Inspiration strikes VB-11/VB-22 BARE BULB FLASH User’s Manual
| Introduction
Introduction Thank you for choosing a Bolt VB-Series Bare-Bulb flash. These flashes are designed for photography professionals and enthusiasts interested in a portable high-power light source with 360-degree exposure and versatile light shaping options. Using the included reflector and diffuser, the high output from your VB-Series flash can be focused and softened to create beautiful contrasted light. The flashes can also accept other various light modifiers to create your ideal shooting conditions.
Contents Introduction ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������2-3 Overview ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������6-9 Warnings ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������10-11 Using the Flash
Repeat Mode ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������22-23 Modifying the Light Output Tilt and Swivel ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������24-25 Lighting Effects ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 26 Using the Reflector
15 16 19 17 20 1 VB-11 8 21 2 3 9 4 22 10 11 12 13 14 23 5 18 6 24 25 7 26 6 | Overview
Overview 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Umbrella Bracket Mounting Hole Audio Button AF-Assist Button Selection Dial Power Socket Power Button Shoe Locking Wheel LCD Display Mode Button Set Button Test Button Sync Cord Jack Mounting Foot PC Sync Socket Accessory Locking Knob Position Release Button Wireless Control Port 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. AF-Assist Light Accessory Mount Flashtube Flashtube Socket Optical Slave Sensor Additional VB-22 Parts: 23. AF-Assist Light 24.
27 28 39 29 30 M S1 35 S2 31 40 32 36 33 37 34 38 41 8 | Overview
LCD: 27. Power Output Indicators 28. Thermal Protection Mode 29. Manual Mode 30. Slave Modes 31. RPT Mode 32. RPT Times Indicator 33. RPT Frequency Indicator 34. AF-Assist Indicator 35. Audio Indicator Included Accessories: 36. Retaining Ring 37. Diffuser 38. Reflector 39. Power Cable 40. Protective Pouch 41.
Warnings Please read the following instructions before using this product to ensure safe use and to help prevent damage to your flash or injury to yourself or others. Keep this manual in a safe place. • Do not fire the flash at close range directly into the eyes of people or animals. This can cause damage to the retina and may even lead to blindness. • Do not disassemble or attempt to repair this product yourself. High-voltage components inside can produce a hazardous electric shock.
• This product is not water resistant. Keep it away from rain, snow, humidity, and general moisture. • Should the unit sustain physical damage, do not touch any exposed interior metal parts. If touched, they may generate an electric shock or cause a malfunction. Promptly remove the power source and take the product to an authorized service center for repair.
Using the Flash INSTALLING THE FLASHTUBE Before installing the flash tube, ensure the device is switched off and the power cord disconnected from the unit. Additionally, remove all accessories connected to the unit’s Accessory Mount. 1. 2. Using white cotton gloves or a clean cloth, line up the dot on the bottom of the flashtube with the one inside the flashtube socket to ensure correct polarity.
REPLACING THE FLASHTUBE Before removing an old flash tube, ensure the device is switched off and the power source disconnected from the unit. Additionally, remove all accessories connected to the unit’s Accessory Mount. 1. Using white cotton gloves or a clean cloth, grasp the flashtube using firm, even pressure, and pull the flashtube from the flash unit. 2. To install the new bulb, follow the Installing the Flashtube instructions above.
Powering the Flash The Bolt VB-Series flash units are powered by an external power pack, such as the Bolt PP-400DR, with a high voltage cable via a dedicated port on the side of the flash body. The external power source is sold separately. Connecting to a power pack: 1. Ensure the power pack and flash unit are turned off. 2. Insert one end of the high voltage power cable into the output socket of the power pack, and plug the other end into the power socket of the flash. 3.
Powering the Flash | 15
Mounting the Flash The Bolt VB-Series flash units include interchangeable mounting accessories. The VB-11 has a built-in shoe mount and a separate Stand/Tripod Mount. The VB-22 has two interchangeable shoe and stand mounts, as well as the additional Stand/Tripod Mount. The shoe mount allows the flash to be attached to cameras, brackets, and the like. The stand mount allows the flash to be attached to lightstands, tripods, and anything else with a standard ¼”-20 mounting screw.
Mounting the Flash on a Shoe or Stand/Tripod Mount 1. If using a VB-22, ensure that the Shoe Mounting Foot is securely installed. 2. With the unit turned off, loosen the tightening ring on the mount. 3. Slide the unit into the shoe. 4. Secure the flash by turning the tightening ring clockwise. Mounting the Flash on a Stand 1. Holding either the Stand/Tripod Mount or the VB-22 with the Stand Mounting Foot securely installed, place the threaded socket over the stand’s ¼”-20 installation screw. 2.
Setting the Flash Power The VB-Series flashes incorporate manually-controlled power output that can be varied over 8 stops from 1/1 (full power) to 1/128, and is adjustable in 1/3-stop increments. Turn the Selection Dial clockwise to raise the power level, and counterclockwise lower it. M S1 To avoid overheating and damaging your flash unit, please wait for at least 10 minutes after 75 continuous flashes at full power. The flash will automatically enter thermal protection mode if it gets overheated.
Triggering the Flash There are five different ways to trigger the Bolt VB-11 and VB-22 flash units: 1. Hot Shoe: The flashes can be triggered by any standard hot shoe, such as a camera, off-camera cord or radio receiver. 2. PC Cord: A PC sync socket can be attached to the flash units to trigger the flash. To use this function, open the rubber cover on the PC sync socket and insert a PC cord. 3. 3.5 mm Mini Cable: The flash can also be triggered by using a 3.5 mm mini cable flash sync cord.
AF-Assist Mode The VB-Series flashes’ AF-mode assists the user in focusing the camera in low-light situations. The AF-Assist M light on the flash will turn on to illuminate the subject enough for the camera and lens to obtain proper focus. S1 S2 This mode can be turned on manually pressing the AF button on your flash. The LCD screen will display when the function has been activated. To disable the AF-Assist function and light, push the AF button again.
Optical Slave Triggering Mode Optical slave triggering mode sets your flash to fire wirelessly whenever it detects a signal from a master flash. The VB-Series bulb flashes have two slave settings: S1 Mode sets the flash to fire in sync when the master flash is triggered, while S2 Mode allows the flash unit to ignore a single “preflash” from the master and only fire in response to the main flash from the master unit.
Repeat Mode Repeat Mode, sometimes referred to as Stroboscopic Mode, causes the unit to fire multiple flashes rapidly. This allows the camera to capture multiple images of a moving subject in a single exposure. To use Repeat Mode: • Press the Mode Selection button until “RPT” is displayed on the LCD screen. • Press the Set button until the Times indicator flashes, then use the Selection Dial to choose your desired amount. • Press the Set button again to adjust the flash frequency.
For example: if the number of flashes per frame is 10, and the frequency of the flash is 5 Hz, then: 10 flashes per frame 5 HZ =2 Therefore, the shutter speed should be 2 seconds. Different flash power levels allow different amount and frequency combinations. For more information, see Repeat Mode Reference Chart on page 31.
Modifying the Light Output TILT AND SWIVEL The VB-Series bare-bulb flash heads can tilt down to -15°, M and up atSS 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90° angles from lens. They can also swivel horizontally 135° to the right and 180° to the left.Using the flash to directly illuminate a subject often creates harsh, unnatural, and unattractive shadows. To avoid this, the flash can be tilted or swiveled, enabling you to aim your flash at a large white or neutral-colored surface such as a ceiling, wall, or reflector.
When bouncing your flash, you may need to adjust your exposure settings, since there will be less light falling on your subject. The farther away the bounce surface and your subject are, the less illumination there will be. TIP: Bouncing your flash off colored surfaces can create a color cast in your images. Bouncing off a white or neutral-colored surface will not alter the color of the light, while bouncing off a gold-toned surface can give portraits a warmer look.
Lighting Effects To manipulate the quality of light from your bare-bulb flash, accessories are available. Included with the Bolt VB-Series flashes are a reflector and diffuser. The reflector is used to amplify and widen the reach of the flash’s light. Using this by itself is useful in lighting a large wall or space with one light source. The included diffuser will soften the light, creating more attractive and uniform lighting on a subject or area.
USING THE REFLECTOR AND DIFFUSER 1. Rotate the Accessory Locking Ring in a counterclockwise direction until loose. 2. Slide the reflector into the Accessory Mount. 3. Rotate the Accessory Locking ring clockwise until tight. 4. If desired, snap the diffuser and retaining ring onto the front of the reflector. NOTE: Other dedicated accessories, such as snoots, beauty dishes, and grids, can be mounted similarly. For a list of recommended accessories, see page 32 in this manual.
Troubleshooting Problem Solution The flash is stuck in a hot shoe. • Turn the hot shoe mount locking ring counterclockwise until loose. The flash is turned on but won’t fire. • Check that the flash is connected to a power source, the power source is turned on, and the cables properly connected. (Page 14) • If connected via hot shoe, make sure the pin at the bottom, as well as the hot shoe, are clean and free of debris.
Problem Solution The flash isn’t being triggered in slave mode, or the flash is not noticeable in the picture. • Ensure the master flash is within transmission range (approximately 33’/10 m) and that the wireless sensor has a clear line of sight with the master flash. • The ambient light may be too high. • Make sure that the flash is set to the appropriate slave mode. (Page 21) The bottom of the image looks dark.
Specifications Dimensions Weight Head Rotation Head Tilt VB-11 VB-22 8.07” x 3.54” x 2.75” (205 x 90 x 70 mm) 7.87” x 3.66” x 2.95” (200 x 93 x 75 mm) 1.5 lb. (0.68 kg) 2.1lb. (0.
Repeat Mode Reference Chart Flash Output Level Frequency 1/1, 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/16 1/32 1/64 1/128 1 1 30 50 70 80 99 99 2 1 2 4 70 80 99 99 3 1 2 2 7 80 99 99 4 1 2 2 4 16 99 99 5 1 2 2 3 8 99 99 6 1 2 2 3 6 99 99 7 1 1 2 3 5 25 99 8 1 1 2 2 5 15 99 9 1 1 2 2 4 10 99 10-11 1 1 2 2 4 6 99 12-13 1 1 2 2 3 6 99 13-15 1 1 2 2 3 5 99 15-19 1 1 2 2 3 5 36 20-99 1 1 2 2 3 5 20 Repeat Mode Reference
Recommended Accessories The Bolt VB-Series Bare-Bulb flashes have a wide range of accessories available for purchase, including power units, special effects kits, and various other light modifiers. The Bolt VB-Series bare-bulb flashes use external power packs to power the units. Bolt offers the PP-400DR and PP-310 Power Packs, which have a blazing fast 1-second recycle time. Additionally, the 2 sockets on the PP-400DR provide the user with the ability to power two flashes simultaneously.
The PP-DC Doubler Cable allows you to plug one HV power cord into two power pack outlets, cutting recycle time in half and aiding in avoiding missed shot opportunities. The PP-SC Splitter Cable allows you to power two flashes from one power pack socket.
An array of light customization kits is available for use with the Bolt VB-Series bare-bulb flashes. The Grid and Filter Kit helps the user to stylize and focus mood and accent lighting with the four included color filters and honeycomb grid. The cone and tube Snoot Set is used to create dramatic lighting effects by focusing the light into tight circles. The Beauty Dish and Grid Kit is ideal for creating a soft, yet crisp, quality of light or increasing contrast and directionality.
0 CQ101 VB-FTC Flashtube Cover VB-PC-S 15’ Extension Power Cord 0 CQ101 VB-PC-C Coiled Power Cord In addition to light modifiers, the VB-series flashes also have multiple complementary and replacements accessories available. The Flashtube Cover protects your flash’s flashtube, allowing you to keep it mounted to the flash during transit. The 15’ Extension Power Cord provides you with more reach, offering the ability to power your flash unit from an increased distance.
One-Year Limited Warranty This BOLT product is warranted to the original purchaser to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal consumer use for a period of one (1) year from the original purchase date or thirty (30) days after replacement, whichever occurs later.
