Quantum Qflash Trio QF8 Operating Instructions Manual

Qflash® Trio QF8

Shoe Mount Digital Flash

Operating Instructions

Quantum Instruments

Designed and manufactured in the USA

Shoe lock wheel

Auto Sensor

Auto Focus
Assist Light

USB

Flash Indicator

Power Cable Input

Reflector
Locking Ring

Reflector

Flash Tube

1

Flash Indicator

Reflector
Locking Ring

Release
Button

Reflector

Table of Contents

Section

1. Introduction

2. Warnings

3. Advanced Features Summary

4. Getting started

5. Basic Navigation

6. On Camera / Remote

7. Radio set up

8. Exposure Modes

8.1 QTTL Mode

8.2 AFILL / AUTO Mode

8.3 Manual Mode

9. Options

10. Operating Modes

10.1 Ez Mode

10.2 Advanced Multi

10.3 PreSet Mode

11. Customer service

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.

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2. WARNINGS

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

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.

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CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC

SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN.

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 important
operating instructions accompanying the Qflash.

3. Advanced Features Summary

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.

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 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

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Feature

QF4d

QF5d

QF5d-R

Trio

Wireless Control in Nikon/Canon
systems with Qnexus

U U F

N

Wireless multiple ratio TTL
( Qf5d-R requires Dw-R Adapters
& FreeXWire)

U U F F Wireless preflash TTL
( Qf5d-R requires Dw-R Adapters
& FreeXWire)

U U F

F
Wireless remote Auto / Auto Fill
mode

U F F F Zone control of FW7Q from panel

of Qflash

U F F

F

Flash ready indication in camera
viewfinder
(camera detects flash and sets
shutter)

F F F

F

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

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.

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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.

Tighten Reflector
Locking Ring

The “normal” QF60 reflector is supplied with Trio. Other light

modifiers are available as options from your dealer.

Reflector / modifiers

Approx.
Angle

Guide No. for ISO 200

Normal QF60

55

150ft / 49m

QF60 w/flat diffuser

90

100ft / 30m

QF67A Dome diffuser

120

80ft / 26m

QF62Bs/g Bare Bulb
Reflector

180

62ft / 27m

QF63B Tele Reflector

20

322ft / 98m

QF 68 Soft Box
QF69 Mini Soft Box

170

62ft / 27m

RELEASE
BUTTON

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.

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.

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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.