Bolt VC-310 User Manual

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VC-310

COMPACT ON-CAMERA TTL FLASH

User’s Manual

Copyright © 2016 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.

2 |

Introduction

Thank you for choosing Bolt. The VC-310 is a compact, full-featured shoe-mount ash for your Sony, Olympus/
Panasonic, or Fujilm camera. This advanced digital ash puts creative control in your hands with a broad range of
automatic and manual features. It can be used as both an on-camera ash and a wireless slave ash. Among the

benets you’ll enjoy:

• Full compatibility with TTL metering system

• Eight manual ash levels: full to 1/128 power, plus ne-tuning by 1/3 increments

• Stroboscopic mode

• Tilt and swivel head: -7° down, 90° up, 90° right, and 60° left

• Backlit LCD

• Autofocus assist for low-light photography

• Snap-on diffuser

• Automatic power-saving function

• Overheating protection

• Upgradeable rmware

Introduction | 3

Contents

Overview ......................................................................................................................................................6-7

Warnings ......................................................................................................................................................8-9

Installing Batteries ......................................................................................................................................... 10

Mounting the Flash ........................................................................................................................................ 11

Turning On the Flash and Firing a Test Shot ...............................................................................................12-14

Extended Interface ......................................................................................................................................... 14

Automatic TTL Flash Mode ........................................................................................................................15-16

Using Flash Exposure Compensation .............................................................................................................. 16

Manual Flash Mode ..................................................................................................................................17-18

Diffusing the Flash ......................................................................................................................................... 18

Bouncing Your Flash.......................................................................................................................................19

Stroboscopic Mode (VC-310SMI and VC-310OP models only) ....................................................................20-21

Manual Optical Slave Modes S1/S2 ...........................................................................................................22-23

Positioning the Slave and Remote Flash Units ...........................................................................................24-25

Stroboscopic Reference ................................................................................................................................. 26

4 | Contents

Specications ................................................................................................................................................ 27

Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................................28-29

FCC Compliance ............................................................................................................................................ 30

One-Year Limited Warranty ............................................................................................................................31

Contents | 5

Made in China

1

2

6 | Overview

12

17

11

10

3

4

5

9

8

7

6

13

14

1616

15

Overview

1. Flash head

18

2. Flash test button

3. Mode button

4. Flash ready indicator

5. Left arrow

19

6. Set button

7. Right arrow

8. F1 function button

9. F2 function button

20

10. Power button

11. LCD panel

12. Flash head position
indicator (tilt)

13. Micro USB port

14. Mounting foot

15. Locking wheel

16. Optical sensor

17. Battery compartment
with cover

18. Flash stand

19. Diffuser

20. Carrying pouch

Overview | 7

Warnings

Before using your VC-310, please read the following safety notices thoroughly to ensure safe use and to help
prevent damage to your ash or injury to yourself or others.

• Do not re the ash at close range directly into the eyes of people or animals.

• To avoid overheating and damaging your ash unit, please wait for at least ten minutes after thirty
continuous ashes at full power (page 13).

• Do not disassemble or attempt to repair this product yourself. There are high-voltage components inside
that can produce a hazardous electric shock.

• Keep this product and its batteries out of the reach of children.

• Use only the power sources specied in this manual.

• Always switch the ash off before changing the batteries.

• Always install AA batteries of the same type, brand, and age. Do not combine different types or brands, or
old and new batteries. Install the batteries in the proper orientation, according to the indicator in the
battery chamber.

• Do not use or store the VC-310 in ammable conditions (such as environments containing ammable gases
or liquid chemicals).

8 | Warnings

• Do not clean the VC-310 with agents containing corrosive or ammable 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 VC-310 sustain physical damage, do not touch any exposed interior metal parts. If touched, they
may generate an electric shock or cause a malfunction. Promptly remove the batteries and take the product
to an authorized service center for repair.

• If you detect excessive heat, smoke, or a burning smell coming from the ash, immediately stop operation
and remove the batteries to prevent the product from igniting or melting. Take the product to an authorized
service center for repair.

• Do not drop or otherwise cause a strong physical impact to the VC-310.

• For long-term storage, remove the batteries from the VC-310.

• Do not store or use this product at temperatures above 104°F (40°C).

• Keep the metal contacts in the battery compartment clean and free of corrosion and dirt. Contacts may be
cleaned with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab.

• Dispose of used batteries properly.

Warnings | 9

Installing Batteries

Made in China

The VC-310 can be powered by two AA batteries of several types:

• Lithium (1.5 V)

• Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) (1.2 V)

• Alkaline (1.5 V)

1. Turn the ash upside down.

2. Press the button on the battery compartment cover so the cover
ips open.

3. Insert two AA batteries (not included) according to the diagrams inside
the battery compartment.

4. Close the battery compartment cover until it clicks.

When the battery power is low, the battery indicator [
the LCD.

Important! Replace both batteries at the same time. Do not mix battery
types or brands, or use old and new batteries together.

10 | Installing Batteries

] will ash on

2

3

Mounting the Flash

1

To mount the ash on your camera, make sure the VC-310 is turned off
and follow these steps:

1. Rotate the locking wheel counterclockwise to loosen it.

2. Slide the mounting foot all the way into your camera’s hot shoe.

3. Rotate the locking wheel clockwise until secure.

2

To dismount the ash from your camera, make sure the VC-310 is turned
off and follow these steps:

1. Rotate the locking wheel counterclockwise to release the ash.

2. Slide the mounting foot out of your camera’s hot shoe.

Mounting the VC-310 on the included stand adapter:

You can mount the VC-310 on the included stand adapter in the same way you would mount it on your camera.
This allows you to set the ash up on a at surface or attach it to a tripod head, light stand, or clamp that has
a compatible 1/4"-20 screw mount.

Mounting the Flash | 11

Turning On the Flash and Firing a Test Shot

To turn the ash on, press and hold the power button until the LCD illuminates. To turn the ash off, hold the
power button for approximately two seconds.

Flash ready indicator: The ash ready indicator lets you know when the ash is ready to re again. The
indicator will blink red when charging and remain lit when the ash is ready to re.

To re a test ash, press the Test button.

Depending on your camera model, a ash icon may also appear in the viewnder when the VC-310 is mounted
on your camera.

Sleep mode: After approximately two minutes of inactivity, the ash will automatically enter sleep mode
to conserve the battery life by turning off the LCD and ash ready light. To reactivate the VC-310, press the
Set button on the ash unit or press your camera’s shutter-release button halfway. During long periods of
inactivity, use the power switch to turn the ash off completely.

LCD illumination: When you turn the ash on the LCD illuminates for approximately ten seconds before
turning off to save battery life. Press any button on the ash to light up the display when you need to view the
LCD in a low light environment.

12 | Turning On the Flash and Firing a Test

Overheating protection mode: If the operating temperature of the VC-310 is too high after several full-power
ashes, the ash will enter the overheating protection mode. The thermal warning indicator [TP-HI] will appear
on the LCD, and you should let the ash cool down for a period of 2–5 minutes.

LED preview and focusing: There are three LEDs built into the ash head that can be used as a preview
light, to illuminate the subject for reference, or as an autofocus assist light, to help the camera focus when the
scene is too dim.

Using the LEDs as a preview light:

VC-310SMI and VC-310OP: Press the power button while the ash is on. To turn the preview light off, press

the power button again.

VC-310F: Press the F2 function button to turn the preview light on and off.

The LEDs will function as an autofocus assist light whenever you press the camera’s shutter release halfway.

Modeling ash: The modeling ash res a burst of several ashes to show you where unwanted shadows
occur in your setup. Press and hold the Test button for more than two seconds.

Default setting: You can restore the ash to its original settings.

Turning On the Flash and Firing a Test | 13

To reset the VC-310SMI to its original settings, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the ash is off.

2. Press and hold the Test and Power buttons for 3 seconds, then release.

To reset the VC-310OP to its original settings, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the ash is off.

2. Press and hold the Test and Power buttons until the ash turns on, then release.

To reset the VC-310F to its original settings, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the ash is on.

2. Press and hold the Mode and Right buttons for 3 seconds, then release.

Extended Interface

Micro-B USB: This ash supports rmware upgrades through the micro USB port on the side of the ash. In
order to ensure compatibility with future cameras, the VC-310’s rmware may be updated. This can be done to
ensure proper communication with new cameras or to add new features. Visit www.boltashes.com/rmware
to check if a new rmware version has been released. Follow the online instructions to upgrade.

14 | Extended Interface

Automatic TTL Flash Mode

When the VC-310 is mounted on a compatible TTL camera, it can set the appropriate ash level automatically,
in conjunction with the camera’s through-the-lens (TTL) metering system.

To use the automatic TTL ash mode, mount the ash on the camera and follow these steps:

1. Turn the ash on and press the Mode button repeatedly to cycle through the ash modes until the TTL

2. Make sure your camera is set to a programmed or automatic mode, or on a priority mode such as

1

TTL

2
3

mode indicator appears on the LCD.

aperture priority.

+0 7EV

IS0100

F5 6

4

Overview

1. TTL ash mode

2. Flash exposure compensation

3. ISO value

4. Aperture value

Automatic TTL Flash Mode | 15

3. Press the shutter release button on your camera halfway to ensure that the camera is communicating
with the ash. The camera’s aperture settings will appear on the ash LCD, and a ash icon will appear in
the camera’s viewnder.

4. Press your camera’s shutter release button to take the picture.

Using Flash Exposure Compensation

Flash exposure compensation allows you to adjust and optimize your ash’s automated setting by increasing
or decreasing its light output without affecting the exposure as a whole.

In automatic TTL mode, you can use ash exposure compensation to incrementally alter the VC-310’s ash
output, just as you would change exposure with the exposure compensation function on your camera.

To apply ash exposure compensation, follow these steps:

1. VC-310F and VC-310OP: Press the Set button so that the ash exposure compensation value is
highlighted and appears on the LCD.
VC-310SMI: Press the Set button so that the ash exposure compensation value blinks.

2. Use the left or right arrows to adjust the exposure compensation from -3 to +3 stops, in increments of
one-third.

3. Press the Set button to conrm the value.

16 | Using Flash Exposure Compensation

Manual Flash Mode

1

M

2

You can set the VC-310’s ash output level manually, for greater creative control over your images. The 1/1
setting is the full-power ash, and each successive setting halves the light output, all the way down to 1/128.
You can also ne-tune the ash output in 1/3 increments.

To use the manual mode, turn the ash and camera on and follow these steps:

1. Press the Mode button repeatedly to cycle through the ash modes until the manual mode icon [M] and
the ash output level appear on the LCD.

2. Set the exposure settings you want to use on your camera.

3. VC-310F and VC-310OP: Press the Set button to highlight the ash output level.
VC-310SMI: Press the Set button so that the ash output level blinks.

1/128 +0 3 EV

IS0100

F5 6

Overview

1. Manual ash mode

2. Manual ash output power

Manual Flash Mode | 17

4. Press the right or left arrows to increase or decrease to the desired ash output level.

5. Press the Set button to conrm.

6. Press your camera’s shutter release button to take the picture.

7. Adjust your camera’s exposure settings and the ash’s light output level as needed.

When adjusting exposure settings on your camera, the highest shutter speed available will be your camera’s
ash sync speed.

Tip: For best results when shooting in manual ash mode, use a handheld light meter.

Diffusing the Flash

Use the included diffuser to soften the light from the ash.

To attach the diffuser, t the diffuser onto the ash head and make sure it is secure.

18 | Diffusing the Flash

Bouncing Your Flash

The VC-310 ash head can tilt down to -7° and up at 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90° angles to the lens. It can also
swivel horizontally 90° to the right and 60° to the left.

Using ash to directly illuminate a subject often creates harsh, unnatural, and unattractive shadows. The
ash can be tilted or swiveled, allowing you to aim your ash at a large white or neutral-colored surface,
such as a ceiling, wall, or reector. The light will bounce off the larger surface before striking your subject to
provide softer, more natural illumination. In addition, the ash can tilt down by seven degrees in order to fully
illuminate your subject when shooting close-up photography.

When bouncing your ash, you may need to adjust your exposure settings, since there will be less light falling
on your subject. The farther away the bounce surface and your subject are, the less illumination there will be.

Tip: Bouncing your ash off colored surfaces can create a color cast in your images. Bouncing off a white or
neutral-colored surface will not alter the color of the light, while bouncing off a gold-toned surface can give
portraits a warmer look. Other colors, while usually not desirable, can be used for creative effects.

Bouncing Your Flash | 19

Stroboscopic Mode (VC-310SMI and VC-310OP models only)

• Multi ash mode

• Multi power output

• Time (number of ashes)

• Flash frequency

The stroboscopic mode res the ash multiple times in quick succession during a single exposure.
Stroboscopic lighting is often used to illustrate motion—this can create a unique effect in which moving
objects appear multiple times in the frame. It is also useful when capturing fast-moving objects due to the
ash pulsating faster than the shutter can open and close.

Important! For the VC-310SMI model, this mode is labeled as Multi. For the VC-310OP model, this mode is
labeled as RPT.

To enable the stroboscopic mode, turn on the ash and camera and follow these steps:

1. Press the Mode button repeatedly until the stroboscopic mode appears on the LCD.

20 |Stroboscopic Mode

1

MULTI

2
3

1/128

IS0100

TIME

5T−7Hz

4

F5 6

Hz

Overview

1. Stroboscopic ash indicator

2. Stroboscopic output power

3. Time (number of ashes)

4. Flash frequency

2. Press the Set button to highlight the ash output power level, and adjust with the right and left arrows.

3. Press the Set button to conrm.

4. Press the F1 function button to change the Time. This will set the number of ashes that re per
exposure. Use the right and left arrows to adjust the amount.

5. Press the Set button to conrm.

6. Press the F2 function button [Hz] to change the frequency, or the number of ashes per second. Use the
right and left arrows to adjust.

7. To conrm your settings, press the Set button.

8. Set your camera’s shutter speed to one second or slower.

9. Press the shutter button to re a test shot. The ash will re several bursts of light.

Tip: To calculate the appropriate shutter speed, divide the number of ashes per frame by the frequency.

For example, if the number of ashes per frame is 10, and the frequency of the
ash is 5 Hz, then the shutter speed should be 2 seconds or slower.

10 ashes per frame

5 Hz

Note: See Stroboscopic Reference chart on (page 26) for the maximum number of ashes at various power/

frequency combinations.

Stroboscopic Mode | 21

=2

Manual Optical Slave Modes S1/S2

1

S1

2

Using the manual optical slave feature, the VC-310 can be set to re whenever it detects a light signal from
any ash. This works optically—when the VC-310 “sees” another ash ring, it will instantaneously re
along with it. In order to ensure that the VC-310 res at the correct time, there are two different slave modes
available: S1 and S2.

In S1 Mode, the slave will re on the rst or any burst of light. Use this mode when the master is set
to manual.

In S2 mode, the slave will ignore any pre-ash and will re on the second burst of light.

Note: Pre-ash is used to help the camera meter or focus.

22 | Manual Optical Slave Modes S1/S2

1/128

+0 3 EV

Overview

1. S1/S2 indicator

2. Power output

3. Slave mode

To set the VC-310 to manual optical slave mode S1/S2, follow these steps:

1. Press the Mode button repeatedly until the S1 or S2 indicator appears on the LCD.

2. VC-310F and VC-310OP: Press the Set button to highlight the output level.
VC-310SMI: Press the Set button so that the output level blinks.

3. Use the left and right arrows to adjust the output level from 1/1 to 1/128.

4. Press the Set button to conrm your settings.

Warning: Some cameras, when set to red-eye reduction, will emit a series of quick ashes lasting a second or
more. This may not work properly with any slave mode. We suggest you avoid using red-eye reduction when
the VC-310 acts as a slave.

Manual Optical Slave Modes S1/S2 | 23

Positioning the Slave and Remote Flash Units

You can create various professional lighting setups by
positioning slave units individually or in groups to function as
main, ll, accent, and other lights. Metering your scene with
a handheld light meter and setting your light ratios to achieve
specic looks will give you a professional level of
creative control.

When positioning wireless slaves to light a subject, keep
in mind the following:

• The effective communication range between master and
slave ash units is approximately 33 feet (10 m) for outdoor
use, and up to 49 feet (15 m) when using the ash indoors.
These ranges may vary, depending on the ambient light for
the optical communication.

• The ash head should not be aimed directly into the
camera lens.

24 | Positioning the Slave and Remote Flash Units

16–23

33

′

′

• The wireless optical TTL sensor is located on the front of the VC-310. Make sure that the sensor is facing
the master ash and that there are no obstructions between the two units.

• When photographing outdoors or in bright ambient light, the optical sensors may be overwhelmed by
ambient light, which will lower their sensitivity.

• To avoid creating interference between ash units, using more than three in a single group is
not recommended.

Positioning the Slave and Remote Flash Units | 25

Stroboscopic Reference

This chart shows the maximum number of ashes possible for any given frequency/ash output combination.

Flash Output/Hz

1 3 14 30 60 90 90

2 3 14 30 60 90 90

3 3 12 30 60 90 90

4 3 10 20 50 80 80

5 3 8 20 40 70 70

6 3 6 20 32 56 56

7 3 6 20 28 44 44

8 3 5 10 24 36 36

9 3 5 10 22 32 32

10 2 4 8 20 28 28

20–100 2 4 8 12 24 24

26 | Stroboscopic Reference

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

Specications

Type On-camera and wireless TTL automatic and manual ash

VC-310F: Fujilm models with support for Fujilm TTL ash systems

Compatible cameras

Guide number (at 50 mm focal length, ISO 100) GN 32

Flash recycle time Approx. 5 seconds (AA NiMH)

Manual mode power output 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/128, ne-tuning in increments of 1/3

Wireless transmission range Optical up to 33' (10 m) outdoor and 49' (15 m) indoor.

Power source 2 AA lithium, NiMH, or alkaline batteries

Tilt positions -7°, 0°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90°

Swivel range Right 0°–90°, Left 0°–60°

Dimensions (H × W × D) 4.47" × 2.53" × 1.38" (11.4 × 6.4 × 3.5 cm)

Weight 5.29 oz. (150 g) without batteries

VC-310OP: Panasonic and Olympus models with support for Panasonic and Olympus
TTL ash systems

VC-310SMI: Sony models with support for P-TTL ash systems

Specications | 27

Troubleshooting

Problem Solution

The ash is stuck in the camera
hot shoe.

The ash is turned on but
won’t re.

Make sure that the locking wheel is released (page 11).

• Make sure that fresh batteries are installed and in the proper
orientation (page 10).

• Make sure the ash is securely attached to the camera (page 11).

• Make sure that the electrical contacts on the foot of the ash are not
dirty. Clean them and try again.

• The ash has entered overheating protection mode. Turn the unit off
for 2–5 minutes to let it cool down (page 13).

There’s a whining sound coming
from the ash.

28 | Troubleshooting

This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction. When the ash
heats up from continuous use, vibrations inside the unit may cause this
sound. It will dissipate as the unit cools.

Problem Solution

The ash is set up as a wireless
slave, but the light is not
noticeable in the picture.

The edges of the images
look dark.

The bottoms of the images
look dark.

• Make sure that the master ash is within the transmission range,
and that the wireless sensor on the slave is pointing toward the
master ash. Remove any obstructions in the line of sight between
the two (page 24).

• The ambient light may be too high (page 24).

Make sure that the ash output power setting corresponds to the focal
length of your lens.

Your camera’s shutter speed is higher than the ash’s maximum sync
speed in manual mode.

Troubleshooting | 29

FCC Compliance

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.

2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.

30 | FCC Compliance

One-Year Limited Warranty

This BOLT product is warranted to the original purchaser to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal
consumer use for a period of one (1) year from the original purchase date or thirty (30) days after replacement, whichever occurs
later. The warranty provider’s responsibility with respect to this limited warranty shall be limited solely to repair or replacement, at the
provider’s discretion, of any product that fails during normal use of this product in its intended manner and in its intended environment.
Inoperability of the product or part(s) shall be determined by the warranty provider. If the product has been discontinued, the warranty
provider reserves the right to replace it with a model of equivalent quality and function.
This warranty does not cover damage or defect caused by misuse, neglect, accident, alteration, abuse, improper installation
or maintenance. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, THE WARRANTY PROVIDER MAKES NEITHER ANY EXPRESS WARRANTIES NOR
ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. This warranty provides you with specic legal rights, and you may also have additional rights that vary from
state to state.
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.
For more information or to arrange service, visit www.boltashes.com or call Customer Service at 212-594-2353.

Product warranty provided by the Gradus Group.

BOLT is a registered trademark of the Gradus Group. © 2016 Gradus Group LLC. All Rights Reserved.

www.gradusgroup.com

Limited Warranty | 31

www.boltashes.com

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