Activating TTL on X-H2

[The_Thin_Man]

Hello X System Fans,

I have a new X-H2 and while doing studio work, I like to use a sync cable to link up to my Paul C. Buff Einstein lights to my camera rather than using a wireless trigger. On my hotshoe, I typically have my JJC wireless remote control unit that plugs into the camera. I've found that when I navigate to my flash menu (despite being on manual, aperture or shutter priority mode), I cannot activate TTL as an option for triggering my strobes. I am forced to use Manual which works but I'm curious what would need to be done in order to allow TTL as an option? I'd love to finally solve this mystery...

 

[Artur Darulewski]

Hello X System Fans,

I have a new X-H2 and while doing studio work, I like to use a sync cable to link up to my Paul C. Buff Einstein lights to my camera rather than using a wireless trigger. On my hotshoe, I typically have my JJC wireless remote control unit that plugs into the camera. I've found that when I navigate to my flash menu (despite being on manual, aperture or shutter priority mode), I cannot activate TTL as an option for triggering my strobes. I am forced to use Manual which works but I'm curious what would need to be done in order to allow TTL as an option? I'd love to finally solve this mystery...

From my humble experience with studio/flash lights, sync cable is just a way of triggering, and it doesn't allow to set flash parameters. For me "TTL-Auto" means that camera measures scene exposure (Through The Lens) and sets FLASH correction against exposure set by camera (SS/F/ISO). So if your camera settings are 2EV under measured exposure, the camera must send this information to the flash: increase flash power by 2EV. This requires protocol that's different for each camera system - that why speedlight systems are not compatible for TTL-Auto work. I have no idea how TTL-Auto works with more than 1 flash, when we use complex light setups because we can use snoot or bounced light and TTL logic don't know about this (I see that the top lines of studio flashes support TTL-Auto, but I don't know the details). When I worked with studio 5 flash setup 3x500Ws + 2x200Ws + modifiers I used cable or wireless trigger, but all flash settings were done manually (I've newer had any studio flash with TTL auto mode - are you sure yours do support TLL at all?).

I have Quadralite wireless remote trigger and 4 Quadralite flashes and I usually use one of them (main) in TTL mode and the rest in manual mode and this works fine for me, but all flashes are connected by internal Quadralite protocol with master control device (my flash trigger) which is dedicated to my camera system and can negotiate needed amount of light in TTL auto .

In the other words, sync cable is doesn't provide such possibility - it's just a trigger wire, your camera don't see any TTL-compatible device connected to the hot shoe and that's why you can't activate TTL option - that's my explanation.

Cheers,

Artur

 

[toktik]

Hello X System Fans,

I have a new X-H2 and while doing studio work, I like to use a sync cable to link up to my Paul C. Buff Einstein lights to my camera rather than using a wireless trigger. On my hotshoe, I typically have my JJC wireless remote control unit that plugs into the camera. I've found that when I navigate to my flash menu (despite being on manual, aperture or shutter priority mode), I cannot activate TTL as an option for triggering my strobes. I am forced to use Manual which works but I'm curious what would need to be done in order to allow TTL as an option? I'd love to finally solve this mystery...

I believe you have to assign TTL to a function button (called TTL Lock). I have it set to an LCD swipe on my X-H2 and X-H2s. See if that works for you.

 

[BeatX]

Hello X System Fans,

I have a new X-H2 and while doing studio work, I like to use a sync cable to link up to my Paul C. Buff Einstein lights to my camera rather than using a wireless trigger. On my hotshoe, I typically have my JJC wireless remote control unit that plugs into the camera. I've found that when I navigate to my flash menu (despite being on manual, aperture or shutter priority mode), I cannot activate TTL as an option for triggering my strobes. I am forced to use Manual which works but I'm curious what would need to be done in order to allow TTL as an option? I'd love to finally solve this mystery...

Hi

I'm using Godox Xpro II wireless transmitter, and I do have similar behavior as You described. When I've got transmiter on my X-H2, it takes full control over the flashes, so I cannot change flash mode in camera menu - I have to do it directly on the transmitter.

For me it's not a big deal, because I find changing/setting flash very easy and convenient, using remote transmitter

 

[Artur Darulewski]

Hello X System Fans,

I have a new X-H2 and while doing studio work, I like to use a sync cable to link up to my Paul C. Buff Einstein lights to my camera rather than using a wireless trigger. On my hotshoe, I typically have my JJC wireless remote control unit that plugs into the camera. I've found that when I navigate to my flash menu (despite being on manual, aperture or shutter priority mode), I cannot activate TTL as an option for triggering my strobes. I am forced to use Manual which works but I'm curious what would need to be done in order to allow TTL as an option? I'd love to finally solve this mystery...

Hi

I'm using Godox Xpro II wireless transmitter, and I do have similar behavior as You described. When I've got transmiter on my X-H2, it takes full control over the flashes, so I cannot change flash mode in camera menu - I have to do it directly on the transmitter.

For me it's not a big deal, because I find changing/setting flash very easy and convenient, using remote transmitter

I've just checked my Quadralite Navigator X Plus on H2s (a bit simpler version than you have) and I can switch between TTL, Multi and Off when transmitter in turned On (regardless how I set my flash groups TTL/M). BTW I have never used multi with transmitter.

Standard TTL setup on camera works fine to me, I haven't any problems with mixed setups on groups i.e. :

A - TTL

B - TTL + 2/3EV

C - M 1/4

D - M 1/8

Cheers,

Artur

 

[The_Thin_Man]

Thanks for the input, everyone. Seems as though the sync cable is just a little too basic so a wireless trigger may be the answer to bring TTL into my capabilities. Though, I don't hate using manual mode and I'm able to get what I need done. Although there is the "if it ain't broke..." school of thought, I would like to experiment with TTL to see if there is any useful benefit between it and manual mode.

 

[Artur Darulewski]

Thanks for the input, everyone. Seems as though the sync cable is just a little too basic so a wireless trigger may be the answer to bring TTL into my capabilities. Though, I don't hate using manual mode and I'm able to get what I need done. Although there is the "if it ain't broke..." school of thought, I would like to experiment with TTL to see if there is any useful benefit between it and manual mode.

Good wireless trigger allows you to adjust all lamps via one panel or smartphone which is very convenient if you don't need to wander on the scene to adjust your light. When I worked in a studio, I didn't have wireless controll system, so my assistant had to do it manually for me...

Cheers,

Artur