Team Phottix has received a lot of email about the Phottix Odin TTL Flash Trigger for Canon. Everyone loves the power, control and reliability of the Odin system.
We’ve received some nice (and not so nice) requests for 1/3rd stop power adjustments in Manual mode. For you, polite (and not so polite) manual flash power shooters we present firmware version 1.20 for the Phottix Odin TTL Flash Trigger for Canon. Now you can adjust manual power in 1/3rd stops. Note: The TCU will display the positive value, not the minus value, ie. it will display 1/128 +0.7, not 1/64 -0.3.
What else can version 1.20 do?
- Added manual zoom settings: 20mm, 135mm and 200mm.
- 5D Mark III over exposure issues resolved.
- 650D not firing in A:B ratio mode resolved
- 600D and 430EX Flash modeling light / misfire / exposure issues resolved.
Phottix Odin for Canon Version 1.20 Firmware – PC Installer
Phottix Odin for Canon Version 1.20 Firmware – Mac Installer
Also note: While the Canon 650D using an Odin TCU will trigger flashes on Odin receivers- the AF assist lamps on these flashes will not function when triggered from a Canon 650D / Odin TCU combination. Our development team is working on new firmware that will resolve this issues as well as issues with Odin / Canon 1Dx compatibility. Please stay tuned for more details.
Thanks for taking onboard our feedback regarding 1/3 stop adjustments!
One more feature I would like to see is the ability to disable preflash in manual mode so that an accurate reading can be made with a Sekonic Meter.
Cheers Steve – Adoria Photography
Thanks for the 1/3 stop adjustments, very important improvement, but now please let us disable the preflash in manual mode so we can use the flash meter ok?
Congratulations to the Team Phottix
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I believe this firmly puts the Odin at the very top of the eTTL wireless trigger markey.
You have made my day!
I use Phottix Oddin since 3 Weeks ago on my Canon 600D and I am absolutely amazed by its reliability and accuracy of this system, with the new update on the firmware for 1/3 stop adjustment . you bring this device to one of the best wireless trigger on the market. 2 thumbs up. Great job
Big thanks to the Phottix team for pulling this update!!
This is what we all need, a company that actively listen to their customer!
You guys are awesome!
YES! Thanks for the 1/3 stop! Updating now!
Thank you. I do not know, that I want to still. 🙂
Thanks for doing this. Now I can’t think of any way to make this system any better than it is.
My choice is right to use Phottix Odin since it was released. Good job Phottix
I had tested on 5d Mark III.No more over exposure issue when the flash is tilt up!Thanks Odin!
I would like to ask, the 135mm and 200mm zoom is only for compatible speed light only?or it does work on 580exII as well?
The zoom won’t work on the 580EXII flashes as that is past their maximum zoom. We can’t make the flash do what is physically impossible 🙂
Thanks for the response Phottix team.Appreciate the confirmation.
Best regards,
Ronnie Chan
Thanks for taking care of that. You guys are the best.
thanx. now i´m ready to buy some odins.
i appreciate a company that really listens, what their customers want.
Thank you for this update and again for making firmware updates so easy and straightforward http://is.gd/g3ltyw
Great Customer-Support- Thank you!!
Thank god, thank whomever. We’ve got 1/3 stop power adjustments…now, please, please let us disable the pre-flashes so we can use light meters and show others how far ahead of the curve phottix is.
The below link is in jest. Phottix has been top notch and I have been pushing the Odins to photographers. I’ve converted some to the Phottix Odin. Our only hold out complaint is that the system has nixed our light meters and thus our exposure accuracy. “It’s over, it’s over…the war is over!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJc5EPAyesU&list=PLD975685DFD78BDBD
Again, much thanks to Phottix staff for a great product, addressing the 1/3 stop issue, and my hope, adding an off feature for pre-flashes so we can use flash meters and be critically accurate for exposures again. Thanks.
Finally! I was afraid this wasn’t going to happen seeing some of the earlier responses from Phottix team regarding this issue. Thanks for the update!
Oh WOW! 😀 Thank you Phottix Team for this… 😀
Thank you very much for this new firmware. 1/3 stop in manual mode is perfect.
If we saw the ability to disable preflash in manual mode, Oddin would be the perfect trigger, over PW even…
Thankx Phottix Team.
Thanks for posting this update. However, it does not work with Mac OSX 10.8. Fortunately I had Mac OSX 10.6.8 on a separate drive. That did work. Just thought you might want to know.
Just learned about this update last night! can’t wait to test it out. The only thing i can think of that would make the Odin better now is if there was a way to scroll backwards like to get from Group B -> A w/o cycling through several extra button presses.
If you ever thought about redesigning the Odin, i would suggest a physical wheel for each group… and an AF assist light .)
Any idea how long it will be until you develop a firmware upgrade for the 1DX? Or is that going to be a camera which is unsupported?
Thank you for a product which works nicely with my other camera bodies, but I need it to work with all of them.
Thank you.
Thanks a lot for this update. This was a deal breaker for me, and the fact that you added it made me opt for your system instead of alternatives.
Thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou thankyou!! This has now made your triggers FANTASTIC!!
This update is going to really help with my jewellery shoots.
I’ve been using them now, both with Canon flashes, and with studio strobes, and they have performed flawlessly so far.
Phottix Odins rock! On my 5D it works perfectly, I’d say far more consistently than the built-in IR modes of my Canon speedlights. Would it be possible to add support for M mode of the Canon G1x? It just doesn’t seem to fire at all in Manual mode.
I am anxiously awaiting the update to use the units with my 1DX. Thank you.
I just received my Phottix Odin set receivers and transmitter and updated the firmware the latest 1.2 version. I have a question. When I put the transmitter in manual mode it does show the 1/3 stop flashing behind the whole stop before I press the Set button but then the 03 0r 07 adjustment disappears and only the whole stops show on the LCD. Is this normal? The photo on your site shows both the whole stop and the 1/3 stop behind it on the LCD.
Please advise. Thank you so much. I know I am going to love the Odins. Joyce
Yes this is normal. The display for the Canon was not designed to show 1/3 stops. The development team of Phottix had to find a way to put the update to the Phottix Odin for Canon without replacing the display. They could choose to let it blink all the time from 1/128 to + 0.7 but then people get irritated by the blinking.
I think this is a great way to serve customers. Good thing to build a USB port on the Odin for firmware updates!
Any idea on the possibility of disabling the pre-flashes such that we shoot at the settings listed in manual mode so we can take flash readings again?
I’m afraid not, Kevin…
:-((
Do you work for phottix?
Is this an official reply from Phottix or are you saying you just don’t know of a way to disable them too?
Why do people want to use flash readings??
I tell you, you do not need a flash meter.
1 step one set your camera to the wright shutterspeed for your ambient light.
2 step two shoose a aperture you want (lets say F8) for depth of field.
3 step three set your power manual to 1/8 (this is halfway up and halfway down).
4 step four take a picture and look at your screen, adjust your power up if your subject is too dark or down if your subject is too bright.
5 step five increase your ISO if your flash can not alight your subject enough.
And why does the manufacturer of the light meter, no adjustment to its equipment so that it ignores the pre-flash?
Michael Muestege,
I think all of us who use a light meter and use it well are very sure why we want to keep on using a light meter. At this point, most of us are probably tired of telling others why it is so helpful and accurate (watch a few Frank Doorhof videos and it will get clear really quick). While your steps above might be helpful for some, they are in no way near knife point accurate as using a calibrated light meter is nor does it allow for control where either a certain iso is required by the job, etc- basically the steps might get you near the right range. It’s this nearness and tweaking that waste time.
Really, despite your telling me I don’t need a flash meter, the steps you’ve listed above show me exactly why I do. My hope is that in seeing what you have written Phottix will see how photographers are having to come up with creative yet inaccurate ways to expose their shots due to the pre-flashes and come up with some method to disable them.
You guys are really taking care of your products. It feels you love the Odin as much as I do! A very huge thank you for updating the firmware.
Do i need to update the receivers to the new firmware or just the TCU?
I hate the new 1/3 adjustment method,
When adjusting from full power to 1/4 output takes too long
I need to press the button several times
This will make me miss an important moment in the wedding photography
I suggest that the new firmware
Allow the user to press the OPT key to change the setting
where necessary, you can click the way to set the 1 stop or 1/3 stop
Thanks for this, but i’m sure we are all quite aware of how to ‘chimp’!
In a professional environment, even when using small strobes, it’s nice to be able to get pretty much the where you need to be quickly with a flash meter, and to then tweak.
Sometimes popping off more flashes than necessary, indeed becomes slightly unnecessary! But yes, we can work around this no problem…
In regards to flash meters – there are indeed newer designs that now disregard preflash and only meter the main flash output. My lovely Sekonic L-358 not being one of them…!
Spike,
Is there anyway you could list some of these models of flashmeters for us that disregard preflash?
Michael,
You are right on track for shooting pictures of your family, but when clients are paying me to get things done right, and/ or when speed and accuracy is important, a light meter is what is needed. Relying on the screen means you are “close”, but not necessarily right.
Like Kevin said, your comments are a reminder to me of why I should use a light meter.
But Why do you not ask sekonic to change there product so that the flash meter ignores the pre flash. Many profs do not use a light meter and still make great work (also profesionals like David Hobby, Zack Arias or Syl Arena). But if Phottix makes customers happy by putting this option on there Odin, be my guest.
Still ask yourself is accuracy a warranty for great photo’s?
Michael Muetstege,
Who said we haven’t asked Sekonic and why shouldn’t we talk to Phottix about this issue? Phottix came out with their product after these light meters were on the market and my guess is did not realize the problem the pre-flashes would cause. Because of this, I think the ball is pretty much firmly in their court.
I think very few photographers care what many professionals do when they are shooting because we learned long ago that we don’t see nor shoot the same as they do. My guess is however very many photographers care about exposing a photograph properly often enough that they have more hits than misses when they shoot. Of course, the more discerning ones want no misses at all.
As to accuracy, warranties, and great photographs, I’ll leave that one as it is, it speaks volumes on it’s own.
Michael,
I travel cross country and do large scale shoots for manufacturers, and have completed images delivered at the close of the multi day shoots. I don’t have the time or the inkling to work with hundred or thousands of images to get them right. It needs to be done in camera, so the graphics teams have clean images to work with.
I’m guessing that you don’t have similar shoots, which is fine. If you don’t need a light meter for your photography I can understand that. What I don’t get is why you don’t understand that others will. Either that or you do, and I’m just missing it in your text.
Stick,
I’m in agreement. It sits there clear. By the way, I checked your flickr and very, very smooth work.
I understand the need to use a flash meter and if you feel comfortable with it, use it! Sekonic makes great flash meters, but I don´t understand that they doen´t make a option for ignore the pre flash. Nikon and Canon have there CLS and wireless system with IR. These systems also give a pre flash in manual mode. And these systems are a long time on the market. I am not a professional, but I really like strobist photography. I hope Phottix can give you the option and I hope Sekonic will change there meters to ignore pre flash.
To all: We are looking into disabling the pre-flash in manual mode. This will not be an immediate fix – unfortunately this is not as easy as changing a single line of code. As you can imagine, flash protocols are complicated – add to that the number of Canon flashes being supported by the Odin system – and you will have an idea of the complexities involved. We understand the issues photographers using light meters face and are trying to come up with another alternative.
While not ideal, you can set the Odin in second curtain sync mode and use a longer shutter speed when metering. Activating the meter after the pre-flash will allow the subsequent flash to metered properly. Rest assured we are aware of the situation and are researching alternatives.
Any head way made on this at this time, say for a Canon 430EX II ?
I imagine you’ve been working on this for a while, but having used the Odin on several shoots – and metered using the 2nd curtain sync method – I’d like to throw in a suggestions for this fix.
If possible, it would be very useful to be able to fire each flash group while selecting the manual output. It’s very annoying to have to go through the menus and turn off groups B and C, set the level of group A, then meter the power level, and go back into the menu to adjust the levels again if necessary…
The best way I can see this working would be to have the ‘test’ button fire off the selected group (without pre-flash!) while changing the power levels in the menu. That way you don’t have to turn off any groups, and can instantly adjust power if you need to without fiddling around.
It’d certainly make my shooting life a lot simpler, and seems to be a way of getting around the pre-flash issue without changing how the entire system works.
Thanks, Andy
I am anxiously awaiting firmare updates for the canon 1dx as well. This camera has been out for a while. Why is it taking so long to get Odin’s updated? Thanks.
I too am waiting for the 1DX fix
I am hoping that the firmware updates for Canon 1Dx would be ready soon as it takes a bit longer than anticipated. Much appreciated.
On http://www.lightingrumours.com there was this comment on the item about Super sync:
Phottix has some interesting firmware additions to the Odin line-up to address this very topic. Stay tuned for more.
Does this mean Adjustable super sync? and pre flash turn off option in manual mode? and support for multi flash?
I second that. Love using the Odin with my 5d MKII, but looking forward to 1DX compatibility.
Hi there,
I’m using the Odin with my 5D3 for several months now and I like it. There is one thing: the automatic zoom function on the flash doesn’t work but it works when I put the flash on the camera. Is this normal?
@Jan Sonsma
That’s not normal. I use the Odin on the 5D2 and 5D3 and when zooming in and out on the EF17-40 and EF24-70 my Speedlite 580EX (original) flashes zoom too. It has to work or else it wouldn’t be ETTL as distance affects flash exposure power.
What is the word on the 1DX update?
Waiting on the 1DX updates still myself. I don’t enjoy having to use older cameras just for the Odin to work.
Amen to that.
Hey, I just bought an Odin for my Canon, and I really like it, especially the very convenient operation. What I am a bit disappointed about is that it is not possible to use the Odin with a light meter (because of the preflash). I think it would be a great enhancement to have that possibility, and it would be most appreciated if it would also work when releasing test flashes (at least by me).
Best,
Christoph
I just read that you Phottix guys are already working on it. I appreciate that quite much, and I also can imagine the complexity that this issue raises.
Cheers
Christoph
I hate the new 1/3 adjustment method,
When adjusting from full power to 1/8 output takes too long
I need to press the button 10 times (press the “sel” key and then press 3 times to adjust each stop)
This will make me miss an important moment in the wedding photography
I suggest that the new firmware
Allows the user to select the adjustment for each click a stop or 1/3 stop
Hi. Sounds like you’re using the Odin system for manual exposure?
Love the Odin’s. Well Done!!! Mine are for Nikon…
Am really looking forward to a release of firmware that supports:
a) Nixing the preflash when in Manual mode on the TOC, so I can use a lightmeter again!
b) Hitting the Test Button on TOC and having the flash push out the dialed in power of flash!
c) Cycle back through the menu. Can’t tell you how many times I have shifted from say Group A to B accidentally and then have had to go to Group C and then to the channel and then finally back to Group A. Phew – by that time – I’ve forgotten what I was trying to do…:)
d) What would also be really slick would be: if I “press and hold” the + or – button, that the numbers would scroll, rather than having to keep pressing the + and – . It’s not bad quite honestly, but I keep finding myself doing this intuitively..
Other than that – Well Done Phottix. Brilliant product!
Hey, if anyone wants to vote on a, b,c,d, go ahead.
I like the old verson firmware so that I can quickly set the output of the manual exposure.When I update the firmware, so I set the output of the manual exposure, I spend tripled time to set the flash output.
Time is very important for wedding photography.
You can step back the firmware to a previous version and have only full-stop adjustments in manual mode.
Where can i download the old verson firmware?
I need the 1/3rd stop adjustments when shooting portrait
If we can modify Odin to adjust full-stop or 1/3 stop power in manual mode,that would be better.
Or Press “+” one time to adjust Full Stop, Holding “+” to adjust 1/3 stop power in manual mode.
Another cry asking to disable preflash on Manual Mode. That would turn the Odin into the best remotes ever … and will do our lives easier and more powerful photos.