Pocket Wizard MultiMAX Owner's Manual - Lag Time Measurement –

Multiple mechanical systems – cameras that have many changeable mechanically 

interacting parts (film backs, motor drives, lens shutters) are likely to have different 

lag times with different hardware combinations. A leaf shutter is in the lens so 

changing lenses on a leaf shutter camera will change lag time. In some medium 

format cameras having the film back loaded versus unloaded can make a significant 

difference. For consistent results always use the same components (lens, body, and 

film back combination for example) each time

Auto-focus and exposure computers – some auto-focus and exposure systems will 

introduce widely varying lag times as lens travel and exposure calculations can take 

unpredictable amounts of time. An electronic camera set to full manual generally 

provides the most consistent lag times

Lag Time Measurement – 

/MENU A A C L

 (RECEIVE units only)

The first step to camera synchronization or equalization is measuring a camera’s lag time 

(triggering delay). The MultiMAX can measure a camera’s lag time in most delay modes. 

Knowing your camera’s lag time is critical for camera equalization, but can also be useful in 

special effects, industrial, commercial, or other photography that requires critical trigger timing.

Using the information above set up your camera for best equalization performance. Attach 

a MultiMAX (set for RECEIVE mode) to the camera as follows:

1. Place a MultiMAX in the camera’s hot shoe or attach a cable from the camera’s PC 

terminal to PORT 1

2. Attach the cable from PORT 2 to the camera’s motor drive. If available, use a  

Pre-Release cable

3. Press  /MENU A A C for a standard delay mode where lag times can be measured

4. The screen should display “Set Delay Using A B C D L ▲▼ “ and show a numeric 

value. Press TEST. The unit will trigger the camera and time the delay until a sync 

pulse is sensed from the hot shoe or lens

5. Press TEST every few seconds to find the fastest and slowest lag times for the 

camera. Usually the first press of TEST will yield a very different number from later 

measurements. Ignore the first reading. 5 to 15 lag time measurements after the first 

one should yield consistent results and give a gauge of the fastest and slowest times

6. Using steps 1 through 5, measure and record the fastest and slowest lag times for 

each camera you wish to equalize. Subtract the fastest from the slowest and record 

this number as the camera’s lag time variation

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