User Instructions
9.6 Compensation
Quantum calibrates Qflashes to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards with
laboratory equipment traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
From time to time, photographers may wish to fine tune Qflash exposures to match their
exposure meters, to compensate for variations in cameras or films, to match particular styles,
for effects, or for individual taste.
There are two compensations available- one for Manual and one for Auto mode. In
QTTL modes Qflash does not control exposure and compensation will not apply.
“Compensation” affects overall exposure, not fill or ratio settings of various modes.
9.6.1 Manual mode Qflash Compensation
This procedure will calibrate Qflash to an incident light flash meter you use and trust. Note
that only incident light measurements are reliable for manual exposure settings.
1. Place the TRIO 10 feet from the incident light flash meter facing Qflash.
2. The area surrounding the meter and flash should be similar to the shooting environment you
usually work in. For example, in a large hall, there will be little light bouncing from walls and
ceilings. In a small room, the light meter reading will be increased by whatever bounce occurs
from nearby surfaces. These factors will affect calibration and should be considered.
3. Turn the Trio on, set mode to manual (M) and change the manual power setting to 1/8.
4. Set the film speed on the flash and the flash meter to the same value.
5. Change the F number on the flash until the distance shown in the display is 10 feet.
6. Fire the Trio. Note the F/number on the flash meter.
7. Press the OPT soft key, then use the Left and Right buttons to scroll through the
options until the manual compensation is highlighted.
8. Using the UP and DOWN soft keys, adjust the F/ number in the display until it matches the
F/ number from the flash meter.
9.6.2 Auto mode Qflash Compensation
This procedure will calibrate Qflash to a reflected light flash meter you use and trust. Note
that only reflected light measurements are reliable for auto exposure settings.
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Qflash set to Manual mode
Wall
Meter
10 Ft