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Introduction Thank you for choosing the Bolt VS-260F TTL Autofocus Flash. This flash unit combines a compact design with versatile features to give you both automatic ease of use and creative lighting control. Among the benefits you’ll enjoy: • Full compatibility with Fuji’s TTL metering system •...
Contents Overview ..............................6–7 Warnings ..............................8–10 Installing Batteries ........................... 10–11 Mounting the Flash ..........................12–13 Turning on the Flash and Firing a Test ......................14 Red-Eye Reduction ............................14 Taking Photos ..............................15 Using Flash Exposure Compensation ......................16 Using the Autofocus-Assist Light ........................
Warnings Before using your VS-260F, please read the following safety notices carefully and thoroughly to ensure safe use, and to help prevent damage to your flash or injury to yourself or others. • Do not fire the flash at close range directly into the eyes of people or animals. This can cause damage to the retina and may even lead to blindness.
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Take the product to an authorized service center for repair. • Do not drop or otherwise cause a strong physical impact to the VS-260F, as this could cause a malfunction that may cause it to explode or ignite.
• Keep the metal contacts in the battery compartment clean and free of corrosion and dirt. Do not touch them with your fingers. Corrosive elements on the contacts can damage the VS-260F and prevent it from functioning properly. Contacts may be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab.
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To install batteries, make sure the VS-260F is turned off and follow these steps: Press on the battery compartment cover and slide it in the direction of the arrow. Insert batteries in the orientations indicated inside the compartment. Replace the battery compartment cover by pressing and sliding it into place, in the opposite direction of the arrow on the cover.
Mounting the Flash To mount the VS-260F on your camera, turn it off and follow these steps: Press both sides of the mounting foot lock in; it will pop out, away from the flash. Slide the mounting foot all the way into your camera’s hot shoe.
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Dismounting the VS-260F: Turn the flash off. Press both sides of the mounting foot lock in; it will pop out, away from the flash. Slide the mounting foot out of your camera’s hot shoe. Mounting the Flash...
Automatic power-saving function: After 3 minutes of inactivity, the flash will automatically enter power- saving mode to conserve battery life. The Ready light will turn off. To reactivate the VS-260F, simply press the Ready light / Test button or your camera’s shutter-release button. During long periods of inactivity, it is recommended that you use the power switch to turn the flash off completely.
Taking Photos When the VS-260F is mounted on a compatible camera, it will set the appropriate flash level automatically, in conjunction with the camera’s through-the-lens (TTL) metering system. For information about your camera’s flash sync speed range (the shutter speed range your camera will allow you to use when taking flash photos), consult your camera manual.
Using Flash Exposure Compensation You can use flash exposure compensation to adjust the VS-260F’s flash output incrementally, just as you would adjust exposure with the exposure compensation function on your camera. To apply flash exposure compensation, press the flash exposure compensation button on your camera and adjust the flash exposure level up or down with your camera’s controls.
Camera autofocus systems can have difficulty locking on a subject in dim light. When the ambient light level is low, the VS-260F will emit a red autofocus-assist beam when you press your camera’s shutter-release button halfway to autofocus. The camera will then be able to autofocus by locking on the projected light.
Bouncing Your Flash Using flash to directly illuminate a subject often creates harsh, unnatural, and unattractive shadows. To avoid this, the flash can be tilted up, allowing you to aim it at a large white or neutral-colored surface, such as a ceiling, a wall, or a reflector. The light will bounce off of the larger surface before striking your subject, providing softer, more natural illumination.
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The VS-260F flash head can be tilted up at 45-, 60-, 75-, and 90-degree angles to the lens. When bouncing your flash, you may need to adjust your exposure settings, since the level of light falling on your subject will be reduced. The farther apart the bounce surface and your subject are, the more illumination will be reduced.
That means rear-curtain sync creates a more realistic impression of movement. The VS-260F supports rear-curtain sync modes on cameras that offer the setting. Consult your camera’s manual to find out how to activate it. Use your camera’s manual or shutter-priority mode to control the amount of blurring and light trails you capture by varying the shutter speed.
Troubleshooting Problem Solution The flash is stuck in the camera hot shoe. Make sure that the mounting foot lock is released. The flash is turned on but won’t fire. Make sure that fresh batteries are installed and in the proper orientation. The edges of images look dark.
Specifications Type: On-camera TTL automatic flash Compatible cameras: Fuji cameras with a built-in hot shoe and TTL flash systems Guide number (at ISO 100): 72 feet / 22 meters Flash coverage: Equivalent to a 35mm lens on a 35mm-format camera Flash duration: 1/2,000–1/40,000 second Flash recycle time: 0.3–10 seconds Power source: 2 AA lithium, Ni-MH, or alkaline batteries...
To obtain warranty coverage, contact the BOLT Customer Service Department to obtain a return merchandise authorization (“RMA”) number, and return the defective product to BOLT along with the RMA number and proof of purchase. Shipment of the defective product is at the purchaser’s own risk and expense.