Pocket Wizard AC3 User manual

ZoneController with
for Nikon
• UPDATE FIRMWARE: Be sure ALL your PocketWizard ControlTL®
radios are updated to the latest firmware for proper AC3
functionality. Latest firmware version can be found at:
PocketWizard.com/support/downloads
• Please read Quick Guide thoroughly before operating.
• Visit wiki.PocketWizard.com for complete operating
information.
Quick Guide
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READ ME FIRST:
ZoneController
Nikon-style Hot Shoe
(for connecting to a MiniTT1®
or FlexTT5® Nikon only) Status LED
Power Dials
• All equipment should be turned OFF when connecting.
• The rst exposure after connecting is a calibration shot and may
not be properly exposed. Always test at least twice.
• Set all radios to the same channel.
• No batteries required – the AC3 is powered by the connected radio.
Release Button
Mode Switches

English
Power Dials
Sets the ash output power.
Mode Switches
0/ = OFF - Flashes will not trigger. Set
unused zones to 0/.
M = Manual Mode - ControlTL
compatible ashes will use the manual
power output value set on the AC3 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 AC3 Power Dial. Nikon Speedlights will perform
i-TTL exposures. When compatible studio ashes are used, PowerTracking will
engage (see PowerTracking section in AC9 AlienBees Adapter, PowerST4 or
PowerMC2 Quick Guides for more information).
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.
3

AC3 ZoneController with Remote Speedlights
1. Slide the AC3 onto your on-camera MiniTT1 or FlexTT5. Power on the transmitter,
then the camera.
2. Set up remote Speedlights on FlexTT5 radios normally. Power on the ash, then
the FlexTT5.
a. Set all Speedlights on remote FlexTT5 radios
to normal i-TTL Mode. Do not use
Manual or REMOTE / MASTER on your
remote Speedlights. The AC3 will use i-TTL
commands to control manual power levels
when the AC3 Mode Switch is set to
M (Manual).
b. Use the FlexTT5 Zone Switch to assign
Zone A, B, or C to the Speedlight.
3. On the AC3, set the Mode Switches to M (Manual) or A (Auto) 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.
To use your AC3 ZoneController:

The AC3 ZoneController enhances the ControlTL capabilities
of your MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 radios by allowing you to
control the ash output power manually from the camera’s
position or use i-TTL.
AC3 Manual Mode: The Power Dial sets the remote
Speedlight 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 i-TTL exposure for that zone.
Manual and Auto modes can be used at same time. Manual
zones will not be calculated as part of the i-TTL exposure.
Zones set to 0/ (OFF) will not trigger.
FEC NOTE: In Auto Mode, Flash Exposure Compensation
(FEC) can be set in more than one place and the values are used
together - all positive and negative FEC values will be combined.
FEC can be set:
• On each zone independently using the AC3 Power Dial
when the zone is set to A (Auto)
• On each remote Speedlight
• Using the camera’s FEC control. All AC3 zones set to
A (Auto) will be affected equally.
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.
AC3
Power
Dial =
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
Manual Power Settings
Nikon Speedlight
Manual Power
Output =
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 *
* The Power Dial can adjust over a 6 stop range. To achieve the lowest manual power settings
on your Nikon Speedlight, like 1/128, you’ll need to adjust FEC down accordingly.
5
English

Manual Flash
NOTE: Make sure the camera is awake (half-press the shutter button) when changing
settings to assure AC3 settings are transmitted to remote ControlTL
®
radios.
Compatibility and Specications
The AC3 ZoneController works with the following radio combinations when used with an
on-camera MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 (required):
ControlTL Radios
• FlexTT5 radios with Nikon Speedlights using i-TTL
• FlexTT5 radios with AC9 AlienBees Adapters and AlienBees, White Lightning,
or Zeus ashes
• PowerST4 radios with Elinchrom RX ashes
• PowerMC2 radios with Einstein
™
E640 ashes
Note: The Elinchrom, Einstein
™
and AlienBees ash output will not be calculated as
part of an i-TTL exposure. See the AC9 AlienBees Adapter, PowerST4 or PowerMC2
Quick Guides for their manual power output tables and other information.
Standard / Built-in Radios
• AC3 ZoneController controls zone on/off only for PocketWizard Standard Channel
Receivers with Quad-Triggering like the MultiMAX or ash packs with built-in
PocketWizard radios.
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)

The PocketWizard Utility is required for the
following operations:
• Sharing Speedlights with another photographer (changing channels)
• Setting PowerTracking Mode for studio ashes (with AC9,
PowerST4, PowerMC2)
• Controlling modeling lights for studio ashes (with AC9,
PowerST4, PowerMC2)
Download the Utility at PocketWizard.com/support/downloads
and visit wiki.PocketWizard.com for more information.
PocketWizard Utility 7
English

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 PocketWizard.com/support or
contact your local PocketWizard Distributor. Distributor contact information can also be found
at PocketWizard.com. To receive a copy of the one-year limited manufacturer’s warranty on
this PocketWizard product, e-mail us at warr[email protected] or write to us at
LPA Design, 21 Gregory Drive, Suite #140, South Burlington, VT 05403, United States of
America, Attn: Warranty.
Information in this Quick Guide is subject to change. For current operating documentation,
features, specications and compatibility visit wiki.PocketWizard.com.
© 2011 LPA Design. All rights reserved. Product features and specications 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. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
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