Pocket Wizard AC3 User manual

Contents
1 Features
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2 AC3 Quick Start How-To
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3 Operation
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3.1 Mode Switches
❍
3.2 Release Button
❍
3.3 Status LED
❍
3.4 Power Dials
❍
4 Specifications
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5 Power Control for Non-Compatible Cameras
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The AC3 ZoneController for Canon and Nikon is the gem of the ControlTL® product line. Add it to
your on-camera MiniTT1® Transmitter or FlexTT5® Transceiver and you instantly have three zones
of flash control. Whether working in TTL or Manual mode, you now have control over all your flashes
directly from the camera’s position. Put your flashes wherever you want, without worrying about
having to access them during a shoot. With the AC3 ZoneController, you are in total control of your
flash.
There are two separate versions of the AC3 - one with a Nikon hotshoe, and one with a Canon
shoe. Make sure to purchase the proper version for use with your system!
Features
Three independent zones of flash control
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6 stops of flash control in 1/3rd stop increments
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Turn zones on and off remotely
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Two dedicated AC3 versions - one for Nikon, and one for Canon systems.
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Works in PowerTracking, E-TTL II, CLS/i-TTL or Manual mode
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Works with Canon or Nikon Speedlights, AlienBees, White Lightning, Einstein™ E640, and
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Elinchrom RX flashes.
Put your flashes where you want, without worrying about accessing them during a shoot.
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AC3 Quick Start How-To
Slide the AC3 onto your on-camera MiniTT1 or FlexTT5. Power on the transmitter, then the1.
camera.
Set up remote Speedlights on FlexTT5 radios normally. Power on the flash, then the FlexTT5.2.
Set all Speedlights on remote FlexTT5 radios to normal TTL Mode. Do not use Manual or
❍
MASTER / REMOTE on your remote Speedlights. The AC3 will use either Nikon or Canon TTL
commands to control manual power levels when the AC3 Mode Switch is set to M (Manual).
Use the FlexTT5 Zone Switch to assign Zone A, B, or C to the Speedlight.
❍
On the AC3, set the Mode Switches to M (Manual) or A (Auto) for the zones in use.3.
Adjust flash output power with the Power Dials:
❍
+ = Black numbers on a white background increase flash output by the stops shown.
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– = White numbers on a black background decrease flash output by the stops shown.
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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.
Take pictures normally. (Note: if you are using Canon radios, your first shot will be a calibration4.
shot and will not trigger your remote flashes)
Operation
Make sure the camera is awake (half-press the shutter button) when changing settings to assure
AC3 settings are transmitted to remote ControlTL radios.
Mode Switches
The mode switches control the modes of operation for ControlTL receiving radios. It also controls
zone on/off for PocketWizard Standard Channel Receivers with Quad-Triggering Zones, like the
MultiMAX, Plus III, or flash packs with built-in PocketWizard radios, when using Standard Channels
17 or higher.
0 = OFF - Flashes will not trigger. Set unused zones to 0.
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M = Manual Mode - ControlTL compatible flashes will use the manual power output value set on
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the AC3 Power Dial. See the power dial chart below for more info.

A = Auto Mode - ControlTL compatible flashes will use the Flash Exposure Compensation (FEC)
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as set on the AC3 Power Dial. Nikon Speedlights will perform i-TTL exposures. When compatible
studio flashes are used, PowerTracking will engage (see the PowerTracking Wiki page or in the
AC9 AlienBees Adapter, PowerST4 or PowerMC2 Quick Guides for more information).
Manual and Auto modes can be used at same time. Manual zones will not be calculated as part of the
E-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:
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On each zone independently using the AC3 Power Dial when the zone is set to A (Auto)
❍
On each remote Speedlite 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 flash’s capabilities, then the flash will
operate at maximum or minimum output accordingly
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.
Power Dials
Sets the flash output power.
AC3 Power Control Chart (Manual)
AC3 Power Dial Setting Speedlights
Most ControlTL
Studio Strobes
(5-stop Range)
White Lightning X800,
X1600 & X3200 Only;
Low Range Mode
+3 1/1 1/1 1/4
+2.7 1/2 + 0.7 1/2 + 0.7 1/8 + 0.7
+2.3 1/2 + 0.3 1/2 + 0.3 1/8 + 0.3
+2 1/2 1/2 1/8
+1.7 1/4 + 0.7 1/4 + 0.7 1/16th + 0.7
+1.3 1/4 + 0.3 1/4 + 0.3 1/16 + 0.3
+1 1/4 1/4 1/16
+0.7 1/8 + 0.7 1/8 + 0.7 1/32 + 0.7
+0.3 1/8 +0.3 1/8 +0.3 1/32 + 0.3
01/8 1/8 1/32
-0.3 1/16 + 0.7 1/16 + 0.7 1/64 + 0.7
-0.7 1/16 + 0.3 1/16 + 0.3 1/64 + 0.3
-1 1/16 1/16 1/64

-1.3 1/32 + 0.7 1/32 + 0.7 1/128 + 0.7
-1.7 1/32 + 0.3 1/32 + 0.3 1/128 + 0.3
-2 1/32 1/32 1/128
-2.3 1/64 + 0.7 1/32 1/128
-2.7 1/64 + 0.3 1/32 1/128
-3 1/64 1/32 1/128
Specifications
Compatiblity Canon E-TTL II OR Nikon CLS/i-TTL
Elinchrom RX, AlienBees, White Lightning, Einstein™ E640 Flash
Mounting Hot Shoe
Selector Switch Off, Manual, Auto (PowerTracking, E-TTL II, CLS/i-TTL)
Adjustment Range Auto = +/- 3 stops, 1/3 stop increments
Status Indicator LED: Green status indicator
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)
Construction high impact plastic - RoHS Compliant
Power Receives power from attached radio
Dimensions 2" (5cm) wide x 1.7" (4.2 cm) long x .9" (2.1cm) tall
Weight .82 ounces (23.25 grams)
Requirements Dedicated AC3 Version for Nikon and Canon systems. Must be used in
conjunction with a MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 on camera.
Power Control for Non-Compatible Cameras
You can use your MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 with an AC3 ZoneController on nearly *any* camera with a
basic hot shoe to get Manual Power Control for Mamiya, Leica, Hassleblad, mirrorless cameras, etc.
Trigger any ControlTL receiver in sync up to 1/125 on some models of camera.
You can read more about this exciting feature on our Power Control for Non-Compatible Cameras
page.