Nikon with Pocket Wizards Inside

Today while driving through the Pocket Wizard web page I stumble with this excellent news for Pocket Wizard and Nikon users.

It seems that they can mount an Internal Radio Transceiver just like the ones we are using today on the hot shoe mount.

Take a look at the full Press Release after the jump...

Press Release from Pocket Wizard (you can find the original post here at their page):

"Taking the ultimate step forward, PocketWizard is now offering the first built-in digital radio Transceiver in a digital SLR camera. The newest generation PocketWizard takes the shape of a wafer-thin electronic computer circuit board, that interfaces with existing technology found in the Nikon® D-Series Digital SLR cameras. This built-in PocketWizard Transceiver offers the same advantages as the external units without the need for pre-triggered motor drive cables, batteries or PC cords and it leaves the camera's hot shoe available for other accessories such as an on-camera flash.

Installation of the PocketWizard inside the Nikon D-Series cameras is available from Mamiya America Corporation in the U.S. as an after market modification to current owners of Nikon's D1, D1H and D1X series of digital SLR cameras.

The PocketWizard technology inside modification is fully compatible with all current and previously released PocketWizard Digital Radio Triggering Systems. Offering 32 channels plus "Multi-Zone Triggering", this modification also features auto-channel detection. Setting the radio channel on the Nikon® D-Series camera is as easy as holding the camera's flash key down and turning the jog wheel, until the flash or camera fires.

Since the PocketWizard chip inside is a Transceiver, it can send or receive digital radio signals independently or simultaneously. That means you can trigger your camera remotely and your camera will trigger your flash units remotely, all at the same time, wirelessly up to 1000 feet away.

The PocketWizard inside also offers features such as Pre-Triggering release circuitry that keeps the camera from going into sleep mode, SpeedCycler mode enabling rapid switching from one flash unit (or Zone) to another.

Relay Trigger sequencing, offering the photographer the ability to trigger a camera wirelessly and the camera, in turn, triggers electronic flash units wirelessly. The PocketWizard inside accepts the trigger signals from other PocketWizard radios, (such as the PocketWizard Classic, Plus, MAX, MultiMAX or also a Sekonic radio- ready exposure meter).

An external antenna that screws into the Nikon's PC socket is the only indication that PocketWizard technology is inside. Once the antenna is removed the PC socket automatically switches back to a standard PC terminal. With a triggering range estimated at 1000 feet or more and total compatibility with all PocketWizard Inside or PocketWizard Ready professional photographic equipment, the Nikon's D-Series cameras with PocketWizard technology inside is the perfect addition to the "Digital Wireless Freedom" system.

Future photographers won't know the limits of a wired world, why should you?

Features include:

* Wireless auto-detection - Channel ID setting
* Transceiver Technology - Transmit, Receive or do both at the same time, all in one radio
* 32 selectable channels - Allows multiple users to work together without interference
* Multi-Zone Triggering - Selectively control which camera(s) or flash(es) triggers remotely
* Pre-Triggering release - Prevents a remote camera from going into sleep or standby mode
* SpeedCycler mode - Allow sequential triggering of cameras or flash units
* Relay mode - Offers simultaneous triggering of a camera and flash units remotely
* Removable external antenna - Retains standard PC socket function
* 1000 foot operating range - Offers reliable remote operation at great distances.

PocketWizard inside Nikon D-Series Specifications:

Range: 1000 feet +
Frequency: 344mhz (Standard Triggering channels 1 thru 16)
346.5 - 354 MHz (Quad-Triggering 17 thru 32)
Code: Complex 16/24-bit digitally coded signals
Channels: 32 digitally coded Channels
16 original PocketWizard classic Channels
16 PocketWizard Quad-Triggering Channels
Synch Speed: Up to 1/400 (focal plane)
Power: Uses the Nikon camera body's power source
Weight: Internal wafer board adds only 0.16 oz. to the camera

Note: PocketWizard Digital Radio Triggering systems may be used only in countries where a permit for the control frequency has been issued by the government office in charge.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.

PocketWizard Inside Nikon D-Series [Instructions & Warranty]

MODIFICATION PROCEDURE: When requesting a Nikon D1, D1X or D1H digital SLR to be modified with a PocketWizard inside, the PocketWizard Inside Modification order form (link to Order Form) must accompany the camera. The camera must be in good working order before MAC can perform the modification. If the camera is not received in good working order it will be returned. Once the modification is completed, the camera will be shipped back to the sender.

MODIFICATION TURN-AROUND TIME: MAC's service department receives the camera, providing that all components are available, the standard turn-around time is 48 hours. If you require a faster turn-around, special arrangements can be made (additional charges apply) including overnight shipping and drop-ship procedures.

WARRANTY COVERAGE: MAC will warranty the PocketWizard inside modification
and Nikon will continue to warranty the Nikon camera. This means that if a require service with for your Nikon radio-ready camera, you must first send the camera to MAC's service department. MAC will remove the radio board and send the camera to Nikon USA for servicing. If the problem is with the camera, Nikon will honor the warranty. If the problem is with the PocketWizard, then MAC will honor the warranty."

I Just hope this feature soon will be available for Canon 1D series soon :)

DIY: PW Stand Holder for less than 5,00€

In my last post I wrote that I was working on 2 projects well here it is the first one.

I've been looking, for quite a while, for something to hold my PW when I use them.

Since I bought the Gadget Infinity system I haven't been using the PW a lot, first because of the too much wiring system required to connect them to my 580Ex, second their size and second because I do not like to have them bumping around on the tripod while on use.

I hang them by the little lanyard it bounce and bang on the stand every time I have to move the stand around for positioning the light so I was needing a solution for when I use them... this means that when you're into a more serious assignment you cannot trust the GI misfiring system and when a Client is near by watching every move you make this could be a terrible thing so I need the PW system.

There are people who are using the Velcro system with great usability but I do not think this would stick and hold very well on the thiner Manfrotto Nano 01 stands, so I was in need of a solution...

After seeing the Ziv's project for a Pocket Wizard holder that he's selling, a set of 3, on his blog for $24,00 plus shipping. I think this is a little bit too much for a small piece of metal that you have to bend, cut and shape.

But then again you could make one yourself, with the right tools, with no effort and with less than 5,00 euros I guarantee you that, just follow along.

I had to do some search around on several hardware stores near Luxembourg before I found the right one and the right holder. The one I bought was very cheap at Le Roy Merlin in France.

I know that there are a lot of hardware stores where you can get this stuff but the biggest one around here was Le Roy Merlin France, maybe IKEA would have this holder also I will have to check it out also.

As always I start with a picture from the setup light so you can see how one small strobe can do this kind of presentation.



580Ex shot through umbrella to camera left at 1/16 power. Camera ISO 100, Tv200, Av9.0.

Now let's go to business.



Picture of the inventory:

- Pocket Wizard (For testing purposes)
- Electric Drilling since I do not have a drilling one I used an Electric Screwer
- 1x 6mm (thick) snap ring
- 1x 6mm (thick) nut
- 1x 6mm (thick) stainless socket cap screw, size length 1,5cm
- 1x 8mm (thick) stainless socket cap screw, size length 4,5cm
- 1x Plastic Systemtac 2198 (used to hold together 2 corner pieces of a furniture) . It also bends in the middle making an L shape.

The Systemtac 2198 (name printed on the holder) you can find it near the pieces to build the pre-made furniture. At Le Roy Merlin they only had it in white but later on you can spray it black if you like.



Now let's drill on one side one hole of 6mm (thick) and on the other end a 8mm (thick). The holes are already made so it would not be very difficult to drill a larger one.



Since this is plastic you can drill them with almost anything. It's a kind of flexible plastic near the already made holes so it will be very easy to drill.

Just remember I did my holes with my electrical screwer :)

So you now have the 2 holes on each side let's move on.



Remove the original 8mm (thick) stainless socket cap screw from the flash adapter.



Here is a side by side from the original 8mm (thick) stainless socket cap screw with size length 3cm (on the right) and the new 8mm (thick) stainless socket cap screw bigger size length 4,5cm (one on the left).



Closer look.

The original 8mm (thick) stainless socket cap screw with size length 3cm (on the right) and the new 8mm (thick) stainless socket cap screw bigger size length 4,5cm (one on the left).

I choose another one bigger since this way you can now put the plastic holder between the umbrella stand and the stainless socket cap without loosing screw turns for better tight.



Let's assemble everything starting by putting the new 8mm (thick) stainless socket cap screw bigger size length 4,5cm back into the umbrella adapter.



Now we put the plastic holder, it's indifferent from which side you'll put it through I leave that to you.



I choose to put the white holder on the beginning part of the stainless socket cap screw instead of the end because this way you will have a more stable screw in since the socket cap will be fixed to the umbrella adapter see picture.



Now let's put a snap ring to better hold it together. On the final version I ended up adding another snap ring to the other side for a better tighten.



So the first part is now finished. You have the white holder in position so let's move on to the PW itself.



When I bought these 6mm (thick) stainless socket cap screw I took the PW with me and looked around for something that could be attached to the hole on the PW and that would not be very long so it won't stay out too much on the white holder.

The PW screw is not very deep so take this in consideration when buying yourself the stainless socket cap screw so they could fit in there. Maybe you could find some more fancy one's but where I looked I couldn't find none suitable for this except this one's.

------------ Update 05/01/2008 ------------

Found a better replacement for the PW screw in, much easier to screw and tight take a look at the picture below.


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At the end of the 6mm (thick) stainless socket cap screw I put a Nut to hold it against the white holder.



Next screw in the PW.



This is what it will look like when everything is in place.



As you can see the white holder is bendable at the middle so it will be easier for it to bend where it won't collide with any swivel or the umbrella hole. Main reason why I choose this.



A view of the all thing assembled together.



This is the setup shot for the next sequence.

580Ex shot through umbrella to camera left at 1/16 power. Camera ISO 100, Tv200, Av9.0



This is a standing view from one side and the other.

You can see how it's holding the PW straighten up. You can even swivel it for a better position.



Full picture with the umbrella on. I even put the umbrella metal holder a little bit out so you can see that it would not touch it even if you put it in a little bit.



Now for the final shots I would like to show them from above also made one straight and the other bend so you can see the possibilities.

Since you can bend this little piece of plastic you can point it to what best suits you.

------------ Update 05/01/2008 ------------

Finally got some time to paint it out for a more "Pro" look here are the pictures.


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Hope this all DIY would be helpful for you as it is for me.

Enjoy this inexpensive and very portable way to hold your PW while using your umbrella adapter and spray can it black if you like it better on black.

Vacation Traveling Light Kit

After completing the last article I started to wonder what stuff could I take with me during summer or short vacation periods without having to carry too much stuff around and also because airline companies are not too much photographer's friendly.

I decided it was time to gather a setup that all of you could already have and with just a couple of simple items you can get those great summer photos improved and with great of camera lighting.

First goes the setup shot of all the gear.



Since all of this shots were made with my small Canon Powershot G6 the settings were ISO 100, Tv 160 and Av 8.0. For light I used the Canon 220Ex and the stand was the Quick Lok microphone stand. Used the flash against a white wall of one of my rooms to create a BIG diffuse light like a huge softbox.


I assembled a good traveling kit and I think this would be my next week's kit to Croatia.

I usually travel a lot of my Manfrotto's tripod and sometimes the monopod so that's why they both are showed on the kit, you choose what you have.



Westcott (2001) 43" Collapsible White Satin umbrella, the ultra light Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod (details here) or the Manfrotto 681B monopod, Manfrotto 486RC2 compact ball head, Manfrotto superclamp (035), Manfrotto umbrella stand adapter w/hot-shoe mount (026), Manfrotto Adapter (015) 1/4 TO 3/8, Manfrotto Adapter Spigot (119) 1/4 & 3/8. Universal short 16 mm spigot with double female thread 1/4” and 3/8, 2 Manfrotto Adapters Spigot (013) Universal 16 mm spigot with double male thread 1/4” and 3/8”, a Climbers hook (I think this is the name for it), I got mine at a Chinese store very cheap since it's aluminum stuff not for climbing and not very strong and... don't forget your Camera, Lenses, Pocket Wizards or Gadget Infinity Triggers and Velcro adjustable ties (not in the picture).



Take a closer look at the adapter parts:

Manfrotto Adapter (015) 1/4 TO 3/8, Manfrotto Adapter Spigot (119) 1/4 & 3/8. Universal short 16 mm spigot with double female thread 1/4” and 3/8, 2 Manfrotto Adapters Spigot (013) Universal 16 mm spigot with double male thread 1/4” and 3/8” and a Climbers hook.

We will take a look at this later on in detail.



This is the Manfrotto 486RC2 compact ball head with camera adapter, the usual :)



This is were the camera adapter fits in.



And the Manfrotto 486RC2 compact ball head attaches to the Manfrotto 190XPROB tripod or the Manfrotto 681B monopod like this.



Let's begin like if you do not have, yet, the ball head. Just grab the Manfrotto Adapter (015) 1/4 TO 3/8 and screw it it to the Tripod or Monopod (My monopod has also a 3/8 spigot so it won't need this adapter, check yours first before you buy this).



Now you can attach your Hot Shoe adapter to it so you can use your Pocket Wizards ;)



Or you can attach your Gadget Infinity triggers.



This is what it will look like, on the tripod and monopod, after mounting the flash onto the Gadget Infinities.



Here are the same pictures but now on full size so you can get an idea of what they will look like.



If you are using the Pocket Wizards here are the mounts of them using the Velcro adjustable ties.



Do you remember that I mentioned them earlier but did not show any pictures? - So that's what they will be handy for.



Mounted on the tripod with detail and a full version. The tripod is not full extended so it could be more visible the setup but it will get a good height.

Notice that on the full sized I attached the ball head to the tripod and the flash to the camera adapter.



On this next 2 photos you can see why and where I use the Manfrotto Adapter Spigot (013) Universal 16 mm spigot with double male thread 1/4” and 3/8” this piece will be the support for holding the Hot Shoe or Gadget Infinity.



Here you can see what I mean the adapter will go inside the hole in the Manfrotto superclamp (035). This way you can use it with your flash.



Take a look at this baby... you can use it for macro shots of plants, objects, girls or to get that special light you cannot hold while taking the shot or when you do not have your personal assistant to do it for you (your wife, do not tell her that!!).



I included this on this kit not as something you must really have but it's kind of a good tip for the monopod when you need to carry it around too much and you do not have hands for it.
You attach this to the monopod bracelet and now you can use this to attach it to the backpack, to your waist belt well I think you know what I mean... it's a hands free tip.



Now lets see the last item so you can use the umbrella if you need it for that cool portrait of the cook chef or the cleaning maid that wants to be photographed.



Here it is assembled to the tripod. I used the ball head so it could get a little higher.



And here is the final look of it.

With this small kit you can travel light and can make your assignments look much more enjoyable than that on camera thing you are usually used to make.



Normally I would take my tripod or monopod, umbrella Manfrotto superclamp (035) and Manfrotto umbrella stand adapter w/hot-shoe mount (026) on the bilge luggage but the rest comes with me without any problem. I.E. Camera, Lens, Filters, Cleaning cloth and small accessories.

I also carry one Orange CTO and one Green filter to put on my flash since they have the Velcro on them and they are so portable but you can always carry the all pack of Lee filters with the adapter that could also fit into your bag without taking too much space and some more small stuff (see the picture above).

Hope this article could help you through summer since it's getting hotter and hotter each day and carrying a lot of gear would make your back and your head hurt.

Drink a lot of water and get those great pictures coming.