Quantum 860330, 860310, 860320, 860300 User manual

Qflash® Trio QF8

Shoe Mount Digital Flash

Operating Instructions

Quantum Instruments

Designed and manufactured in the USA

Flash Indicator

Reflector Locking Ring

USB

Reflector

Auto Sensor

Flash Tube

Power Cable Input

Auto Focus Assist Light

Shoe lock wheel

Release Button

Flash Indicator

Reflector

Reflector Locking Ring

The top portion of the display contains information relating to the status of the internal radio, and the options that are set on the flash.

See Section 8 for setting the radio and Section 9 for setting the options.

Note : in some modes the radio mode will be set automatically.

1234 – Zones that are turned on. If a zone is off it will be replaced by a “-“.

Tx – Radio set as Transmitter for SYNC / LINK / QTTL

Rx – Radio set as Receiver

CH – Channel setting of internal radio, 0 through 7.

Flash Display Symbols

Flash compensation set

CH 4 TX 12-4 N

FIRE OPT SAVE RADIO

MODE

Reflector type N – normal D – diffusor wide angle dome soft box B – bare bulb reflector or bare bulb

Speaker on

SET

Flash LED indicators on

Flash ready

Section

1. Introduction

2. Warnings

3. Advanced Features Summary

4. Getting started

5. Basic Navigation

6. Basic Options

7. Choosing the right mode

8. Radio set up

9. Options

10. Q QTTL Mode

11. A Automatic Mode

12. AF Auto Fill Mode

13. QR QTTL Ratio Mode

14. M Manual Mode

15. RL Remote – Linked to local Qflash Mode

16. RA Remote Auto Wireless Mode

17. RG Remote Group mode

18. AM Advanced Multi Mode

19. PRGM Program mode

20. Updating the Trio

21. Customer service

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

Quantum’s “Trio” series flash integrates camera dedication, Qflash quality light, and Quantum’s FreeXWire radio technology. A Trio mounted in a camera hot shoe wirelessly controls remote Trios in multiple modes.

And, many features of the Trio will enhance your lighting control when used with Qflash 5d-R and FreeXWire FW7Q, FW8R, FW9T, and FW10w.

While powerful and extremely versatile, the operation of the Trio is intuitive and straightforward. Many of the wireless modes will set the Radio to Transmit (Tx) or Receive (Rx) automatically. We encourage you to start pushing buttons and explore the operation of the Trio.

Older Qflash models will work with some of the Trio modes and can also be upgraded to increase their compatibility with the new Trio. Visit www.qtm.com to download instructions for using older model Qflashes with the new Trio and information about upgrades.

Note : Trio models are dedicated to only one brand of camera. Example, QF8N for Nikon, QF8C for Canon. Use only the Trio model for your camera brand.

WARNING : TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT OPEN THE QFLASH. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the Qflash’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to the person.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of importan operating instructions accompanying the Qflash.

DISCONNECT EXTERNAL POWER BEFORE CHANGING THE FLASH TUBE, CONNECTING OR DISCONNECTING TO/FROM CAMERAS, POWER PACKS, OR ANY OTHER EQUIPMENT.

OPERATE ONLY WITH A FLASH TUBE IN THE SOCKET

DO NOT TOUCH THE FLASH TUBE SOCKET WITH METAL OBJECTS

THIS IS A PROFESSIONAL INSTRUMENT. KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN

TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE QFLASH TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

2. WARNINGS

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC

SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN.

The chart below summarizes the advanced features for various Qflash series. A “U” means the Qflash model will have this feature when upgraded to series 5d-R. An “F” means this feature is available in the model shown. An “N” means the feature is not available. Visit qtm.com for upgrade procedures and costs.

Feature QF4d QF5d QF5d-R Trio

Wireless Control in Nikon/Canon systems with Qnexus Wireless multiple ratio TTL ( Qf5d-R requires Dw-R Adapters & FreeXWire) Wireless preflash TTL ( Qf5d-R requires Dw-R Adapters & FreeXWire) Wireless remote Auto / Auto Fill mode Zone control of FW7Q from panel of Qflash Flash ready indication in camera viewfinder (camera detects flash and sets shutter) Shutter speed control F F F F Rear Curtain Sync F F F F High speed sync N N N F Auto focus assist F F F F Auto Fill ratio F F F F Flash exposure lock N N N F

3. Advanced Features Summary

U U F N

U U F F

U F F F

F F F F

4. Getting Started

4.1 Restoring Factory settings

You can restore the factory settings by the following method:

1. Turn Turbo OFF, connect Trio to Turbo.

2. Press and hold any button on the Trio.

3. Turn Turbo ON.

4. The Qflash will display a reset message and some soft key options See section 9.1 for display of reset message.

RESET ALL - will restore all KEEP P1 P8 - will keep your stored Program modes, but reset

everything else to factory settings. EXIT – will exit the reset menu without changes

the factory settings.

4.2 Inserting the Flash Tube

Match the red dot on the base of the flash tube with the red dot in the socket of Qflash. Push the flash tube in until it is seated snugly into the socket. Excessive force is not required.

Replace the flash tube only with Quantum type QF30 or QF30uv for Qflash model T5d / T5d-R. Other flash tubes will not provide proper exposure, may not work at all, or they may damage the Qflash.

4.3 Reflectors and Bare Bulb

Reflectors are secured by the locking ring near the base of the reflector. Rotate the ring in the directions shown in the diagram to loosen or tighten the reflectors.

When inserting a reflector, first slowly rotate it until the notch in the reflector “drops” fully into head of the Qflash. Then tighten the locking ring. If you do not let the reflector drop fully into the Qflash before locking it, the reflector may become loose during use.

The “normal” QF60 reflector is supplied with Trio. Other light modifiers are available as options from your dealer.

Reflector / modifiers

Normal QF60 55 150ft / 49m QF60 w/flat diffuser 90 100ft / 30m QF67A Dome diffuser 120 80ft / 26m QF62Bs/g Bare Bulb Reflector QF63B Tele Reflector 20 322ft / 98m QF 68 Soft Box QF69 Mini Soft Box

4.4 Bounce and Swivel Head

The head position is locked and can be changed with a single button (see diagram). Press and hold this button, then adjust the head to the desired position. Release the button, and slightly move the head until it “clicks” and locks the head into the vertical and horizontal planes.

Approx. Angle

180 62ft / 27m

170 62ft / 27m

Guide No. for ISO 200

RELEASE BUTTON

Tighten Reflector Locking Ring

4.5 Connecting Trio to a Camera

Loosen Shoe lock until metal “foot” protrudes fully.

Slide Trio into camera hot shoe.

Tighten shoe lock wheel

4.6 Powering the Trio

Before turning on any power to Trio always make all electrical connections first, both to the camera and to the power pack.

The Trio is powered by any Quantum Turbo Battery including Turbo, Turbo 2x2, Turbo Compact, Turbo SC, Turbo AC and Turbo Z.

Plug the Trio power cable into the flash, then into the output connection of the power pack.

If a “Check Turbo” message appears on the Trio display, turn off the Turbo, wait one second, and turn it on again. If the message appears again, the power pack needs recharging.

For consistent exposures with your digital camera and Trio.

● Always do a custom white balance before shooting

● When shooting TTL use Aperture or Shutter priority or

Manual camera modes (P mode gives inconsistent exposures)

● Set your metering area to center weight, partial metering instead of matrix or multi-spot metering.

Very Important Tips

This Section explains how to maneuver your way around the Trio

The Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons have two functions.

1. When a selection or setting is highlighted on the display the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons will change that selection or setting. Fo example if the F/number is highlighted then the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons will adjust the F/number down or up.

2. If there is nothing highlighted on the display the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons will change the function of the soft keys located under the display.

The Mode button allows you to change the mode of the Trio. Pushing it will bring up the mode change menu.

See Section 7 Choosing the right mode

MODE /OK

5. Basic Navigation

SET

The Set button will highlight the settings on the display. Each time you press the Set button it will cycle through the available settings.

There are four soft keys located at the bottom o the display. These sof keys will change function based on flash mode or user operation.

(

)

(

)

(

)

(

)

There are four soft keys located under the display. The function of these soft keys will change based on user operation.

To change the function of the soft keys use the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons when no selection or setting is highlighted on the display. The soft keys assignment will change to the next available one. Note that not all soft key assignments are available for all modes

6.1 Default assignment

This is available for all Trio modes

FIRE – Test fire the Trio, and any remotes if the radio is turned on

OPT – Enter the options screen to change, speaker, indicator lights, reflector, etc. See section 9.0

SAVE – Save this set up as one of the eight programs in PRGM MODE (Program Mode). See section 19.0

RADIO – Enter radio set up menu to select radio mode (OFF, SYNC, LINKED/QTTL, Rx), change zones and channels See section 8.0

6.2 Sensor Limit assignment

This is available for any Trio mode where exposure is controlled by the sensor located on the front of the flash. See section 11.5 for details on using the Sensor Limit

6.3 Radio Zones assignment

This is available when the radio is turned on and for all modes except for QTTL Ratio (QR) and Advanced Multi (AM) modes. In QTTL Ratio (QR) and Advanced Multi (AM) modes all zones default to ON.

See section 8.1 on using zones.

6.3 Quick turn off assignment

Available for QTTL Ratio (QR) and Advanced Multi (AM) modes only.

6. Soft keys

FIRE OPT SAVE RADIO

DEFAULT

5 10 15 –20

SENSOR LIMIT

1 ON 2 ON 3 OFF 4 OFF

RADIO ZONES

LOCAL R1 R2 ON OFF

QUICK TURN OFF

To select a mode, press the MODE/OK button. The available modes will appear across the top of the display, with the current mode highlighted. The full name of the current mode will also appear in the center of the display. Use the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ arrow buttons to Highlight the mode you want. Then press the MODE/OK or SET buttons to select the mode and exit.

There are two soft keys in this menu, OFF and PRGM MODE

OFF – This will prevent the flash from firing. Use this if you want to turn off the light from the on-camera flash, but still want any remotes you are using to fire when the shutter is pressed.

PRGM MODE - Pressing this button will bring you into the program mode. In the program mode you can store up to eight of your favorite settings. You can easily jump between any of these eight settings for quick lighting set ups.

On- or Off-camera ?

While the Trio can be used on- or off-camera, some modes are strictly on- or off-camera modes, and other modes can be either.

On-camera modes : QTTL, Auto Fill, QTTL Ratio, Advanced Multi

Off-camera modes : Remote Auto, Remote Groups 1 and 2, Remote Linked to Local Qflash

Either on- & off-camera modes: Manual, Auto

The following pages contain a description of each mode and its operation. This will aid you in choosing the mode that is best for the desired lighting .

7. Choosing the right mode

Q A AF QR M RL RA RG AM

QTTL

PRGM OFF MODE

MODE

SET

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