AF TTL Flash INSTRUCTION MANUAL VIV-DF-183
Limited One Year Warranty Vivitar warrants this quality product to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of purchase. During the period, Vivitar will repair or replace the product at no charge for parts or labor. TIME PERIOD OF THIS WARRANTY The time period of this warranty starts from the date of the original purchase and expires on the first anniversary date of purchase.
WHAT TO DO WHEN SERVICE IS NEEDED STEP 1. Package the product and relevant accessories carefully, using ample padding materials and a sturdy mailing container to prevent damage in transit. STEP 2. Include in package: a) Evidence of date and place of original purchase (for example, a copy of your sales receipt). b) Detailed description of your problem. c) When possible, a sample evidencing the problem. STEP 3.
Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the Vivitar VIV-DF-183 flash unit. This electronic flash is innovatively designed for both digital cameras and film cameras, with advanced technology used to control the correct amount of light output. Please kindly take a few minutes to read this instruction manual before using. Compatibility The VIV-DF-183 flash comes in six different varieties, each compatible with different cameras.
Features The VIV-DF-183 has the following features: • • • • • • • A red focus assist beam for low light focusing An automatic shutter speed setting A flash readiness indication A five position tilted reflector Red-eye reduction (for VIV-DF-NIK, OLY, PANA and PEN units) Front and rear curtain synchronization A Power saving function -4-
Specifications Guide Number (ISO 100) Five Position Tilted Reflector Power Source Flash Duration Recycling Time Number of Flashes Dimensions Weight w/o batt. 20(m)/66(ft) 0°/45°/60°/75°/90° 2 x 1.5V AA size batt. (R6, LR6) 1/2,000 - 1/40,000 sec. 0.3 - 10 sec. with fresh batteries 100 times with fresh batteries Approx. 65 - 54 - 98mm Approx. 127 g Specifications are subject to change without notice.
A Quick Look at Your Device Tilted Reflector Type SON Mounting Foot Red Light Mounting Foot -6-
A Quick Look at Your Device (continued) DF-183 Battery Compartment Cover Auto OK Test/Ready ON/OFF Switch Shoe Release Button Lock Button Type CAN Type PEN -7-
Inserting Batteries into Your Flash • Turn the ON/OFF switch to the OFF position. • Slide the battery compartment cover open. • Insert 2 AA batteries as indicated by the symbols in the battery compartment. • Close the battery compartment cover. Caution: Make sure your batteries are inserted with the correct polarity (+,-). Replace each battery one at a time and make sure that the batteries you are using are of the same brand and type with the same capacity.
Mounting Your Flash to Your Camera and Removing It Mounting Your Flash to Your Camera • For Type CAN, NIK, OLY, PANA and PEN flashes: Release the Lock button. Insert the mounting foot of the flash unit into the camera's accessory shoe clip. Press the Lock button to fasten the flash unit to your camera. • For Type SON flash: Insert the mounting foot of the flash unit into the camera's accessory shoe. Then the flash unit is locked in place.
Operating Your Flash and Running a Test Flash Slide the ON/OFF switch to the "ON" position. After a few seconds the Test/Ready lamp should illuminate, indicating that the flash is ready to use. Press the Test/Ready button to make sure that your flash works properly. If the flash discharges, it should be working properly. Wait until the Ready lamp glows again to use once more. Adjust your camera to the appropriate setting.
AF/TTL Operation AF - AUTO FOCUS If the camera is compatible with an external AF mode, when the shutter button is pressed half way down, the focus assist light is automatically activated to help the camera focus properly when the subject is in darkness. TTL The flash performs pre-flashes for cameras to calculate the intensity of flash light output. Therefore the flash light output is controlled automatically. -For Nikon D40 & D40x owners: The flash can support an ISO speed up to 800 in full auto mode.
Front and Rear Curtain Synchronization Some cameras offer the option of rear curtain synchronization (Rear mode) triggering the flash unit at the end of the exposure time. Rear curtain synchronization is particularly advantageous when using slow shutter speeds (slower than 1/30 sec.) or when shooting moving objects that have their own source of light.
Bounce Photography Using direct a flash to illuminate a subject will result in harsh, unnatural and unattractive shadows. This can be avoided by using bounce flash. The head of your flash can be tilted to an angle of 45°, 60°, 75°, or 90°. You can tilt the flash head to bounce the light off the ceiling or walls. While shooting indoors, this technique can help to create more natural looking pictures of people with softer shadows.
Power Saving Functions If there is no communication between the flash and your camera for about three minutes, the flash will automatically be switched to power saving mode in order save battery power. -The Ready light will be off while in power saving mode. -To reactivate the flashgun, simply press your camera’s shutter button or switch the main switch off and on again. -The flashgun is not completely switched off in power saving mode. However, power consumption is drastically reduced.
Maintenance and Tips for Taking Better Photos • When not in use, switch the unit off. Take the batteries out when the flash is being stored or when it will be carried for a long time. Keep your flash away from dust and moisture to prolong its life. • The flash should not be exposed to moisture or liquids. • Batteries should not be exposed to excessive heat from sunshine, fire or the like. • Never try to open or repair your flash since the electronic circuit inside carries a high voltage.
