Altura Photo AP-305N User Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. Altura Photo Manuals
  4. Camera Flash
  5. AP-305N
  6. User manual

Altura Photo AP-305N User Manual

Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

AP-305N FLASH
USER'S MANUAL

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the AP-305N and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for Altura Photo AP-305N

Summary of Contents for Altura Photo AP-305N

  • Page 1 AP-305N FLASH USER'S MANUAL...
  • Page 2 For video tutorials about your product(s), customer support, updated user manuals, and all other Altura Photo news please visit: alturaphoto.com...

  • Page 3: Foreword

    FOREWORD Thank you for purchasing this product. This AP-305N camera flash applies to Nikon series cameras and is compatible with TTL autoflash. With this TTL compatible flash, your shooting will become simpler. You can easily achieve a correct flash exposure even in complex light-changing environments.

  • Page 4: Warning

    • Provides multiple functions including: manual flash, multi flash, HSS (up to 1/8000 s), second curtain sync, FEC, etc. • Support with firmware upgrade. WARNING • Always keep this product dry. Do not use in rain or in damp conditions. •...
  • Page 5 • Do not fire the flash directly into the eyes (especially those of babies) within short distances. Otherwise visual impairment may occur. • Do not use the flash unit in the presence of flammable gases, chemicals and other similar materials. In certain circumstance, these materials may be sensitive to the strong light emitting from this flash unit and fire or electromagnetic interference may result.
  • Page 6 Altura Photo TTL Camera Flash Conventions used in this Manual • This manual is based on the assumption that both the camera and camera flash’s power switches are powered on. • Reference page numbers are indicated by “p.**”. • The following alert symbols are used in this manual: The Caution symbol gives supplemental information.

  • Page 7: Table Of Contents

    CONTENTS Foreword Warning Nomenclature Attaching to a Camera Power Management Flash Mode: TTL Autoflash Flash Mode: Manual Flash Flash Mode: Multi Stroboscopic Flash Wireless Flash Shooting: Radio (2.4G) Transmission...

  • Page 8: Table Of Contents

    CONTENTS Other Applications C. Fn: Setting Custom Functions Protection Function Firmware Upgrade Technical Data Troubleshooting Compatible Camera Models Maintenance...

  • Page 9: Nomenclature

    NOMENCLATURE BODY Catchlight Panel Built-in Wide Panel Flash Head Optic Control Sensor Focus Assist Beam Lock Ring Battery Compartment Hotshoe...
  • Page 10 USB Port LCD Panel Mode selection button Zoom selection button High-Speed Sync button S1/S2 optic slave triggering selection button (in non-wireless mode) Power switch Test button/Flash ready indicator...
  • Page 11 CONTROL PANEL Custom function setting button (reusable button, long press for 2 seconds) Wireless selection button MODE ZOOM SYNC SLAVE (reusable button, long press for 2 seconds) Group/Channel button (reusable button, long press for 2 seconds) Select Dial Set button...

  • Page 12: Lcd Panel

    LCD PANEL 1. TTL Autoflash Zoom: zoom display (Page 45) Focus length (Page 45) TTL: TTL autoflash Flash exposure Flash exposure compensation (Page 17) compensation amount...
  • Page 13 2. M Manual Flash M: Manual flash Manual flash output 3. Multi Flash Multi: Stroboscopic flash Number of flashes Flash frequency...
  • Page 14 4. Radio transmission shooting • Master unit Flash mode Firing group Master Channel • Slave unit Slave...
  • Page 15 What’s in the Box of AP-305C? • Flash unit • Mini stand • Protection case...

  • Page 16: Attaching To A Camera

    ATTACHING TO A CAMERA 1. Attach the Camera Flash. Slip the camera flash’s mounting foot into the camera’s hotshoe all the way. 2. Secure the Camera Flash. Rotate the lock ring on the mounting foot until it locks up. 3. Detach the Camera Flash. Rotate the lock ring on the mounting foot until it is loosened.

  • Page 17: Power Management

    POWER MANAGEMENT Press Power Switch to power the flash unit on or off (long press the button for one second). Flash unit will enter sleep mode after a certain period of idle use. Pressing the camera shutter halfway or pressing any flash button will wake up the flash unit. Set as Master Slave –...
  • Page 18 FLASH MODE: TTL AUTOFLASH This flash has three flash modes: TTL, Manual (M), and Multi (Stroboscopic). In TTL mode, the camera and the flash will work together to calculate the correct exposure for the subject and the background. In this mode, multiple TTL functions are available: FEC, HSS, second curtain sync, etc.
  • Page 19 • When the shutter button is fully pressed, the flash will fire a preflash that the camera will use to calculate exposure and flash output the instant before the photo is taken. Display “Hi”: When the flash output value is up to the maximum value, “Hi” will be displayed and blinking for 3 seconds.
  • Page 20 Setting FEC: MODE ZOOM SYNC SLAVE • Press the SET Button and the flash exposure compensation amount will be highlighted on the LCD panel. • Turn the Select Dial to set the amount. - “0.3” means 1/3 step, “0.7” means 2/3 step. - To cancel the flash exposure compensation, set the amount to “+0”.
  • Page 21 HIGH-SPEED SYNC High Speed Sync (FP flash) enables the flash to synchronize with all camera shutter speeds. This is convenient when you want to use aperture priority for fill-flash portraits. Choose the < > button: • Press the <SYNC> button to turn on high-speed sync function. •...
  • Page 22 SECOND-CURTAIN SYNC With a slow shutter speed, you can create a light train following the subject. The flash fires right before the shutter closes. • Set Nikon camera to Rear mode.

  • Page 23: Flash Mode: Manual Flash

    FLASH MODE: MANUAL FLASH The flash output is adjustable from 1/1 full power to 1/128 power in 1/3 stop increments. To obtain a correct flash exposure, use a hand-held flash meter to determine the required flash output. MODE ZOOM SYNC SLAVE MODE ZOOM...
  • Page 24 high-speed sync mode, the adjustable flash range is 1/16~1/1. Flash Output Range The following table makes it easier to see how the stop changes in terms of f/stop when you increase or decrease the flash output. For example, when you decrease the flash output to 1/2, 1/2-0.3, or 1/2-0.7, and then increase the flash output to more than 1/2, 1/2+0.3, 1/2+0.7, and 1/1 will be displayed.
  • Page 25 In the M mode, high-speed sync and second curtain sync functions can be achieved. • Optical S1 Secondary Unit Setting In M manual flash mode, press the <SLAVE> button so that this flash can function as an optic S1 secondary flash with optic sensor. With this function, the flash will fire synchronously when the main flash fires, the same effect as that by the use of radio triggers.
  • Page 26 • S1 and S2 optic triggering and off camera high-speed mode are only available in M manual flash mode. MULTI STROBOSCOPIC FLASH With stroboscopic flash mode, a rapid series of flashes is fired. It can be used to capture multiple images of a moving subject in a single photograph. You can set the firing frequency (number of flashes per sec.
  • Page 27 MODE ZOOM SYNC SLAVE MODE ZOOM SYNC SLAVE MODE ZOOM SYNC SLAVE MODE ZOOM SYNC SLAVE • Long press the <MODE> button for 2 seconds so that <Multi> is displayed. • Turn the Select Dial to choose a desired flash output. •...
  • Page 28 Calculating the Shutter Speed During stroboscopic flash, the shutter remains open until the firing stops. Use the formula below to calculate the shutter speed and set it with the camera. Number of Flashes/Flash Frequency = Shutter Speed For example, if the number of flashes is 10 and the firing frequency is 5 Hz, the shutter speed should be at least 2 seconds.
  • Page 29 • Stroboscopic flash is most effective with a highly reflective subject against a dark background. • Using a tripod and a remote control is recommended. • Stroboscopic flash can be used with “bulb mode”. • If the number of flashes is displayed as “--”, the firing will continue until the shutter closes or the battery is exhausted.
  • Page 30 Maximum Stroboscopic Flashes: Flash 10-19 20-50 60-90 Output 1/16 1/32 1/64 1/128...

  • Page 31: Wireless Flash Shooting: Radio (2.4G) Transmission

    • This flash can work in TTL/M/Multi/OFF flash modes when set as a master unit. As a master unit. The AP-305N can control multiple AP-305N flashes (TTL/M/Multi). As a slave unit. The AP-305N can be controlled by the following master unit models, RT-305 (M mode only), AP-305N (TTL/M/Multi).
  • Page 32 • Even with multiple slave units, the master unit can control all of them via wireless. • In this user manual, “master unit” refers to the camera flash on a camera and “slave unit” will be controlled by the master unit. 1.
  • Page 33 Slave Unit Setting Long Press the <SYNC> button for 2 seconds so ZOOM SYNC SLAVE that < > is blinking. Turn the Select Dial until the < > is displayed on the LCD panel, which means the slave unit. 2. SETTING GROUP UNIT’S FLASH MODE ZOOM SYNC SLAVE...
  • Page 34 • Press the <SLAVE> Button to choose the group from M/A/B/C. Then, press the <MODE> Button so that the master unit can work in OFF/TTL/M flash mode. Choose one of them as the flash mode of master unit. • Press the <MODE> Button for 2 seconds to switch to Multi mode. 3.
  • Page 35 ZOOM SYNC SLAVE ZOOM SYNC SLAVE • Long press the <SLAVE> Button for 2 seconds until the channel IDs is blinking. Turn the Select Dial to choose a channel ID from 1 to 16. • Press the <SET> button to confirm.
  • Page 36 ZOOM SYNC SLAVE • Master Unit Setting: - Attach a AP-305N camera flash on the camera and set it as the master unit. (Page 30) - A/B/C can be set as TTL mode independently. • Slave Unit Setting: - Set the AP-305N that to be controlled as the wireless slave unit. (Page 31)
  • Page 37 - The slave unit can be set as A/B/C. • Check the communication channel: - If the master unit and slave unit(s) are set to a different channel, set them to the same channel. (Page 32) • Position the camera and flashes: - Position the camera and flashes as the picture shows.
  • Page 38 5. M: WIRELESS FLASH SHOOTING WITH MANUAL FLASH This describes wireless (multiple shooting) using manual flash. You can shoot with a different flash output setting for each slave unit (firing group). Set all parameters on the master unit. ZOOM SYNC SLAVE MODE ZOOM...
  • Page 39 • Taking the picture: Each group fires at the set flash ratio. 7. MULTI: WIRELESS FLASH SHOOTING WITH MANUAL FLASH MODE ZOOM SYNC SLAVE • Setting <Multi> stroboscopic flash: Long press the <MODE> button for 2 seconds so that <Multi> is displayed. Long press the <MODE>...
  • Page 40 • Setting flash output/flash frequency/flash times: - Setting the flash output/flash frequency/flash times of the groups in the M mode. Setting the multi flash mode. (Page 24-25) - A, B, and C group can only control the ON/OFF of the slave unit by pressing the <MODE>...
  • Page 41 Slave/Master Unit's Positioning and Operation Range Autoflash Shooting with One Slave Unit: Transmission distance is about 30 m.
  • Page 42 • Use the supplied mini stand to position the slave unit. • Before shooting, perform a test flash and test shooting. • The transmission distance might be shorter depending on the conditions such as positioning of slave units, the surrounding environment and weather conditions.
  • Page 43 • Auto Shooting with Two Slave Groups. • Auto Shooting with Three Slave Groups.

  • Page 44: Other Applications

    OTHER APPLICATIONS Auto Focus Assist Beam In poorly-lit or low-contrast shooting environments, the built-in auto focus assist beam will automatically light on to make it easier for autofocus.The beam will illuminate only when auto focus is difficult, and will cut out as soon as AF is achieved.
  • Page 45 Bounce Flash By pointing the flash head toward a wall or ceiling, the flash will bounce off the surface before illuminating the subject. This can soften shadows behind the subject for a more natural-looking shot. This is called bounce flash. To set the bounce direction, hold the flash head and turn it to a satisfying angle.
  • Page 46 • If the wall or ceiling is too far away, the bounced flash might be too weak and result in underexposure. • The wall or ceiling should be a plain, white color for high reflectance. If the bounce surface is not white, a color cast may appear in the picture. Creating a Catchlight With the catchlight panel, you can create a catchlight in the subject’s eyes to add life to the facial expression.
  • Page 47 • Point the flash head upward by 90°. • Pull out the wide panel. The catchlight panel will come out at the same time. • Push the wide panel back in. - Push in only the wide panel. - Follow the same procedures as for bounce flash. •...
  • Page 48 • In Manual Zoom mode, press the <ZOOM> button. ZOOM SYNC SLAVE • Turn the Select Dial to change the flash coverage. • If <AU> is displayed, the flash coverage will be set automatically. • If you set the flash coverage manually, make sure it covers the lens focal length so that the picture will not have a dark periphery.
  • Page 49 The catchlight panel will come out at the same time. Push the catchlight panel back in. When pull out the wide panel, the ZOOM will constantly be 14 mm. The <ZOOM> button will not work. Low Battery Warning If the battery power is low, < > will appear and blink on the LCD panel.

  • Page 50: C. Fn: Setting Custom Functions

    C. FN: SETTING CUSTOM FUNCTIONS The following table lists the available and unavailable custom functions of this flash. C.Fn Custom Functions Custom Function Signs Function Setting No. Settings & Description Auto sleep (standby) AF-assist beam 10 Sec Off in 10 Sec Backlighting Always off control...
  • Page 51 • Press the <ZOOM> button for 2 seconds until C. Fn menu is displayed. • Turn the select dial to select the custom functions. • Press the <SET> button and the setting No. blinks. • Turn the select dial to set the desired number. Pressing the <SET> button will confirm the settings.

  • Page 52: Protection Function

    PROTECTION FUNCTION Overheating Protection • To avoid overheating and deteriorating the flash head, do not fire more than 30 continuous flashes in fast succession at 1/1 full power. After 30 continuous flashes, allow a rest time of at least 10 minutes. •...
  • Page 53 Power Output Times Number of flashes that will activate 1/2 (+0.3, +0.7) over-temperature protection in 1/4 (+0.3, +0.7) high-speed sync triggering mode. 1/8 (+0.3 , +0.7) 1/16 (+0.3, +0.7) Power Output Level Number of Flashes 1/2 + 0.7 1/2 + 0.3 Number of flashes that will activate over-temperature 1/4 (+0.3, +0.7)
  • Page 54 Other Protections The system provides real-time protection to secure the device and your safety. The following lists prompts for your reference: Prompts on LCD Panel Meaning A failure occurs on the recycling system so that the flash cannot fire. Please restart the flash unit. If the problem still exists, please send this product to a maintenance center.

  • Page 55: Firmware Upgrade

    FIRMWARE UPGRADE This flash supports firmware upgrade through the USB port. Update information will be released on our official website. USB connection line is not included in this product. The USB port is a standard Micro USB socket. Common USB connection line is applicable. Checking the version: Press the <MODE>...

  • Page 56: Technical Data

    TECHNICAL DATA Model AP-305N Type Compatible Cameras Please reference to compatible camera models (page 59) Guide No. 36 m (ISO 100 ft) (1/1 output @ 105 mm) Flash Coverage 24 to 105 mm Auto zoom (Flash coverage set automatically to match...
  • Page 57 Exposure Control TTL autoflash and manual flash Exposure control system Flash exposure Manual. FEB: ±3 stops in 1/3 stop increments compensation (FEC) (Manual FEC can be combined.) Sync mode High-speed sync (up to 1/8000 seconds), first-curtain sync, and second-curtain sync Multi flash Provided (up to 90 times, 99 Hz) Wireless Flash (2.4G radio transmission)
  • Page 58 Power Supply Ni-MH batteries (recommended) or 2*LR6 alkaline batteries AA batteries Recycle time 0.1-2.2 seconds (eneloop Ni-MH batteries of Panasonic). (Approx.) Red LED indicator will light up when the flash is ready. Full power flashes Approx. 210 (2500mA Ni-MH batteries) Power saving Power off automatically after approx.

  • Page 59: Troubleshooting

    TROUBLESHOOTING If there is a problem, refer to this Troubleshooting Guide. The Camera Flash cannot be charged. • The battery is installed in the wrong direction. - Install the battery in the correct direction. • The camera flash’s internal battery is exhausted. - If <...
  • Page 60 • The electrical contacts of the Camera Flash and camera are dirty. - Clean the contacts. The power turns off by itself. • After 90 seconds of idle operation, auto power off took effect if the flash is set as master. - Press the shutter button halfway or press any flash button to wake up.
  • Page 61 The flash exposure is underexposed or overexposed. • You used high-speed sync. - With high-speed sync, the effective flash range will be shorter. Make sure the subject is within the effective flash range displayed. • You used Manual Flash mode. - Set the flash mode to TTL or modify the flash output.

  • Page 62: Compatible Camera Models

    COMPATIBLE CAMERA MODELS This flash unit can be used on the following Nikon camera models: - D800 - D3000 - D7000 - D200 - D700 - D3100 - D7100 - D70S - D5600 - D3200 - D7200 - D810 - D5500 - D3300 - D7500 - D610...

  • Page 63: Maintenance

    MAINTENANCE • Shut down the device immediately should abnormal operation be detected. • Avoid sudden impacts and the product should be dedusted regularly. • It is normal for the flash tube to be warm when in use. Avoid continuous flashes if unnecessary. •...
  • Page 64 FCC WARNING Any Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Table of Contents

Save PDF