LPA Design has announced a firmware release plan for the PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 radios to address compatibility with several new Nikon and Canon cameras and flashes, as well as the new Sekonic RT-32CTL module. The new Nikon and Canon gear is currently being reverse engineered & tested, with LPA Design being keen to stress that they do not receive any inside information from either companies. “In order to expedite the process, we will be releasing “rolling betas” which will then be rolled into production releases based on feedback during the beta phase,” LPA Design said in a statement. The first MiniTT1/FlexTT5 beta firmware release will be for the Sekonic module, with beta releases for the Nikon SB-910 flash, the Nikon D4/D800/D800E digital SLR cameras and the Canon 600EX-RT (pictured) and ST-E3-RT following in due course.

Pocketwizard Press Release

Firmware Release Plan for new Sekonic, Nikon & Canon Gear

May 11, 2012

So. Burlington, VT – In light of the recent release of several new Nikon and Canon cameras and flashes, as well as the new Sekonic RT-32CTL Module, PocketWizard Photo Products has established a Firmware Release plan for the MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 radios to address compatibility with these new products.

The MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 offer a comprehensive list of unique features such as HyperSync™, Power Control with an AC3 ZoneController, Optimized Rear Curtain Sync and many others including our legendary broad-based reverse compatibility.  These features are what differentiate PocketWizard radios from other wireless triggers.  The MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 require specialized programming which is highly dependent on the internal coding of the camera or flash.  When a new camera or flash is released, we must reverse engineer the new internal coding to make sure the timing of our features is compatible with the new hardware.  This reverse engineering and testing can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months before it meets our standards and can be released as a beta into the market for further testing.  Some gear is easier to reverse engineer than others.

It is important to note that PocketWizard does not receive any inside information from either Nikon or Canon regarding the release of new gear.  PocketWizard Photo Products must order new Nikon or Canon gear from a local dealer and wait for it to be shipped.  Once the product is received at PocketWizard headquarters in Vermont, it is then thoroughly tested, reversed engineered by our firmware engineers, tested again and then tested yet again for compatibility.

In order to expedite the process, we will be releasing “rolling betas” which will then be rolled into production releases based on feedback during the beta phase.  Our first MiniTT1/FlexTT5 Beta Firmware release is scheduled to be released very soon. At this point we are not prepared to state when other beta firmware will be released or when we expect to have a production release.  What we can tell you is that a typical beta period is two to three weeks and a production release should fall shortly thereafter assuming nothing major was discovered during the beta process.

Prioritized rolling BETA release plan for MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 Firmware:

1) MiniTT1/FlexTT5 BETA firmware release:
  Compatibility with Sekonic RT-32 CTL module

2) MiniTT1/FlexTT5 BETA firmware release:
  Compatibility with the following NIKON gear:
      1.  Nikon SB-910 Speedlight
      2.  Nikon D4 camera
      3.  Nikon D800 camera
      4.  Nikon D800E camera*

* We intend to include all four new Nikon products into one beta release, however, if the NikonD800E camera proves difficult to reverse engineer, the D800E will be released as a separate beta once it is thoroughly engineered and tested.  We do not want to hold off releasing beta firmware that supports the other new Nikon gear.

3) MiniTT1/FlexTT5 BETA firmware release:
  Compatibility with the following CANON gear:
      1. Canon 600EX-RT Speedlite**
      2. Canon ST-E3-RT Commander**

4) MiniTT1/FlexTT5 BETA firmware release:
  Compatibility with the following CANON gear:
      1. Canon 5D Mark III Camera**
 
5) MiniTT1/FlexTT5 BETA firmware release:
  Compatibility with the following CANON gear:
      1. Canon 1D X Camera**

** We have the 600EX-RT, the ST-E3-RT Commander and the 5D Mark III and have begun reverse engineering.  The 1D X is not available to the public yet.  It could be 2 to 8 weeks (or longer) after we receive ours before compatibility is available. The 5D Mark III, like the 5D Mark II and 7D before it, is presenting unique reverse engineering challenges.  If engineering and testing goes well with the 5D Mark III and we receive our 1D X sooner than expected, there may be a chance that compatibility will be available in an earlier beta.

The schedule above represents our BETA release plan.  We will make decisions about official PRODUCTION releases as we go, depending on reverse engineering progress and field reports.

We intend to update the Nikon and Canon compatibility pages on wiki.pocketwizard.com on a regular basis.  Any updates to the firmware release plan will also be updated on Facebook and Twitter.

Nikon Compatibility page: http://wiki.pocketwizard.com/index.php?title=Nikon_Compatibility

Canon Compatibility page: http://wiki.pocketwizard.com/index.php?title=Canon_Compatibility

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