Bower SFD35 Digital Flash for Cameras - Manual (Page 2)

6 7
Technical Specifications
4
FLASH MODE SWITCH SELECTION (For Nikon only)
The flash mode switch (16) is used to select between automatic
balanced i-TTL flash mode (BL) and standard i-TTL mode (STD).
Regardless of the flash mode selected, preflashes are fired by the
flash and reflected to the camera auto flash sensor, after which the
camera will automatically control the flash output for correct exposure.
AUTOMATIC BALANCED (BL) i-TTL mode
When this mode is selected, preflash will first be fired to determine
the subject and background lighting. The flash output will then be
automatic adjusted for a perfect balanced exposure lighting between
the subject and the background.
STANDARD (STD) i-TTL mode
When this mode is selected, preflash will first be fired to determine
the subject lighting.The flash output will then be automatically adjusted
to ensure that the main subject is sufficiently exposed irregardless
of the background lighting. This mode is mainly used for long distance
photography and often produce well illuminated subject. This mode is
particularly useful when there is strong background lighting which
may render underexposed subject when BL mode is being used.
PROGAM TTL MODE
Program TTL mode is one of the most popular and easy way of
using Digital SLR cameras.
This flash unit provide full automatic TTL(Through the lens) control
of flash exposure when used on dedicated model with inbuilt
hotshoe dedication which provides the ETTL/TTL (for Canon) or
i-TTL (for Nikon) auto flash metering features (Please refer to
your camera owner’s manua ).
When using the flash unit outdoor under sunlight, the flash will
automatically reduce its output to properly illuminate the subject.
To use this flash unit in program mode, set your camera to ‘P’
(Program) mode or ‘Auto’ mode.
Once the camera is set to any of the above 2 modes, the flash
unit will automatically fire the correct exposure to properly
illuminate the main subject and background. This TTL dedicated
mode can be used on practically any situation ranging from
total darkness to daylight/ambient light.
Below are the steps that you need to follow to use the flash unit in
program TTL mode:
1. Set the camera to P or Auto mode.
2. Slide the ON/OFF switch to the ON position.
3. For Canon: If the camera body supports E-TTL, the E-TTL indicator
(16) will light up; For Nikon: Select the flash mode (16) (Automatic
Balance iTTL or Standard iTTL)*.
4. Check that distance to the subject is within the effective TTL range as
indicated on the exposure/distance table.
5. Focus on the subject
6. Press the shutter button fully to take the picture after ensuring that the
ready lamp is on. When the flash is fully charged, the flash indicator
‘ ‘ will also be lit in the camera viewfinder.
7. To confirm that the flash unit fires the correct exposure, the Green
autocheck lamp will light up for approximate 2 seconds. In the event
that the green lamp does not lit, retake the picture at a closer distance.
* -Depends on your camera body. Check your owner manual for
availability of Automatic Balanced or Standard i-TTL features.
Auto TTL Mode
This flash unit can also be used with the camera set at any of the
preset program mode (AV-Aperture priority, TV-Shutter Speed
priority, Manual Exposure).
AV Aperture Priority Mode
This mode permits you to set the aperture value manually while
the shutter speed will be automatically set by the camera. When
using this mode, the flash exposure will be automatic controlled
by the camera base on the combination of shutter speed, aperture
value and the flash mode (16) selected on the flash unit.
TV Speed Priority Mode
This mode permits you to select your desired shutter speed* and the
aperture value will be automatically selected by the camera. When
using this mode, the flash exposure will be automatically controlled
by the camera based on the combination of shutter speed,
aperture value and the flash mode (16)selected on the flash unit.
*Check with your camera manual for the maximum flash synchronization speed.
Manual Mode
This mode permits you to manually select your desired
shutter speed and the aperture value. When using this mode,
them flash exposure will be automatically controlled by the
camera based on the combination of shutter speed, aperture
value and the flash mode (16) selected on the flash unit.
USING THE ZOOM HEAD
For wide angle picture taken at 28mm, set the zoom head position
of the flash unit to 28mm or 35mm (35mm equivalent) depending
on the zoom position of the lens*. This will help to ensure that the
angle of lens coverage is adequately illuminated by the flash unit.
For telephoto pictures taken at 85mm and above (35mm
equivalent), set the zoom head position to 85mm on the flash unit.
*Note: For Canon Digital SLR cameras, the lens conversion factor to
35mm equivalent is usually 1.6x of the range indicated on the camera
lens. For example, a zoom range of 18-55mm, when converted into
35mm equivalent is approximate 29 – 90mm.
*Note: For Nikon Digital SLR cameras, the lens conversion factor to
35mm equivalent is usually 1.5x of the range indicated on the
camera lens. For example, AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm ED lens, when
converted into 35mm equivalent is approximate 27 – 82.5mm.
USING THE BOUNCE AND SWIVEL HEAD
When using a direct flash on the subject, pictures taken will either
result in excessive shadow being formed behind the subject or
that the subject will be slightly over illuminated even though
flash control is automatic.
To resolve the above two issues, you can use different combination
of bounce head position ranging from 0-90 degree as well as the
swivel feature from 0-330 degree. In this way, you can eliminate
the shadow issues as well as produce more natural pictures.
For best results, it is recommended to bounce/swivel off white walls
or ceiling* with the zoom head set at the 50mm position. To ensure
correct flash exposure, check that the green auto check lamp lit after
taking the picture.
*Note that the maximum flash distance is reduce considerably
because light travel indirectly to the subject over an increased
distance and will usually lose 2-3 aperture of light (f/stops) even
though the reflection surface is white. The bounce and swivel head
must be adjusted properly to achieve the best possible lighting effect.
5
Possible cause(s) Solution
TROUBLESHOOT GUIDE
If for some reasons, the flash unit does not work properly,
refer to the below troubleshooting guide.
Flash unit charges
but does not fire
Flash unit does not
charge at all
AF illumination beam
does not light up in
low light / complete
darkness situation
Dark corners
observed at the
four extreme
corners of pictures
Auto check lamp
does not lit up
Power On indicator
does not lit up
Ready Lamp does not
lit up even though
Power On indicator
is lit
ETTL indicator does
not light up
(for Canon only)
Batteries are exhausted
Metal contacts on
either the flash unit
or camera are dirty
Orientation of the
batteries is wrong
Battery compartment lid
is not being close fully
Metal contacts inside
battery compartment
is dirty
Batteries acompletely
exhausted
Camera body does
not provide AF
illumination by
flash unit or lens is
set at manual focus
mode
Position of the zoom
head is incorrectly set
Distance to the subject
is too far and pictures
may be underexposed
Flash unit does not fire
at all
Flash unit has not been
used for more than
3 minutes
Batteries are completely
exhausted
Camera body does not
provide ETTL metering
Replace all 4 batteries
(recommended NiMH
batteries)
Use microfibre cloth to
wipe the metal contacts
and remount the flash
Install again the battery
polarity according to
the indication in the
battery compartment
Reopen the battery
compartment lid and
close it so that the end
of the lid alight perfectly
with the main body of
the flash unit
Use microfibre cloth to
wipe the metal contacts
and reload the batteries
Replace all 4 batteries
(recommended NiMH
batteries)
Check your owner
operating manual
switch lens focusing
to AF mode
Recheck the correct
angle of the lens, taking
into consideration of the
1.5x magnification factor
and adjust the zoom
head to the correct
position
Retake at a closer distance
Check that the ready lamp
on the flash unit as well
as the ‘flash’ indicator in
the viewfinder appear
before taking pictures
Press the test button to
fire and the flash will
resume back to normal
operation
Replace all 4 batteries
(recommended NiMH
batteries)
Check your owner
operating manual
Problem Issue
Flash TTL working range for ISO 100
Zoom
Position
28mm 35mm 50mm 85mm
Camera Type
For Canon
For Nikon
:
:
Guide No : 34 in meters / 112 in feet at 50mm (ISO 100)
Circuitry : IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor)
Automatic TTL range : 0.9 – 17.0m / 3.0 – 56ft (F2.0)
AF illumination range : 0.9 – 8.0m / 3.0 – 26ft
Angle of illumination : 28mm-35mm-50mm-85mm (35mm equivalent)
Bounce Angle : Up 30-45-60-75-90
Swivel Angle :
Dedication :
Exposure check
confirmation
: Green Auto Check Lamp
Flash Duration : 1/700 sec (full power)
Auto Standby : 3 minutes
Color temperature : 5600k
Number of flashes : Approximate 150 – 300 (Alkaline batteries)
Approximate 100 – 200 (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH batteries)
Recycling Time : Approximate 6 sec (Alkaline batteries)
Approximate 4 sec (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH batteries)
Power Source : 4x AA Alkaline, NiCad or NiMH batteries
Dimension (mm) : 76 (W) x 60 (H) x 185(L)
Weight : 280g (without batteries)
0.7 - 6.8m
0.7 - 4.8m
0.7 - 3.4m
0.9 - 2.5m
0.9 - 1.7m 0.7 - 7.8m
0.7 - 5.5m
0.7 - 3.8m
0.9 - 2.8m
0.9 - 2.0m 0.8 - 8.5m
0.8 - 6.1m
0.8 - 4.3m
0.9 - 3.1m
0.9 - 2.1m 0.8 - 9.0m
0.8 - 6.4m
0.8 - 4.5m
0.9 - 3.3m
0.9 - 2.2m
F/stop
F4.0
F5.6
F8.0
F11
F16
Direct hotshoe contact mount flash with iTTL
for Nikon cameras.
Left 60-75-90-120-150-180 / Right 60-75-90-120-150
Specifications are subjected to changes without prior notice. The program
in this flash unit is being upgraded constantly to meet new demands in the
market. As such, new changes to the specifications may not be reflected
in this manual.
For Sony Direct hotshoe contact mount flash with Dynax
ADI / PTTL for Sony Alpha DSLR camera
Direct hotshoe contact mount flash with
standard TTL/E- TTL for Canon cameras.
Canon TTL / E-TTL / E-TTL II
Nikon i-TTL system
Sony ADI / PTTL system