Quick Guide
MAKE IT POSSIBLE
™
ZoneController with
for Canon
Please read this Quick Guide thoroughly before operating. Also, review
the product manuals for your camera and ash systems.
Visit www.PocketWizard.com/support to nd information on the
latest camera and features compatibility, Quick Guides and extended
documentation. All information in this Quick Guide is subject to change.
UPDATE FIRMWARE: Be sure to upgrade all your PocketWizard ControlTL
radios to the latest rmware for proper AC3 functionality.
ZoneController
Relea se Bu tton
Mode Switc hes
Power Dial s
Canon -styl e Hot Sho e
(for connectin g to a Min iTT1
or Fl exTT5™ for Canon onl y)
™
READ ME FIRST:
All equipment should be turned OFF when
making connections or unwanted triggering
or other erratic behavior may occur.
The rst exposure after making initial connections
or powering on may not be properly exposed and
ash power levels may not be set as expected.
The rst exposure is a calibration shot. Always test
at least twice.
Statu s LED
Make sure all PocketWizard radios are set
to the same PocketWizard channel.
No ba tteri es requir ed.
The A C3 Zo neControl ler i s pow ered via the h ot
shoe conne ction of a Min iTT1 or Fl exTT5 radi o.
When used with a Mi niTT1 , the AC3 s leeps when
the M iniTT 1 sleeps.
Power Dials
Sets the ash output power.
Mode Switches
0/ = OFF - ashes will not trigger. Set unused zones
to 0/.
M = Manual Mode - ControlTL compatible ashes
will use the manual power output value set on the
Power Dial. See the AC3 Manual Mode section for
more information.
A = Auto Mode - ControlTL compatible ashes will
use the Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC) as set
on the Power Dial. ISO and aperture changes will
track and be adjusted automatically. Canon Speedlites
will perform E-TTL exposures.
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 Speedlites
1. Slide the AC3 onto your on-camera MiniTT1 or FlexTT5. Power on the transmitter, then the camera.
2. Set up remote Speedlites on FlexTT5 radios normally. Power on the ash, then the FlexTT5.
a. Set all Speedlites on remote FlexTT5 radios to normal
E-TTL Mode. Do not use Manual or MASTER/SLAVE
on your remote Speedlites. The AC3 will use E-TTL
commands to control manual power levels when the
AC3 zone is set to M.
b. Use the FlexTT5 Zone Switch to assign Zone A, B, or
C to the Speedlite.
3. On the AC3, set the Mode Switches to M or A for the zones in use.
Adjust ash output power with the Power Dials:
+ = Black numbers on a white background increase ash output by the stops shown.
= White numbers on a black background decrease ash 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 ash output power remotely
in either Auto/E-TTL or Manual.
AC3 Manual Mode: the Power Dial sets the remote Speedlite power output as
shown in the table on the right.
AC3 Auto Mode: the Power Dial sets the Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC)
relative to the E-TTL exposure for that zone.
Zones set to Manual or Auto mode can be combined with zones in other
modes. Manual zones will not be calculated as part of the E-TTL exposure.
Zones set to 0/ (OFF) will not trigger.
FEC NOTE: Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC) can be set in many places and
all values are used together in Auto Mode. FEC can be set:
• On the camera for all AC3 zones set to A
• On each remote Speedlite
• On the AC3 Power Dial when the zone is set to A
If the combined FEC adjustments are more or less than your ash’s capabilities,
then the ash 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 Canon Speedlite like 1/128, you’ll need to adjust FEC
down accordingly.
Ma nu al Po we r S ett in gs
AC3
Canon Speedlite
Power
Manual Power
Dial =
Output =
3
2.7
2.3
2
1.7
1.3
1
0.7
0.3
0
0.3
0.7
1
1.3
1.7
2
2.3
2.7
3
1/1
1/2 + 0.7
1/2 + 0.3
1/2
1/4 + 0.7
1/4 + 0.3
1/4
1/8 + 0.7
1/8 + 0.3
1/8
1/16 + 0.7
1/16 + 0.3
1/16
1/32 + 0.7
1/32 + 0.3
1/32
1/64 + 0.7
1/64 + 0.3
1/64 *
NOTE: Wait at least 1/2 second between making changes on the AC3 and taking a picture to allow for the changes
to be communicated. The Status LED on your transmitter will blink red as changes are detected on the AC3. If the
radio or camera is asleep, changes may not be detected until the camera’s shutter release is pressed halfway.
You can use the following PocketWizard ControlTL radios together:
• FlexTT5 radios with Canon Speedlites
• FlexTT5 radios with AC9 AlienBees Adapters and AlienBees, White Lightning, or Zeus ashes
• Elinchrom PowerST4 radios with Elinchrom RX ashes
The Elinchrom and AlienBees ash output will not be calculated as part of an E-TTL exposure.
See the AC9 AlienBees Adapter or PowerST4 Quick Guides for their manual power output tables and
other information.
Compatibility and Specications
The AC3 ZoneController is compatible with:
• PocketWizard MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 (required)
• Canon E-TTL II (all references to E-TTL in this document are for E-TTL II only)
• AC9 AlienBees Adapter, PowerST4 for Elinchrom, and other ControlTL accessories
• PocketWizard Standard Channel Receivers with Quad-Triggering like the MultiMAX or ash packs
with built-in PocketWizard radios (AC3 controls zone on/off only)
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
You will need the PocketWizard Utility and your ControlTL transmitter
connected to a computer via the Mini-USB port in order to make the
following setting. Download the Utility at www.PocketWizard.com/support
Exposure Tab
Speedlite Flash Control: Adjusts how Canon Speedlites will respond to the AC3, or ControlTL
transmitter like the MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 with no AC3.
Normal E-TTL: The Power Dials of the AC3 on a MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 will adjust Flash Exposure
Compensation normally. This is the default and recommended setting.
No Change (trigger only): The Power Dials of the AC3 on a MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 will not adjust power
output. Use this setting if another AC3 is controlling the Speedlite’s manual power output, like when
sharing Speedlites with another photographer and you want to use the exact same manual ash output
power. E-TTL will not function with this setting as it is intended for manual ash power output control only.
For other PocketWizard Utility settings, refer to the extended documentation for the MiniTT1, FlexTT5,
PowerST4 for Elinchrom, AC9 AlienBees Adapter, or other ControlTL radios or accessories.
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 www.PocketWizard.com/support or contact your local PocketWizard Distributor.
Distributor contact information can also be found at www.PocketWizard.com. To receive a copy of the one-year limited
manufacturer’s warranty on this PocketWizard product, e-mail us at warranty@lpadesign.com or write to us at
LPA Design, Inc., 21 Gregory Drive, South Burlington, VT 05403, United States of America, Attn: Warranty.
© 2010 LPA Design, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features and specications 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, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein
are the property of their respective owners.
For more information on this product, including detailed features, specications, etc., go to www.PocketWizard.com.
LPF672 v1.1
MAKE IT POSSIBLE
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