PocketWizard has just announced the ZoneController, the latest addition to its ControlTL system of wireless flash products. The ZoneController can give the user control over three independent groups, or “zones” of lights. The unit sits in the hot shoe of a MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 radio and communicates with a FlexTT5 at the main flash for zone A, B, or C. Using this system in the studio or on location, a photographer can turn three zones of lights on and off as needed to control lighting. PocketWizard expects to have the ZoneController ready by late summer.
For details, read the PocketWizard press release:
PocketWizard Announces the ZoneController
Controls three independent groups of lights from camera position.
To make multiple light set-ups easy to adjust when using the ControlTL™ system, PocketWizard introduces the ZoneController. The ZoneController gives the photographer control over three independent zones of light whether working in E-TTL or manual mode. The PocketWizard ZoneController will be available late summer.
The ZoneController slides into the upper hot-shoe of an on-camera MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 radio and communicates with a FlexTT5 at the flash that has been set for either zone (or group) A, B or C. The three dials on the ZoneController independently adjust the A-B-C zones and allow for 1/3 f-stop increments of power control with a +/- three f-stop range (six stops total) when used in manual control. When used for TTL auto flash, the ZoneController adjusts the relative light level of each zone independently.
Three switches on the ZoneController allow the photographer to switch from manual control to TTL auto flash or to completely turn off a zone. The unit receives its minimal power from the host MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 radio so no additional battery is needed. An LCD screen and AF assist were avoided to minimize the power requirements, maintain a lower cost and allow for a small size.
The ZoneController will work with studio flash systems to allow photographers to turn on and off three zones of lights as needed (studio flash units need to be connected to either a FlexTT5 or MultiMAX transceiver for this capability). Future capabilities for studio flash are planned.
The ZoneController is in development and is planned for delivery late summer. The retail price has not been set at this time.
