Pocket Wizard MultiMAX Owner's Manual - Camera Equalization

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

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