Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I have a single Einstein+MC2, Nikon FlexTT5+AC3 on a D300. In Auto mode on the AC3, If I change the FEC on the camera or the AC3, or if I adjust camera setting while TT5 in power tracking mode, the modeling light and Einstein go to 1/8th pwr and the flash stops firing when triggered regardless of method: optically, Einstein test, MC2 test, camera shutter, TT5 test buttons, or hard pc sync - the audible ready on the Einstein always chirps (and the modeling light power dips as expected) - however the Einstein no longer flashes.

Turning the Einstein off and letting it "rest" for some period (at least 5 min or so) - and then powering it back up, the Einstein will again resume flashing when triggered, however changing the FEC or camera settings will again cause the flash to stop flashing.

The Einstein/MC2 is 1 week old, and until today, has previously worked as expected with the same TT5/MC2 package (including both manual and auto power tracking modes on the AC3) - so this is new behavior. Once the Einstein is not operating as expected, resetting with Easy Setup, removing the MC2, power cycling the light, trying just optical or hard sync all result with the light not flashing until it's off and rests, again for at least 5 min.

Making similar changes using a SB900+TT5 operates and triggers exactly as expected, including FEC and camera power tracking, so this appears to be isolated behavior to the Einstein.

Any tips on how to resolve this problem?

Thanks.

What is the firmware version in you Einstein?

Does the same behavior happen if you are in manual tracking mode? When you tested the other methods of firing, did you remove the MC2?

I have heard of some cameras not being able to use FEC reliably, but I do not know which cameras or under what circumstances.

The symptoms are also similar to overheat, however, for that to happen at the exact moment you change power is rather slim. Especially if it is repeatable.

A very important piece of information would be to remove the MC2 and see if the unit then becomes immediately responsive. If not, turn off the unit and back on. Then if not, unplug the unit then back in. (You would be looking to clear any memory of the MC2).

Also, double check all of your Firmware to ensure it is up to date, you may contact PW for any Beta firmware. Einstein's current FW is 26.

Einstein shipped from factory with Firmware v26, MC2 is latest BETA (2.103?) and was operable as expected previously with this version of MC2 firmware.

I have turned the unit off, removed the MC2, turned on Einstein and the flash does not work as expected - leaving the unit off for less than 5 minutes (a guess) without the MC2 does not return the flash to normal ops, however leaving the flash off for more than 5 minutes (again a guess) and then turning it back on, it will flash as expected (optical, hard PC, Einstein test).

Once the Einstein is working as expected, power cycle off, add MC2 and then shutter trigger, on-camera FEC or AC3 adjustments puts the Einstein back into no-flash mode. Tube heat is not applicable.

Are you saying to remove the MC2 "HOT" i.e. Einstein flash, is non-op, remove the MC2 without turning the power to the flash off and see if the flash returns to normal ops? I have not done this and will try that soon and report back...

Thanks!

I was, however, it does not seem to matter with the other info provided (the CSXCV is hot swappable, I would imagine MC2 to be the same).

What happens if you return the FEC to its original location, does the unit work properly then?

Slightly different behavior tonight - Einstein+MC2, TT5/AC3 on Nikon - system works as expected for 29 pops - AC3 manual mode dialing up/down FEC - no problem, AC3 auto mode, same thing dialing up/down FEC is fine. BUT, the Einstein starts missing occasional pops and by the 40th pop flash stops working and immediate further adjustments to FEC are not reflected on the Einstein and the system is in it's broken state.

Pulling the MC2 out "hot" and hitting the Einstein test fire has not effect (i.e. audible ready chirps, modeling light dims, however no flash).

Power down Einstein, re-insert MC2, power up - and the system is still in the non-operational state and the flash cannot be triggered by any method.

New test case: System is non-op, leaving the MC2 installed, Einstein ON, after maybe 5 min, FEC again starts to adjust power on the Einstein using AC3 in manual or auto, however the flash never fires (i.e. audible ready chirps, modeling light dims, however no flash).

The Einstein has less then 2K total pops on it (including many, many test pops).

I appreciate the help from everybody - any other things to try, I'd love to be using the light reliably...

We have a new Einstein that is acting pretty much exactly the same way. We were using it upside down so I was attributing it to overheating but the diagnostics screen at the time didn't show it too be too hot. Plus our other 2 Einsteins have worked great in the setup (50 in Westcott softbox boomed in and down a bit for kids... thus why upside down). I replaced the light in our workshop (when this started failing) and everything was fine but I side mounted it a bit to avoid heat. We used the same light for a few other sessions with no issues but they were short sessions.

The whole time we used a Canon based Flex with AC3 and haven't updated the firmware to the newest recently released beta but we haven't seen this issue on our other two Einsteins for the couple months we have the MC2. Only this new light has had trouble in this setup.

Like I said I had originally attributed to overheating and I'm getting ready to do some more tests with it but now I'm starting to wonder.

I have an inquiry out with Pocket Wizard, and I am awaiting thier response.

Pocket Wizard got back with us and recommended try a factory reset, and make sure you're using the 2.146 Nikon Mini/Flex BETA firmware on the transmit side.

Also, make sure the SD card is not in the flash itself.

Unless you feel there is a fault in the head (i.e. overheating), you may wish to contact Pocket Wizard directly, as it will be a more efficient means of support, as we are not aware of any of the development side if the MC2.

http://www.pocketwizard.com/support

802-658-0038 x572

Thanks for your update. I am presuming that the recommendation is a factory reset on the M2.

Yes, I am using the 2.146 beta firmware on the PW's, and there is no CF card in the flash head.

The only odd note, is that once the flash no longer fires, powering down the Einstein, removing the MC2 and powering up the Einstein, the Einstein does not return to expected flash operations - i.e. hard sync, optical or test buttons WITHOUT the MC2 installed all fail to initiate a unit Flash - so there is some persistent behavior that occurs AFTER the MC2 is removed (once the flash isn't operating as expected).

I'll factory reset the PW's tonight and report back.

Thanks.