Kenro SPEEDFLASH KFL101 User manual

SPEEDFLASH KFL101

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

3

Kenro Speedash Instruction Manual

Thank you for purchasing this speedash

Before using the speedash, please read this manual carefully for a

full understanding of how to use it safely and correctly.

Safety information

1. Never trigger the speedash around ammable gases or liquid

gases (e.g. gasoline or solvents) to avoid the risk of explosion.

2. Do not aim the speedash at drivers of cars, buses or trains, or

riders of motorcycles, bicycles or scooters. This could cause a

temporary blindness resulting in a trafc collision.

3. Never trigger the speedash close to your eyes. Aiming the

light directly at the eyes of people or animals could damage the

retinas and cause serious vision problems, including blindness.

4. Only use the batteries listed in this manual.

5. Never expose the batteries to high temperatures, such as re or

direct sunlight.

6. Remove dead batteries from the speedash as soon as possible

to avoid the risk of internal corrosion caused by leaked battery

uid.

7. Keep the speedash and battery charger dry – do not expose to

moisture such as damp or rain.

8. Keep the speedash protected in extreme high temperature or

humid environments.

9. Do not trigger the speedash in conned spaces such as car

glove compartments. Placing an opaque surface in front of or

above the reective screen, or allowing dirt to remain on it, could

cause a reection to be burned onto the screen.

10. Do not open the speedash unit yourself – there is a danger of

high-voltage shocks. Seek professional help to repair parts.

11. If the ash is red consecutively on full power more than 10

times, you must cease use for 15 minutes to allow cooling to

prevent damage to the circuitry.

12. If using on full power continuously, the zoom gear should be less

than 35mm to prevent heat damage to the ash diffuser.

4

13. After a change of environment temperature (e.g. bringing the

unit into a warm house from storage in a cool garage), give

the speedash time to adapt in order to avoid the build up of

condensation inside the unit.

14. Never use defective or drained batteries in this speedash.

Speedash features

1. Wireless MASTER function: Canon wireless ash, Nikon command

ash.

2. Wireless SLAVE function: Compatible with both the Canon and

Nikon Wireless ash systems, wireless E-TTL and i-TTL off-camera

ash, manual and multi ash system.

3. Power supply: 4 x AA battery (see batteries and power supply),

or external DC power pack (optional extra).

4. Dual compatibility: Universal hotshoe contact means the ash can

be used with both Canon and Nikon cameras.

5. High Speed Sync: Max 1/8000s

6. TTL ash

7. Manual ash

8. Multi ash

9. Slave functions: S1 & S2

10. Flash exposure bracketing (FEB), exposure compensation, ash

exposure lock (FEL/FV)

11. Camera custom function menu access (newest Canon cameras

only)

12. Rear curtain sync

13. Audible alerts

14. Custom function settings

15. Power save mode

16. Overheating protection

17. Manual and auto zoom

18. Automatic setting save function

19. Large LCD display

20. Quick recycle time (full output recycle time is only 2.3 seconds)

5

Auto-focus auxiliary AF assist lamp

When shooting in dark conditions, the auto-focus may temporarily

project a hard red light to assist focusing. This may interfere with

your subject. To disable this, switch to manual focus (M), or to the

custom function (Fn-08) to disable the AF lamp.

For more detail about zoom settings, please refer to page 20.

Adjust the angle of the ash

The ash head can be tilted up by 90 degrees, pushed down by 7

degrees, or turned around 180 degrees. Directing the ash towards

the ceiling or the wall can make lighting look more natural and soften

shadows.

6

Before you start

For the best user experience each time you programme this

speedash with new settings, we strongly recommend that you clear

all previous settings by pressing both ‘clear’ buttons simultaneously.

This will restore the speedash to the factory settings.

A guide to the buttons

For simplicity’s sake, the terms in this manual refer to the buttons

by the names printed on the ashgun. Clockwise from top left-hand

corner, these are:

Button Function(s)

/ Fn Backlight / function button

CLEAR Left clear button and right clear button

ZOOM Focal length settings

Wireless settings (ratio, channel, groups)

ON/OFF Switches the unit on and off (press and hold)

Directional keypad Up

Down

Left

Right

Centre / conrm button – referred to in this

manual as the ‘set’ button

Flash indicator Indicates charge status

Test-res the ash

MODE Select ash mode

7

Get to know your speedash

Flash head tilt

angle scale

LCD screen

Left clear button

Right clear button

Zoom button

ON / OFF switch

Flash indicator

Mode button

DC power input

Sync sockets

Backlight

and function button

Directional keypad:

Up

Down

Left

Right

Centre (‘set’ button)

(Press and

hold both

clear buttons

together to

reset settings

to default)

8

Flash sensor

Installation foot

Hot

shoe

contact

Serial number

Flash head

Lock dial

Built-in reection card

Battery cover

Built-in wide angle diffuser

9

Zoom focal length

Current channel

Active

group(s)

TTL: TTL mode

E-TTL: Canon TTL mode

i-TTL: Nikon TTL mode

Aperture

& ash

frequency

value

EV

power

compensation

& multi ash

frequency

settings

Flash power output

Flash exposure Wireless optical slave mode

M: Manual mode

Multi: Multi ash / stroboscopic mode

MASTER: Master mode

SLAVE: Slave mode

Ratio setting:

[RATIO]

[RATIO A:B]

[RATIO A:B C]

Flash mode:

MASTER ash ON

MASTER ash OFF

SLAVE ash

High

speed

sync Audible alerts

Custom

function

Manual

zoom

Automatic

zoom

Overheat

indicator

Power

indicator

Rear curtain sync

(Second curtain sync)

LCD screen

10

Batteries and power supply

Batteries

4 AA batteries are required to power the speedash. The following

types may be used:

A. Alkaline Manganese (1.5V)

This battery provides a medium power output with no need for

maintenance, but it cannot be recharged.

B. Nickel Cadmium (1.2V)

This battery recycles quickly and can be recharged, making it

both economical and practical.

C. Ni-MH (1.2V)

This battery’s power exceeds that of the nickel cadmium battery.

D. Lithium (1.5V)

This is a large-capacity battery. It has a low leakage rate and has

no need of maintenance.

E. Hydrogen Oxygen Cell

This battery is also known as Oxyride. It has a larger capacity

than alkaline batteries, and approximately 1.5 times the service

life, which makes it very suitable for use in high-power electronic

products.

Installing batteries

1. Open the battery cover

Slide the battery hatch open according to the direction of the

arrow.

2. Install batteries

Insert the batteries into the compartment according to the arrow

markings, making sure that the battery anode contact is correct.

3. Close the battery cover

Slide the battery hatch closed in the opposite direction.

Important note: Do not ever mix new and part-worn batteries, or

batteries of different types.

11

Install speedash on camera

Make sure the speedash and camera power are both off.

1. Prepare

Spin the lock dial fully to the left.

2. Install

Insert the speedash’s foot completely into the camera’s hotshoe.

3. Lock

Spin the lock dial back to the right to lock the speedash into

place. Do not overtighten.

4. Remove

Spin the lock dial to the left, and slowly remove the ash from

the hotshoe. Never pull the speedash out forcibly.

Turn on the power

Press and hold the ON/OFF button for two seconds to turn the

speedash on or off.

In order to save battery power and avoid leakage, the default

settings are as follows:

Automatic power saving mode

If the speedash is inactive for 60 seconds, the unit will automatically

go into sleep mode. If this occurs, press any button to wake it up. If

the speedash is not going to be used for a long period of time, it is

recommended to turn it off using the main power switch and remove

the batteries. Always turn off the power before removing batteries.

When the ash is fully charged and ready to be triggered, the ash

indicator button will light up:

Before shooting, ensure that the ash charging and camera

viewnder indicator lights are illuminated.

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Alternative power supplies

External power pack supply and PC sync sockets.

1. DC power input interface

The speedash can be made more exible

by using an external 6-8V / 10A DC power

supply to help conserve the power of the

batteries.

2. PC sync interface

Also called

ash sync interface

, PC sync

interface is used to connect a camera and

a ash, or a ash and a trigger, so that

the shutter release can trigger the ash

simultaneously.

Common ash modes

Automatic TTL ash mode

Set the camera’s shooting mode to <P> (Program Auto Exposure) or

Green frame (Auto) and the ash to TTL for fully automatic ash

operation

Select the ash mode

Press the MODE select button repeatedly until the LCD display shows

‘TTL’ (below, left).

Set the ash exposure compensation value

The exposure compensation can be set whilst in standby mode. Set the

exposure compensation value using the directional keypad. Pressing

the right button will increase the value of exposure compensation,

whereas pressing the left button will decrease it (below, right).

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The compensation range can be set from -3.0EV to +3.0EV in the

following increments:

-3.0EV > -2.7EV > -2.3EV > -2.0EV > -1.7EV > -1.3EV > -1.0EV >

-0.7EV > -0.3EV > 0EV > +0.3EV > +0.7EV > +1.0EV > +1.3EV >

+1.7EV > +2.0EV > +2.3EV > +2.7EV > +3.0EV

FEB setting value

In FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing) mode, you can control the

exposure in 0.3 stop increments to +/-3EV. You can then take 3

pictures with a different exposure setting for each (if ash exposure

compensation is set with both the speedash and camera, the

speedash’s ash exposure compensation setting will override the

camera’s). The 3 pictures can be adjusted up to 3 stops either side

of the original EV setting in 0.3 stop increments. After the third

photograph, the setting is automatically reset to the starting EV

value.

When using FEB, set the camera to ‘single shot’ mode and ensure the

ash pilot light is on and the ash is ready before taking a picture.

When mounted on a Canon camera, exposure values are set on the

ash; when mounted on a Nikon camera the exposure information is

not shown on the ash and must be set on the camera body. Refer to

your camera owner’s manual for further details.

FEB setting surrounded by exposure value (Canon

cameras only)

To use the exposure bracketing function,

rst ensure that the ashgun is mounted

on the camera and is in E-TTL mode.

Press the up and down buttons to set

the exposure bracketing value, then

press left and right to increase or

decrease the EV compensation

start point.

For example, with the exposure

bracketing value set to +2.0, and the EV

compensation start point set to -1.0 stop,

the camera will take three photographs

at -3.0, -1.0 and +2.0 respectively,

giving you the two stops either side of

the start value, as requested.

14

Flash TTL mode (Canon and Nikon)

Flash TTL works through the hotshoe connection on Canon and Nikon

cameras. Set the screen display to E-TTL for Canon, and i-TTL for

Nikon.

The Nikon system does not support on ash FEB settings, and does

not display the FEB information on the ash LCD. On Nikon, to see

the exposure settings in ‘BKT’, refer to the camera settings.

Flash exposure lock (FEL/FV)

Using ash exposure lock, you can lock

the correct ash exposure settings for

various parts of a scene.

When ash TTL mode is displayed on

the LCD screen, please connect the

ash with the camera.

• Canon: Press the ‘FEL’ or ‘*’ (AEL –

auto exposure lock) button

• Nikon: Press the ‘FV’ button

The speedash will then give off a

‘preash’ for the camera to calculate the

appropriate ash output data. Please

refer to your camera owner’s manual

for further details.

At this point, you may adjust your

composition if required.

When you are satised, press the

shutter button on your camera to

commence shooting.

15

Other automatic ash shooting modes

As long as the camera’s shooting mode is set to AV/A (aperture

priority), TV/S (shutter priority), or M (manual), you can also use

E-TTL and i-TTL ash automatically.

• TV/S

Select this mode to manually set the shutter speed. The value is

automatically set to match the camera shutter speed for standard

exposure. If the aperture light is ashing on the display, it means

that the background is under or overexposed. Adjust the shutter

speed until the aperture light stops ashing.

• AV/A

Select this mode to manually set the aperture value. The

speedash will automatically match the camera’s aperture

shutter speed to achieve standard exposure. If the background

is dark (for example, at night), it will use the slow sync in

order to highlight the subject and keep the background at

standard exposure. If using the ash as a MASTER use standard

exposure settings for your subject, and if using slow shutter

speeds, use standard exposure settings for the background. It

is recommended to use a tripod when shooting dimly lit scenes,

because a slower shutter speed will be used. If the shutter speed

light is ashing on the display, it means that the background is

under or overexposed. Adjust the aperture shutter speed until

the light stops ashing.

• M

Select this mode to manually set both shutter and aperture

speed. In order to get the correct exposure for your subject,

use the combination of shutter speed and aperture to obtain the

correct background exposure.

Using <DEP> or <A-DEP> shooting mode, the results are the same

as when using <P> (AE) mode.

16

Flash sync speeds and apertures value

Shutter speed setting Aperture setting

PSet automatically (1/60 sec ~ 1/X sec) Automatic

TV Set manually (30 sec ~ 1/X sec) Automatic

AV Set automatically (30 sec ~ 1/X sec) Manual

MSet manually (bulb, 30 sec ~ 1/Xsec) Manual

* 1/X sec is the camera’s maximum ash sync speed

Manual ash mode (M)

Using this mode, you can manually set the ash power output

according to your own needs from 1/128 power to full power in 0.3

increments. To adjust the incremental setting of the ash output:

• Select the ash mode

Press the MODE button until the

LCD display shows M

• Power setting

Using the directional keypad, press

right to increase the power setting

and left to decrease the power

setting. Use the up and down

buttons to increase or decrease the

power in 0.3 stop increments.

Stroboscopic ash mode (multi)

Multi mode is commonly used when shooting a moving object. The

speedash will emit a series of quick ashes, which enables the

photographer to capture a series of actions very quickly. Set the ash

output power, length of ash and ash frequency as required. When

using this mode, use new or fully charged batteries for best results.

To prevent the speedash overheating, do not use this function

more than 10 times consecutively – if the unit overheats, it will

automatically lock. If this occurs, allow the unit to cool for at least 15

minutes before recommencing shooting.

17

• Select ash mode

Select the ash mode by pressing

the MODE button until the LCD

display shows MULTI

• Frequency setting

Press the ‘set’ button, and the Hz

setting on the right of the screen

will start to ash. Frequencies

of 1 Hz to 199 Hz are available;

pressing the right button on the directional keypad increases

the frequency, whereas pressing the left button decreases the

frequency. Press the ‘set’ button again to save – the number of

ashes on the left of the screen will now be ashing.

• Set number of ashes

To set the number of ashes, press the right button on the

directional keypad to increase the number of ashes, and press

the left button to decrease the number of ashes. The number of

ashes can be set from 1 to 40, when you have set the desired

number, press ‘set’ to save, the exposure power setting will now

be ashing.

• Exposure power setting

Press the right button on the directional keypad to increase

the power, and press the left button to decrease the power of

the ash.

Once the above settings have been set they are saved, even when

the ash is powered off.

Relational table of ash power and number of ashes

Flash power 1/128 1/64 1/32 1/16 1/8 1/4

Number of ashes 1-40 1-20 1-12 1-8 1-4 1-2

NOTE: In stroboscopic mode, use the following formula to determine the

shutter speed: Number of ashes ÷ Flash frequency (Hz) = shutter speed

Example: To get 20 ashes at 10Hz: 20÷10=2

Therefore the shutter speed to be set on the camera is 2 seconds or longer.

18

High speed and rear curtain sync settings

High speed synchronisation

Synchronous operation of the ash can be set for cameras with

higher shutter speeds, up to 1/8000s.

Rear curtain sync

Using a slow shutter speed, you can create light trails or moving

marks after your subject. A ash normally synchronises to the camera

shutter when it opens. For slow shutter photography, the ash res

just before the shutter closes (second curtain sync).

Canon: Ensure the speedash is on the camera and set in high speed

sync / rear curtain sync mode and in TTL or M mode. In ordinary

ash (rst curtain sync) no icon is shown in the display. Press the

‘right clear’ button to scroll through high speed synchronisation

and then rear curtain sync (second curtain sync) and

select required function.

Nikon: On Nikon cameras, high speed synchronisation cannot be set

directly from the speedash. In the camera menu, select ‘auto FP’,

connect the camera, and ash screen will display immediately.

If you need the rear curtain synchronous mode, open the rear

curtain sync function on the camera settings (no icon shown on ash

display).

19

Off-camera high speed synchronisation

In wireless SLAVE mode, the speedash can receive high speed

synchronous signal from the MASTER ash.

Note: For correct use of high speed / rear curtain sync, please

properly set camera ash mode and shutter speed.

High speed synchronisation off the camera can be achieved in two

ways:

1. Wireless TTL trigger (the trigger must support high speed

synchronisation)

2. Set the speedash to SLAVE mode

Canon: To use high speed sync in SLAVE c mode, with the

speedash receiving Canon wireless instructions, rst set the camera

in manual mode, using the built-in ash as the MASTER ash, and

the maximum sync speed set to no more than 1/200 or 1/250.

Nikon: To use high speed sync in SLAVE n mode, with the

speedash receiving instructions from the Nikon’s built-in ash (an

external ash with MASTER control function can also be used), select

the Auto FP function from the camera menu.

Camera menu access (newest Canon cameras only)

A relatively new feature of Canon cameras is that external ashguns

can now be accessed and controlled from the camera menu. In

the ash control menu of the camera, go to ‘External ash function

settings’ and then ‘External ash custom function settings’ to set the

ash-related parameters, such as switching between E-TTL mode,

manual ash mode and multi ash mode; you can also access the

wireless ash settings, adjust the exposure, exposure compensation,

focal length, and other advanced options.

20

Zoom settings

Press the ‘zoom’ button until the

XXmm

symbol ashes (where

XX

is the zoom value), then use the directional keypad to set the

appropriate values. Pressing right increases the zoom value; pressing

left decreases the zoom value. Press the ‘zoom’ button again to exit

setup.

A MMMMMMM M M M

Automatic 18 24 28 35 50 70 85 105 135 180

About automatic (A) and manual (M) zoom settings

Automatic zoom: Adjust the ash

range by pressing left or right as above.

When the A is displayed, the speedash

will automatically adjust ash coverage

(zoom set to 35mm in auto). In

cameras that support E-TTL and i-TTL,

the lens zoom will increase or decrease

to adapt to different ash coverage.

Manual zoom: Adjust the ash range by pressing left or right as

above. When the M is displayed, you can manually adjust the ash

coverage according to the table above.

When under manual zoom, make sure that ash coverage extends to

cover the lens zoom, so that shadows do not appear at the edge of

the photograph.

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Kenro SPEEDFLASH KFL101 User manual

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