F tested to comply with FCC standards
IMPORTANT – CAUTION
Changes or modifications to this equipment could void your authority to
use this product under the equipment authorization granted by the
regulating agencies
Quantum Instruments Inc.
10 Commerce Drive, Hauppauge NY 11788-3968 USA
Tel: 1-631-656-7400 Fax: 1-631-656-7410
www.qtm.com
P667web-English
Qflash
®
Pilot QF9
Shoe Mount Wireless Radio
Commander for Qflash 5d-R and
TRIO
Operating Instructions
Quantum Instruments
Designed and manufactured in the USA
CANADA : 3707A-QFPILOT
FCC ID: CEXQFPILOT
Qflash PILOT
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and with
RSS-210 of Industry & Science Canada. Operation is subject
to the following conditions: 1) this device may not cause harmful
interference, and 2) this device must accept any interference
received including that which may cause undesired operation o
f
the device
PILOT Display Symbols
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Getting started
3. Basic Navigation and Options
4. Choosing the right mode
5. Setting up a remote Qflash 5d-R
6. Setting up a Remote TRIO
7. Program mode
8. Updating the PILOT
9. Customer service
1. Introduction
Quantum’s “PILOT” integrates camera dedication, and Quantum’s FreeXWire radio technology
into a single unit.
The PILOT allows the user to control up to three remote flash groups. A flash group may contain
one or more flashes.
The Pilot is compatible with Qflash series TRIO, and Qflash 5d-R, 3d-R with FreeXWire models
FW7Q, FW8R, FW9T, FW10w.
Older Qflash models need to be upgraded to be compatible with the PILOT.
Qflash models T4d and T5d can be upgraded to T5d-R
Qflash models T2 and T2d can be upgraded to T3d-R.
See www.qtm.com for costs for these upgrades.
R1 MAN 1/8
R2 AUTO F5.6
7
R3 AFILL +1
3
P1-P8 SELECT CH. 7
F5.6
7
ISO 200
OPTIONS
TEST
ISO from camera
+
-
F/number from camera
Battery status
Channel of
internal radio
2. Getting Started
2.1 Powering the PILOT
The Pilot can be powered by 4 “AA” batteries, or Quantum Turbo Battery including Turbo, Turbo
2x2, Turbo Compact, Turbo SC, Turbo AC and Turbo Z.
2.1.1 Inserting the “AA” batteries
To access the battery compartment,
unscrew the top housing.
Insert 4 “AA” batteries into the battery
holder located in the lower housing.
Close the top housing .
2.1.2 Using a Quantum Turbo.
The PILOT is powered from a Quantum Turbo using a CQ8 or a CCQ8 cable.
Plug the power cable into the Pilot, then into the output connection of the power pack.
Leave the PILOT on/off switch in the off (0) position. Use the power switch on the Turbo to turn
the PILOT on or off.
2.2 Restoring Factory settings
You can restore the factory settings by the following method:
1. Turn the PILOT off using the on/off switch located on the top housing, or by Turning the Turbo
OFF if you are using the power cable.
2. Press and hold any button
3. Turn the PILOT ON.
4. The PILOT will display a reset message and some soft key options
See section 7 for display of reset message.
RESET ALL - will restore all the factory settings.
KEEP P1 P8 - will keep your stored Program modes, but reset everything else to factory
settings.
EXIT – will exit the reset menu without changes
You can also reset the PILOT in the OPTIONS menu. See Section 7
2.3 Connecting PILOT to a Camera
Loosen Shoe lock until metal “foot” protrudes fully.
Slide PILOT into
camera hot shoe.
Tighten shoe
lock wheel
Very Important Tips
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.
3. Basic Navigation
When a selection or setting is highlighted on the display the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ
buttons will change that selection or setting. For example if the F/number is highlighted
then the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons will adjust the F/number up or down.
The TEST button will fire the remote
flashes. An option allows you to choose
whether the remotes fire all at once, or
sequentially so you can test individual
exposures.
There are four soft keys located unde
r
the display. The soft keys select the
setting that you wish to adjust.
Once the setting to be adjusted is
selected use the Left (-) Å and Right
(+) Æ buttons to change that selection.
See sections 3.1 - 3.4.
The OPTION button will enter the
options menu. See section 7 for
details on which options are
available.
TEST OPTION
+
-
3.1 P1-P8
The Pilot can store up to eight of your favorite settings.
Enter the Program mode by pressing the P1-P8 soft key. See section 8 for details on using the
program mode.
3.2 SELECT
This soft key selects one of the following :
Mode of Remote 1 / Mode of Remote 2 / Mode of Remote 3
After the mode that you want to change has been highlighted, use the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ
buttons to change that mode.
See section 4 for details on choosing the correct mode of the remote flashes
3.3 SELECT
This soft key selects one of the following :
Settings for Remote 1 / Settings for Remote 2 / Settings for Remote 3
After the setting that you want to change has been highlighted, use the Left (-) Å and Right (+)
Æ buttons to change that setting.
Each of the modes for the remotes have a setting that can be adjusted. Below is a description of
each mode plus it’s setting.
Man (Manual) 1/8 +
A remote flash set to Man can have it’s power adjusted from 1/32 to 1/1 in one third steps.
Auto F8.0
3
The F/number of a remote flash in Auto can be adjusted in third steps. The ISO for all remote
flashes will come from the camera.
A.Fill (Auto Fill) +1.0
7
In A.Fill, the F/number for the remote flash comes from the camera. However you can set the
remote flash from –3 stops below to +2 stops above the camera setting.
QTTL -1.0
3
The exposure of the remote flash can be set from –3 stops below to +2 stops above the camera
setting.
Linked +1.0
3
This mode uses the sensor located on the front of the PILOT. The F/number and ISO come from
the camera. However you can set the remote flash from –3 stops below to +2 stops above the
camera setting.
3.4 CH.
This soft key is used to change the Channel of the internal radio. The channel set on the remote
Qflashes, needs to match the channel set on the PILOT.
3.5 Options
Press the OPTIONS button to
enter the options set up menu.
To exit the set up menu press
the OPTIONS button again
Use the LEFT (-) Å or RIGHT
(+) Æ arrows to select the option
you want to change.
The two soft keys located on the right side are used to adjust the option that has been elected.
The RESET soft keys are used to reset the Trio to factory default settings. Press both at the
same time to enter the reset mode.
3.5.1 Resetting to factory defaults
Press the RESET soft key to
bring up the reset menu
The soft keys of the reset menu perform the following functions
RESET ALL - will restore all the factory settings.
KEEP P1 P8 - will keep your stored Program modes, but reset everything else to factory
settings.
EXIT – will exit the reset menu without changes
3.5.2 Display light DL
The back light of the display can be set to one of the following.
AUTO : The back light will come on whenever any button is pressed. This includes the shutter
button of the camera
ON : The back light will be on all the time.
DARK : The back light will come on, and stay on, whenever a darkened room is entered.
TEST
OPTIONS
RESET
RESET
+
-
DL F TS
QFLASH PILOT
VER. QF09xxxx
RESET KEEP
ALL P1 P8 EXIT
TEST OPTIONS
+
-
3.5.3 Sync type F, R, HSS
There are three settings for the sync.
F – Front curtain sync
Flash fires just after the shutter opens.
R – Rear curtain sync
Flash fires just before the shutter closes.
HSS – high speed sync
Canon users – Select HSS if you want to enable High Speed Sync on your camera
Nikon users – High Speed Sync will be automatically selected when your shutter speed is set
above 250
Notes about using High Speed Sync
HSS can be used when the remotes (R1 / R2 / R3) are in Man or QTTL modes. If any of the
remotes are in Auto or Auto Fill mode HSS will be disabled.
HSS is not supported when using a Qflash 5d-R as one of the remotes.
3.5.4 Lock Buttons
Turning this option on will lock out the buttons and prevent any accidental changing of settings.
To unlock the Pilot Press the outer two soft keys when prompted.
3.5.5 Audible Low Battery
The Pilot will sound an audible warning when the battery is low.
3.5.6 Test Sequence TS
With this feature set to Sequence the remotes will fire one group at a time with each press of the
Fire button.
You can use this setting if you want to check the exposures of each of the groups.
4. Choosing the right mode
To select a the mode of a remote flash, press the SELECT button until the mode of the remote
flash you wish to change is highlighted.
Once the mode is highlighted use the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons to change the mode.
Each mode has a unique setting that can be used to control the exposure.
To change the settings of a remote flash, press the SELECT button until the setting of the
remote flash you wish to change is highlighted.
Once the setting is highlighted use the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons to change that setting.
Below is a list of modes, their uses and the setting used in that mode.
4.1 QTTL
QTTL mode uses the exposure system built into the camera. You may offset exposure by 2
stops above or 3 stops below camera setting.
Use this mode if you want the camera to control the exposure of the remote flash.
When two or more remote flashes are set to QTTL it is possible to set up TTL ratios using the
cameras built in exposure metering system.
Canon users please note : Not possible to ratio remote flash exposures unless R1 is set to QTTL
mode.
4.1.1 QTTL mode setting
In QTTL mode you can set the exposure of the remote flash from 3 stops below to 2 stops above
the camera setting.
When there are two or more remote flashes set to QTTL mode, you can use this setting to set up
TTL ratios.
Note: When using this mode, the remote may display either QTTLwR or Linked to Local
Qflash.
4.2 Auto
Light output is controlled by the sensor located on the front of the remote flash. F number is set
by the user. ISO is sent from the camera.
Use this mode if you want to set the F number and use the sensor to control the exposure.
Note : Be mindful of flash location. Auto mode uses light reflected from the subject to control
exposure. If camera and remote flash are located different distances from the subject, exposure
at the position will differ from exposure at the flash position.
4.2.1 Auto mode setting
In Auto mode you can set F number of the remote. The ISO information comes from the camera.
4.3 A.Fill (Auto Fill)
Light output is controlled by the sensor located on the front of the flash. Both F number and ISO
are sent from the camera. User can set the amount of Fill.
The Fill can be set 2 stops above or 3 stops below camera setting.
Use this mode is you want the sensor to control the exposure, and the exposure to be a fixed
amount above or below the camera setting.
4.3.1 A.Fill mode setting
In the Auto Fill (A.Fill) mode you can set the exposure of the remote flash from 3 stops below to 2
stops above the camera setting.
Note : The F number displayed on the remote flash will be the result of the Cameras F number
and the A.Fill setting. For example, if the camera is set to F8.0 and the A.Fill setting is –1, the
remote flash will display F5.6.
4.4 Man (Manual)
Light output is controlled by fixed power output of flash.
Use this mode if you want the most accurate and repeatable exposures possible.
4.4.1 Man mode setting
In Manual mode the power can be adjusted from 1/64 to 1/1 in third stop increments.
4.5 LINK
Light output is controlled by the sensor located on the Pilot. The F number and ISO information
comes from the camera.
This mode provides the accuracy of the Auto setting while eliminating the need to worry about
flash placement. No matter where the flash is placed the sensor located on the Pilot will ensure
that the correct exposure reaches the camera.
4.5.1 LINK mode setting
You can set the light output 3 stops below or 2 stops above the camera setting.
Note : There is only one LINK setting possible. If you have two or more remote flashes in LINK
mode they will share the same LINK setting.
4.6 OFF
Prevent the remote flash from firing.
5. Setting up a remote 5D-R
Qflash model 5d-R requires a Free X Wire receiver model FW7Q or FW8R.
If you are using an FW8R then you will also need an FW31 cable to connect the FW8R to the
Qflash.
Step 1
After connecting the Free X Wire to the Qflash. Connect the Qflash to a Turbo, Turbo SC, or
Turbo 2x2 and turn the power on.
Step 2
Set the channel on the Free X Wire to the channel you will be using on the Pilot.
Turn all four zones on.
Step 3
Change the mode of the Qflash to Wireless Group 1 or Wireless Group 2. Note : Qflash 5d-R
does not support R3.
You may set up many flashes within a group. All flashes within a group will be set identically
from the Pilot.
There is no limit to the number of flashes for a group.
Step 4
Once you are done setting up the remotes, turn on the Pilot.
The Pilot will send mode and setting information to the remote flashes.
Note :
HSS is not supported when using a Qflash 5d-R as one of the remotes. Make sure that this
option is turned OFF.
6. Setting up a remote TRIO
Step 1
Connect the TRIO to a Turbo, Turbo SC, or Turbo 2x2 and turn the power on.
Step 2
Set the channel on the Free X Wire to the channel you will be using on the Pilot.
Step 3
Change the mode of the Qflash to Remote Group 1, Remote Group 2, or Remote Group 3.
Note : If your TRIO does not support R3 visit www.qtm.com for the latest TRIO software.
You may set up many flashes within a group. All flashes within a group will be set identically
from the Pilot.
There is no limit to the number of flashes for a group.
Step 4
Once you are done setting up the remotes, turn on the Pilot.
The Pilot will send mode and setting information to the remote flashes.
HSS is automatically selected for remotes. There is no need to select the HSS option.
7. Program mode
The Program mode allows you to store your favorite settings and set-ups and then quickly recall
them just by pressing the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons. You can store up to 8 set-ups.
8.1 Using the program mode.
To enter the program mode, press the P1-P8 button.
The current program number
will be displayed and will be
highlighted.
To change to another
Program number, use the
Left (-) Å and Right Æ
buttons.
To exit the Program mode press the EXIT soft key.
Any changes made to the settings of any program are saved to that program automatically.
There is no need to take any action to save the changes.
8. Updating the Pilot
Quantum Instruments is always expanding the capabilities of it’s products to meet the demands
of newer cameras.
As new features are added to the PILOT, Quantum will post these updates on it’s website.
The PILOT can be updated right from your home computer using the included USB cable.
For updates and a detailed set of instructions visit. www.qtm.com
9. Customer service
Having any trouble I using your Quantum product? We are here to help. Mail, call, fax, or email
our Service Department:
Service department
Quantum Instruments
10 Commerce Drive
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Tel: (631) 656-7400 Fax: (631) 656-7410
Website: www.qtm.com
Troubleshooting tips are available at www.qtm.com, Support, Customer Support, FAQ. If you
suspect a malfunction or require adjustment, return the unit to us with an accurate description of
the problem. please be sure your problem is not caused by improper operating procedure or
malfunctions in your other equipment. Send all equipment carefully packaged and insured to our
address above.
An estimate of repair cost on out-of-warranty merchandise may be forwarded if you desire. This
will require that we contact you for approval before proceeding and will delay return of your
equipment. For fastest repair time, you may pre-approve repairs up to the limit of $85 with your
credit card. We will bill only for the actual costs up to the limit. If repair costs exceed your preapproval, we will contact you.
Paying by check will delay the repair until the check clears (up to 15 days). payment by money
order is acceptable.
Normal repair time is 10 – 15 days. For expedited service, contact our Service Department.
Summary:
• Ship via UPS, Parcel Post, or other carrier, insured.
• Give a clear, detailed description of the problem.
• Give your mailing address and daytime phone number, fax #, and/or email.
• For warranty repairs include a copy of the receipt.
In addition, for out-of-warranty repairs with pre-approval:
• Provide your Visa, MasterCharge, or American Express card # and expiration date.
• Give us authority to charge costs up to $85.00.
• Provide your billing address.
Note: Please do not e-mail your credit card information.
Limited Warranty
Quantum products have a 1 year limited warranty. Please refer to the Limited Warranty card for
complete details, conditions, and terms.
Other Quantum Products
TURBO 2X2
TRIO
FREE X WIRE
FW7Q
QNEXUS
TURBO SC
TURBO
COMPACT
R1 MAN 1/8
R2 AUTO F5.6
7
R3 AFILL +1
3
EXIT SELECT CH. 7
P1 F5.6
7
ISO 200
OPTION
FIRE
P1
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