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Introduction Thank you for choosing the Bolt VS-570N 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 ..............................10–11 Installing Batteries ............................12 Mounting the Flash ..........................13–14 Turning on the Flash and Firing a Test ......................15 Extended Interface ............................16 Using the Automatic TTL Flash Mode ......................17 Using High-Speed Sync ..........................18 Balanced Fill-Light and Red-Eye Reduction The .....................
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Using Rear- or Second-Curtain Synchronization ..................... 27 Using Your VS-570N as a Wireless Master or Slave..................28-29 Using the VS-570N as a Wireless Master ....................30-35 Using Your VS-570N as a Wireless TTL Slave .................... 36–37 Using Your VS-570N as a Wireless Manual Flash ..................37–39 Positioning Remote Flash Units .........................40-41 Upgrading the Firmware on the VS-570N .......................
Warnings Before using your VS-570N, 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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• Do not clean the VS-570N with agents containing corrosive or flammable substances such as paint thinner, benzene, or nail polish remover. • This product is not water resistant. Keep it away from rain, snow, humidity, and general moisture. • Should the VS-570N get damaged, do not touch any exposed interior metal parts. If touched, they may generate an electric shock or cause a malfunction.
Installing Batteries The VS-570N can be powered by four AA batteries of several types: • Lithium (1.5V) • Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) (1.2V) • Alkaline (1.5V) Note: For the fastest recycle times and longest battery life, lithium or Ni-MH batteries are recommended. To install batteries, make sure the VS-570N 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.
Mounting the Flash To mount the flash on your camera, make sure the VS-570N is turned off and follow these steps: Turn the mounting foot lock counterclockwise to loosen it. Slide the mounting foot all the way into your camera’s hot shoe. Turn the mounting foot lock clockwise until snug.
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To dismount the flash from your camera, make sure the VS-570N 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-570N on the included stand: You can mount the VS-570N on the included stand in the same way you would mount it on your camera.
Turning on the Flash and Firing a Test To turn the flash on, simply slide the power switch to the On position. When the flash is ready to fire, the Ready light will glow red. If the flash is mounted on your camera, a flash icon will also appear in the camera’s viewfinder.
You can connect your VS-570N to an external power source or PC sync via the extended interface on the side of the flash. External power source: An external power source, such as the Bolt Cyclone Battery Pack, can greatly increase the battery life of your flash and reduce the recycle time in between flashes.
Using the Automatic TTL Flash Mode When the VS-570N 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: Each time you turn the flash on, it will be in automatic mode.
Using High-Speed Sync You can use shutter speeds higher than your camera’s top flash sync speed with the VS-570N 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. High-speed sync is set automatically in your camera.
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. To lock flash exposure, follow these steps: Position the element of your scene that you want to be correctly exposed in the center of your viewfinder.
To apply flash exposure compensation, press the up or down buttons on the flash to increase or decrease flash exposure by 1/3 stop—up to 3 stops total. The LCD will display EV+ or EV- next to the exposure value to indicate whether it is increased or decreased.
Set the exposure settings you want to use on your camera. The highest shutter speed available will be your camera’s flash sync speed. To use higher shutter speeds, switch to automatic TTL mode and activate high-speed sync (see Using High-Speed Sync on page 18). Take a test shot, and check the exposure on your camera’s LCD.
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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-570N 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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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.
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-570N 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. Note that the autofocus-assist light is only available when your camera’s autofocus system is set to AF-A or AF-S.
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The VS-570N flash head can be tilted up at 45-, 60-, 75-, and 90-degree angles to the lens. It can also be swiveled horizontally 180 degrees to the left and 120 degrees to the right. When bouncing your flash, you may need to adjust your exposure settings, since the level of light falling on your subject will be...
Creating catchlights: Catchlights are the reflections that appear in people’s eyes in photographs. Without catchlights, eyes can have a dull, lifeless look. To create catchlights in your subjects’ eyes when bouncing your flash, follow these steps: Position the flash head at the 90-degree angle (pointing straight up) to bounce your flash off the ceiling or an overhead reflector.
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.
Using Your VS-570N as a Wireless Master or Slave The VS-570N is equipped with advanced wireless flash functions, allowing you to fire the flash remotely while still maintaining full TTL or manual control. In addition, it can be set to multiple channels and groups, giving you unlimited creative lighting possibilities.
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Channels: Master and slave flash units exchange data through channels. On the VS-570N, four channels (1, 2, 3, 4) are available. You can select the channel you prefer for communication between the master and remote flash units. 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.
Using the VS-570N as a Wireless Master The VS-570N offers optical wireless TTL and manual master flash modes, enabling you to set and control all functions of your wireless slave flash units from the VS-570N. Three flash groups (A, B, and C) are available, with independent control over all three groups.
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Setting the Master Flash Setting the VS-570N as a wireless master involves pressing the Mode button to advance from one setting to the next, as well as using the up and down navigation buttons to adjust or enable the settings. Enable wireless master mode.
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Choose the master flash mode. Choose whether to use the VS-570N as a wireless master in TTL or manual mode. Press the Mode button and then use the up or down navigation buttons to select TTL or Manual. Set EV or power output for the master flash. In TTL mode, press the Mode button and then use the up or down navigation buttons to adjust EV from -3.0 to +3.0.
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Turn the group on or off. After setting EV or power output for the master flash or previous flash group, choose whether you want the next flash GROUP A group to fire as part of the exposure. Press the Mode button so the flash on/off selector and group indicator appear onscreen.
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GROUP A GROUP B GROUP C Wireless Master Summary Screen...
Using the VS-570N as a Wireless TTL Slave You can set the VS-570N as a wireless TTL slave for both the Nikon and Canon TTL systems. To set the flash to function as an automatic TTL slave, follow these steps: Make sure the master flash or controller on your camera is turned on and set to automatic TTL mode.
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Use the up or down navigation buttons to select the channel and group. The flash will cycle through channel 1, groups A through C; then GROUP B channel 2, groups A through C; and so on. When using a single slave flash, set it to the same group and channel as the master.
Using Your VS-570N as a Wireless Manual Flash For even greater creative control, you can set the output levels of your remote flash units manually. Using the optical slave feature, the VS-570N can be set to fire whenever it detects a signal from the master flash.
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automatically by the camera. 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-570N fires at the correct time, there are three different slave modes available: modes 0, 1, and 2.
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.
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• The wireless sensors are located on the front of the VS-570N. Make sure that sensor is facing the master flash and that there is no obstruction between the two units. • When photographing outdoors or in bright ambient light, the sensors can be overwhelmed by ambient light, which will lower their sensitivity.
Upgrading the Firmware on the VS-570N In order to ensure compatibility with future cameras, the VS-570N’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 set up as a wireless • Make sure that the master flash is within the transmission range and TTL slave but won’t fire. the wireless sensor on the slave is pointing toward the master flash. Remove any obstructions in the line of sight between the two.
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.
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.