FLASHBOSS TTL TRANSCEIVER FOR CANON (FB-TTL-C) USER MANUAL
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING VELLO The FlashBoss TTL Transceiver functions as both a TTL transmitter and receiver that takes full advantage of Canon’s E-TTL II flash metering technologies. Lightweight and compact, it mounts to a camera and functions as a transmitter, sending TTL metering data to your remote flashes. Attached to a flash, it’s a slave that adjusts the output power of the flash accordingly. The FlashBoss supports HSS and allows flash synchronization of up to 1/8000 of a second.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Precautions �������������������������������������4 The Settings Menu ����������������������15 Overview ����������������������������������������6 Transmitter Operation ��������������17 Box Contents ��������������������������������9 Group Mode ��������������������������������18 Installing the Batteries ���������������10 TTL Ratio Adjustment Mode ���20 Powering on the FlashBoss �������11 Manual Mode ��������������������������������24 Mounting the FlashBoss on a Camera ��������������
PRECAUTIONS • Please read the full manual before using this device. • Do not disassemble or modify. Failure to observe this precaution could result in electric shock or product malfunction. • Keep this product dry. Do not handle with wet hands, immerse in water, or expose to rain or snow. Failure to observe this precaution could result in fire or cause electric shock. 4 • Do not use in the presence of flammable gases. Failure to observe this precaution could result in fire or explosion.
• Observe precautions when handling batteries. Batteries may leak or explode if improperly handled. • Use only batteries listed in this manual. Do not mix new and old batteries, or different brands or types of batteries. • Read and follow all warnings and instructions provided by the battery manufacturer. • Do not put batteries in a fire, or apply direct heat to them. • Do not attempt to install batteries in the reverse direction.
OVERVIEW Device 1. Status indicator 2. Battery compartment 3. Power switch 4. + button 5. − button 6. Set button 7. Zoom/Function button 8. Group/Channel button 9.
10. Test flash/shutter 11. PC/USB ports 10 13 12. AF Assist light 13. Hot shoe 11 14. Locking wheel 15.
1 Transmitter Display 1. Group mode indicator 2. Transmitter mode indicator 3. Channel indicator 4. Battery indicator 5. AF assist beam indicator 6. Number of groups indicator 7. Group function mode 8. Exposure compensation 9. Focal length Receiver Display 10. Receiver mode 11. Battery indicator 12. Group indicator 13. Channel indicator 14. Zoom indicator 15.
BOX CONTENTS • FlashBoss Transceiver • Mini stand • Setup guide Also Available • FlashBoss cable for Canon sub-mini (FB-C1) • FlashBoss cable for Canon 3-pin (FB-C2) 9
INSTALLING THE BATTERIES The FlashBoss is powered by two AA batteries. 1. Press down and slide the battery compartment door in the direction of the arrow to open. 2. Insert the batteries according to the illustration inside the battery compartment, and close the compartment door.
POWERING ON THE FLASHBOSS To turn on the FlashBoss, move the power switch to the On position. The FlashBoss switches to standby mode after a selected amount of time, and the LCD screen goes blank. To resume operation, press the camera’s shutter button or the test button on the FlashBoss. See the Settings Menu below to adjust the amount of time before standby mode.
MOUNTING THE FLASHBOSS ON A CAMERA When mounted to a camera’s hot shoe, the FlashBoss can be used as a transmitter. 1. Loosen the locking wheel, and insert the FlashBoss into the camera’s hot shoe. Make sure the FlashBoss and your camera are turned off before proceeding. 2. Make sure the FlashBoss is fully inserted into the hot shoe, and tighten the locking wheel until secure. 3. Turn on your camera first, and then turn on the FlashBoss.
MOUNTING THE FLASHBOSS TO A STAND The Mini Stand 1. Loosen the locking wheel, and then insert the mounting foot into the mini stand’s coldshoe mount. Mounting to a Light Stand 1. Screw the 1/4-inch receiver on the bottom of the mini stand onto the light stand’s 1/4-inch stud. 2. Tighten the locking wheel until secure. 2. Mount the FlashBoss onto the mini stand.
MOUNTING A FLASH TO THE FLASHBOSS A flash can be mounted onto the FlashBoss when the FlashBoss is attached to the camera. In this configuration, the FlashBoss can operate as a transmitter or receiver. The FlashBoss TTL passthrough capability allows the TTL metering data to flow from the camera, through the FlashBoss, and directly to the flash. A flash and FlashBoss can also be used for remote operation with the FlashBoss in receiver mode.
THE SETTINGS MENU The Settings menu can be accessed from any screen. Navigating the Settings Menu • Press and hold the Set button to access the Settings Menu. • Press the Mode button repeatedly to scroll through the menu selections. Settings • Press the + or − buttons to open the submenu for each setting. • Use the + or − button to select the new value in the submenu. • Press the Set button to confirm the submenu selection. • Press and hold the Set button to return to the previous screen.
Settings Menu Items Menu Item Submenu options Function Reset RS Select RS and press the Set button to return to the factory presets. FP On/Off Turns high-speed sync (HSS) on and off. Backlight On/Off Turns on the LCD backlight when scrolling through menu options. The LCD screen will remain illuminated for 15 seconds. Key Backlight On/Off Select On to illuminate the keys while using the buttons. The buttons will remain illuminated for 15 seconds.
TRANSMITTER OPERATION To use the FlashBoss as a transmitter, mount it to a camera’s hot shoe. The FlashBoss will wirelessly control one or more speedlites. Setting the Master Channel The master channel setting can be accessed in any operating mode. 1. Press and hold the Gr/Ch button to select the Master Channel setting. Make sure all FlashBoss units that are operating in Slave mode are set to the same channel. See Receiver Operation below for more information on Slave mode. 2.
GROUP MODE Group mode allows you to set each group’s operating mode individually. Each group can be set to TTL, Manual, Delayed Time (DT), or Off. Press and hold the Zoom button repeatedly until the Group Mode screen appears. Group Mode settings 1. Press the Gr/Ch button to navigate to the group you want to adjust. 2. Press the Mode button repeatedly until the desired operation mode is appears. 3. With the group selected, use the + and − buttons to adjust the mode’s value. 4. Press Set to confirm.
• When a group is set to TTL mode, the flash exposure compensation (EV) can be adjusted from −3 to +3 in 1/3-stop increments. • When a group is set to Manual mode, the flash output power can be adjusted from 1/1 (full power) to 1/128 in 1/3-stop increments. • When a group is set to Delayed Time (DT mode), the delay time can be adjusted in 1/10-second increments. Important! When shooting in HSS, DT mode delays the time an external flash fires after it’s triggered.
TTL RATIO ADJUSTMENT MODE The FlashBoss automatically sets the appropriate flash level using your camera’s throughthe-lens (TTL) metering system data. It calculates the correct power for all communicating TTL-compatible flashes. 1. Press and hold the Zoom button to enter TTL mode. The TTL icon will appear at the upper left corner of the screen. Flash groups 2. Press the + or − buttons to adjust the exposure compensation (EV). 3. Press the Zoom button to highlight the focal-length setting.
Selecting Flash Groups Three flash groups are available on the FlashBoss: All All lights will fire with the same output and share the same zoom setting. A:B For a two-light setup, the group B output can be set as a ratio relative to the main light, e.g. 2:1 or 3:1. It will maintain that ratio with the main light when power output is adjusted by the camera’s TTL metering system. The zoom settings for groups A and B can be set independently. Group C is off.
1. Press the Gr/Ch button to highlight the group selector. 2. Press the + or – buttons to select either ALL, A:B, or A:B:C modes. 3. Press Set to confirm the group configuration. When ALL is selected: 1. Press the + or − buttons to set the exposure compensation value (EV). 2. Press Zoom, and use the + or − buttons to adjust the zoom. 3. Press Set to confirm. When A:B or A:B:C is selected: 1. Press the + or − buttons to set the exposure compensation value (EV) for group A . 2.
3. Press Zoom repeatedly to highlight each group’s focal length, and use the + and − buttons to adjust the zoom for each group. 4. Press Set to confirm. To set the flash coverage in TTL mode, see Controlling Flash Coverage (Zoom) below.
MANUAL MODE The flash output level can be set manually for greater creative control over your images. The 1/1 setting is the full-power flash, and each successive setting halves the light output, all the way down to 1/128. You can also fine-tune the flash output in increments of one third. Adjusting the Settings in Manual Mode 1. Press and Hold the Zoom button repeatedly until the manual mode screen appears. In this menu, the + and − buttons will adjust the power for each group. 2.
MULTI MODE (STROBOSCOPIC MODE) In Multi mode, you can program the FlashBoss to fire several bursts over a specified amount of time. This is ideal for using a rapid sequence of bursts to capture a moving subject in a single frame. Each group’s output power and zoom values can be set individually. Groups 1. Press the Gr/Ch button to highlight the group’s selection icon, and use the + and − buttons to select a group mode. 2.
Number of Bursts and Duration In order to capture all of the bursts, set the shutter speed equal to or slower than the calculated shutter speed.
CONTROLLING FLASH COVERAGE (ZOOM) The angle of coverage can be adjusted, or zoomed, so you can control the light spread for your image. When the flash zoom setting is adjusted, the reflectors inside the flash head shift position in order to widen or narrow the angle of coverage. Setting Focal Length (Zoom) in Any Mode 1. Press Zoom repeatedly to highlight each group. 2. Press the + and − buttons to adjust the zoom for each group. Zoom setting 3. Press Set to confirm.
RECEIVER OPERATION Slave Mode 1. To enable Slave Mode, press and hold the Mode button until the Slave Mode screen appears. 2. Press the Gr/Ch button to highlight Group or Channel. 3. Use + and − buttons to set the group or channel value. 4. Press Set to confirm the selection. 28 Note: Zoom cannot be changed in slave mode. The Zoom value is set by the transmitter.
REMOTE SHUTTER RELEASE FUNCTION With this configuration, a third FlashBoss can be used to trigger a camera and a remote flash. 3. Mount a remote flash to a FlashBoss that’s set to receiver mode. 1. Mount the FlashBoss transmitter onto the camera’s hot shoe, and connect it to the camera with a shutter release cable (available separately). 4. Set the third FlashBoss to transmitter mode. Use the test/shutter button to trigger your setup. 2.
SPECIFICATIONS TTL compatible E-TTL II Channels and groups 15 Channels, 1 auto channel Groups Group mode: 5 Groups (A, B, C, D, E) Manual, Multi, TTL modes: 3 groups (A, B, C) Frequency 2.4 GHz EV range ±3 EV Antenna Built-in Maximum range Up to 328 ft. (100 m) Mounting Hot shoe, 1/4 in.
Connections Threaded PC sync terminal USB port for firmware upgrades Max sync speed 1/8000 sec. Flash mode Group (Gr), TTL, manual, multi, DT Sync mode Front-curtain sync, FP sync Power requirements AA batteries (×2) Battery life Approximately 120 hr. (in standby) Dimensions (H × W × D) 2.25 × 2.25 × 3 in. (5.7 × 5.7 × 7.6 cm) Weight (without batteries) 5.4 oz. (153.
TROUBLESHOOTING The FlashBoss does not turn on. • Replace the batteries. (Note: If the batteries are low, replace both batteries at the same time. Do not use different brands or types of batteries.) The slave unit does not fire. • Check to make sure that all units are set to the same channel. • Make sure the flash’s locking switch is set to the lock position. • Make sure all units— FlashBosses and lights—are powered on.
The picture is underexposed or overexposed. • If the subject looks too dark or light, change the exposure compensation value (EV). • If shooting in HSS mode, the effective flash range is shorter. Position the light closer to the subject. FIRMWARE UPGRADE FCC COMPLIANCE Go to www.vellogear.com for information on the latest firmware version. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
ONE-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY This VELLO 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.
