Pixiq

The wait is over. Photix just announced that the Phottix Odin TTL Flash Trigger for Canon is ready to launch. Presented at Photokina 2010 under the name Helios, the new accessory changed name midways, after Phottix challenged the public to get a new name for what was said to be a revolutionary product.

Odin it is. Odin, if you're not familiar with ancient myths, is a major god in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard. It's an interesting choice but I must say I would prefer Helios, because it is the personification of the sun in Greek mythology, and any piece of gear that deals with light should have a name that reflects the Sun, the biggest flash of all. But well, Odin it is...

Debuted at Photokina 2010, the Phottix Odin TTL Flash Trigger for Canon (there was a Nikon version but there are no news of it at the moment) has been the subject of many hundreds of emails from photographers across the globe, anxious to purchase this landmark product. Why are they so excited? After all, what can Odin do?

Well, it lets photographers wirelessly trigger their TTL flashes, retaining full TTL functions, as well as remotely control power and flash zoom settings. Shooting with off-camera TTL flash has been made incredibly easy, claims Phottix.

Say goodbye to manual mode, proprietary flash-based triggering, or setting values on your camera LCD menu interface – reliable wireless radio-based TTL triggering and remote power control is here.

The Odin  can control remotely the power of flash groups in TTL with +/- EV adjustments (3 stops in 1/3 stop increments  - 18 different levels.) it can also mix TTL and Manual flash – fire some groups in TTL, others as manual - control gropups A:B with +/- EV adjustments. It can also go up to 1/8000 sec, that is High-Speed sync, let's you use second curtain synch, adjust power on remote flashes and even zoom their heads.

No, it does not serve coffee (yet) but the built-in USB port suggest that if firmware makes that a viable option, Odin will comply.

Compatible with Phottix Strato 4-in-1 and Phottix Strato II Multi 5-in-1 Wireless Triggers, the Phottix Odin TTL Trigger consists of an on-camera transmitter and control unit (TCU) and receiver units for compatible hot shoe flashes.

The Odin offers photographers four wireless channels and three flash control group designations. Flashes can be controlled in traditional Canon TTL ratio modes A:B with EV +/- adjustments of three stops.

What makes the Phottix Odin unique is the ability to designate groups in TTL/Mixed mode. Individual groups, A, B, C, can also be controlled in TTL mode with EV +/- adjustments. Groups can also be set to Manual mode, adjusting power levels remotely, or turned off.

Flash head zoom can be dynamically adjusted as photographers adjust their lenses. Flash zoom can also be easily adjusted manually and set from 24 to 105 mm. The Phottix Odin system will also trigger compatible non-TTL flashes and studio strobes.

Photographer Michael Zelbel put together a short Phottix Odin video on the features of the product.