Quantum FREEXWIRE FW7Q, FREEXWIRE FW8R, FREEXWIRE FW9T User Manual

model FW7Q, FW8R

Digital Receivers

model FW9T

Digital Transmitter

Digital Wireless TTL Flash and Camera Trigger

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

★ DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN THE USA ★

Patent Pending

3

Contents

Section . . . . . . .Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Page

1.0 . . . . . . . . . . .Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

2.0 . . . . . . . . . . .Channel Code and Zone set-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

3.0 . . . . . . . . . . .Wireless Flash setup -- with or without on-camera Flash . . . . . . . . . .7

4.0 . . . . . . . . . . .Wireless Shutter Release (motor drive) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

5.0 . . . . . . . . . . .Mounting

FREEXWIRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

6.0 . . . . . . . . . . .Changing Qflash settings via Wireless Remote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

7.0 . . . . . . . . . . .Wireless QTTL

®

control for Digital Cameras

. . . . . . . . . . . . .& pre-flash Film Cameras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

8.0 . . . . . . . . . . .Wireless TTL control for Film Cameras (non pre-flash) . . . . . . . . . . .14

9.0 . . . . . . . . . . .Wireless Auto mode for any Qflash without TTL Adapter . . . . . . . . .15

10.0 . . . . . . . . . .Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

11.0 . . . . . . . . . .

FREEXWIRE Performance Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Appendix A . . . .Sync-in connections- camera to Transmitter FW9T . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Appendix B . . . .Sync-out connections- Receiver FW8R to flash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Appendix C . . . .Shutter Release (motor drive) cords- Receiver FW8R to camera . . .21

Appendix D . . . .QTTL

®

& TTL Wireless Adapters for Transmitter FW9T . . . . . . . . . .22

Appendix E . . . .Miscellaneous connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Appendix F . . . .Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Customer Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Included with FREE

X

WIRE FW7Q:

Instructions, Hook and Loop mounting pads (cables and batteries not required))

Included with

FREEXWIRE FW8R:

Pole mounting kit, 2x AAAbatteries, Instructions, Hook and Loop mounting pads

Included with

FREEXWIRE FW9T:

2x AAAbatteries, Sync-in cord, Hook & Loop mounting pads, Instructions

Included with

FREEXWIRE FW89 (set of Receiver and Transmitter):

FW8R, FW9T, and all accessories included with those models above

All specifications and features are subject to change, updating, and improvements.

Glossary
Qflash 2 series refers to models QFT2, QFT2d, QFX2, QFX2d
Qflash 4 series refers to models QFT4d, QFX4d
Qflash 5 series refers to models QFT5d, QFX5d
Receiver FW7Q

FREEXWIRE Receiver dedicated for Qflash

series 4 and 5.

Receiver FW8R

FREEXWIRE Receiver for any flash or remote

shutter release.

Transmitter FW9T

FREEXWIRE Transmitter

Transceiver FW10

FREEXWIRE Transceiver

(can be set as transmitter or receiver).

Transceiver FW10w Upgraded FW10 incorporating the features of

Section 7.0.

Unimod FW11 Hot shoe adapter with additional sync inputs-

used with QF series TTL adapters

Hot Shoe Adapter FW12

FREEXWIRE hot shoe adapter to mount

FW9T or FW10 on camera shoe

Zones 1, 2, 3, and 4 wireless links that can be turned on or off to

change lighting and camera activation

Channels 0 thru 7 independent channels for separate

FREEXWIRE

setups operating in the same area

Local, or on-camera flash a flash close to the camera and connected

with a sync cord

Remote flash a flash at a distance from the camera and

wirelessly synchronized

1.0 Introduction

We introduce the newest additions to the FREEXWIRE system: Receivers FW8R,
FW7Q and Transmitter FW9T. Transmitter FW9T emits higher power for extended

range. Receiver FW8R has extra sensitivity and simplified operation. FW7Q is ded­icated to, and designed for any Qflash 4 or 5 series flash. FW7Q, FW8R and FW9T
are fully compatible with all other FREEXWIRE system components. Transceiver

FW10 may be upgraded for additional features of Section 7.0.
Wireless Sync, Wireless Shutter - Working with all popular flashes and cameras,

FREEXWIREs provide wireless sync for remote flash and/or wireless shutter control
for remote camera operation.

Wireless TTL flash control:FW8R, FW7Q and FW9T, in conjunction with Dw series
Adapters and Qflash 5d flashes, provide wireless “QTTL” flash control from digital
and film cameras. This wireless QTTL feature also transmits the “pre-flash” signal
utilized by many digital and film cameras to determine exposure values. Qflash 4
series (QFT4d, QFX4d) can be upgraded to Qflash 5 series via software update.

FREEXWIRE controls four independent Zones for wireless flash or wireless shutter
release. You can activate any one Zone, or any combination of Zones 1,2,3 and 4.
Switch your lighting instantly, remotely. Select and trigger flash, cameras, or combi­nations of them, from your remote position.

FREEXWIRE also has eight unique Channel Codes. FREEXWIRE units set to one
Channel cannot activate FREEXWIRE’s set to different Channels. You control the
Channel Code to make FREEXWIRE units work together or independently, as
required.

FREEXWIRE is very small
and light and mounts
easily to cameras, brack­ets, poles, and tripod legs.
Sync and Shutter Release
(motor drive) Cords are
available for popular cam­eras and flashes. You can
mount Transmitter FW9T
directly on a camera’s hot
shoe using optional
UniMod FW11 or Hot Shoe
Adapter FW12.

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5

2.0 Channel Code and Zone set-up

2.1 Setting the Channel Code and Zones

The Channel Codes allow FREEXWIREs to work together. Set all units that you
want to work together to the same Channel Code. If you desire independent groups
of FREEXWIREs (to work in the same area but not interfere), assign each group of
FREEXWIREs its own Channel.

The Channel dial is located on the left side of FW8R and FW9T, and on the front of
FW7Q. Rotate the dial to the desired Code, 0 through 7. To rotate, press the pad of
your thumb on the dial and turn. Or, use a small screwdriver. Channels can be
matched by number or by the position of the cutout in the Channel dial.

Install AAAbatteries (not required for FW7Q).

TEST

FW8R SYNC OUT
FW9T SYNC IN

ON/OFF

ANTENNA

EXTERNAL

POWER

STATUS

LIGHT

STATUS
LIGHT

LOCK

CHANNEL CODE 0-7

CHANNEL
CODE

LOCK

UNLOCK

FW11 or FW12

UNLOCK

FW9T - TTL ON/OFF
FW8R - RANGE HI/NORM

PC SYNC OUT

SHUTTER
RELEASE - MD

FW7Q

FW7Q

FW8R FW9T

FW8R, FW9T

Activate at least one Zone on both FW8R and FW9T by

sliding Zone switches 1, 2, 3, and/or 4 up, towards the “+”
symbol. Any FW8R and FW9TZones that match will acti­vate FW8R units each time the FW9T unit transmits.
There are many possible combinations and you can
change them as you work. To deactivate a Zone slide its
switch down towards the “-“ symbol.

The FREEXWIRE FW7Q has no Zone Switch. When used
with a Qflash 4 series, FW7Q will activate for any Zone 1,
2, 3, or 4, on the matching Channel. However, Qflash 5
series can set the Zone of FW7Q through its control panel.
(Note: Qflash 4 series can be upgraded to Qflash 5 series.
Please contact the Service Department at www.qtm.com).

To set the Zone on a Qflash 5 series, press the Option
button three times. The Zone Code settings should display
on Qflash screen. Use the Set button select a Zone, then
press the Up ▲ and Down ▼ buttons to turn the selected
Zone on or off.

2.2 Turn on the units

Slide the power switch to ON. The status light of FW9T blinks red, slowly. FW8R
units blink green, slowly. Low batteries are indicated by 3 quick b linksevery few sec-
onds. Qflash 4 and 5 series power Receiver FW7Q which requires no batteries. The
green LED indicator on the FW7Q blinks once per second when Qflash is powered.

Open the antennas so that they are approximately vertical. See Section 5.0,
Mounting FREEXWIRE.

Press TEST on the Transmitter FW9T to confirm that all units are working. STATUS
should light steadily on all FREEXWIRE Receivers for as long as you hold TEST
(assuming correct Channel and Zone settings.)

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7

3.0 Wireless Flash set-up ­with or without On Camera Flash

3.1 Transmitter FW9T

Connect the included (or other) sync-in
cord from your camera PC nipple to FW9T
Sync-In. Or use the optional FW11 or
FW12 to connect FREEXWIRE to your
camera’s hot shoe. (See Appendix A for
other sync-in options.)

If you want to sync an on-camera flash (in
addition to a wireless one) connect the
flash manufacturer’s PC sync cord to the
Sync-Out PC nipple on Transmitter FW9T,
and set the Local switch to (+). To turn off
the local flash, switch to (-).

If Qflash is the on-camera flash, connect
FW31 from Qflash to the FW9T bottom
socket (or FW11 DIN socket if used).
Then, Qflash can power the FW9T by set­ting the power switch to EXT , and batteries
are not needed.

3.2 Receiver FW8R

Connect the PC sync cord supplied by
your flash’s manufacturer to the Sync-Out
PC nipple or mini phone socket on the
FW8R. (See Appendix B for other sync­out options.)

Generally set the RANGE switch to
NORM. Only if you require greater range,
set RANGE to HI. (See Section 11.0 for
range distances). However, whenever

using any FREEXWIRE for wireless
TTL, always use NORM range.

FW9T

FW9T

FW8R

FW8R

LOCAL FLASH

OPTIONAL

SYNC-OUT or

FW31 CABLE

SYNC-OUT

CABLE

SYNC-IN CABLE

PC

PC

8

9

5.0 Mounting FREEXWIRE

FREEXWIRE units mount by several means:

5.1 Pole Mount Adapter 513: This item is included

with your Receiver FW8R. Attach it to the back of
FREEXWIRE and clamp it around any pole, leg, or struc­ture where the antenna can be opened away from metal
objects.

5.2 Mounting directly to a bracket: Use the
#8/32 screw included with FREEXWIRE to
secure it through a hole in a bracket. Any other

screw used must protrude not more than 3/4”
(2 cm) into the FREEXWIRE case, or you will
damage FREEXWIRE!

When mounting the FW12 or FW11 to a Dead
Shoe (model 512) it will be necessary to con­nect a sync-in cable for FW9T units, or sync-out
cable for FW8R units. See Appendices Aand B.

513

4.0 Wireless Shutter Release (motor drive)

4.1 Receiver FW8R:

Connect a Shutter Release Cord (see Appendix C) from the Receiver FW8R MD
connection to the camera shutter release connection.

4.2 Transmitter FW9T:

Press TEST and hold (up to 1 second ) to release the shutter. Test the camera -­some require time to wake-up and to auto focus before they release the shutter.

4.3 Shutter MD Delay on FW8R:

Many cameras have two step shutter buttons: Pressing part way turns on the meter
and auto focusing, and pressing all the way releases the shutter. Some of these

3.3 Wireless Qflash with Receiver FW7Q

This receiver is dedicated to Qflash series 4 and 5
and mounts directly onto the flash. Please see
Section 5.0 for proper mounting. FW7Q will be set
to NORM range when connected to a Qflash 4d.
When connected to Qflash 5d, range can be set to
HI or NORM, however, only NORM can be used for
wireless TTL (Sections 7 and 8). See Section 11 for
range specifications.

cameras require a delay between the meter/focus function and shutter release (for
example, Contax 645). Select Shutter MD Delay for those cameras by sliding MD
DELAYswitch to (+). Without Shutter MD Delay, the camera focus, meter, and shut­ter will be activated together (and the camera will shoot as soon as it can). The
Shutter MD Delay requires a two step Shutter Release Cord listed in Appendix C.
Shutter Release Cords will be added periodically; please consult your dealer or the
Quantum Web Site (qtm.com) for the latest models available.

4.4 Remote shutter operation is not possible with FW7Q.

FW7Q

FW8R

FW8R/FW9T

SHUTTER
RELEASE

CORD

FW11
or FW12

BRACKET

OPTIONAL
DEAD SHOE
512