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PocketWizard announces the new PocketWizard Plus III, an update to its extremely popular and reliable Plus II. The new PocketWizard Plus III is packed with many new features. Just like the Plus II the PocketWizard Plus III is a Transceiver. It features 32 channels and Selective Quad-Zone Triggering that enables photographers to remotely trigger flash and/or cameras in groups or individually all wirelessly from hundreds of feet away. Performance enhancing features include Long Range Mode which doubles the transmit range and Repeater Mode which you can couple your Plus III units to extend the range of transmission (see Joe McNally’s video below for demo) to create those shots that couldn’t be done before. You will notice the Plus III is now mounted side way with digital buttons and backlit LCD located on the side. The antenna is now enclosed and the test button also double up as a remote shutter while half press to focus and full press to activate the shutter.
The Plus III does not offer TTL trigger which is only available on Mini TT1 and Flex TT5, so you must set your flash power manually. Personally, I am using Flex TT5 (read more here) because it is more convenient for shooting weddings.
As to most PocketWizard products, you can be sure that the Plus III is backward compatible with all other PocketWizard system.
Not only that the new PocketWizard Plus III is packed with new features and offer a much simpler design, it is $30 cheaper than the Plus II (B&H). When was the last time you see a new product costed less than its predecessor?
For more information, check out PocketWizard Plus III microsite.
The new PocketWizard Plus III,
PocketWizard Plus III mounted sideway
Here are the features of the Plus III. You can order yours at B&H.
1. 32 CHANNELS
With the Plus III Transceiver’s 32 channels (16 Standard plus 16 Quad-Zone Triggering channels), finding an open channel is easy. Photographers working in a busy environment, including wedding halls, sports arenas or busy studios, can dial in a channel as simply as pushing a button.
2. QUAD-ZONE TRIGGERING
Selective Quad-Zone Triggering keeps you shooting photos, not running back and forth to your lighting or cameras. Without leaving the camera position, you can wirelessly activate or deactivate your remote flashes or cameras in 4 separately controllable zones: A, B, C, or D. This is ideal when using multiple lighting setups or turning remote cameras on and off as needed. The Plus III Transceiver is also the perfect partner for the MultiMAX® radio, which also features 32 channels and four zones.
3. AUTO-SENSING TRANSCEIVER
With our patented Auto-Sensing Transceiver Technology, the Plus III Transceiver is one smart radio. When set to TxRx, it will instantly and intelligently switch between transmitter and receiver modes as needed for greater flexibility on the job. The Plus III may be set to transmit (Tx) or receive (Rx) only when needed.
4. TWO-STAGE REMOTE CAMERA TRIGGERING
The Plus III Transceiver is the perfect solution for remote camera triggering. The unique two-stage TEST button on the Plus III works just like the shutter release button on your camera. Press it halfway and your remote camera wakes up to meter and focus. Press TEST all the way to take your photo. When released, your remote camera will return to sleep mode normally; a real battery saver. Using the right cables, you can have a remote camera follow the camera in your hands – half press your hand-held camera’s shutter release and the remote camera meters/focuses, full press and both cameras trigger away. This feature requires a receiving Plus III, MultiMAX or FlexTT5, and ACC Pre-Trigger cables.
5. AUTO-RELAY MODE
Our Auto-Sensing Transceiver technology lets you trigger a remote camera in sync with remote flashes using only 3 PocketWizard radios: the one in your hands, a Plus III cabled to your remote camera, and the one connected to your remote flash. The Plus III cabled to your remote camera will receive a radio signal and trigger the camera’s motor drive, then switch to transmit mode and trigger your PocketWizard-connected remote flashes, all automatically. Start the sequence by simply pressing the TEST button of any PocketWizard Transmitter in your hands. Remote cameras require motor drive cables.
6. LONG RANGE CAPABILITY
Under ideal conditions, The Plus III Transceiver works up to 500 meters (1600 feet). Shooting environments are seldom ideal, so the Plus III incorporates two range extending modes for the challenges of the real world. Use Long Range Mode (LR) to nearly double the effective triggering distance in almost any environment. In very challenging environments or extremely long working ranges, place a Plus III inRepeater Mode (RP) between your transmitter and receiver to repeat the signal and complete the connection. These modes take a little extra time to do their jobs, so maximum X-sync may be reduced when firing remote flashes in LR or RP modes.
7. HIGH SPEED RECEIVE
Normally, the Plus III is capable of triggering lights or cameras at a sustained rate of up to 12 frames per second (FPS), a standard for PocketWizard radios. Set the Plus III to High Speed Receive Mode (HSR) and trigger at rates up to 14.5 FPS, beyond the capability of most of today’s cameras. This mode can also help high FPS triggering compatibility for any flash.
8. SIMPLE USER INTERFACE
The Plus III has an intuitive user interface where all channels, zones and modes can be easily engaged via a soft-touch keypad, and displayed on an easy-to-read backlit 2.5cm (1") LCD display. When you’re working in dark environments, simply press any key other than TEST to Illuminate the LCD.
9. MODE & POWER ON/OFF BUTTON
To turn on your Plus III, hold down the MODE/Power button for about two seconds. Press the MODE button to select the Mode of operation you want to use. Press and hold MODE button down for a few seconds to turn the Plus III off.
10. SYNC SPEED
Ultra-fast microprocessors allow for reliable sync speeds of 1/250 for focal plane shutters and 1/500 for leaf shutters.
11. EASILY CONNECTED
On your camera, the Plus III slides into the hot shoe with no cables required. For your remotes, it features one do-it-all sync port. The industry-standard miniphone (3.5mm or 1/8") connector is much more reliable than a PC connection, so each Plus III comes complete with a miniphone-to-miniphone cable, and a miniphone-to-phono (1/4" or 6.3mm) adapter for triggering the majority of modern flashes. And it even comes with a miniphone to locking PC cable for triggering some remote speedlights, or for using your Plus III on-camera when you can’t put it in a hot shoe. Other miniphone connector cables are available for major brands of lighting equipment in a variety of lengths. Dedicated remote camera triggering cables are also available for popular camera systems.
12. VERY COMPATIBLE
The Plus III is compatible with all PocketWizard transmitters and receivers of the same frequency* including PocketWizard-enabled photo gear from Profoto, Dynalite, Norman, Photogenic and Sekonic light meters. The PocketWizard wireless system allows for total flexibility with whatever lights or cameras you may be working with. (*FCC and CE PocketWizard radios operate on different frequencies)
13. SLEEK NEW DESIGN
The Plus III features a durable, side profile design with an unobtrusive, internal antenna minimizing visual obstruction between you and your subject. By utilizing an internal antenna, there’s no chance to kink or break it when on location. The total height of the transceiver and antenna is less than 5.25 inches, and it weighs only 4 ounces, including batteries.
14. ON-CAMERA HOT SHOE MOUNTING
The Plus III mounts facing to the side to provide a smaller profile while shooting. This unique mounting position enables quick Channel and Mode selection as well as easy setting of zones. No other radio triggering system offers this kind of positive operation.
15. EXTERNAL POWER AND FIRMWARE UPGRADEABLE
The Plus III is normally powered by two AA (IEC:LR6) batteries. For long term remote placement, use a compatible AC adapter that plugs into the standard Mini-B USB port of the Plus III. The USB port also enables future upgrades of the Plus III operating system.
Check out Joe McNally and Fstopper’s videos of the new PocketWizard Plus III
Spec Comparison with the old Plus II
| Model | 
PocketWizard Plus III
|
|
| Range | Up to 500 meters (1600 feet) | 500 meters (1600 feet) or more. |
| Frequency |
FCC/IC model: 340.00 – 354.00 MHz |
433.62 MHz CE model |
| Channels |
32 channels |
4 digitally-coded channels. Compatible |
| Sync Speed |
Up to 1/250 for focal plane shutters |
Up to 1/250 (focal plane) |
| Triggering Speed | Up to 14.5 frames per second (FPS) | Up to 12 FPS (Frames Per Second). |
| Contact Time |
62 milliseconds in normal operation |
0.08 sec default. |
| Batteries |
Two (2) AA (IEC:LR6) alkaline recommended |
2AA Alkaline |
| Battery Life | Up to 50 hours (with alkaline batteries) | 60 hours |
| Maximum Input Voltage | 300 Volts (Camera/Flash Port) | Camera/Flash Port (100V), Flash Port (200V). |
| Maximum Current Handling | 1.0 A peak, 0.2 A (1/5 Amp or 200 milliamp) continuous current limited |
4.0 A for 0.00002 seconds (1/50000 seconds or 20 microseconds) or 0.25 A (1/4 Amp or 250 milliamp) continuous, current limited. |
| Weight | 120 grams (4 ounces) with batteries installed | Weight: 130 grams (4.6 ounces) /alkaline batteries. |
| Dimensions |
Height: 13.3cm (5.25" |
Height: 10.2 cm (4.0”) body only |
| Operating Temperature | Above -15 degrees C (5 degrees F) and below 50 decrees C (120 degrees F) | Above -15° C (5° F) and below 50° C (120° F). |
| Input/Output | 3.5mm (1/8") stereo miniphone jack, hot shoe | 3.5mm (1/8”) mono miniphone jack |
| Mounting | Hot shoe, lanyard/D-Ring loop, 1/4-20 threaded insert | Hot shoe, 1/4-20 female thread mount, Lanyard loop and Velcro. |
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