Cactus News
From Cactus:
The last remaining X-TTL firmware version for Canon is NOW available!
Hong Kong, June 1, 2018 – Besides retaining the revolutionary cross-brand abilities of remote power control and wireless HSS of Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sigma flashes simultaneously, the new system-specific X-TTL firmware for Canon adds TTL on-camera and wireless TTL in off-camera setup for Canon flashes.
Wireless E-TTL
The Canon system is unique where only Canon system flashes, Cactus RF60 and RF60X flash can be triggered by a Canon camera for wireless TTL.
Features at a glance
- Cross-brand wireless wireless wireless manual power and zoom manual power and zoom manual power and zoom control control control with HSS/FP with HSS/FP with HSS/FP support support support of Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sigma flashes;1
- Wireless E-TTL of Canon and Cactus wireless flashes; 2
- Two Exposure Locks offer consistency with the conve Two Exposure Locks nience of wireless TTL;
- Worksseamlessly with Cactus RF60X and RF60 seamlessly with Cactus RF60X and RF60 seamlessly with Cactus RF60X and RF60 to support remote HSS, TTL, as well as power and zoom control.
New Protocol and Upcoming Firmware Releases
Since the release of Pentax X-TTL firmware, a new wireless protocol has been adopted.3 To work seamlessly with a Cactus RF60 and RF60X, be sure to also update to the latest firmware.
This Canon version is the last leg of X-TTL firmware on the Cactus V6 II. Together with recent released X-TTL firmware for Fujifilm, Sigma and Sony, now are X-TTL firmware versions are running on the new wireless protocol. Next on the list for update is the original V6 (current firmware 2.1.001) and Multi-brand HSS firmware on the V6 II (current firmware 1.1.013) where they will be made to operate on the new protocol in the near future.
To download the latest firmware versions for each of the Cactus devices, get the latest Cactus Firmware Updater and you will be able to select the latest firmware versions.
Price and Availability
System-specific X-TTL firmware versions are FREE of charge. Download the Cactus Firmware Updater and select the corresponding system firmware to install the Canon X-TTL firmware on the Cactus V6 II.
Cactus V6 II Transceiver Retailers – B&H | Adorama | Amazon
1 With the exception of Pentax system flashes due to special timing requirements so it must be paired with a Pentax camera in order to support HSS.
2 Applies to both on and off-camera setups.
3 To understand more about the new protocol and how to update your firmware, please visit X-TTL microsite at https://www.cactus-image.com/special/X-TTL/.
From Cactus:
TTL without Boundaries! Cactus launches FREE firmware upgrades on the V6 II and V6 IIs to support wireless cross-brand TTL.
Hong Kong, March Hong Kong, March24, 2017 – Just nine months since the release of the Cactus V6 II and Cactus V6 IIs, Cactus is now launching a series of brand-specific firmware upgrades to transform the cross-brand HSS flash triggers to one that also supports cross-brandwireless wireless wireless TTL.
The new X-TTL firmware versions, apart from supporting cross-brand high-speed sync (HSS/FP), remote power and zoom control of Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sigma flashes all at the same time 1, NOW support automatic TTL automatic TTL exposure in the same cross-brand environment, both exposure on-camera and off-camera.2 The first wave of firmware releases will be for Sigma, Sony ma Sony and Fujifilm Fujifilm Fujifilm. Other camera systems, Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax, will follow one by one as we complete system integration on the V6 II. All these X-TTL firmware versions are freeof charge of charge of charge for V6 II / V6 IIs users. The new firmware is system-specific specific specific so users simply choose the corresponding system when updating with the Cactus Firmware Updater. Once installed, the V6 II / V6 IIs is transformed into a cross-brand wireless TTL flash trigger.
This unique function gives photographers an unprecedented flexibility. The need for matching flashes with the same camera system for on and off-camera TTL flash photography is over – TTL without boundaries.
Cross-brand TTL
The X-TTL firmware allows users to have wireless TT wireless TTL automatic exposure wireless TTL automatic exposure with camera L automatic exposure and flash that runs on the same system, such as a Canon camera triggering a Canon flash, and one that runs on different systems, such as a Sigma camera triggering a Nikon system flash.
Similar to the cross-brand HSS firmware on the V6 II, the supported flash systems for wireless cross-brand TTL include Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, and flash that runs on the same camera system.
Two unique Exposure Locks
Cactus is unveiling a brand new approach in using TTL metering. Over the past, professionals who love the convenience from TTL metering often have to suffer inconsistency in lighting outputs, making post processing a pain. In view of this Cactus devised two types of Exposure Locks.
- Flash Compensate: Store a desired flash exposure that will automatically adjust according to changes in camera settings. Gone is the ever-changing flash exposures between each TTL metering.
- Flash Power Lock: Lock flash power output after a desired TTL exposure is achieved. Perfect for consistency in repeat shooting.
The X-TTL firmware will also support advanced TTL functions on the Cactus V6 II and V6 IIs, such as first and second (rear) curtain sync, on-camera TTL, group TTL metering and TTL lighting ratios.
New support for Sigma
We are delighted to offer firmware support for Sigma cameras and flashes. This includes remote power control, remote zoom control, wireless High-speed Sync, and wireless TTL with Sigma’s SA-TTL flashes. The same cross-brand support is also available on the Sigma X-TTL firmware.
Cactus expresses appreciation to SIGMA CORPORATION for their immense support in our development for Sigma system firmware.
Fujifilm TTL and HSS
With the introduction of Fujifilm new flash system launched on the EF-X500, Highspeed Sync (HSS/FP) is finally available. Besides adopting the new HSS platform, the upcoming Fujifilm X-TTL firmware also extends support for wireless TTL to Fujifilm flashes as well as Canon, Nikon, Olympus, and Panasonic flashes. Fujifilm X-TTL Firmware release date will be announced on our website.
V6 IIs with Sony TTL
Existing Sony V6 IIs users already has a system-specific transceiver unit, and the upcoming Sony X-TTL firmware adds wireless TTL support for Sony flashes and other system flashes when paired with the Cactus V6 II. Sony X-TTL Firmware release date will be announced on our website.
Features at a glance
- Cross-brand wireless wireless wireless manual power and zoom manual power and zoom manual power and zoom control control control with HSS/FP support of Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony flashes
- Cross-brand wireless wireless wireless TTL of Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Sigma and Sony flashes
- Cross-brand g brand g brand group TTL metering roup TTL metering roup TTL metering is extended to use in a cross-brand setup
- TTL Ratios output adjustments can be done directly TTL Ratios on the V6 II (TX)
- Two Exposure Locks offer consistency with the conve Two Exposure Locks nience of wireless TTL.
- Worksseamlessly with Cactus RF60X seamlessly with Cactus RF60X seamlessly with Cactus RF60X to support HSS, TTL, remote power and zoom control.
Price and Availability
System-specific X-TTL firmware versions are free of charge of charge of charge. Download the Cactus Firmware Updater and select the corresponding system firmware to install the X-TTL firmware on the Cactus V6 II and V6 IIs.
After launching the initial three systems, i.e., Sigma, Fujifilm and Sony, Cactus will continue to launch X-TTL firmware for the remaining camera systems.
B&H carries the Cactus Wireless Flash Transceiver V6 II.
From Cactus:
Go high-speed sync! Cactus launches the V6 II, a newest version of its popular Wireless Flash Transceiver to add cross-brand HSS and the V6 IIs, a dedicated Sony version.
Hong Kong, June Hong Kong, June 24, 2016 – After two years in the making, Cactus V6 II & IIs - the second generation of the World’s First cross-brand wireless flash transceiver, NOW supports high-speed synchronisation (HSS)! Besides the revolutionary remote power control of Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax flashes all at the same time, the new models now support HSS / FP mode in the same cross-brand environment.1 This unique function gives photographers flexibility undreamed of. Matching flashes with same camera system for off-camera flash photography is over.
Two High-Speed Sync Modes
- 1. Normal HSS: Supports shutter speed up to 1/8000s.
- 2. Power Sync: Boosts flash contribution above camera’s x-sync speed, perfect
- for extreme conditions where Normal HSS is not powerful enough.
AF-assist
Both the V6 II and IIs now has an automatic LED AF-assist light that makes autofocusing in dark environments possible – even in pitched-black! Besides the cameramounted V6 II/IIs, off-camera units will also activate the AF-assist light, which helps focusing even when camera is far from the subject.
V6 IIs for Sony
The dedicated Sony version – V6 IIs, embodies all the desirable functions of its sibling V6 II but with a Sony compatible hot shoe on the transceiver body, ensuring a seamless and secured connection with Sony cameras and flashes. Mounting the V6 IIs on a Sony Alpha camera allows the photographer to shoot above camera’s maximum x-sync speed and control power and zoom of Sony, including those with a Minolta/Sony hot shoe via an adapter, and other V6 II compatible flashes. 4 It is the perfect wireless flash trigger for existing and new users of Sony Alpha cameras, especially those who may still have non-Sony system flashes in their camera bags.
Highly Intelligent
V6 II and IIs can now auto-detect the on-camera portable flashes at device start-up by selecting the system the flash belongs to and assigning an Auto flash profile.
Similarly, the V6 II will auto-detect the camera and selects the system accordingly. This simple plug-and-play makes the setting up extremely quick and easy that both amateurs and professionals appreciate.
Expands Flash Compatibility
Remote zoom control now applies to all compatible TTL flashes, gives the photographer much quicker controls. Better still, previously unsupported digital TTL flash models on the V6 are now being supported.
Features at a Glance
- Cross-brand wireless manual power and zoom control with HSS support of Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax and Sony flashes;
- Two cross-brand high-speed sync modes:
- Normal HSS supports shutter speeds up to 1/8000s;
- Power Sync boosts flash contribution above camera’s Power Sync x-sync speed;
- Multi-master supports up to 20 photographers firing the same set of flashes at their own power settings;
- AF-assist light assist light assist light assists focusing in low light environment;
- Flash profile customization ensures accurate power Flash profile customization output;
- Work seamlessly with the RF60 series to support HSS Work seamlessly with the RF60 series and Power Sync;
- Other useful features inherited from the V6 useful features inherited from the V6 useful features inherited from the V6 including:
- Low Power
- Absolute Power
- TTL Pass-through
- Group Sequence
- Sport Shutter
- Remote Shutter
- Relay Mode
- Delay Mode
- Firmware Update support
Cactus V6 II and IIs are currently scheduled to be available in 2016 July and August respectively and both are priced at US$95.00 (ex VAT).
B&H carries the original Cactus V6 Flash Transceivers.
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