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Introduction Thank you for choosing the Bolt VS-510N Wireless TTL Flash. This advanced digital flash unit puts creative control in your hands with a broad range of automatic and manual features. It can be used as both an on- camera flash and a wireless slave flash. Among the benefits you’ll enjoy: •...
Contents Overview ..............................6–9 Warnings ..............................10–12 Installing Batteries ........................... 12–14 Mounting the Flash ..........................14–16 Turning on the Flash and Firing a Test ...................... 16–17 Using the Automatic TTL Flash Mode ....................... 18–19 Using High-Speed Sync ........................... 19–20 Balanced Fill-Light and Red-Eye Reduction ....................20 Locking Flash Exposure ...........................
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Using the Autofocus-Assist Light ........................26 Bouncing Your Flash..........................27–29 Using Rear- or Second-Curtain Synchronization ..................29–30 Using Your VS-510N as a Wireless TTL Slave .................... 31–33 Using Your VS-510N as a Wireless Manual Flash ..................33–36 Positioning Remote Flash Units ........................ 36–37 Upgrading the Firmware on the VS-510N .......................
Warnings Before using your VS-510N, 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-510N, 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-510N 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-510N is turned off and follow these steps: Press on the battery compartment cover and slide it in the direction of the arrow to remove it. Insert batteries in the orientations indicated by the illustrations inside the compartment.
Replace all four batteries at the same time. Do not mix battery types or brands, or use old and new batteries together. Mounting the Flash To mount the flash on your camera, make sure the VS-510N is turned off and follow these steps: Turn the mounting foot lock counter-clockwise to loosen it. Mounting the Flash...
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Do not overtighten. To dismount the flash from your camera, make sure the VS-510N is turned off and follow these steps: Turn the mounting foot lock counter-clockwise to loosen it. Slide the mounting foot out of your camera’s hot shoe.
Mounting the VS-510N on the included stand: You can mount the VS-510N on the included stand in the same way you would mount it on your camera. This allows you to set the flash up on a flat surface, or to attach it to a tripod head, light stand, or clamp that has a compatible ¼-20 screw mount.
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The LCD will display a single OFF indicator, and the Ready light will turn off. To reactivate the VS-510N, simply press any button on the control panel, or tap 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.
Using the Automatic TTL Flash Mode When the VS-510N is mounted on a compatible camera, it can set the appropriate flash level automatically, in conjunction with the camera’s through-the-lens (TTL) metering system. To use the automatic mode, mount the flash on the camera and follow these steps: When you turn the flash on, it will be in automatic mode.
510N’s LCD, and the OK light below it will glow green momentarily to indicate that the proper exposure was attained. Note: The ISO and aperture indicators on the VS-510N provide readouts up to ISO 800 and f/11, in full-stop increments. The indicator will display the ISO number and f-stop closest to your current camera settings.
High-speed sync is set automatically in your camera. Consult your camera’s manual for more information about this feature. Balanced Fill-Light and Red-Eye Reduction The VS-510N supports balanced fill-light and red-eye reduction modes, both of which are set automatically in your camera. Consult your camera’s manual for more information about these features. Locking Flash Exposure In automatic TTL mode, you can lock the flash output level that is optimal for specific elements of your scene by using the flash exposure lock (FV Lock) on your camera.
For more information about the flash exposure lock feature, consult your camera’s manual. Using Flash Exposure Compensation In automatic TTL mode, you can use flash exposure compensation to adjust the VS-510N’s flash output incrementally, just as you would adjust exposure with the exposure compensation function on your camera.
Using the Manual Flash Mode You can also set the VS-510N’s flash output level manually, for greater creative control over your images. Six manual settings are available: 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32. The 1/1 setting is the full-power flash, and each successive setting halves the light output.
The flash will automatically shut off if it gets overheated. Controlling Flash Coverage (Zoom) The VS-510N’s angle of coverage can be adjusted (“zoomed”) to match the focal length of your lens, so that your image is evenly illuminated from edge to edge.
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The available zoom positions are 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 85mm, and 105mm. Automatic zoom control: When you turn the VS-510N on, the zoom mode indicator on the LCD will show an A to indicate that it is in automatic mode and at the default 35mm position. When you press the shutter-release button on your camera halfway to initiate communication between the camera and the flash, the flash zoom will adjust to match the lens focal length and the closest zoom setting will be displayed on the LCD.
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Manual zoom control: To manually select a setting that corresponds to the focal length of your lens, press the Zoom button to make the M indicator for manual mode appear. Then continue to press the button to cycle through the available focal length settings. Note: Manual zoom can also be used to achieve special effects, such as using the 105mm setting with a wide- angle lens to produce a vignette.
Camera autofocus systems can have difficulty locking onto a subject in dim light. When the ambient light level is low, the VS-510N 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 onto the projected light.
The light will bounce off of the larger surface before striking your subject, providing softer, more natural illumination. The VS-510N flash head can be tilted up at 45-, 60-, 75-, and 90-degree angles to the lens.
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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 away the bounce surface and your subject are, the more illumination will be reduced. Tip: Bouncing your flash off of colored surfaces can create a color cast in your images.
Pull the built-in reflector and diffuser panels all the way out of their slot in the flash head. Push the diffuser back in while leaving the reflector extended. Using Rear- or Second-Curtain Synchronization When you photograph a moving subject with a slow (1/30 second or longer) shutter speed and a flash, the flash will freeze the moving subject and the long exposure will cause motion blur and light trails to appear in the image, especially in low light.
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The VS-510N 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.
Using Your VS-510N as a Wireless TTL Slave The VS-510N is equipped with advanced wireless TTL flash functions, allowing you to fire the flash remotely while still maintaining full TTL control. In addition, it can be set to multiple channels and groups, giving you unlimited creative lighting possibilities.
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You can use this option to prevent your remote units from being triggered by the master unit of another photographer working with the same type of system nearby. Setting the remote TTL flash units: To set a VS-510N flash unit to function as an automatic TTL slave, follow these steps: Make sure the master flash or controller on your camera is on and set to automatic TTL mode.
For even greater creative control, you can set the output levels of your remote flash units manually. Using the optical slave feature, the VS-510N can be set to fire whenever it detects a signal from the master flash. This works optically—when the VS-510N “sees” another flash firing, it will instantaneously fire along with it.
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Setting the remote flash units manually: To set a VS-510N flash unit to function as a slave with the output level selected manually, follow these steps: Make sure that the slave mode switch is set to the Off position. Press the Mode button repeatedly to cycle through the mode options on the LCD. Select manual mode and the desired flash output level (1/1 through 1/32).
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In order to ensure that the VS-510N fires at the correct time, there are three different slave modes available: modes 0, 1, and 2. To select the correct slave mode, follow these steps: Make sure the slave mode switch is in the “S” position.
Some cameras, when set to red-eye reduction, will emit a series of quick flashes lasting a second or more. This may not work properly with any slave mode. We suggest you avoid using red-eye reduction when using the VS-510N as a slave. Positioning Remote Flash Units You can create a professional lighting setup by positioning 33’...
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• The flash head should not be aimed directly into the camera lens. • The wireless TTL sensor is located on the side of the VS-510N, while the optical sensor is located on the front. Make sure that the correct sensor is facing the master flash and that there is no obstruction between the two units.
Upgrading the Firmware on the VS-510N In order to ensure compatibility with future cameras, the VS-510N’s firmware may be updated. This can be done to ensure proper communication with new cameras, or to add new features. Visit www.boltflashes.com/firmware to check if a new firmware version has been released. Follow the online instructions to upgrade.
Problem Solution The flash is turned on but won’t Make sure that fresh batteries are installed and in the proper fire. orientation. (Page 12) The flash is set up as a wireless • Make sure that the master flash is within the transmission range and TTL slave but won’t fire.
Tilt positions: 0º, 45º, 60º, 75º, 90º Swivel range: Right 0º–120º, Left 0º–180º Dimensions: Approx. 2.5 x 3.9 x 4.7 inches / 65 x 100 x 120 mm Weight: Approx. 9.2 ounces / 260 grams without batteries Guide Number Chart* Zoom Position GN - Meters GN - Feet...
FCC notices for customers in the U.S.A. Tested to comply with FCC Standards for home or office use. FCC Statement 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.
Limited Warranty Bolt provides a limited warranty that this product is free from defects in materials and workmanship to the original purchaser under normal use for a period of one (1) year from the original purchase date or thirty (30) days after replacement whichever occurs later.