Using FJ Triggers with Canon RT Speedlites: Setup and Tips copyUpdated 4 months ago

Overview

If you’re diving into combining your FJ system with Canon RT speedlites like the Canon EL-1, this article includes best practices to help provide smooth wireless triggering and control.

FJ Wireless and Canon RT 

• Canon RT (radio transmission) Mode

  Tailored for Canon cameras and Canon branded RT speedlites. The Canon RT setup maintains great compatibility, However, recent changes in the wireless environment have reportedly impacted the RT system’s ability to maintain solid connections particularly in crowded wireless spots where many wireless devices are found.
  
  

• FJ Wireless Canon RT

  Allows communication between Canon branded RT devices and the Westcott FJ strobes, speed lights and triggers. The limitations on connection reliability within the Canon RT system remain. As of the date of this article, Oct 2024, all previous releases of Westcott FJ gear continue to support RT operations.
  
  

• FJ Wireless Mode (TTL-ALL) Canon mode

  Offers operation of the FJ gear along with your Canon cameras but will not communicate directly with any Canon branded flash gear. This mode, using the latest firmware and hardware from Westcott really shines, ensuring effective communication between devices, even in busy wireless environments. Use of this mode also allows the full power range (RT limits the output level to a minimum 1/128 power or level 2) and offers modeling light control not available in RT. The Westcott FJ-XR receiver may be used with most speed lights and strobes from other brands to provide reliable synchronized firing using the FJ system.

Prepping Your FJ System

Start Fresh

Before you kick things off, reset your FJ triggering device to factory defaults. How to Factory reset your FJ gear

Configuring Your FJ Units for RT operation

• The RT/ID will need to be the same on your FJ strobes, speed lights, and triggers as well as your Canon RT flash. 
• Canon RT/IDs run from 0000 to 1000. Choose an entry between 0000 and 0099 as Westcott FJ RT/ID units go from 0000 to 0099.



Hint: matching the RT ID choice to your preferred channel may make it easier to recall that number as you set multiple devices. 

Additionally, best practice is to assign each flash/strobe a distinct group so you can individually control each unit. If, however, you know a number of flashes will be using the same exact manual output levels, you can connect those flashes using a singular group letter. On-camera FJ speed lights used as a host will automatically be assigned and remain in group “A”.

FJ200

• Press the Command dial and scroll to RT ID in the Wireless sub menu.
• Set the RT ID# inbetween 00 and 99 to match other FJ Wireless gear and Canon RT gear
• Scroll to Group and assign the flash to your desired Group letter. 

FJ80 & FJ80II

• Press the home button and touch the settings button on the screen to enter the settings menu. 
• Turn on RT ID # on page one of the settings menu and input your desired ID number. 
• Confirm Canon is turned “On” on page 3 of the settings menu
• Press the home button to then select “Host” or “Client” 
  • Host: The speed light will be attached to the camera, sending the signal to other off camera flashes. Touch the camera manufacturer selection in the upper left of the screen until “Canon-RT” appears. 
    • The attached speed light will be controlled within Group A.
  • Client: the speed light will be off camera, receiving signal from another unit. Touch the camera manufacturer selection in the upper left of the screen until “C-RT” appears. 
    • The “GR” button in the upper right controls what group this unit will be connected to in client mode. 

FJ400

• Confirm TT/ALL is displayed in Menu 1. 
• Press the menu button to navigate to menu 2 then press and hold button 4, RT ID. 
• The ID box will appear at the top of the screen to the right of the GR box.
• Use the Command dial to scroll to your desired RT ID and press the center of the command dial to lock in your choice.
• In Menu 2 press the third button down, “GR”. Scroll the command dial to select your desired group letter.

FJ-X3M Triggers

• Press and hold the menu button to enter the settings menu. 
• Press the center button of the circular directional pad to select the “Camera” Setting then press down on the directional pad until “Canon-RT” is selected. Not Canon. Press the center button again to lock in your selection.
• Press down on the directional pad once to highlight the RT ID#. Press the center button to highlight the ID number and then the up and down on the directional pad to set the trigger to your desired RT ID#.
• Press and hold the Sync-Manu button to exit the settings menu.
• On the main screen of the trigger, confirm the groups you will be using are active. That they display TTL or M and not SLP (Sleep mode) 

FJ-X2M Triggers

• On the main screen, press the leftmost round button below the screen (camera) until Canon-RT appears in the upper left of the screen
• Press the two rightmost buttons (C.Fn) at the same time to enter the settings menu
• Use the scroll wheel to highlight the RT ID# box. Press the scroll wheel to highlight the numbering options and scroll to your RT ID# choice.
• Press the button below OK to return to the main menu.
• On the trigger main screen, make sure all group letters that will be used are active (set to M or TTL and not SLP “Sleep”).

Note: Exiting the Canon RT camera selection to change to "Canon" or other brand choices may require you to reboot (turn off and restart) the FJ strobes to disable the ID function and ensure connectivity in modes other than Canon RT.

Connecting Your Canon RT Speedlites

Activate RT Mode

Turn on the speedlite and press the double arrow link button until you see ETTL or M, along with "slave" and the wireless symbol. “slave” appears in the center of the screen, and the wireless symbol (not the lightning bolt) is in the upper right corner.

Channel and ID

Press "MENU 1" on the Canon speedlight twice to enter "MENU 3". Once in MENU 3, press the "CH" (channel) button and set the channel to the same as the other flashes and/or trigger. Press the "ID" button and set the RT/ID to the same as the one set on the other flashes and/or trigger.

Assigning Groups

For the Canon units, Use the “Gr” button to assign the speedlite to a group (A-E). As with the FJ gear, On-camera Canon speedlites used as a host (“master” on Canon Speedlites) will automatically be assigned and remain in group “A”.

Confirming Your Connection

After making these adjustments, look for green indicators: "Canon-RT" on the trigger and "ID/RT" on the strobe. If the green light doesn’t appear after a few seconds, press the ID/RT button on the strobe to refresh the connection.

Example Setup

Let’s say you’re using an FJ400 with a Canon RT speedlite. Here’s a quick rundown:

1. Set the FJ400 to Channel 10 and RT ID 10. (Note: Best practice for all wireless communication is to start above channel 5 to avoid communication issues from other wireless devices)
2. Set the speedlite channel to 10 and the RT ID to 0010.
3. Set the FJ trigger RT ID and Channel to 10
4. Make sure group A and group B are both active on the trigger (set to M or TTL)
5. Assign the FJ400 to Group A, and the Canon speedlight to group B, to ensure they are on different groups for individual power control.
6. The link LED on the speedlite should glow green. The FJ400 RT ID icon will also be green when a proper connection is made. If this is not the case, cycle the link button, press and fire a test shot from the camera to retest the connection. If a link does not occur, Adjusting the channel choice might be necessary.

Limitations and Troubleshooting

Testing Flashes

Firing test flashes from the trigger’s test button might not activate all flashes in Canon RT mode. It’s usually better to use your camera’s shutter for this.

Documentation of Canon RT Connectivity Issues

Canon RT users have reported connectivity issues in the RT wireless system, as seen in Canon Forum postings. 

• Solved: Re: Canon 600EX II-RT drops link- HELP! - Page 8 - Canon Community.

Conclusion

For the best results with your Canon RT speedlites, a solid setup and configuration are crucial. Starting with a reset can help prevent issues and improve connectivity. If you run into challenges, don’t hesitate to contact Westcott for help or to tap into online communities for support and solutions.