless functionality: • Operate the camera normally by pressing the shutter release button halfway to establish focus or metering before shooting. On some Canon cameras, pressing the shutter release button too quickly before camera wakeup may cause the pre-flash to miss or cause an over/under-expose.
Manual Flash There are many ways to use PocketWizard radios to trigger manual flashes. Any PocketWizard Transmitter can be used for triggering remote manual flashes. You may have as many remote PocketWizard radios on the same channel as you would like. The FlexTT5 used as a receiver can trigger a compatible Canon Speedlite set to manual mode in its shoe, or trigger a manual flash (studio pack, monolight, non-Speedlite hotshoe flash) connected to .
Manual Flash (cont’d) Other Manual Flashes Connect the remote FlexTT5’s sync terminal using: port to your flash’s a) the correct PocketWizard flash sync cable for best results. - or b) your flash’s original sync cable and a PocketWizard PC female adapter, part number MPCF (804-605). Use for remote manual flash Visit the PocketWizard.com Cable Finder for help selecting the correct flash sync cable. Using a PocketWizard direct cable is always preferred over an adapter for ultimate reliability.
HyperSync® & High Speed Sync (FP Flash) HyperSync allows for a PocketWizard connected flash to begin firing just *before* the camera triggers a sync pulse. Since you are triggering “faster than a wire” with HyperSync, you can Setting the HyperSync Offset in the PocketWizard Utility sync at shutter speeds faster than X-sync for many cameras and get more usable flash energy before Auto FP (High Speed Sync) is activated.
HyperSync® & High Speed Sync (FP Flash) (cont’d) HyperSync is set in a transmitting radio only. It is not used in a remote FlexTT5. All receiving PocketWizard radios, including the Plus II, etc., will trigger in sync with HyperSync. At 1/640 and above, Standard triggers are not sent. NOTE: HyperSync requires a MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 as a transmitter. A Standard transmitter like a Plus II cannot trigger a remote FlexTT5 and achieve HyperSync.
Advanced Features via PocketWizard Utility Advanced features in the MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 are available when using the PocketWizard Utility and connecting your radio to your PC or Mac via a USB cable. Be sure to install the Utility before connecting! Download the latest version of the Utility at PocketWizard.com here. Be sure to read the help within the Utility for more information on how to use it.
Advanced Features via PocketWizard Utility (cont’d) Remote TTL Flash Sleep Delay: Normally your ControlTL transmitter tells all remote E-TTL II flashes to sleep when the camera sleeps. This saves batteries in the remote flash but could cause the flash to take a moment to be ready before the next trigger. Enable this feature to have your ControlTL transmitter wait to tell all remote E-TTL II flashes to sleep until a time after the camera sleeps.
Channels Channels enable you to work with other photographers and to keep your triggering exclusive. Some channels operate on different frequencies to help you avoid interference. All PocketWizard radio slaves set to the same channel work together. ControlTL uses a new channel system in addition to the Standard channel system used in other PocketWizard radios. The MiniTT1 Transmitter and FlexTT5 Transceiver can trigger all existing PocketWizard radios.
Channel Tables A MiniTT1 Transmitter or a FlexTT5 Transceiver always transmits on a Standard Channel and a ControlTL Channel for every trigger. Make sure you choose a set of channels/ frequencies that will not interfere with or trigger other PocketWizard users. When using ControlTL channels 5 through 14, you might interfere with a MultiMAX user on Standard Channels 17 through 26, even if you select a different Standard Channel in the Utility.
LEARN Mode Channels can be taught via the PocketWizard Utility. See the Utility’s help for more information. Teaching via the Utility is recommended. Channels can also be taught in the field using PocketWizard transmitters. Transmitting channel: A MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 learning from a PocketWizard transmitter will learn both a Standard channel as well as a corresponding ControlTL channel for transmitting. Review Page 22 for more information about corresponding channels.
LEARN Mode (cont’d) For remote E-TTL II to function, the ControlTL channel must be learned. If you see only 1 or 2 green blinks after teaching then a Standard channel was learned and E-TTL II will not function. If you desire E-TTL II functionality, teach the FlexTT5 again from the MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 to be used as the primary transmitter and look for 3 green blinks.
Remote Camera Triggering As with other PocketWizard radios, the MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 can be used to trigger a remote camera. To perform this operation a PocketWizard motor drive cable is required. For cameras with Canon’s E3 connector, you need the PocketWizard CM-E3-ACC cable. For cameras with Canon’s N3 Motor drive connector, you need the CM-N3-ACC cable. 1. Slide the FlexTT5 onto the shoe of the remote camera to be triggered. 2.
Auto-Relay Mode You can trigger flashes in sync with your remote camera. This is called Relay Mode. Here’s how it works: • Press TEST on a PocketWizard that you are holding in your hands. • The FlexTT5 connected to your remote camera receives the signal and triggers your camera. • The FlexTT5 switches to transmit mode and waits for the camera to provide a sync pulse. • The FlexTT5 triggers the flash in its shoe in sync with other remote PocketWizard radios.
Reset The MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 can be reset in the field. There are two types of reset. RESET A: Returns both C.1 and C.2 to the channels you last set in the PocketWizard Utility. Reset A is primarily used for resetting channels that were taught in the field. 1. Turn the radio off 2. While holding TEST, slide the power switch to C.1 (C.1 and C.2 are always reset together). Flex TEST button 3. Hold TEST for a few moments until you see 2 green blinks, then release TEST.
Status LED The Status LED indicates that the unit is powered on, and displays battery level and other special status modes. Under normal operation the LED will display a short blink every 2 seconds. This is the normal “powered on and waiting for trigger” blink.
Mounting Mount a remote FlexTT5 Transceiver using any of the following methods.
Long Range Performance Long distance performance from your PocketWizards depends on the orientation and position of the units. Whenever possible, try to maintain a line of sight between the units and keep the antennas parallel. Best While radio does not require line of sight, it does help Positioning dramatically. Make sure the units are not near any large metal, concrete, or high water-content objects. People and trees are mostly water! Make sure they are not blocked by these objects or by hills.
Troubleshooting Why is my photo not properly exposed? Consult the owner’s manuals for your flash and camera to understand how exposure decisions are made. While the ControlTL system can greatly expand the operating range of Canon’s E-TTL II system, and overcome inherent problems with an optical communication system, it does nothing with exposure decisions made by the camera. Make certain your shooting situation allows enough direct or reflected pre-flash to be visible to the camera.
Troubleshooting (cont’d) Why is my exposure bouncing around? If you are in Shutter Priority mode (Tv) and the ambient light levels are changing dramatically shot to shot, it is possible for the camera and flash to mis-communicate. The camera may have shifted values before the radio had time to transmit them. Try another mode or make sure to remain half-pressed on the shutter release longer after a dramatic light change.
Notes 34
Canon Compatibility The MiniTT1/FlexTT5 are E-TTL II compatible with these Canon cameras: DSLR Cameras 1Ds MKIII, MKII, 1D MKIII, MKII, 1D MKII N 5D, 5D MKII1 20D, 30D2, 40D, 50D Rebel XT / 350D, Rebel XTi / 400D, Rebel XS / 1000D, Rebel XSi / 450D The MiniTT1/FlexTT5 are E-TTL II compatible with these Canon flashes: Flash Units 580EX, 580EX II, 430EX, 430EX II NOTES on overall system performance (visit PocketWizard.com for the latest updates): 1.
Specifications See Channel Tables for more information on Standard and ControlTL Frequencies and Channels MiniTT1 FlexTT5 E-TTL Compatibility Canon E-TTL II Canon E-TTL II Maximum Range MiniTT1 triggering remote PocketWizards on Standard channels: 1200 feet (365 meters) FlexTT5 triggering remote PocketWizards on Standard channels: 1200 feet (365 meters) MiniTT1 triggering remote FlexTT5 using ControlTL channels: 800 feet (240 meters) FlexTT5 triggering remote FlexTT5 using ControlTL channels: 800
Specifications (cont’d) MiniTT1 37 FlexTT5 Camera/P1 Port 1/8” (3.5 mm) stereo miniphone for 2-stage remote camera triggering. Port Voltage Handling: up to 50 Volts, 100 milliamp continuous Tip = Trigger Ring = Pre-Trigger Sleeve = Ground Flash/P2 Port 1/8” (3.5 mm) mono miniphone. Port Voltage Handling: up to 200 Volts, 4 amps peak, 250 milliamp continuous, non-polarized Voltage present 3.3 VDC (all pins) - safe for all Canon cameras 3.
The FCC wants you to know: WARNING Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
For more information on this product, including detailed features and specifications, go to: www.PocketWizard.com MAKE IT POSSIBLE™ © 2009 LPA Design, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features and specifications are subject to change without notice. PocketWizard, ControlTL, MiniTT1, FlexTT5, HyperSync, Plus II and MultiMAX are either trademarks or registered trademarks of LPA Design, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
