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This V860IIC camera flash applies to Canon EOS series cameras and is compatible with E-TTL II autoflash. With this E-TTL II compatible flash, your shooting will become simpler. You can easily achieve a correct flash exposure even in complex light-changing environments. This camera flash features:
Always keep this product dry. Do not use in rain or in damp conditions.
This product contains high-voltage electronic parts. Touching the high-voltage circuit inside it may result in electric shock. Do not disassemble. Should repairs become necessary, this product must be sent to an authorized maintenance center.
Stop using this product if it breaks open due to extrusion, falling or strong hit. Otherwise, electric shock may occur if you touch the electronic parts inside it.
Do not fire the flash directly into the eyes (especially those of babies) within short distances. Otherwise visual impairment may occur. When taking pictures for babies, keep the flash unit at least 1 meter (3.3 feet) away from them. Using bounce flash to reduce light intensity is also recommended.
Do not use the flash unit in the presence of flammable gases, chemicals and other similar materials. In certain circumstances, these materials may be sensitive to the strong light emitting from this flash unit and fire or electromagnetic interference may result.
Do not leave or store the flash unit in places where the ambient temperature reads over 50°C (e.g. in automobile). Otherwise the electronic parts may be damaged.
Conventions used in this Manual
Autoflash
Manual Flash
Multi Flash
Radio Transmission Shooting / Optic Transmission Shooting
Master Unit
Slave Unit
V860IIC Kit
V860IIC (only flash unit)
The product can be used in combination with the following accessories sold separately, so as to achieve best photography effects:
X1C TTL wireless flash trigger, FT-16S power & trigger control, Mini softbox, White & Silver reflector, Honeycomb, Color gels, Snoot, etc.
Features
Cautions
Loading and Unloading the Battery
Battery Level Indication
Make sure the battery pack is securely loaded in the flash. Check the battery level indication on the LCD panel to see the remaining battery level.
Battery Level Indication | Meaning |
3 grids | Full |
2 grids | Middle |
1 grid | Low |
Blank grid | Lower battery, please recharge it. |
Blinking | The battery level is going to be used out immediately. And the flash will auto power off in 1 minute. Note: Please recharge the battery as soon as possible (within 10 days). Then, the battery can be used or be placed for long period. |
Use ON/OFF Power Switch to power the flash unit on or off. Turn off if it will not be used for an extended period of time. Setting as a master flash, it will turn the power off automatically after a certain period (approx. 90 seconds) of idle use. Pressing the camera shutter halfway or pressing any flash button will wake up the flash unit. Setting as a slave flash, it will enter sleep mode after a certain period (adjustable, 60 minutes by default) of idle use. Pressing any flash button will wake it up.
Disabling Auto Power Off function is recommended when the flash is used off camera. (C.Fn-APO)
Slave Auto Power Off Timer is set to 60 minutes by default. Another option "30 minutes" is available. (C.Fn- Sv APOT)
This flash has three flash modes: E-TTL, Manual (M), and Multi (Stroboscopic). In E-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, FEB, FEL, HSS, second curtain sync, modeling flash, control with the camera's menu screen.
* Press < MODE > Mode Selection Button and three flash modes will display on the LCD panel one by one with each pressing.
ETTL Mode
Press < MODE > Mode Selection Button to enter E-TTL mode. The LCD panel will display.
Flash Exposure Compensation
With FEC function, this flash can adjust from -3 to +3 in 1/3rd stops. It is useful in situations where minor adjusting of the TTL system is needed based on the environment.
Setting FEC
Flash Exposure Bracketing
You can take three flash shots while automatically changing the flash output for each shot from -3 to +3 in 1/3rd stops. The camera will record three images with different exposures: one exposed according to camera calculations, one over-exposed and another under-exposed. Over and under exposure amount is user adjustable. This function helps get correct exposure especially in shooting moving objects or when environmental lights are complex.
Flash Exposure Lock
FEL can lock the correct flash exposure setting for any part of the scene.
With <ETTL> displayed on the LCD panel, press the camera's <FEL> button. If the camera does not have the <FEL> button, press the < * > button.
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.
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.
Press function button 4 < > button so that < > is displayed on the LCD panel.
The flash output is adjustable from 1/1 full power to 1/128th power in 1/3rd stop increments. To obtain a correct flash exposure, use a hand-held flash meter to determine the required flash output.
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.
Figures displayed when reducing flash output level→
1/1 | 1/1-0.3 | 1/1-0.7 | 1/2 | 1/2-0.3 | 1/2-0.7 | 1/4 | ······ |
1/2+0.7 | 1/2+0.3 | 1/4+0.7 | 1/4+0.3 | ······ |
←Figures displayed when increasing flash output level
Optic S1 Secondary Unit Setting
In M manual flash mode, press <S1/S2> 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. This helps create multiple lighting effects.
Optic S2 Secondary Unit Setting
Press <S1/S2> button so that this flash can also function as an optic S2 secondary flash with optic sensor in M manual flash mode. This is useful when cameras have pre-flash function. With this function, the flash will ignore a single "preflash" from the main flash and will only fire in response to the second, actual flash from the main unit.
With stroboscopic flash, a rapid series of flashes is fired. It can be used to capture a multiple images of a moving subject in a single photograph.
You can set the firing frequency (number of flashes per sec. expressed as Hz), the number of flashes, and the flash output.
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.
To avoid overheating and deteriorating the flash head, do not use stroboscopic flash more than 10 times in succession.
After 10 times, allow the camera flash to rest for at least 15 minutes. If you try to use the stroboscopic flash more than 10 times in succession, the firing might stop automatically to protect the flash head. If this happens, allow at least 15 minutes' rest for the camera flash.
Maximum Stroboscopic Flashes
Flash output | Hz | ||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6-7 | 8-9 | |
1/4 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
1/8 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
1/16 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 10 |
1/32 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 50 | 50 | 40 | 30 |
1/64 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 80 | 80 | 70 | 60 |
1/128 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 90 | 80 |
Flash output | Hz | |||||
10 | 11 | 12-14 | 15-19 | 20-50 | 60-199 | |
1/4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
1/8 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
1/16 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
1/32 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 12 |
1/64 | 50 | 40 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 20 |
1/128 | 70 | 70 | 60 | 50 | 40 | 40 |
If the number of flashes is displayed as "--", the maximum number of flashes will be as shown in the following table regardless of the flash frequency.
Flash Output | 1/4 | 1/8 | 1/16 | 1/32 | 1/64 | 1/128 |
Number of Flashes | 2 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 20 | 40 |
This product supports wireless flash application and functions as either a master or a slave unit. As a master unit, it can control Canon speedlites e.g. 580EXII, 600EX-RT via wireless. As a slave unit, it can receive wireless signals of Canon speedlites e.g. 580EXII, 600EX-RT and commanders of Canon cameras e.g. 7D/60D/600D.
Positioning and Operation Range
You can switch between normal flash and wireless flash. For normal flash shooting, be sure to set the wireless setting to OFF.
Master Unit Setting
Press < > button so that < > or < > are displayed on the LCD panel.
Slave Unit Setting
Press < > button so that < > or < > are displayed on the LCD panel.
When the master unit is set to OFF, only the slave units will fire a flash.
Even if the master unit flash firing is disabled, it still fires a preflash to transmit wireless signals.
If there are other wireless flash systems nearby, you can change the channel IDs to prevent signal interference. The channel IDs of the master unit and the slave unit(s) must be set to the same.
Using Automatic Wireless Flash with a Single Slave Unit
Using Automatic Wireless Flash with Multiple Slave Units
When stronger flash output or more convenient lighting operation is needed, increase the number of slave units and set it as a single slave unit.
To add slave units, use the same steps as setting "automatic wireless flash with a single slave unit". Any flash group can be set (A/B/C).
When the number of slave units is increased and the master unit flash firing is ON, automatic control is implemented to make all groups of flashes fire the same flash output and ensure the total flash output up is to standard exposure.
The slave unit might be out of order or fire an unwanted flash due to the nearby fluorescent lamp or computer screen.
Using Fully Automatic Wireless Flash
The FEC and other settings that set on the master unit will also be appeared on the slave unit automatically. The slave unit does not need any operation. Use the following settings to make wireless flashes according to the same methods with normal flash shooting.
The firing frequency of stroboscopic flash during the optic transmission shooting can be set from 1Hz to 199Hz.
About Master Unit
Use two or more master units. By preparing several cameras that with master units flash attached, cameras can be changed in shooting while keeping the same lighting source (slave unit).
Auto Flash Shooting with Two Slave Unit
Divide the slave units into A and B groups and balance their shooting illumination (flash ratio).
Auto control exposure to make the total output of A and B flash groups up to standard exposure.
Auto Flash Shooting with Three Slave Unit
About Slave Group Control
If three slave units are all set to <A> in terms of slave ID, these slave units will be controlled as if they were one camera flash in slave group A.
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.
Setting Flash Mode
You can directly operate the slave unit to manually set the manual flash or stroboscopic flash.
Setting <MULTI> stroboscopic flash.
The firing frequency of stroboscopic flash during the optic transmission wireless shooting can be set from 1Hz to 199Hz (settings from 250 Hz to 500 Hz are not available).
Using a flash (master/slave) with a radio transmission wireless shooting function make it easy to shoot with advanced wireless multiple flash lighting, in the same way as E-TTL II autoflash shooting. The basic relative position and operation range are as shown in the picture. You can then perform wireless E-TTL II /ETTL autoflash shooting just by setting the master unit to <ETTL>.
Positioning and Operation Range (Example of wireless flash shooting)
Wireless Multiple Flash Shooting
You can divide the slave units into two or three groups and perform E-TTL II/E-TTL autoflash while changing the flash ratio (factor). In addition, you can set and shoot with a different flash mode for each firing group, for up to 5 groups.
Wireless shooting using radio transmission has advantages over wireless shooting using optic transmission, such as being less affected by obstacles, and not having to point the slave unit's wireless sensor toward the master unit. The main functional differences are as follows:
Function | Radio Transmission | Optic Transmission |
Distance | 100m | 15m |
Channel | 1~32 | 1~4 |
A/B/C Power | OFF,1/128~1/1 | 1/128~1/1 |
The flash unit is built in with a Wireless Control Port so that you can wirelessly adjust the power level of the flash and the flash triggering.
To control the flash wirelessly, you need a FT-16S remote control set (on-camera and on-flash). Insert its receive end into the Wireless Control Port on the flash and insert the transmit end into the camera hot shoe. Settings made on the hotshoe-mounted transmit and receive ends will be wirelessly communicated to the flash. Then you can press the camera shutter release button to trigger the flash. You can also hold the transmit end at hand to control your off-camera flash.
For full instructions on the use of FT series remote control, see its user manual.
The Sync Cord Jack is a Φ2.5mm plug. Insert a trigger plug here and the flash will be fired synchronously with the camera shutter.
If the camera has a depth-of-field preview button, pressing it will fire the flash continuously for 1 second. This is called modeling flash. It enables you to see the shadow effects on the subject and the lighting balance. You can fire the modeling flash during wireless or normal flash shooting.
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 light up only when autofocus is difficult and get out as soon as the autofocus becomes correct. If you want to turn off the auto focus assist beam, set the "AF" to "OFF" on the C.Fn settings.
Position | Effective Range |
Center | 0.6~10m / 2.0~32.8 feet |
Periphery | 0.6~5m / 2.0~16.4 feet |
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.
With the catchlight panel, you can create a catchlight in the subject's eyes to add life to the facial expression.
The flash coverage can be set automatically or manually. It can be set to match the lens focal length from 20 mm to 200mm. Also, with the built-in wide panel, the flash coverage can be expanded for 14mm wide-angle lenses.
In Manual Zoom mode, press the <ZOOM/C.FN> button.
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.
Using the Wide Panel
Pull out the wide panel and place it over the flash head as shown. The flash coverage will then be extended to 14 mm.
If the battery power is low, < > will appear and blink on the LCD panel. Please replace the battery immediately.
The following table lists the available and unavailable custom functions of this flash.
C.Fn Custom Functions | ||||
Custom FunctionSigns | Function | Setting No. | Settings & Description | Custom Functions No. |
m/ft | Distance indicator | m | m | C.Fn-00 |
ft | feet | |||
APO | Auto power off | ON | ON | C.Fn-01 |
OFF | OFF | |||
FEB ACL | FEB auto cancel | ON | ON | C.Fn-03 |
OFF | OFF | |||
FEB | FEB order | 0 → − → + | C.Fn-04 | |
- → 0 → + | ||||
AF | AF-assist beam | ON | ON | C.Fn-08 |
OFF | OFF | |||
Sv APOT | Slave auto power | 60min | 60min | C.Fn-10 |
off timer | 30min | 30min | ||
BEEP | Beeper | ON | ON | C.Fn-20 |
OFF | OFF | |||
LIGHT | Backlighting time | 12sec | Off in 12 sec. | C.Fn-22 |
OFF | Always off | |||
ON | Always lighting | |||
LCD | LCD contrast ratio | 0~9 | 10 levels |
If the camera flash is attached to an EOS camera which has a speedlite control function, the flash can be controlled using the camera's menu screen. For the menu operation procedure, refer to your camera's instruction manual.
Clear All Flash Custom Functions
* Screens from the EOS-1D Mark III.
Over-Temperature Protection
Power Output Level | Number of Flashes |
1/1 | 30 |
1/2 +0.7 | 40 |
1/2 +0.3 | 50 |
1/2 | 60 |
1/4(+0.3,+0.7) | 100 |
1/8(+0.3,+0.7) | 200 |
1/16(+0.3,+0.7) | 300 |
1/32(+0.3,+0.7) | 500 |
1/64(+0.3,+0.7) | 1000 |
1/128(+0.3,+0.7) |
Number of flashes that will activate over-temperature protection in high-speed sync triggering mode:
Power Output | Times |
1/1 | 15 |
1/2(+0.3,+0.7); | 20 |
1/4(+0.3,+0.7) | 30 |
1/8(+0.3,+0.7); | |
1/16(+0.3,+0.7) | 40 |
1/32(+0.3,+0.7); | |
1/64(+0.3,+0.7); | 50 |
1/128(+0.3,+0.7); |
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 |
E1 | 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. |
E2 | The system gets excessive heat. Please allow a rest time of 10 minutes. |
E3 | The voltage on two outlets of the flash tube is too high. Please send this product to a maintenance center. |
E9 | There are some errors occurred during the upgrading process. Please using the correct firmware upgrade method. |
Model | V860IIC | |
| ||
Compatible Cameras | Canon EOS cameras (E-TTL II autoflash) | |
Guide No. (1/1 output @ 200mm) | 60 (m ISO 100) 190 (feet ISO 100) | |
Flash Coverage | 20 to 200mm (14mm with wide panel) | |
| ||
| ||
| ||
Flash Duration | 1/300 to 1/20000 seconds | |
| ||
Exposure control system | E-TTL II autoflash and manual flash | |
Flash exposure compensation (FEC) | Manual. FEB: ±3 stops in 1/3 stop increments (Manual FEC and FEB can be combined.) | |
FE lock | With <FEL> button or< * > button | |
Sync mode | High-speed sync (up to 1/8000 seconds), first-curtain sync, and second-curtain sync | |
Multi flash | Provided (up to 100 times, 199Hz) | |
| ||
Wireless flash function | Master, Slave, Off | |
Controllable slave groups | 3 (A, B, and C) | |
Transmission range (approx.) | Optic | Indoor: 12 to 15 m / 39.4 to 49.2 ft. |
Outdoors: 8 to 10 m / 26.2 to 32.8 ft. | ||
Master unit reception angle: ±40° horizontally, | ||
±30° vertically | ||
2.4G | 100m | |
Channels | Optic | 4 (1, 2, 3, and 4) |
2.4G | 32 (1~32) | |
Slave-ready indicator | Two red indicators blink | |
Modeling flash | Fired with camera's depth-of-field preview button | |
| ||
Effective range (approx.) | Center: 0.6~10m / 2.0~32.8 feet | |
Periphery: 0.6~5m / 2.0~16.4 feet | ||
| ||
Power source | 11.1V/2000mAh Li-ion polymer battery | |
Recycle time | ||
Full power flashes | Approx. 650 | |
Power saving | Power off automatically after approx. 90 seconds of idle operation. (60 minutes if set as slave) | |
| Hotshoe, 2.5mm sync line, Wireless control port | |
| 5600±200k | |
| ||
W x H x D | 64*76*190 mm | |
Weight without battery | 430g | |
Weight with battery | 540g |
If there is a problem, refer to this Troubleshooting Guide.
Photos have dark corners or only parts of the target subject are illuminated.
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.
This flash unit can be used on the following Canon EOS series camera models:
This table only lists the tested camera models, not all Canon EOS series cameras. For the compatibility of other camera models, a self-test is recommended. Rights to modify this table are retained.
Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.
Download Godox V860 II Pioneering TTL Li-ion Camera Flash Manual
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