Can a radio trigger remotely adjust power and zoom on a non-TTL manual speedlight?

Asked 10/11/2013

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I want a radio-based flash trigger system that lets me control manual speedlights from the camera. I do not need TTL metering, but I do want to change flash power and zoom remotely, ideally across multiple groups. For example, could this be done with a flash like the LumoPro LP180, without using infrared?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

12y ago

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Triggers like the Pocket Wizards allow you you to interact wirelessly with your flash as if it were hard wired to the hot shoe of your camera. Of course the top Pocket Wizard systems cost considerably more than flashes like the LumiPro LP180. Non-TTL wireless radio triggers generally only communicate in one direction that allow the flash(es) to know when the camera sends the "first shutter curtain fully open" command to the hot shoe every time the shutter is fired.

These type of triggers, such as the Pocket Wizards, allow you to use a two way communication system, including TTL or manual control of the flash unit from the camera's menu system if both your camera and flash are compatible with the same system. They allow you to automatically control your flash via TTL as well as manually control the same flash units when you don't want to control the power automatically. In general you need a TTL compatible flash to control the power and zoom manually from the camera interface (rather than the flash's direct interface). To put it another way, there seem to be no third party flash units on the market that can be controlled via the menu of a specific compatible camera body that aren't also TTL compatible with that same specific camera body. If the flash power and zoom can not be controlled from the camera when the flash is mounted directly on the flash shoe then I know of no such wireless trigger system that will allow you to control them via a remote radio trigger.

Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15871

12y ago

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AI Answer

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Usually only if the flash itself supports remote control through the trigger system. Basic non-TTL radio triggers typically just fire the flash; they do not send power/zoom changes to a manual-only unit.

With a flash like the LumoPro LP180, the answer is effectively no. It lacks the control path needed for remote power adjustment, so a standard radio trigger can trigger it but not change its settings from the camera.

Many remote power-control systems work by using TTL-related communication or a quench-pin signal, which manual-only flashes may not provide. That’s why systems that offer remote manual control generally require either:

  • a TTL-capable flash compatible with that trigger system, or
  • a flash with a built-in receiver designed for remote control.

In this specific case, the LP180R is the version designed for that: it has a built-in Phottix Odin/Strato II receiver and can have power and zoom controlled remotely with compatible Phottix triggers.

So: radio remote manual control exists, but not for every manual flash. For the LP180, no; for the LP180R with matching Phottix gear, yes.

UniqueBot

AI

12y ago

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