FREEWAVE IR COMMANDER WIRELESS INFRARED TTL FLASH TRIGGER FOR NIKON i-TTL (FWIRC-N) USER MANUAL
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING VELLO The Vello FWIRC-N FreeWave IR Commander is the nexus of your wireless flash setup, enabling you to set and control all functions of your wireless slave flash units. Equipped with TTL control. It also offers highspeed sync with compatible flashes, allowing you to use shutter speeds higher than your camera’s top flash sync speed.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Precautions ���������������������������������������������������� 4 Turning On the FreeWave IR Commander ������������������������������������������������ 12 Key Features �������������������������������������������������� 6 Selecting Channels ������������������������������������� 14 Overview ������������������������������������������������������� 7 About Flash Groups ���������������������������������� 15 Compatible Devices ������������������������������������ 8 i-TTL Mode �����������������
PRECAUTIONS • Please read and follow these instructions and keep this manual in a safe place. • Keep this product away from water, moisture, and any flammable gases or liquids. • Do not attempt to disassemble or repair this product. • Should this product 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 batteries and contact Vello Customer Service.
• Keep the metal contacts in the battery compartment clean and free of corrosion and dirt. Do not touch them with your fingers. Corrosive elements on the contacts can damage this product and prevent it from functioning properly. Contacts may be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab. • Do not clean this product with agents containing corrosive or flammable substances. • All images are for illustrative purposes only. • Handle this product with care.
KEY FEATURES 180° rotation: Pivots to achieve IR line of sight. Manual mode: Can manually adjust power output in 1/3 increments. Wireless i-TTL (intelligent through-the-lens): Makes Standby mode: Reduces power consumption. full use of your flashes’ builtin i-TTL technology. Internal memory: Remembers settings when turned off. TTL exposure compensation: Enables adjustment of TTL exposure by ±3 EV with finetuning by 1/3 of a stop. High-speed sync: Allows flash synchronization up to 1/8000 of a second.
OVERVIEW Front 1. Battery chamber 1 2. AF-assist light 2 3. Transmitter 4. Locking wheel 3 5. Mounting foot 6. LCD 4 7. Mode button 5 8. Test button/flash ready light [ 9. Navigation buttons [ 10. Set button 11. FN button 12.
COMPATIBLE DEVICES INSTALLING BATTERIES The Vello FWIRC-N FreeWave IR Commander is compatible with Nikon’s i-TTL (intelligent throughthe-lens) system. To make full use of the FreeWave IR Commander, we The FreeWave IR Commander is powered by two AA batteries. To install batteries, make sure the device is turned off and follow these steps: recommend using i-TTL-capable hotshoe flashes that are fully compatible with your camera’s i-TTL system. 1.
SETTING UP SLAVE FLASH UNITS You can create a sophisticated lighting setup by positioning slave flash units individually or in groups to function as main, fill, accent, and other lights. Setting your power outputs to achieve specific looks gives you a professional level of creative control. To set up your slave flash units: 1. Turn on your slave flash and set it to i-TTL and IR slave modes, as well as the same group and channel as the FreeWave IR Commander. 2.
When positioning wireless slaves to light a subject, keep in mind the following: • Make sure the Commander’s transmitter is facing your flash’s IR sensor and that there are no obstructions between the two units (see Turning On the FreeWave IR Commander on page 12 for more). • The effective communication range between the FreeWave IR Commander and your slave flash units may vary, depending on the ambient light.
MOUNTING THE FREEWAVE IR COMMANDER To mount the FreeWave IR Commander on your camera, make sure all devices are turned off and follow these steps: To dismount the FreeWave IR Commander from your camera, make sure the Commander is turned off and follow these steps: 1. Looking down at the unit, rotate the locking wheel counterclockwise to loosen it. 2. Slide the mounting foot all the way into your camera’s hot shoe. 1. Looking down at the unit, rotate the locking wheel counterclockwise to release it. 2.
TURNING ON THE FREEWAVE IR COMMANDER To turn on the FreeWave IR Commander, slide the power switch to the On position. When turning off the Commander, it will remember all your current settings. Once mounted on your camera, you can rotate the Commander for lineof-sight positioning. The Commander’s transmitter should be facing the flash’s IR sensor, and there should be no obstructions between the two units. 12 Test Button/Ready Light The ready light indicates the status of the Commander.
Automatic Power-saving Function After a designated period of inactivity, the Commander will automatically enter power-saving mode to conserve battery life, and the LCD will display the standby mode indicator. When reactivating via your camera’s shutter button, standby time will be controlled by the camera’s settings. When reactivating via the Commander’s Set button, standby To reactivate the Commander, press the Set button or press your camera’s shutter-release button halfway.
SELECTING CHANNELS Lock Mode To prevent inadvertent operation of the Commander, you can deactivate its controls by setting it to lock mode. This will disable all of the buttons except for the power switch and the test button. To lock the device, press and hold the FN button for five seconds until the lock icon [ ] appears on the LCD. To unlock the device, press and hold the FN button until the lock icon [ ] disappears.
ABOUT FLASH GROUPS On the FreeWave IR Commander, three flash groups (A, B, and C) are available, with independent control over all three groups. For example, you can set one group to i-TTL mode and another to manual mode. You can also combine multiple slave flashes within the same group. Note: Be aware of the independent recycling time of each flash to ensure all flash units are ready to fire.
i-TTL MODE In i-TTL mode, the FreeWave IR Commander will automatically set the appropriate flash level via your camera’s intelligent through-thelens (i-TTL) metering system data, calculating the correct power for all communicating i-TTL compatible flashes. On the FreeWave IR Commander, i-TTL mode and EV are set independently for each group. 16 Setting i-TTL mode: To set a group to i-TTL mode, follow these steps: 1. Press the Set button repeatedly until the desired group’s mode indicator blinks. 2.
Adjusting a Flash Group’s TTL Power (EV) Flash output compensation (EV) can be set in i-TTL and AA modes (for more information about AA, refer to AA Mode on page 18). EV is displayed in decimal form and can be adjusted from -3.0 to +3.0 in 1/3-stop increments. EV is set individually for each group. To adjust EV: 1. Make sure the desired group is in i-TTL mode. 2. Press the Set button repeatedly until the EV number blinks, and use the Left and Right [ ] navigation buttons to adjust EV.
AUTO APERTURE MODE In Auto Aperture (AA) mode, your flash’s built-in sensor will automatically set the appropriate flash power output level by measuring the reflected light from the environment. This is different from i-TTL, which uses your camera’s exposure sensor. AA mode and EV are set independently for each group. 18 Setting AA Mode To set a group to AA mode, follow these steps: 1. Press the Set button repeatedly until the desired group’s mode indicator blinks. 2.
Adjusting a Flash Group’s TTL Power (EV) Flash output compensation (EV) can be set in i-TTL and AA modes (for more information about i-TTL, refer to i-TTL Mode on page 16). EV is displayed in decimal form and can be adjusted from -3.0 to +3.0 in 1/3-stop increments. EV is set individually for each group. To adjust EV: 1. Make sure the desired group is in AA mode. 2. Press the Set button repeatedly until the desired EV number blinks, and use the Left and Right [ ] navigation buttons to adjust the EV.
MANUAL MODE For greater creative control over your images, you can set the flash power output level manually. Manual mode and flash power output are set independently for each group. Setting Manual Mode To set a group to manual mode, follow these steps: 1. Press the Set button repeatedly until the desired group’s mode indicator blinks. 2. Press the Mode button until the desired mode indicator appears onscreen.
Adjusting Power Output Flash power output is represented as a fraction. 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, indicated by a hyphen next to the fraction, first higher and then lower, e.g., 1/1, 1/2-, 1/2-, 1/2, 1/4-, 1/4-, 1/4, 1/8-… To adjust power output: 1. Make sure the desired group is in manual mode. 2.
S1 OPTICAL SLAVE MODE FACTORY RESET The S1 optical slave mode is ideal for shooting with a remote flash, such as a monolight, that has an optical sensor. In this mode, power output is adjusted on the slave flash, rather than 2. Turn on your slave flash, and set it to optical slave mode. Make sure your slave flash’s IR sensor is facing the Commander. the Commander. Unlike the TTL and Manual modes, S1 optical slave mode does not employ groups and channels. 3. Set the power output on your slave flash.
ADVANCED FEATURES High-Speed Sync Mode You can use shutter speeds that are faster than your camera’s maximum flash sync speed with the FreeWave IR Commander by enabling high-speed sync (HSS) in your camera. HSS lets you High Speed Sync Icon use shutter speeds as fast as 1/8000 second. This is helpful when shooting with large apertures in brightly lit environments or when freezing motion. When HSS is enabled, the FP icon [ ] will appear on the Commander’s LCD. HSS is set in your camera menu.
To set the FreeWave IR Commander to stroboscopic mode, follow these steps: 1. Mount the Commander on your camera. 2. Press the Mode button to enter stroboscopic mode. 3. Press the Set button repeatedly until the desired group indicator blinks, and press the Mode to enable or disable the group. 24 4. Press the Set button repeatedly until the flash output level blinks, and use the Left and Right [ ] navigation buttons to adjust the output from 1/128 to 1/4. 5.
The Modeling Light The modeling light gives the appearance of a continuous light so you can approximate how the flash will illuminate your subject, and is available on cameras that have a Depth of Field Preview Autofocus Assist Camera autofocus (AF) systems can have difficulty locking onto a subject in dim light or low-contrast scenes. The FreeWave IR Commander can emit a red autofocus-assist beam to button. To activate the modeling light feature, press your camera’s Depth of Field Preview button.
Flash Exposure Bracketing Flash exposure bracketing (FEB) lets you take three continuous pictures while automatically changing the flash exposure compensation between -3 and +3, once above and once below the set flash exposure. FEB is useful for shooting in situations in which it’s difficult to determine the appropriate flash exposure. The FEB function can be activated via your camera’s menu. For more information on this feature, refer to your camera’s user manual.
SPECIFICATIONS Transmission Infrared Transmission Range Up to 90´ (27.5 m) Channels 4 Groups 3 Flash Coverage Horizontal: 40° Vertical: 30° Display Backlit LCD Controllable Remote Flash Mode i-TTL, AA, Manual, Stroboscopic Power Source Two AA batteries Dimensions 2.5˝ × 2.5˝ × 3.3˝ (6.3 × 6.3 × 8.3 cm) Weight 4.2 oz.
TROUBLESHOOTING The Commander is stuck in the camera hot shoe. • Make sure that the mounting foot lock is released. The Commander is not flashing. • Make sure that fresh batteries are installed and in the proper orientation. • Make sure the Commander is The slave units are not firing. • Make sure the hot-shoe light’s locking switch is set to the lock position. • Make sure the slave units are turned on and at the correct settings. securely attached to the camera.
• Make sure that the Commander is within the transmission range and the wireless sensor on the slave is pointing toward the Commander. Remove any obstructions in the line of sight between the two. • Ambient light may affect IR transmission • Make sure that the electrical contacts on the foot of the slave unit are not dirty. Clean them and try again. Note: After changing any settings in your wireless setup, press the test button to fire a test flash and confirm your new settings.
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.
To obtain warranty coverage, contact the Vello Customer Service Department to obtain a return merchandise authorization (“RMA”) number, and return the defective product to Vello along with the RMA number and proof of purchase. Shipment of the defective product is at the purchaser’s own risk and expense. For more information or to arrange service, visit www.vellogear.com or call Customer Service at 212-594-2353. Product warranty provided by the Gradus Group. www.gradusgroup.
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