Cactus Radio P-TTL Update Released

Thanks Nigel,

I'll have another play tonight and also select the profile " manual " on both the triggers, I cant see on the triggers a " Metz " option, ??

Thanks Nigel,

I'll have another play tonight and also select the profile " manual " on both the triggers, I cant see on the triggers a " Metz " option thou, should I be able to ??

Ah..... Getting somewhere

The flash now fires, on any shutter up to and including 1/200 sec, but not over that ?

I cant change the power output on the Metz from the RX either, but I guess that's because its in manual mode on the TX ?

Would I be better with a Cactus RX60, do yours work above your Sync speed ?

I'll keep the 2nd trigger as it'll be useful with the Metz on full power on a stand and with the Quadra's

Hi Chris, here's a few key settings to check that must be right ...

1. Tx Unit Camera SetUp (Unit set to Tx Mode) ..... Menu / Camera & Flash SetUp / Camera System / Pentax

2 . Rx Unit Flash SetUp (Unit set to RX Mode) ..... Menu / Flash SetUp / Flash System / Pentax / Flash Profile / Metz AF58 (Can you confirm if your Metz flash is listed within the Profiles section - if so choose it).

3. Tx Unit Normal HSS Mode ..... Menu / Functions / Sync Mode / Normal HSS

4. Flash Mode (On the Metz) ..... P-TTL

These are the key basic settings to get this system going, for TLL / HSS and Manual. With these settings then the switching in and out of HSS mode is automatic, and all you have to do is control your shutter speed on the camera. You don't need to touch anything on the Flash or RX unit, its all controlled from the Tx unit.

Make sure that the same Group button (eg A) is illuminated on the Rx unit as the one you have activated on the TX unit. The Group button on the Tx cycles between TTL (shows 0.0 for flash compensation) / M (shows the power setting eg 1/16) / Off (light goes off). Another handy feature is to set the 'Swap Control' to Zoom .... this means that when you press in on the dial, it swaps to controlling the Flash Head Zoom on your flash (displays the zoom setting in Focal Length eg 70mm) .... so you can quickly swap between power control and zoom control of each active group.

I have now updated firmware and run tests with the V6II and RF60 and RF60x, and yes its all working as expected, including TTL and HSS. I tried it up to 1/2000th. I'll write some more details about it soon.

Wow, loads of info there Nigel, superb, thank you.

The main thing that stands out is the Metz isn't either selected or there in the profiles, will have a look either tomorrow or over the weekend.

Nice one, thanks

Nigel, you are a star, fully successful Thank you.

Beers on me if we ever meet up somewhere

Great! Really pleased to see it's all set up ok now .....i do admit to finding this new Radio P-TTL plus HSS thingy we have all rather exciting!

Sure, I'll have a beer, but if we do meet then you'll have to take a nice new Off-Camera Radio HSS portrait of me to use as an updated Avatar !

Me to, looking forward to putting it to the test for real now, really appreciate all your help, thank you

Seb - I've turned the " sleep " off in the menu on the triggers in light of your issues.

I didn't even notice there is a sleep option, I will need to turn it off too

Morning Nigel,

A little help required again please.

I've added a RF60x to the speedlight fleet, but cant get it to trigger on TX ? ID is the same / channel is the same - there must be something I'm missing ?

Are you setting the RF60X and the TX unit to the same Group ? (A;B;C; or D)

Hi Peter,

Yes, I'm planning on the Pentax running on A with the Cactcus on B and currently have both switched on

Sussed it - Now working perfectly

Good to hear its all working well Chris!

Here's a bit of it in action ..... I've paired up my two RF60 / RF60x flashes onto one multi bracket, with a shoot-through umbrella. Both flashes are on the same channel and set to the same Group A. I've pulled out the Wide Angle Panel on both and moved the heads outwards a bit to create a wide sweep of light spread over the whole umbrella .....




I used TTL mode, and in this configuration both flashes combine to create a single exposure output (1/2 output from each). This also reduces recycling times as well as allows twice the power if needed.

In this case I was taking wide shots of our table and some baking fun, so needed a wide soft spread of light ......Here is the result with TTL mode and -0.5 compensation set .....

A good setup Nigel, with good results as well.

I've not used the new flash kit or triggers in anger yet, I have a TF shoot early next month outdoors when I'll give it a go.