Pocket wizard TT1 and TT5 on M9

[arjoey]

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Hi all

I am new joiner to M9 and read the discussion here about using pocket wizard TT1 on M9 so can make use od my speedlite 430EX to take indoor flash photos.

 

So finally I got one set for canon last night. But couldnt set the basic trigger mode work on M9 after trying different setting via pocket wizard utility.

 

Desperatedly need help...

 

Thanks

[Jamie Roberts]

Sorry, I need a bit more basic information from you. I use a TT1 and TT5 with the M9 all the time and it works fine in manual mode.... it definitely works just fine.

 

 

• what are you using on the M9? TT1?
  
• what settings do you have the TT1 set for?
  
• what shutter speed do you have the M9 set to?
  
• what receivers are you connecting to the 480? A TT5? Or something more basic? How are you synching and are you sure the synch is working on the receiving end (test button?)
  

Turn off all the TTL stuff in the Pw program and just keep the basic trigger settings and you should be ok.

 

Don't forget that if you're using the TT5 as a receiver to make sure you have the right channels assigned. For clarity's sake, I use the "legacy" channels (well, I'm also using normal Pw Plus receivers too, and they only understand the legacy channels).

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[arjoey]

Thanks James for your reply.

I use TT1 on M9 as trigger.

Then set 430EX on TT5 ( use as receiver). Also set M mode in speedlite.

In PW programme, I set C2 as basic trigger mode for both TT1 and TT5. Turn off all boxes related to TTL. Then set them on same channel (say transmitt channel 1 and standard receiver channe 1). Also shift to C2 on both devices.

I tried to press the test button on TT1 before put on M9 but can't trigger the flash. Only see red light on both TT1 and TT5 which made me think they are not communicating well.

when you mentioned "legacy" channel could you tell me how to set it...apology for my limited knowledge.

I also tried to reset everything back to factory setting but just did not work out too.

Btw seems the hot shoe on leica M9 is a bit shorter than TT1.

could u tell me what went wrong and how to fix.

Many many thanks again!!!!

Joey:o

[Jamie Roberts]

Hi Joey,

 

1) The first thing to check is that you can fire the 480 with the TT5. When you press the test fire on the TT5, does the flash fire?

 

If it does, the next thing to do is check the M9 synch with the TT1. You have to have a slow shutter with the M9 (the shutter speed needs to be 1/180s or slower) or the camera won't synch with the trigger.

 

If it doesn't, then you have a problem with communication to the flash. Do you have the top hot-shoe turned on for the TT5?

 

2) Then, when you fire the M9, does the red fire LED flash on the TT1? If it doesn't, then you need to go back and look at the basic settings of the TT1.

 

If both of these things are happening (the M9 communicating with the TT1 and the TT5 communicating with the 480), then you have a problem between the TT1 and the TT5.

 

I'll look into the software program and let you know more details once you check these basic things.

 

FWIW, it's a lot easier to just use the TT1--which is perfect for the M9--on the camera and regular old PW Plus receivers for the flash (though you need a good cable set up--Paramount are the ones I use, and they slip right into a hot shoe holder or screw onto a light stand). I would take the TT5 back, if you can--with the M you don't need all the bells and whistles it provides

[arjoey]

Hi James

 

I tried to test TT5 and 430EX and it works.

When I use TTL mode even press TT1 test button can trigger the flash. But when TT1 on M9, it doesn't works.

 

I also tried using basic trigger mode, can see red lights on at TT1 and TT5 but can't trigger the flash. Did I set something wrong in PW utility?

 

I only have TT1 and TT5. So really hope it will work.

 

Thanks

[Jamie Roberts]

Hi James

 

I tried to test TT5 and 430EX and it works.

When I use TTL mode even press TT1 test button can trigger the flash. But when TT1 on M9, it doesn't works.

 

I also tried using basic trigger mode, can see red lights on at TT1 and TT5 but can't trigger the flash. Did I set something wrong in PW utility?

 

I only have TT1 and TT5. So really hope it will work.

 

Thanks

 

Ok so just to be clear... when you're in basic trigger mode, you can't fire the flash from the TT1? Then either the TT1 or TT5 are on the wrong channel, probably, and you set that from the PW utility.

 

Go in there and turn off all the TTL stuff in both units. Then set the channels to "legacy channels" 1 and 2. That should work (it does with my units).

 

Then you should be able to go through the test procedure... fire the flash from the TT5, then fire the flash through the TT5 by using the test button on the TT1.

 

When you have that working in basic trigger mode, it should work with the M9.

[arjoey]

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To make sure I am on the right track. If I set standard TX 1 channel on TT1 then I should set standard RX 1 on TT5. right? Is the legacy channel same as standard channel?

Many thanks to your assistances and patient.

[Jamie Roberts]

To make sure I am on the right track. If I set standard TX 1 channel on TT1 then I should set standard RX 1 on TT5. right? Is the legacy channel same as standard channel?

Many thanks to your assistances and patient.

 

Yes... standard channel 1 for TX requires standard channel 1 for RX...

 

You should be able then to communicate from the TT1 to the TT5 with the test button on the TT1.

 

Once that works,

1) turn off the M9 and TT1

2) turn on the camera first

3) turn on the TT1 second

4) set the M9 synch speed to 1/180s or less

5) fire a synchronizing shot or two (I've found you need to do this--don't make the first shot a keeper, 'cos the remotes won't fire)

 

and then it should be ok

[arjoey]

Finally, it WORKS!!! Many thanks to Jamie.

[Jamie Roberts]

Finally, it WORKS!!! Many thanks to Jamie.

 

LOL Enjoy--now comes the hard part: picture-taking

[ghealey]

I guess this is a message for Jamie mostly, as he seems to be the expert, but if anyone knows the answer, please feel free to chime in...

 

I have read the thread above many times without success and am getting more and more confused. I am now asking for help.

 

I am trying to get off camera flash going with my M9 and my SF-24D flash - and I happen to have a TT1 and TT5 available (Note: the TT1 and TT5 work fine with my Canon gear)

 

Step 1 - Using the default settings for the TT1 and TT5: With the SF-24D mounted on the TT5, I can trigger the SF-24D via the TT1 (test button). So far, so good, but the M9 does not trigger the TT1. This is expected as you have to use the basic trigger mode.

 

Step 2 - Using the recommended settings (from the thread above) i.e. basic trigger mode set: the TT1 and the TT5 do not communicate!

 

The settings I am changing are... (starting with TT1 and TT5 in default config)

C1 v's C2 - both TT1 and TT5 both set to same channel (C1=1, C2=2) - either should work.

Modeling light control - on v's off - I don't think this should matter, but who knows?

Speedlight Flash Control - Normal v's Trigger only

High Speed Flash - checked v's unchecked

Basic Trigger v's TTL mode

 

So far I cannot find the 'magic' combination to get it going. If someone who has the TT1 and TT5 working on their M9 would be kind enough to tell me the setting they use I would be grateful.

 

Thanks

Geoff

[Jamie Roberts]

{snipped}

 

The settings I am changing are... (starting with TT1 and TT5 in default config)

C1 v's C2 - both TT1 and TT5 both set to same channel (C1=1, C2=2) - either should work.

Modeling light control - on v's off - I don't think this should matter, but who knows?

Speedlight Flash Control - Normal v's Trigger only

High Speed Flash - checked v's unchecked

Basic Trigger v's TTL mode

{snipped}

 

Hi Geoff,

 

First, make sure both units are set to standard channel TX1 / RX1 (or whatever you like) in the C1 or C2 position. You can't use the TTL channels with good results, IIRC. Next, turn "high speed flash" off.

 

Once that's done, turn on the TT1 and the TT5 to the same channel. You should be able to trigger the TT5 with the TT5 by using the "test" button.

 

Once you have the flash actually firing from the TT1, then attach it to the M9 and follow the sequence above.

 

Good luck!

[ghealey]

Jamie - thanks for he assistance - I have meanwhile managed to get it going by...

 

Both TT1 and TT5 in default configuration - then change TT1 to basic trigger mode - then use the 'learn' mode to get the TT1 and TT5 communicating

 

Now the TT1 can be triggered by the M9; the TT1 triggers the TT5; The TT5 triggers the SB-24D (in manual mode) - just what I hoped for.

 

Thanks again

 

Geoff

[mmcdade]

This is very late to the discussion but may be helpful.

 

I use a TT1 (for Canon) with an AC3 brightness control on a Leica M9.  This setup jumps into the communication stream between the camera and flash and allows you to manually insert brightness commands from the AC3 on the camera before they get to the flash.  It operates with Canon flashes in default eTTL mode with manually set brightness using the AC3 dial(s), it cannot get any exposure information from the M9.  This is like setting brightness manually on the flash but lets you do it from the camera, instead.

 

To use the setup, you must set the AC3 to zero brightness and manual "M" mode for the selected unit (a, b or c) (it won't work in automatic, anyway) and press the test/learn button on the TT1 to flash the receiving unit once.  After that, the system will sync at 1/180th second or slower and will transmit brightness per the +/-3 dial setting.  If the first test flash is not made at zero brightness, the system will not sync reliably.  Zero brightness means zero on the AC3 brightness dial for the selected flash (A, B or C) and in 'M' mode, not in '0' mode.  I use this setup with a Canon 430 EX-II (or similar) and PW TT5 on the receiving end.  Note that there is no Pocket Wizard programming involved. I just take the TT1/AC3 straight off my Canon, put it on the Leica M9 and use it per the instructions above.  This concept should work with any PW supported flash (probably very similar with Nikon PW's and flashes, too).

[photonenzelle]

Hello everyone, 

 

i have here my m240, a miniTT1 on the camera and a flexTT5 with a Nikon SB910 on it. The system works but only with 1/60s or slower. any ideas, what i need to configure in the PW utility on the computer?

 

and would it be possible to fire even with faster speeds as 1/1000s? maybe with a cable from tt5 to flash or something?

 

would be nice to get some answers...