Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hello,

This is my last stop to hopefully make this system work reliably (I would really love to make this system work reliably). What I have:

2x Einstein Lights
4x PW Flex TT%
2x mini Flex
2x AC3
2x MC 2 (one for each Einstein)
Nikon cameras (D300s, D600, D7000's).

Everything has the latest firmware. I did find this post: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1551&hilit=Nikon+Flex+Nikon+AC3&start=10, but in the end didn't seem to offer any solution. My issue is that the set up is simply unreliable. It stops working for no apparent reason. As example, we were doing senior sessions the other day. Einstein on a stand powered by a mini-Vagabound. Using a Flex 5 as a trigger with an AC3 on top (I use the Flex 5 because some reports say that the pop up antenna works better than the built in mini's). Everything will be working just fine for say 10-shots and then nothing. The only thing that brings it all back is powering everything down (PW, camera, flash) and then powering back up. It's quite frustrating. For weddings, I have simply switched back to our old PW II's. This behavior has been going on since we bought into the system last year. At one point, I had an MC2 that PW (LPA designs or whatever) replaced as I would using it in the Einstein and I would get a red indication of no RF signal. Now to be clear, this behavior happens to either Einstein using any combination of Flex or mini triggers on any camera. I can't get reliable, consistent triggering no matter what I try. So here I am. I am hoping someone can help me out with this.

When the system stops, can you press the LED on the MC2 and get the flash to fire? Do only the Einsteins have this problem, or will your Bees quit firing, too? Do multiple lights stop firing simultaneously, and if so, are you using multiple Vagabonds (or a Vagabond for some lights, and AC mains for others)?

I don't know, I will try that on the next shoot when it happens.



I don't have any Bees.



I don't even try firing both Einsteins any more. I originally tried at weddings but troubleshooting it was way to much of a PIA (!). For what it's worth, at this point I am just trying to get one light (either Einstein/any Flex trigger) to reliably and consistently fire one light. If I am doing anything more complicated I just use PW II's. But I do have a pair of Vagabond minis that I use to power the Einsteins, 100% of my work is on location.

My appologies, I misread the original post. I associated the TT5's as being for Bees.

Generally, this issue will need to be discussed with LPA (the makers of PocketWizard). There are many factors that can go into this, many of which are camera specific. If the problem is camera specific, then it is in the programming in the transmitters, of which we were not involved in developing.

However, the one place that would be Einstein related would be the interface between the MC2 and E640. By determining if the test button the MC2 works would help identify this (it could disprove a faulty light, but it would not prove a faulty light). Also, you can try using the MC2 in the light on a regular channel, and use the PlusII to trigger to see if the problem persist in the same manner (i.e. only get 10 shots or so).

If you need to contact LPA, you can call 802-658-0038 x572 or email them at info@pocketwizard.com.

This is not a problem that has been associated with Einstein to date, and I would imagine the issue is transmitter related. I will be happy to do what I can to trouble shoot the light, but I believe you will find a quicker solution by contacting LPA. If you are having this problem, they have likely seen it before.

It sounds like you are using the ControlTL trigger/receivers with the Einsteins to have remote power control.

You will be much happier with Cyber Commander and Einstein receiver module.

I haven't used the MC2 and ControlTL with Einstein since Canon introduced the 600EX-RT.

I have Buff Cyber Sync system for Einsteins. Its reliable and easy to use once you get the workflow down.

When I used ControlTL I too had reliability issues. There just seems to be some flakiness in the firmware. One has to remember they are taking Canon or Nikon TTL camera flash communications protocols, translating them into ControlTL protocol and using that to communicate with the lights. Then converting back. And in the case of the Einstein having to convert to a second light control protocol.

Just too much opportunity for missed communications.