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Camera Equalization
Equalization, or synchronizing multiple cameras to the same flash, requires precision
timing. Even though we perceive camera triggering activity as instantaneous, it is not.
Even the flash, which appears to provide light only for an instant, has a time duration
(flash duration) that needs to be factored into synchronization calculations.
Every camera has a delay from the time it is triggered until the shutter is fully open.
The trigger can originate from either the camera’s trigger button or via the motor drive
port. This delay is called lag time and it can be different from camera to camera and
may even vary between two cameras of the exact same model. If two cameras are
triggered at exactly the same time their shutters will be open at different moments. If
one camera is attached to a flash, the other camera’s shutter will probably not be open
at the right moment to capture the flash.
Some cameras are not suitable for equalization. For best equalization a camera must
have a consistent lag time. If a camera’s lag time varies widely or unpredictably from
shot to shot then it may not be possible to synchronize that camera. This is not a flaw
of either the camera or the MultiMAX. A varying lag time in a camera is considered
acceptable operation for the majority of photographic situations. Cameras are usually
designed to respond predictably shot to shot, but are not necessarily or specifically
designed to do so with the precision needed for equalization. Many factors can affect
a camera’s lag time:
• Camera Pre-Trigger status
– cameras that have a two stage trigger button (half
press “wakes up” the camera, full press triggers the camera) will probably have
widely different lag times if triggered while awake versus asleep. Cameras
usually have more consistent lag times if they are kept “awake” or Pre-
Triggered. The camera will also respond more quickly, but will consume
batteries at a faster rate. Pre-Trigger cables are available from PocketWizard
for many cameras
• Camera batteries
– lag times may begin to drift or slow down as the camera’s
batteries fade, especially in primarily mechanical cameras. Fresh batteries are
recommended for equalization
• Temperature and humidity
– as these factors change, the mechanical parts of a
camera may move differently thus affecting lag time. A temperature increase
may decrease lag time as the camera’s internal lubricants are warmed and flow
more freely or vice versa
• Horizontal vs vertical orientation
– as a camera is moved through these
orientations various mechanisms, especially shutters in focal plane cameras, will
be affected by gravity making them move differently thus affecting lag time. In
general, do not change a camera’s orientation during equalization