PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

If using Canon 580EX II, this is an absolute must to help extend the range of your PW's.

Biggest advantage - range! Increased the range on my 4 lights from 10ft to over 50ft - no probs! The umbrella holder is also nice, but I don't use umbrellas that much (see below).

Disadvantages - it is a bit of a mission getting the flash in and out, connecting external power needs some balancing acts and attaching my softboxes to 580's required some engineering... (this is what my assistants tell me :) )

It is a nuisance to buy yet another accessory with the PW's, but that's life...

Overall - for what I use them I am satisfied. Well worth the extra dosh if you need the extra range.

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

I think the product concept is good. However, as soon as I received this product, I realized some details could be better.

* It's somewhat awkward to mount or unmount Speedlite in this shield case.
* It's hard to adjust the flash head angle once mounted in this case.
* There's an extra, unnecessary thumbscrew knob (which holds the umbrella attachment part in place) that interferes with lightstand / angle bracket knob. They should've included a low profile regular machine screw.

Now, after using it for a couple of shoots, I have a bigger complaints. Screws that hold the flash shoe connectors to the shield case itself become loose and some are already lost when I realized. The flash becomes wobbly and not very secure in the shield case. When a screw is loose and halfway out, the screw head interferes with the hot shoe locking ring (you can't turn it). This is very annoying.

So, if you purchase this product, I urge you to get a small bottle of Loctite to glue the screws, and also a short machine screw to replace with the unnecessarily big screw (which you'll never have to unscrew). Other than that, I think it's an essential product for those who use 580EXII on Flex TT5. (It's so essential that it should be sold as a kit. But let's not criticize them for actually offering a solution.)

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

I was having trouble with my 580EX II, especially outdoors. TheAC7 RF Shield solved this problem!

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

When I putt the shield on my flash the range of my pocket wizard was increased!

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

I like the built-in umbrella holder which allows the flesh head to point at the center of the umbrella.

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

This RF Shield does what it is supposed to. Makes a product that is dedicated to Canon flashes, work with Canon flashes. This should absolutely NOT be an additional purchase. The 580EXII was on the market long before PW created this product. The issues with the 580EX II giving off strong and variable amounts of RF has been part of the 580 since it hit the market.... PW knew this problem existed, yet they still released a product that wouldn't work properly unless we forked out another $30+/- to make it work. This is really silly. If I buy a car, I shouldn't have to now buy an engine to make it work.

Anyway, other issues include problems connecting some power cables, issues connecting any light modifiers to the 580 when it is installed (not enough clearance to connect anything to the snoot of the flash), extra bulky item to add to your gadget bag, cheap cold shoe foot which will absolutely break, and you need to buy mounting hardware since you are not allowed to use the hot shoe attachment. (The hot shoe attachment is available for use, but the instructions clearly state that using the hot shoe will re-introduce RF problems. When you use this RF shied, you are to explicitly use the mounting holes on the side of the unit.... which meant that I needed to fork out another $50 for a mini ballhead and a cold shoe adapter, for EACH of my three RF Shield).

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

I uses this for weddings. I tried it without the shield and I was having a ton of issues and too many misfires. The range is now more than I need and no misfires. It's shameful the pocket wizard doesn't include this with their Flex TT5. The sock they include with the TT5 is best used as a bag to protect the TT5 while not in use. If you use an external battery pack be sure to look for a AC57 by pocket wizard. [...]

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

This product is great when you want to attach an umbrella to it. The lightsource will go pretty straight to the center of the umbrella. But overall it is not very versatile as the sock which comes free with the flex because you can not bend the flash to any other direction, besides the straight up position, inside of the shield.

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

it work great whit the flex TT5 i use a canon
580 EXII IN UMBRELLA

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

Using the shields with my 580ex II and 430ex II Speedlites and the PocketWizard FlexTT5 and MiniTT1 units.

If you are planning on using a battery pack with these, some of the aftermarket plugs don't fit between shield and flash unit.

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

The AC7 definitely improves the pocket wizard FlexTT5 range for the Canon flashes that emit excess RF signal and thereby limits the range of wireless operation. It is pretty annoying , that I had to find this out the hard way and read online that my flash is one of those that need the AC7. The one good thing is that AC7 provides a better angle for umbrellas so that the flash hits more directly in the center of the umbrella. I still would like longer range with my existing flash so I am satisified but just barely.

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

Reason why 3 Stars,
Use Canon 580EX with CANON Compact Battery Pack CP-E4.
you can NOT use with CANON factory Compact Battery Pack CP-E4 cable Cord, impossible to fit on Anti-modifiable AC7 RF HARDshield.
Cord is little thicker than gap between 580EX and AC7.
If your using Quantum Battery Pack with CZ2 Dedicated Flash Cable is possible to fit with a little physical strength & psychology stress.

Conclusion, Only Two way, go get Quantum Battery Pack or Powerful AA batteries, Like Ansmann AA 2850mAh Capacity Rechargeable NiMH Batteries.
This Batteries is so powerful! it made my 580EX burnout with external Battery Pack :)

Anyway, Its work! Improves performance with Canon 580EX!

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

When I got this product I was thrilled because it seemed as though they has come up with the perfect solution to my misfires and created a product that solved some of my other needs. The shield works as advertised, and it ended my misfiring problem caused by the radio interference. However not without a few faults.

1. My main irritation is that I can't connect my external battery pack because the cord fits in the wrong way. As you can see in the image, they left an indention so that the cord would be able to fit, but unfortunately it is facing the wrong direction.

2. I love that they provided a slot for an umbrella, however you will still need the common attachments if you want to adjust the angel.

This product would be perfect in my mind if they would solve this problems. I like this better than the AC5 because the dials are easy to access.

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

Great solution if you're experiencing radio frequency interference from your Canon flash unit. In my experience this shield works as advertised.

What I didn't see advertised is your ability to mount the unit onto a stand, not by the hot shoe, but by supplied threaded mounts on the sides of the shield itself. There are two, one serves as an umbrella attachment!

Nice to see Pocket Wizard offer a solution to a problem not of their design: 3rd party equipment's flaws, such as my Canon flash radio frequency emittance.

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

Some Canon flashes are RF noisy, a fact that let PW to put the AC-5 with their products for Canon users. My AC-7 increases my range. I have zero problems getting my 580 EX into the AC-7 with the external Quantum cord attached. I just stretch the AC-7 and pop the flash in. The AC-7 allows me to get to controls (the AC-5 is cumbersome) and it protects the flash. Since I use the AC-7 and an umbrella I do not have aiming issues at all. You can cut the supplied alloy foot down to get it to mount flush with most swivel clamps.

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

I am a wedding photographer. I had a lot of problems with the new PocketWizard Mini TTL1 and 5's range. It only had a range of 30 feet. The AC7 has increased that range to 280 feet. The thing that bothers me from this product is the fact that I had to buy it to correct a problem on an existing product.
But it works great now.

Comments about PocketWizard AC7 RF Shield for FlexTT5:

I purchased this item and the softcase AC5 to see the difference in usability between them both.

I like the versatility of the AC5 much better.

This AC7 takes too long to setup and use. Switching the aim of the flash once it's on is nearly impossible without having to remove the flash completely from the housing. The hard plastic housing doesn't fit well into my camera case and makes traveling with it more cumbersome.
The inside of the hard case has a sprayed coating that you need to be careful not to damage.

Also, I could not use my external battery pack when the flash is in the housing because I could not fit the cord into the side of the flash while it's in the housing, even though the instructions tell you you can.

On the plus side, i did notice a big difference in range (increased) on my pocket wizards with this product.

If you are a photographer on the go such as I am, go for the AC5 instead.