PocketWizard Pocket Wizard Multimax manual

Po ck et Wi za rd .c om Ow n e r ’s M a nu a l A d d e n d um Includ ing : Mult iMA X F irm ware Up gra de v 7.5 (for USB-en abled FCC/C E Mul tiMAX radio s only ) Spec ial No te f or CE Mul tiMA X O wne rs Mul ti MA X Fi rmw ar e Up gr ade v 7. 5 Mul tiM AX 7.5 i s p ack ed wit h n ew fe atu res a nd cap ab ili tie s f or th e M ul tiM AX use r [...]

PocketWizard.com Ra ng e Me nu - /M EN U L A A:R ANG E M ODE Lon g Ra ng e Mod e - /ME NU L A A A:L ONG -L T/L R Long range mode increases the usable distance, up to double, between two MultiMAX radios. This new feature i s ide al fo r ph otogr apher s sh ootin g sp orts or w ildl ife, or anyon e who simp ly n eeds long ran ge re mote cam era c apa[...]

PocketWizard.com Clo se R an ge Mo de - /MEN U L A C (T r an sm itt er O nl y) C:C LOS E-C T Close range mode reduces the transmit power of your MultiMAX wh en it is i n TR ANS MIT mo de . Th is mod e is use fu l i f y ou ha ve a r ec eiv er ve ry clo se to you r t ran smi tt er (wi thi n a fe w fee t). N orm all y i t is rec omm end ed to ke ep se[...]

PocketWizard.com Cu st om I D M en u - /M EN U L C C:C UST OM ID Thi s m enu on ly ap pe ars if yo u h av e a Cu sto m ID and yo u h av e a US /FC C rad io. Wha t i s a Cu st om ID? I t i s a p riv ate ch an nel on a Mul ti MAX . In h ype r-crow ded sho oti ng env ir onm ent s, Cus tom ID s g iv e y ou the co n den ce to kno w tha t y our r emo [...]

PocketWizard.com Whe n t he dis pl ay sa ys SA ME AS CHA N 2 1 a nd th e f req uen cy di spl aye d i s 348 500 tha t m ea ns tha t y ou r C ust om ID wil l use the s ame freq uency tha t is in u se o n sta ndar d Cha nnel 21 - Pho tograp hers u sin g t hat c han nel ca n’t tr ig ger yo u and yo u c an’ t t ri gge r the m, but if yo u t r y t o [...]

PocketWizard.com Si gn al S tr e ng th I nd ic a to r (R ec ei v e On ly ) The Signal Indicator (antenna level bars like on a cell phone) now performs two functions: 1. Noise Meter: If your radio has NOT been triggered, the Signal Indicator will show steady noise in the area. More bars = Good radio environment (less noise). If your Signal Indicator[...]

PocketWizard.com • FAST No ise – dis pla ys no ise re ad ing s a s f ast as t he Mul tiM AX ca n s amp le. If thi s n umb er is co nsi ste ntl y hig h, the re is a s tro ng in ter fer enc e sou rce in th e a re a. It sam ple s s o q ui ckl y , howe ver , that br ie f t ran sie nt noi se is ha rd to not e. • S LOW No ise – di spl ays t he hi[...]

PocketWizard.com Ra di o Re la y ( Re pe at er ) M od e (R ec e iv e On ly ) Thi s m ode le ts yo u d epl oy ano th er Mul tiM AX to inc rea se you r ra nge . It r ecei ves an d transm its on th e sa me c hanne l. T o act iva te Ra dio Re la y ( Rep ea ter ), set th e M ult iMA X t o REC EIV E o n y ou r c han nel of choic e, then pres s the “L ?[...]

PocketWizard.com Sug ge st io ns fo r re mo te ca me ra t ri gge ri ng : Eli min ate as m an y R F i nte rfe ren ce is sue s a s p os sib le. • M ain tai n a l ine of si ght be tw een th e u nit s. • K eep th e a nt enn as par all el an d a t l eas t 12” ap art . • M ake su re th e r adi os, an d e spe cia ll y t he ant enn as , are n ot ne[...]

PocketWizard.com Fo r r em o te “f in i sh li n e” c a me ra s o r a n y r e mo te ca m er a w h er e a l o ng mo t or dr iv e b u rs t i s d es i re d , co n si d er th e f ol l ow i ng : • S et a l ong c ont act ti me (f or exa mpl e, 1.5 0 s eco nd s) on the re mo te rec eiv ing un it . If ran ge is an is sue or re mot e o pe rat ion is i [...]

PocketWizard.com xi Pock et Wi za rd Ut il it y Y our Mu lti MAX ha s a U SB por t w hi ch all ows it to b e e asi ly up dat ed to th e l ate st rm war e u sin g the Po cke tWi zar d Uti lit y . The Po ck etW iza rd Uti lit y can be do wnl oa ded on our we bsi te at ht tp: // www.Poc ke tWi zar d.c om/ sup po rt/ dow nlo ads / T o con nec t y ou[...]

PocketWizard.com © 2010 LPA Design, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features and specications are subject to change without notice. PocketWizard, ControlTL, MiniTT1, FlexTT5, 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 respec[...]

www .PocketWizard.com Owner’ s Manual[...]

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3 Cong ratulat ions on the purchas e of your new Po cke t Wiz ar d Mult iM A X dig i t al r a dio t r igg er in g sy s te m . The Po cke t Wiz ar d MultiM A X is a microproce ss or-bas ed radio slave syst em tha t uses adv anc e d dig it al signaling to incre as e triggering ran ge, reliability and rejec t radio noise from other sourc es. Sinc e is[...]

4 T able of ConTenTs “The FCC Wants Y ou T o Know” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Icons Used in this Manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[...]

5 T rue Confirmation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Optional Flash Confirmation Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Menu System . . . . . . . . . . [...]

6 T o f in d t he c orr ect Poc ket Wi za rd bran d c abl es f or y our fl as h a nd c ame ras , an d t o ex per ien ce o the r pr odu cts l ik e th e Plu s II , p lea se v isi t ww w. Poc ket Wi za rd. com or yo ur lo cal pho tog ra ph y d eale r . Other Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[...]

7 Th is US f re q ue n cy M ul t iM A X is com p a tib le wi t h all US fr e qu e nc y P oc k e t W iz a r d pro d uc t s . It i s no t fre qu e nc y c o mp a tib le w i th C E or J A PA N P oc k e t W iz a r d p ro du c t s. Ve ri f y f r e qu en c y co m pa t ibili t y b e fo re pur c ha si ng . S om e pro du c t s a re not ma n uf a c t ur ed on[...]

8 ICons used In ThIs Manual N Read the information following this icon. It shows important notes about the subject being discussed. ☞ Follow this icon for more detailed information on the subject in another section. Î Find valuable tips and techniques with this icon. Warning or caution. Refer to www .pocketwizard.com for updated information.[...]

9 fea Tures Communication T echnology Full Digital Radio Communication Microprocessor controlled 32 digitally coded channels Complex 16 or 24 bit coded signal Selective Quad-T riggering Basic Features Built-in hot shoe 1/4-20 female mounting thread Built-In AC adapter jack (see Page 49 for ordering information) Illuminated LCD panel Illuminated sof[...]

10 Mul TIMax P arT referenCe Lanyard Loop Status Light PORT 2 Output PORT 1 Input / Output LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Power / TRANSMIT / RECEIVE Mode Switch Hot Shoe Input MENU Key Channel / Numeric Entry UP / DOWN Keys Zone / Menu / Numeric Entry Keys Battery Door ¼ - 20 T ripod Mount Battery Door Latch Flexible Antenna ACC Port TEST Button Bac[...]

11 lCd InforMa TIon[...]

12 ConTrols Power Switch TRANSMIT = Unit is powered on in TRANSMITTER (TX) mode RECEIVE = Unit is powered on in RECEIVER (RX) mode OFF = Unit is powered OFF Keypad A B C D L = S elec ts Qu ad-T rigge ring Zone s and Loca l. A lso u sed in me nu na viga tion and numer ic en try TE ST = T rig ge rs Mu ltiM AX. Pr es s to test op era ti on or to tr ig[...]

13 GeTTInG sT arTed Please pay attention to the following safety warnings: Operating temperature: above -15° C (5° F) and below 50° C (120° F) St or ag e te mp er atu re , wi th ou t bat te ri es : ab ov e - 30 ° C (- 22 ° F) an d be lo w 85 ° C ( 18 5° F ) Remove batteries during storage. Battery Requirements: IEC:LR6 (AA) Size Do not remo[...]

14 Battery Life The MultiMAX displays remaining battery life with a 3 segment batter y icon in the upper left corner of the LCD: 3 segments displayed = batteries are fresh/new 2 segments displayed = batteries are good 1 segment displayed = replace batteries soon 0 segments displayed = install fresh/new batteries immediately With one set of standard[...]

15 QuICk seTuP - basIC radIo sla ve oPera TIon Basic Setup for Remote Flash T urn off all equipment before installing batteries or making connections! 1. Install 2 AA batteries in each MultiMAX 2. Connect camera to first MultiMAX: Slide unit into camera hot shoe - or - Use sync cable to connect camera’ s PC terminal to CAMERA / PORT 1 3. Connect [...]

16 T riggering Multiple Flashes With Multiple RECEIVE Units Multiple remote flash units may be triggered in sync with each other . 1. Install batteries in each additional MultiMAX unit 2. U se f lash cabl e to conne ct e ach a ddit ional flas h un it’ s sy nc te rmin al to FLA SH / POR T 2 3. Set power switch on each additional MultiMAX unit to R[...]

17 sT andard radIo oPera TIon T ransceiver Control The MultiMAX operates as either a transmitter or a receiver . T o use the MultiMAX as a T ransmitter (sending device) set the power switch to TRANSMIT . T o use the MultiMAX as a Receiver set the power switch to RECEIVE. ☞ There is a special mode that enables a MultiMAX to automatically switch fr[...]

18 Compatibility Mu lt iM AX c ha nn els a re c om pa ti ble w it h al l Po cke tW iz ar d ra di o s la ve p ro du ct s p er t he t ab le be lo w: Digital Radio Model MultiMAX Compatible Channels Older MultiMAX units 1-16 17-32 Quad-T riggering or Fast Mode PocketWizard 10 Channel Classic 1-10 PocketWizard 16 Channel Classic 1-16 PocketWizard Plus [...]

19 Selective Quad-T riggering ( A B C D keys) This pow erful f eatu re is used to indiv idua lly c ontro l up to 4 se ts o f Mul tiMA X uni ts (s et f or RE CEIV E mod e) on the same cha nnel. Eac h key pad l ette r , A B C D ref ers t o an indi vidu al zo ne. Each zone can be in depe ndent ly se lect ed or d esel ected fro m a M ultiM AX ( set f o[...]

20 Classic Channels Classic channels are compatible with early PocketWizard models and the PocketWizard Plus. Selective Quad- T riggering is only available in channels 17 through 32. In channels 1 through 16 the display will show CLASSIC CHANNEL and zones A B C D do not appear . The A key simply toggles the remote receivers on or off and is display[...]

21 T rue Confirmation Because the MultiMAX is a true transceiver it automatically confirms triggering. It can perform this on two levels: it confirms the round trip radio signal and can confirm actual flash sync with an optional flash confirmation cable. It does this for all Quad-T riggering zones on every trigger . Confirmation is indicated visual[...]

22 N Confirmation can only be performed using MultiMAX units on channels 17 and higher . PocketWizard Plus, Classic, and the original MAX do not perform confirmation. N T rue Confirmation is designed to work with one MultiMAX (set for RECEIVE mode) per zone. Multiple RECEIVE units set to the same channel and zone will not individually confirm and m[...]

23 Menu sysTeM Navigation Many functions of the MultiMAX are accessed through easy-to-navigate menus. Pres s /MENU to en ter th e me nu sys tem. Me nu item s a re sel ecte d b y u sing th e A B C D L keys . You ca n al so use the ▲▼ ke ys to h igh lig ht t he men u it em you wa nt, then pr ess /MENU to sel ect. While within the menus the /MENU [...]

24 Numeric Entry Several menu items require a number or value to be entered. Numeric entry is per formed with A B C D and ▲▼ keys. The A B C D keys each select and add 1 to a specific digit as follows: A – se le ct s an d a dd s 1 to t he 4 th d ig it f ro m th e r ig ht B – se le ct s an d a dd s 1 to t he 3 rd d ig it f ro m th e r ig ht [...]

25 MaIn Menu From the main screen press /MENU to enter the Main Menu. The ▲▼ arrow keys can be used to highlight a menu function. Press /MENU to select that function. You can also press the corresponding letter as listed below . A: Advanced Menu – /MENU A Press A to enter the Advanced Menu. The Advanced Menu contains Delay modes (including Re[...]

26 basIC seTTInGs Press /MENU B to enter the Basic Settings menu. Press the corresponding letter for the setting you wish to adjust. A: Contact Time – /MENU B A Contact time is the length of time that CAMERA / PORT 1 or FLASH /PORT 2 outputs remain contacted. The default Contact Time of 0.08 is enough to trigger most camera motor drives and flash[...]

27 For triggering remote cameras, a longer contact time allows for continuous repeatable motor drive triggering (example: 5 frame bursts every trigger). It also allows for controlled bulb exposure. Example of Burst Shooting: If a remote camera is capable of firing 3 frames per second in continuous motor drive, then a contact time of 1 second will a[...]

28 B: Beep Menu – /MENU B B This menu controls the beep functions of a MultiMAX. Press the corresponding letter to set the desired function of the built-in speaker . A: Beep on All – /MENU B B A Mu lt iMA X wi ll bee p on al l tr igg eri ng , con firm ati on er ro rs, and ze ro co unts as in di ca ted bel ow as we ll as on any ke y pr ess ed. B[...]

29 C: LCD Contrast Adjustment – /MENU B C Enters the LCD Contrast Adjustment screen. Use ▲▼ to adjust the contrast. Contrast can be affected by temperature. Setting the contrast to a middle setting is recommended for most situations. D: RESET - /MENU B D Resets the unit to factory defaults. CLEAR/RESET is per formed as if you held C on power [...]

30 CounTer Menu Press /MENU C enter the Counter Menu. This menu controls the counter functions of the MultiMAX. The counter can show the total number of triggers. Count is incremented on every trigger from any source: PORT 1, TEST button, Hot Shoe, or Radio T rigger . A: Count Up + Reset – /MENU C A Count is set to COUNT UP (example: 0,1,2,3,...)[...]

31 adv anCed Menu Press /MENU A to enter the Advanced Menu. This menu contains the advanced functions of the MultiMAX. Precision timing and sequencing operations are available in this menu. ☞ Press /MENU D to cancel advanced functions and return to normal mode. See the section on D:Go Advanced and D:Go Normal , Page 25. A: Delay Menu – TRANSMIT[...]

32 B: Remotes Only – /MENU A A B Enters the numeric entry screen. Delays the Radio remote units only . PORT 2 will trigger immediately . Remote units will trigger after the displayed delay . If the contact time for the MultiMAX (set for TRANSMIT mode) is longer than the delay , PORT 2 will remain contacted for the delay time rather than the conta[...]

33 A: Delay Menu - RECEIVER – /MENU A A En te rs the del ay me nu fo r a Mul tiM AX ( set for RE CEI VE mo de ). Each RE CEI VE u nit can ha ve it s own del ay for se qu enc es o r f or sy nc hro niza tio n. T o e as ily del ay a ll REC EIVE un it s t he s ame am ou nt , u se t he T ra ns mit ter ’ s d el ay . N RECEIVE units set to delay do no[...]

34 C: Equalize – /MENU A A C Equalize Mode is a specialized delay mode for synchronizing multiple cameras to one flash. This mode is designed to work with shutter speeds up to 1/125 on some cameras, but there are many factors that could affect operation. This is the only place where Lag Times can be measured. ☞ Read the Camera Equalization sect[...]

35 B: Intervalometer (Time Lapse Photography) – /MENU A B En te rs the Int erva lome ter in te rva l s ett ing s cr een . In te rval ome ter c an be use d t o t ri gg er a fl ash or a c ame ra a t a se t int erva l ( ti me ga p be twe en tr ig ger s) f or a s et n umb er o f tr ig ger s. T he int erv al ti me is se t in HH:MM:SS format (Hours:Min[...]

36 Î Fo r de la ys l on ger t ha n 9. 99 99 se co nd s (maximum available in delay modes) use Intervalometer or Multipop mode. Set the inter val to the desired delay . Set the count to 1. Attach your camera to PORT 1 and trigger the MultiMAX . The camera will trigger after the set interval. N Contact time is affected by Intervalometer mode. If you[...]

37 The following chart is a starting point for calculating how the number of flashes or pops affects F-stops. Since every flash unit is different, use a light meter or other method for more precise calculations. Number of Pops Stops Number of Pops Stops 1 Add 0 stops 6 Add 2.5 stops 2 Add 1 stop 7 Add 3 stops 3 Add 1.5 stops 8 Add 3.5 stops 4 Add 2[...]

38 D: Fast Mode - RECEIVER – /MENU A D T h e M u l ti M A X i s d e s ig n e d t o s y n c c a m er a s a n d f l a sh u n i t s a t s h u t t e r s s p ee d s u p to 1 / 2 5 0 t h f o r m o st f oc a l p l a ne s h u t t e r s ( 35 m m ) a n d 1 / 5 00 t h f o r m o s t l e a f s h u t t e rs . So m e c a m er a an d f l a s h c o m b i n a ti o[...]

39 Relay Mode (RECEIVE Mode Only) – L In this mode a remote camera’ s motor drive is triggered by a MultiMAX (set for RECEIVE mode). The MultiMAX then switches to TRANSMIT mode and waits for a sync pulse from the camera. Upon getting the sync pulse from the camera the unit then triggers remote flash units via radio and returns to RECEIVE mode, [...]

40 aPPlICa TIons of adv anCed funCTIons The applications below are unique ways to use the advanced functions of the MultiMAX. Many of them require fine-tuning or adjustment to work with different camera equipment. Always perform test exposures to insure reliable results. Self-Timer or Cable Release Delays, or Intervalometer and Multipop with a coun[...]

41 Use the formula below to help calculate your maximum safe shutter speed based on your flash durations. ☞ Refer to the Time Conversion Charts section, Page 54, to convert fractions into decimals for the formula. 1. Add your maximum (longest) flash durations together (decimals, not fractions) 2. Add another 0.002 (focal plane) or 0.001 (leaf shu[...]

42 Camera Equalization Equalization, or synchronizing multiple cameras to the same flash, requires precision timing. Even though we perceive camera triggering activity as instantaneous, it is not. Even the flash, which appears to provide light only for an instant, has a time duration (flash duration) that needs to be factored into synchronization c[...]

43 Multiple mechanical systems – cameras that have many changeable mechanically interacting parts (film backs, motor drives, lens shutters) are likely to have different lag times with different hardware combinations. A leaf shutter is in the lens so changing lenses on a leaf shutter camera will change lag time. In some medium format cameras havin[...]

44 Î Speed is not the most important factor in camera equalization, consistency is. If a slow camera has extremely consistent lag times it will be a better equalization candidate than a faster but inconsistent camera. The reason why it is important to know the approximate fastest lag time for a camera, especially an inconsistent one, is to calcula[...]

45 N If your camera’ s maximum sync speed is slower than the number listed then you must use the slower sync speed. Camera equalization does not give a camera faster sync speeds than the camera is designed to handle. For all shutters it can be assumed that a camera with faster external flash sync speeds (X sync) will have faster shutter travel th[...]

46 One Unit Equalization T o equalize two cameras and one flash at 1/125 with one MultiMAX, follow these steps: 1. Set the MultiMAX to RECEIVE mode 2. Measure lag times of cameras as described and record the fastest lag for each 3. Determine which camera is faster and which is slower overall 4. Determine the delay time If the slow camera is more co[...]

47 If using both MultiMAX units as RECEIVE units being triggered by any PocketWizard T ransmitter follow these steps: 1. Set both units to RECEIVE mode 2. Me as ure lag ti mes o f cam eras as pr ev io usl y de scr ibe d an d r ecor d t he fast est lag fo r ea ch 3. Determine which camera is faster and which is slower overall 4. Determine the delay [...]

48 Equalization Adjustments With all the variable factors above it may seem that performing the math necessar y for equalization is daunting. Here are some techniques for fine- tuning or adjusting equalization times without using specific math: On some 35mm cameras you can gauge timing without using film. If your camera allows triggering with the f[...]

49 TeChnICal InforMa TIon Specifications Weight: 5.4 ounces with alkaline batteries Dimensions: 1.4 inches deep x 2.1 inches wide x 4.0 inches tall (body only) Flexible antenna = 2.4 inches tall. 0.3 inches in diameter Batteries: 2 x AA (IEC:LR6), 1.5 V batteries, alkaline recommended Read the Getting Started section, Page 13, for more information [...]

50 Radio Information T ransmit Output Power: 0.001 watt (1/1000 of a watt or 1 milliwatt) T ypi ca l T r an smi tt er O ut pu t Dur at io n: 0 .0 00 5 s ec on ds ( 1/ 20 00 se co nd o r 50 mi cr os ec on ds ) Bandwidth: Narrowband, 70KHz TRANSMIT , 230KHz RECEIVE PocketWizard Radio Frequencies: Channel Frequency Unit Digital Code 1 through 16 344.0[...]

51 Maximum and Minimum Settings The following table details the maximum and minimum values allowed for each numeric entry setting available in the MultiMAX. Setting Maximum Minimum Contact Time 999.99 seconds or 16 minutes, 39.99 seconds .01 seconds Delay Time 9.9999 seconds .0001 seconds (add 0.0005 to displayed value for RECEIVE units triggered v[...]

52 TroubleshooTInG When in doubt ! Many issues can be resolved by powering the unit off and then back on again or by resetting to factory default settings. Before proceeding to any other troubleshooting procedure follow these steps: 1. Set power to OFF 2. Wait 10 seconds or until display completely blanks 3. Set power to RECEIVE or TRANSMIT Reset t[...]

53 susT aInInG hIGh PerforManCe Long distance performance from your MultiMAX depends on the orientation and position of the units. Whenever possible, try to maintain a line of sight between the units and keep the antennas parallel. Make sure they are not near any large metal, concrete, or high water -content objects. People and trees are mostly wat[...]

54 TIMe ConversIon CharTs Fractions to Decimal: Here are some common photographic fractions in decimal values. All numbers are rounded to the nearest .0001 or 1/10,000th. ☞ These times are not Rear Curtain Sync times. These are precision numbers. Rear Curtain Sync numbers are always less than the exact conversions. Refer to the Rear Curtain secti[...]

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For more information about using your PocketWizard product visit: www .PocketWizard.com MultiMAX, USB version, Manual Change Revision 1.4 (LPF100)[...]