PocketWizard AC3 ZoneController

<p>I'm interested in the PocketWizard TTL-compatible (ControlTL) system, but I'm not completely clear on how some of the components work together, even after reading the documentation. First, I have two questions about the AC3 controller. The AC3 hasn't been released yet for Nikon (which I shoot), but I figured some Canon shooters might be able to chime in on the first two questions based on their experience.</p>

<p>First, if I understand correctly, the AC3 doesn't do anything that an on-camera flash unit wouldn't do, right? (In other words, it's convenient if I don't have a flash on-camera, but otherwise is unnecessary?)</p>

<p>The second question is about using the AC3 to control a FlexTT5 + AC9 adapter (for Paul Buff strobes, like Alien Bees or White Lightning): if I'm using a MiniTT1/FlexTT5 plus an on-camera flash, and a FlexTT5 + AC9 adapter attached to a Paul Buff strobe, can I control that strobe using the on-camera flash? Or is an AC3 necessary to control remote flashes that aren't Nikon CLS units? (The page for the AC9 on pocketwizard.com says "Add the AC3 ZoneController and you can control three different groups of lights in 1/3-stop increments with a six-stop range," but it's not clear if an on-camera flash would do the same thing.)</p>

<p>Final question, and unrelated to the AC3: if I'm using the pop-up flash on many Nikon cameras (e.g., D200, D300, D700) in commander mode, can the MiniTT1/FlexTT5 still work properly? Or will the right signals not be sent to the hot shoe in the first place?</p>

<p>Thanks for any help!</p>

The AC3 does not do anything a master flash or SU800 on camera won’t but it is much smaller, cheaper and quicker. You can’t physically raise the popup flash with the mini or flex on the cameras. Hotshoe. You also can’t use the commander menu to make changes to power/groups etc. like you can using the popup flash as commander with CLS.

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<p>First, if I understand correctly, the AC3 doesn't do anything that an on-camera flash unit wouldn't do, right? (In other words, it's convenient if I don't have a flash on-camera, but otherwise is unnecessary?)</p>

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<p>You don't have to worry about being close and within line of light. it is also easier to set. Finally it can also control the inlight levels of certain non-TTL controlled flashes. Specifically the Paul C Buff Alien Bee and White Lightning Monolights, the Paul C Buff Zeus pack-and-head system; the Paul C. Buff Einstein monolight; and any Elinchrom monolight, high energy battery powered light or pack-and-head system that has a connection for an external Skyport receiver. For each of these three types you'll need either a receiver (Elinchrom and Einstein) ar an adapter (the other Paul C. Buff lights).</p>

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<p>if I'm using a MiniTT1/FlexTT5 plus an on-camera flash, and a FlexTT5 + AC9 adapter attached to a Paul Buff strobe, can I control that strobe using the on-camera flash?</p>

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<p>Good question but I am pretty sure the answer is that you'll need the AC3 for that.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Ah, good points about not being able to even raise the pop-up flash to use it as commander. Good to know that the commander menu in-camera won't work either. And oops, for the first question I meant on-camera + MiniTT1/FlexTT5, but I didn't actually say that. :)</p>

<p>In that case, I'm looking forward to getting a couple FlexTT5's and probably an AC3, too, once that's released for Nikon!</p>