Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hello, I LOVE the Einsteins and Cyber Commander combination. However, after more research, I've recently learned that in order to match and overpower ambient light outdoors in bright light, and also shoot action like running or cycling, the Cyber Commander probably isn't my best option.

I know that I need the PowerMC2 for each Einstein I want to be hooked up to a Pocket Wizard trigger. Is the FlexTT5 the correct trigger to achieve what I need?

Also, on top of the FlextTT5, I see another hot shoe mount. Is this mount there to add another Pocket Wizard trigger which changes the output of the Einsteins remotely?

I appreciate your help in advance.

Matching and overpowering the ambient is not really a function of HyperSync. HyperSync will, to a degree, allow you to choose from aperture and shutter speed combinations that are not available when using your regular x-sync speed.

Generally, shutter speed is not considered to impact flash exposure. However, it can impact flash exposure if the length of the flash pulse is longer than the shutter speed, which can even be seen with OEM speedlights and their camera set to X-sync shutter speeds. If you were to compare a full power speedlight flash at x-sync (lets say 1/250) vs -1/3 (1/200) vs -2/3 (1/180), etc, you would see an increase in brightness over the course of a few clicks worth of shutter speed.

Once you exceed the X-sync point, then no one point on the sensor will receive all of the available flash power. The faster your shutter speed, the less area of sensor that is exposed, the less any one part of the sensor

Therefore, the absolute amount of light that is received from flash will be reduced at about the same rate as the amount of ambient that is reduced. In other words, if you cannot overpower at your x-sync speed, you wont over power above x-sync speed either.

Also, the ability to HyperSync relies on a longish flash duration. Eienstein has a significantly long duration at full, but this gets shorter rapidly as you reduce power.

As for the different products you will need to purchase, PocketWizard will be the best place to ask, as the HyperSync function is completely a function of the timing in the PocketWizard products.

Thank you for the reply. I really appreciate it. I believe that I understand HyperSync better now. So, do you think it is possible for me to at least match daylight, and freeze action (a jogger) with the einsteins?

That is with my current cyber commander setup not with pocket wizards.

The issue of freezing motion from ambient is going to be the biggest issue, but you should be able to freeze a jogger at 1/200 - 1/250s shutter speed. There may be some blurring in the feet or finger tips, but this is largely going to be dependent on how fast they are running, which direction they are moving, and where in the stride you catch them. The flash may help in freezing, but certainly wont hurt.

Matching ambient is not likely to be an issue, unless you have a softbox on it and it is mid day sun. Even still, HyperSync will not affect that anyway.

Thanks, as I'm learning, flash is a real science. I'm really thankful for your forum and your responses.