Related Manuals for Bolt VS-510S
Summary of Contents for Bolt VS-510S
- Page 1 Inspiration strikes. Inspiration strikes. VS-510S WIRELESS TTL FLASH User’s Manual...
- Page 2 Copyright © 2012 Gradus Group. Bolt and other names of Bolt products are trademarks of Gradus Group. Other product and corporate names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective holders. Introduction...
- Page 3 Introduction Thank you for choosing the Bolt VS-510S 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: •...
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Page 4: Table Of Contents
Contents Overview ..............................6–9 Warnings ..............................10–12 Installing Batteries ........................... 12–14 Mounting the Flash ..........................14–15 Turning on the Flash and Firing a Test ...................... 16–17 Using the Automatic TTL Flash Mode ......................17-18 Using High-Speed Sync ..........................19 Using Flash Exposure Compensation ......................20 Using the Manual Flash Mode ........................ - Page 5 Using Rear- or Second-Curtain Synchronization ..................28-29 Using Your VS-510S as a Wireless TTL Slave .................... 30–32 Using Your VS-510S as a Wireless Manual Flash ..................32–35 Positioning Remote Flash Units ........................ 36–37 Upgrading the Firmware on the VS-510S ....................... 38 Troubleshooting ............................
- Page 6 Overview...
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Page 7: Overview
Overview Flash head 16. LCD Reflector panel 17. Firmware upgrade socket Diffuser panel 18. AF assist/Wireless ready Battery compartment cover indicator light Wireless sensor (optical) Wireless sensor (TTL) Mounting foot Mounting foot lock release Mode button 10. Zoom position button 11. - Page 8 Overview...
- Page 9 19. Automatic exposure confirmation 20. Mode / High-speed sync status 21. Manual flash output level / Slave group and channel / Slave mode 22. Recommended maximum flash-to-subject distance (in meters and feet) 23. Zoom mode 24. Zoom position 25. Power saving / Camera or film ISO/ASA setting 26.
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Page 10: Warnings
Warnings Before using your VS-510S, 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. - Page 11 Take the product to an authorized service center for repair. • Do not drop or otherwise cause a strong physical impact to the VS-510S, as this could cause a malfunction that may cause it to explode or ignite.
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Page 12: Installing Batteries
• 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-510S and prevent it from functioning properly. Contacts may be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab. - Page 13 To install batteries, make sure the VS-510S 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.
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Page 14: Mounting The Flash
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 VS-510S on your camera, follow these steps: Make sure that the flash is turned off. - Page 15 Mounting the VS-510S on the included stand: You can mount the VS-510S 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...
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Page 16: Turning On The Flash And Firing A Test
The LCD will display a single OFF indicator, and the Ready light will turn off. To reactivate the VS-510S, 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. -
Page 17: Using The Automatic Ttl Flash Mode
“S” position when using the flash off-camera as a wireless slave. Using the Automatic TTL Flash Mode When the VS-510S 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... - Page 18 510S’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-510S 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.
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Page 19: Using High-Speed Sync
Using High-Speed Sync You can use shutter speeds higher than your camera’s top flash sync speed with the VS-510S by activating high-speed sync in automatic TTL mode. High-speed sync lets you use shutter speeds as fast as 1/8000 second. This is especially useful when using large apertures in bright situations or when freezing motion. To activate high-speed sync mode on the VS-510S, press the Mode and Zoom buttons simultaneously. -
Page 20: Using Flash Exposure Compensation
Using Flash Exposure Compensation In automatic TTL mode, you can use flash exposure compensation to adjust the VS-510S’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. -
Page 21: Using The Manual Flash Mode
Using the Manual Flash Mode You can also set the VS-510S’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. -
Page 22: Controlling Flash Coverage (Zoom)
The flash will automatically shut off if it gets overheated. Controlling Flash Coverage (Zoom) The VS-510S’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. - Page 23 The available zoom positions are 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 70mm, 85mm, and 105mm. Automatic zoom control: When you turn the VS-510S 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.
- Page 24 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. Using the flash with wide-angle lenses: When you have a lens wider than 24mm mounted on your camera, you can use the built-in diffuser panel to give the flash an angle of coverage equivalent to that of an 18mm lens.
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Page 25: Using The Autofocus-Assist Light
Camera autofocus systems can have difficulty locking onto a subject in dim light. When the ambient light level is low, the VS-510S 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. -
Page 26: Bouncing Your Flash
The light will bounce off of the larger surface before striking your subject, providing softer, more natural illumination. The VS-510S flash head can be tilted up at 45-, 60-, 75-, and 90-degree angles to the lens. - Page 27 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.
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Page 28: Using Rear- Or Second-Curtain Synchronization
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. - Page 29 The VS-510S 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.
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Page 30: Using Your Vs-510S As A Wireless Ttl Slave
Using Your VS-510S as a Wireless TTL Slave The VS-510S 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. - Page 31 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-510S 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.
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Page 32: Using Your Vs-510S As A Wireless Manual Flash
B. When using multiple flash units, select the same group and channel for all units being used in a particular light position. For example, if you are using three VS-510S units, you might want to set two as a main light on 1A, and set the third as a fill light on 1B. - Page 33 Using the optical slave feature, the VS-510S can be set to fire whenever it detects a signal from the master flash. This works optically—when the VS-510S “sees” another flash firing, it will instantaneously fire along with it. Setting the remote flash units manually: To set a VS-510S 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.
- Page 34 If the slave flash is not set correctly, it may be triggered by the pre-flash and fire before the camera’s shutter opens. In order to ensure that the VS-510S fires at the correct time, there are three different slave modes available: modes 0, 1, and 2.
- Page 35 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-510S as a slave. Using Your VS-510S as a Wireless Manual Flash...
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Page 36: Positioning Remote Flash Units
Positioning Remote Flash Units You can create a professional lighting setup by positioning remote units singly or in groups to function as main, fill, accent, and other lights. Metering your scene with a handheld light meter and setting your light ratios to achieve specific looks will give you a professional level of creative control. - Page 37 • The flash head should not be aimed directly into the camera lens. • The wireless TTL sensor is located on the side of the VS-510S, 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.
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Page 38: Upgrading The Firmware On The Vs-510S
Upgrading the Firmware on the VS-510S In order to ensure compatibility with future cameras, the VS-510S’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. -
Page 39: Troubleshooting
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. -
Page 40: Specifications
Specifications Type: On-camera and wireless TTL automatic and manual flash Compatible cameras: Sony cameras with TTL flash system support and a standard Sony hot shoe Guide number (at 50mm focal length, ISO 100): 141 feet / 43 meters Flash coverage: 24mm–105mm (18mm with diffuser panel) Flash duration: 1/1,000–1/20,000 second High-speed synchronization: Yes Flash recycle time: 0.5–9 seconds in automatic mode... -
Page 41: Guide Number Chart
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... -
Page 42: Fcc Notices
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. -
Page 43: Limited Warranty
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. - Page 44 www.boltflashes.com Copyright © 2012 Gradus Group.