FREEWAVE AVIATOR TTL FLASH REMOTE SYSTEM USER MANUAL
INTRODUCTION Thank you for choosing the Vello FreeWave Aviator System. The FreeWave Aviator is a professional solution for wirelessly controlling off-camera TTL-capable flashes while retaining full TTL capability. The FreeWave Aviator System is an ideal tool for photographers on every level. The Aviator gives you the ability to fine tune your lighting and help you match your final shot to your creative vision. The Vello FreeWave Aviator allows for an impressive range of wireless control.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents ������������������������������������������������������������� 4 Using Studio Flashes with a Receiver or Transceiver ������������������������������������������������������� 14 Key Features ������������������������������������������������������� 5 About TTL �������������������������������������������������������� 15 Changing a Flash Group's Power Mode ����� 24 Using High Speed Sync/Second Curtain Sync Modes ���������������������������������������������������������������� 25 Prec
CONTENTS Transceiver • Transceiver Receiver • Receiver • Lanyard • Lanyard • 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm cable • 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm cable • 3.5 mm to 1/4˝ mono-plug cable • 3.
KEY FEATURES Wireless TTL (Through-the-Lens): makes full use of your flashes’ built-in TTL technology TTL or Manual Mode: remotely sets your flash to TTL or Manual mode and can adjust power levels Additional Lighting Options: can trigger Studio Lights together with your hot-shoe flashes 16 Channels (2.
PRECAUTIONS • Please read full manual before using device. • Do not use in the presence of flammable gases. Failure to observe this precaution could result in fire or explosion. • Do not disassemble or modify. Failure to observe this precaution could result in electric shock or product malfunction. Should the product break open due to accidental damage, remove the batteries and send it to an authorized repair center. • Keep out of the reach of children.
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions provided by the battery manufacturer. • Do not attempt to short-circuit or disassemble batteries. • Do not put batteries in a fire, or apply direct heat to them. • Do not attempt to install batteries in the reverse direction. • Batteries may leak when fully discharged. To avoid damage to the product, be sure to remove the batteries if the product will not be used for an extended period of time or if the battery power is low.
OVERVIEW Transceiver 1. LCD Display Screen Front Right 1 10 2. Group Settings Buttons (A,B, and C) 3. LED Indicator 9 2 13 4. Test Button 5. Menu Button 8 3 6. Option Button 7. Flash Sync Mode Button 8. Select Button 4 7 5 6 Back Left 9. + and − Buttons 10. TTL-Dedicated Hot Shoe 11. Battery Compartment 14 11 15 12. Locking Wheel 13. Power Switch 14. 3.5 mm Sync Output Port 15.
Receiver Top 1. LED Indicator 1 2. Test Button 2 3. TTL-Dedicated Hot Shoe Left 6 4. Battery Compartment 5. 1/4˝-20 Lightstand Socket 7 6. Channel Switch 7. Power Switch 8. Threaded PC Sync Output Port 3 Bottom 8 Right 9. Group Switch 10. USB Port 11. 3.5 mm Sync Output Port 4 9 12.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN Installing the Batteries The Aviator Transceiver and Receiver units each require two AA batteries to operate. To install, open the battery compartment door and insert the batteries as indicated by the polarity icons in the compartment. Once installed, close the compartment door. COMPATIBLE DEVICES The Vello FreeWave Aviator is available in models for both Nikon i-TTL and Canon E-TTL cameras.
MOUNTING/TURNING ON THE TRANSCEIVER 1. With your camera and Transceiver Off, loosen the Transceiver’s locking ring. Note: make sure that your Master Transceiver and all Receiver units and Slaves are set to the same Channel before use. 2. Insert the Transceiver’s hot shoe on your camera's hot-shoe mount with the LCD panel facing the rear of the camera. 3. Tighten the Transceiver's locking ring. 4. Turn on the Camera and then slide the Transceiver's Power Switch to On. 5.
MOUNTING THE RECEIVER 1. With your Receiver and flash Off, mount the Receiver to your 1/4˝-20 light stand or accessory stand. Take care not to overtighten the Receiver. 2. Slide the Group Switch to A, B, or C to select the desired Group. (The Group D setting on the Receiver is for factory calibration only and is not available for use.) 3. Slide the Channel Switch to 1, 2, 3, or Auto. (“Auto” is equal to the Transceiver's Channel “4”.
MOUNTING A HOT-SHOE FLASH TO A RECEIVER/TRANSCEIVER 1. Make sure the flash and Receiver or Transceiver are turned Off. 2. Switch the flash’s locking switch to the unlocked position. 3. Insert the flash’s hot-shoe foot into the Receiver or Transceiver’s hot-shoe mount. 5. Turn on the flash. 6. Your flash must be in TTL mode in order to function properly in all modes with the FreeWave Aviator. (See your flash’s manual for assistance.) 7.
USING STUDIO FLASHES WITH A RECEIVER OR TRANSCEIVER For more complex lighting needs, the FreeWave Aviator can also trigger studio flashes independently or alongside hot-shoe flashes. (Note that TTL compatibility is only available for TTL-capable flashes.) Both the Aviator Receiver and Transceiver have 3.5 mm Sync Ports, and the Receiver also has a PC Sync Port which allows you to connect a sync cable to your studio flashes. Note: the PC Sync Port will also accept a PC locking cable.
ABOUT TTL The FreeWave Aviator automatically sets the appropriate flash level using your camera’s through-the-lens (TTL) metering system data, calculating the correct power for all communicating TTL compatible flashes. Main TTL Adjustment Screen The startup or default screen for the Aviator Transceiver is called the TTL Screen. Many of the instructions start out from the TTL Screen, so it will be helpful to remember how to return to it.
SETTING CHANNELS Setting an Aviator Transceiver’s Channel To set the desired Channel, do the following: Setting an Aviator Receiver’s Channel While the Receiver is Off, slide the Channel switch to the desired Channel (1, 2, 3 or Auto). Then turn the Receiver on. 1. From the TTL Screen or the Slave Mode screen, press Menu to enter Channel Select. Note: “Auto” is equal to the Transceiver's Channel “4” 2.
ADJUSTING MASTER/SLAVE MODE ON THE TRANSCEIVER Using the FreeWave Aviator System requires at least two units: one Transceiver set to Master mode and either a Receiver or a second Transceiver set to Slave mode. The Transceiver you are using to control your lighting must be set to Master mode. 1. From the TTL Screen, press Menu twice. The device’s current mode will start blinking. To set a Transceiver to either Master or Slave mode, do the following: 3.
SETTING FLASH GROUPS Setting Flash Groups on the Aviator Transceiver in Master Mode The Aviator Transceiver allows individual control of flash settings for groups A, B and C. It can also fire all groups simultaneously. To set the mode of a particular flash group, do the following: Setting Flash Groups on the Aviator Transceiver in Slave Mode When the Transceiver is in Slave mode, set the desired group by pressing A, B, or C. Group A 1.
Setting the Group on the Aviator Receiver Slide the Group switch on the Aviator Receiver to the desired Group (either A, B, or C). To assign multiple Receivers to the same flash group, simply select the same group letter for each Receiver in the flash group. Note: you can combine studio lights and speedlights within the same flash group. (Be aware of the independent recycling time of each flash to ensure all flash units are ready to fire).
ADJUSTING A FLASH GROUP’S TTL POWER (EV) Using a Transceiver in Master mode: 1. From the TTL Screen, press Select. The screen will start flashing. Note: /Test fires a test flash on all connected hot-shoe lights and studio lights. It is advisable to always test fire your flashes after making changes to confirm your settings. 2. Press A, B, or C to select the desired flash group. The selected group will start flashing. 3. Use the + and − buttons to set the EV (exposure) in TTL mode. 4.
ADJUSTING A FLASH GROUP’S ZOOM The FreeWave Aviator has the ability to refine your flash output by adjusting a flash group's zoom. This function controls the concentration and diffusion of light emitted by your flash. 4. Press Select when done to apply the setting. 5. Press /Test to confirm settings. Using a Transceiver in Master mode: 1. From the TTL Screen, press Select twice to enter Zoom Select. 2. Press A, B, or C to select the desired Group. 3.
USING TTL RATIO ADJUSTMENT MODES Ratio Adjustment Mode gives you the convenience of not having to make individual adjustments to each flash group. You can make simple adjustments to the relationship between Group A and B, or Groups A, B and C (with Group C adjusting itself in relation to Group B), using a FreeWave Aviator Transceiver. A standard portrait lighting setup uses a main (or key) light set at 100% power, a fill light at 50%, and a background light set as needed.
Ratio A:B Mode Using a Transceiver in Master mode: Ratio A:BC Mode Using a Transceiver in Master mode: 1. Set your TTL-compatible hot-shoe flash to TTL mode. 1. From the TTL Screen, press Option twice to enter Ratio A:BC Mode. 2. From the TTL Screen, press Option to enter Ratio A:B Mode. 2. Press Select to access the ratio adjustment. 3. Press Select to access the ratio adjustment. 3. Use + and − buttons to adjust the ratio (up to 7 stops plus or minus). 4.
CHANGING A FLASH GROUP'S POWER MODE Set a Flash Group to Manual mode Using a Transceiver in Master mode: 1. Set your compatible TTL hot-shoe flash to TTL mode. 5. Press Select twice when done to apply the settings. 6. Press /Test to confirm settings. 2. From the Transceiver's TTL Screen, press the Select button, and the screen will begin to blink. Turn a Flash Group Off Using a Transceiver in Master mode: 1.
USING HIGH SPEED SYNC/SECOND CURTAIN SYNC MODES The Vello FreeWave Aviator supports Hi-Speed Sync (HSS) up to 1/8000 of a second on compatible cameras and TTL flashes. This means that the entire duration of the shot, including the flash, can be as short as 1/8000 of a second. For Nikon Using a Transceiver in Master mode: 1. From the TTL Screen choose a flash sync mode by pressing the Flash Sync Mode [ ] button.
For Canon Using a Transceiver in Master mode: 2. From the TTL Screen choose a flash sync mode by pressing the Flash Sync Mode [ ] button to cycle through and choose an option. • Second Curtain Sync ( ) • High-Speed Sync ( ) Note: Canon systems requires setting High Speed or Second Curtain Sync on the Transceiver.
SETTING AUTO-FOCUS ASSIST (NIKON ONLY) To configure your Nikon flash's Auto-Focus Assist (AF Assist) from the Transceiver: 1. Make sure your flash's AF Assist is turned on (see your flash's manual) 2. From the TTL Screen, press the Menu button three times AF Assist Setting 3. Press + or − to turn AF Assist On or Off 4. Press Select to apply the setting. Note: for turning off a Nikon Camera's AF light, see your cameras manual.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES TTL Pass-through When a Transceiver is set to Master mode and mounted on your camera, a hot-shoe flash attached to its hot shoe receives TTL exposure data from the Master Transceiver unit to ensure that your photos will be properly exposed. It functions as a separate unit, independent of Groups A, B, and C. Adjustments to that flash are limited to Auto TTL (meaning that TTL EV adjustments are not available) or Manual power settings.
RESETTING THE TRANSCEIVER TO FACTORY DEFAULT SETTINGS The FreeWave Aviator Transceiver remembers the last Group Mode, Channel, Zoom and Master/Slave settings when powered off. To reset your Transceiver to factory default settings, press and hold the Menu and Option buttons together for 3 seconds. The LCD display should show “All Settings Cleared.” Channel 1 Master/Slave Mode Master Mode Flash Group Power Mode TTL Mode TTL Mode Power (EV) 0.
SPECIFICATIONS Transceiver Receiver Dimensions (W × H × D) 2.75˝ × 2.63˝ × 1.25˝ (70 × 67 × 32 mm) 1.75˝ × 1.25˝ × 3.19˝ (45 × 32 × 81 mm) Weight (without battery) 4.8 oz. (136 g) 2.4 oz. (68 g) Power 2 AA batteries (240 hrs. on standby) 2 AA batteries (400 hrs. on standby) Output 3.5mm Sync Port , TTL Pass-through Shoe TTL hot shoe, PC sync port, 3.
TROUBLESHOOTING • Check the contact between the light’s hot shoe foot and the Receiver’s hot shoe, and between the camera’s hot shoe and the Transceiver’s hot-shoe foot. • Make sure the hot-shoe light’s locking switch is set to the lock position. • Make sure that the Receiver is powered on and at the correct setting. • Remove the batteries from the Transceiver and Receiver, wait a moment and then replace.
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.
