Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I've been using my einsteins with the PW MC2 in studio and the problem I always have is to get the right exposure, it seems that my Einsteins overexposure, and only gets the right exposure, when I turned off the unit or unplugged MC2 few times. I have checked and followed procedures on all PW videos for Einsteins, and some in Youtube. However My biggest issue is outdoors; somehow the C-TL won't work at all, yes I can fire all my 3 Einsteins but I have no control of the exposure, not even using my AC-3, all of them go to full power regardless what aperture I use, Modeling light goes on automatically, (after Mini TT1 has been set in the PW utility) and everytime I trigger my Canon 430exII on a FlexTT5, the Einsteins fires twice. When I turned off the Canon 430EXII , Einsteins go back to normal. sometimes they work fine for 3 or 4 shots, and then go back to full power again.

please advice!

1. The double pop on the Einstein is most likely because you haven't disabled the optical slave.
2. There's a known PW firmware bug that turns on the modeling light. Perhaps this has been resolved in the most recent firmware that was released this week.
3. The AC3 supports manual and automatic modes. It can be fully automatic when you're using TTL-compatible speedlights like the 430, but there is no TTL support for an Einstein with an MC2. The best bet is to put your camera in manual mode, and then use a light meter to determine shutter speed and aperture. At that point the Einstein can be controlled from the AC3 to produce the proper exposure. A lightmeter is essential if there's an Einstein in the equation.
4. Be sure you've got the latest Einstein firmware.

The most accurate tech help would be to contact Pocket Wizard. While we are the distributer of the MC2 for convenience, we are not fully versed in how all the different remotes work with different cameras. The MC2 is a Pocket Wizard designed and built device, and they fully understand how it is supposed to work.

You can contact PW at
802-658-0038 x572
http://www.pocketwizard.com/contact/inquiry/
info@pocketwizard.com

@Big Iron Cruiser

Thanks a lot! I did exactly what you wrote, and it works perfect now, you were right, a light meter is a must. Also I just disable the optical slave and no more double pops. thanks again!