Bolt VB-11, User Manual

Page 1: ...VB 11 VB 22 BARE BULB FLASH User s Manual Inspiration strikes Inspiration strikes ...

Page 2: ...2 Introduction ...

Page 3: ...utiful contrasted light The flashes can also accept other various light modifiers to create your ideal shooting conditions Additionally the bare bulb flash units can be attached and secured to a myriad of stands and mounts simplifying the setup and use of the device High power 360 W s on VB 22 180 W s on VB 11 1 1 to 1 128 flash output User replaceable flashtube Stroboscopic and Slave modes Tilt a...

Page 4: ... 9 Warnings 10 11 Using the Flash Installing and Replacing the Flashtube 12 13 Powering the Flash 14 15 Mounting the Flash 16 17 Setting the Flash Power 18 Triggering the Flash 19 AF Assist Mode 20 Audio Function 20 Optical Slave Triggering Mode 21 ...

Page 5: ...unction 24 Modifying the Light Output Tilt and Swivel 24 26 Lighting Effects 26 Using the Reflector and Diffuser 27 Troubleshooting 28 29 Specifications 30 Repeat Mode Reference Chart 31 Recommended Accessories 32 35 Limited Warranty 36 Back Cover ...

Page 6: ...6 Overview VB 11 1 4 3 7 6 2 5 19 20 21 22 18 11 13 14 10 9 8 12 15 16 17 23 24 25 26 ...

Page 7: ...de Button 10 Set Button 11 Test Button 12 Sync Cord Jack 13 Mounting Foot 14 PC Sync Socket 15 Accessory Locking Knob 16 Position Release Button 17 Wireless Control Port 18 AF Assist Light 19 Accessory Mount 20 Flashtube 21 Flashtube Socket 22 Optical Slave Sensor Additional VB 22 Parts 23 AF Assist Light 24 Optical Slave Sensor 25 Stand Mounting Foot 26 Shoe Mounting Foot ...

Page 8: ...8 Overview M S1 S2 27 28 33 32 34 35 42 31 36 30 29 40 41 37 38 39 ...

Page 9: ...ual Mode 30 Slave Modes 31 RPT Mode 32 High Speed Sync Indicator 33 RPT Times Indicator 34 RPT Frequency Indicator 35 AF Assist Indicator 36 Audio Indicator Included Accessories 37 Retaining Ring 38 Diffuser 39 Reflector 40 Power Cable 41 Protective Pouch 42 Stand Tripod Mount ...

Page 10: ... yourself High voltage components inside can produce a hazardous electric shock Keep this product and its accessories out of the reach of children Use only the power sources specified in this manual Always switch the flash off before installing or removing a power source Do not use or store your VB Series Bare Bulb Flash in flammable conditions such as environments containing flammable gases or li...

Page 11: ...ng or melting Take the product to an authorized service center for repair Do not drop or otherwise cause a strong physical impact to the unit as this can cause a malfunction that may cause it to explode or ignite Remove all power sources from the unit before long term storage in order to prevent the product from igniting or leaking corrosive liquids Do not store or use the product at temperatures ...

Page 12: ... the unit Additionally remove all accessories connected to the unit s Accessory Mount 1 Using white cotton gloves or a clean cloth line up the dot on the bottom of the flashtube with the one inside the flashtube socket to ensure correct polarity 2 With the polarity aligned insert the flash tube into the flashtube socket on the flash unit using firm even pressure until secure ...

Page 13: ...power source disconnected from the unit Additionally remove all accessories connected to the unit s Accessory Mount 1 Using white cotton gloves or a clean cloth grasp the flashtube using firm even pressure and pull the flashtube from the flash unit 2 To install the new bulb follow the Installing the Flashtube instructions above ...

Page 14: ...er source is sold separately Connecting to a power pack 1 Ensure the power pack and flash unit are turned off 2 Insert one end of the high voltage power cable into the output socket of the power pack and plug the other end into the power socket of the flash 3 Turn on the power pack and then press the Power button on the flash NOTE Certain power packs such as the Bolt PP 400DR will automatically tu...

Page 15: ...Powering the Flash 15 ...

Page 16: ... and the like The stand mount allows the flash to be attached to lightstands tripods and anything else with a standard 20 mounting screw To install or remove a VB 22 mounting foot unscrew the four screws from the base of the flash using a Phillips screwdriver Carefully install alternate mounting foot and secure by re installing screws to the unit If the VB 22 s primary usage will be on a lightstan...

Page 17: ...he shoe 4 Secure the flash by turning the tightening ring clockwise Mounting the Flash on a Stand 1 Holding either the Stand Tripod Mount or the VB 22 with the Stand Mounting Foot securely installed place the threaded socket over the stand s 20 installation screw 2 Screw in the Stand Tripod Mount or VB 22 by turning it clockwise until tight and secure 3 If using the Stand Tripod Mount follow the s...

Page 18: ...it please wait for at least 10 minutes after 75 continuous flashes at full power The flash will automatically enter thermal protection mode if it gets overheated The LCD screen will display and flash firing will be disabled until the unit has cooled NOTE Turning the flash power output lower than 1 128 until OF is displayed will disable flash firing This feature is for use with a dedicated remote s...

Page 19: ... cable flash sync cord Simply open the rubber covering on the flash s sync jack insert one end into the jack and the other end into a flash triggering device 4 Optical Slave Both flashes can be used as wireless slave units in single or multiple flash configurations To use the slave mode see the Optical Slave Triggering Mode section of this manual on page 21 5 Dedicated Remote Control A dedicated r...

Page 20: ... the AF button on your flash The LCD screen will display when the function has been activated To disable the AF Assist function and light push the AF button again Audio Function The Audio function indicated as on the LCD screen is an audible indicator for when the flash unit has fully recycled its charge and is ready to fire To activate or disable this function press the Audio button The icon will...

Page 21: ...VB Series bulb flashes have two slave settings S1 Mode sets the flash to fire in sync when the master flash is triggered while S2 Mode allows the flash unit to ignore a single preflash from the master and only fire in response to the main flash from the master unit To use the optical slave triggering mode press the Mode button until S1 or S2 is displayed on the LCD screen M S1 S2 ...

Page 22: ... screen Press the Set button until the Times indicator flashes then use the Selection Dial to choose your desired amount Press the Set button again to adjust the flash frequency Use the Selection dial to find your desired setting Press the Set button again to confirm your settings Set your camera to the appropriate shutter speed Take a test shot to confirm settings NOTE To adjust your camera s shu...

Page 23: ...and the frequency of the flash is 5 Hz then Therefore the shutter speed should be 2 seconds Different flash power levels allow different amount and frequency combinations For more information see Repeat Mode Reference Chart on page 31 10 flashes per frame 5 HZ 2 M S1 S2 ...

Page 24: ...ynchronize with shutter speeds up to 1 8000 To activate this function press the Mode Selection and Set buttons at the same time The LCD screen will display to indicate the function has been turned on Modifying the Light Output TILT AND SWIVEL The VB Series bare bulb flash heads can tilt down to 15 and up at 45 60 75 and 90 angles from lens They can also swivel horizontally 135 to the right and 180...

Page 25: ...l colored surface such as a ceiling wall or reflector The light will bounce off the larger surface before striking your subject providing softer more natural illumination In addition the flash can tilt down by 15 degrees in order to fully illuminate your subject when shooting close up photography To adjust the tilt and swivel of the flash head press and hold the Position Release button Release the...

Page 26: ...sed for creative effects Lighting Effects To manipulate the quality of light from your bare bulb flash accessories are available Included with the Bolt VB Series flashes are a reflector and diffuser The reflector is used to amplify and widen the reach of the flash s light Using this by itself is useful in lighting a large wall or space with one light source The included diffuser will soften the li...

Page 27: ... 2 Slide the reflector into the Accessory Mount 3 Rotate the Accessory Locking ring clockwise until tight 4 If desired snap the diffuser and retaining ring onto the front of the reflector NOTE Other dedicated accessories such as snoots beauty dishes and grids can be mounted similarly For a list of recommended accessories see page 32 in this manual ...

Page 28: ...re Check that the flash is connected to a power source the power source is turned on and the cables properly connected Page 14 If connected via hot shoe make sure the pin at the bottom as well as the hot shoe are clean and free of debris If the flash has overheated it will need 10 to 15 minutes to cool down before being able to fire again Page 18 The power setting is set to OF Page 18 ...

Page 29: ...h The ambient light may be too high Make sure that the flash is set to the appropriate slave mode Page 21 The bottom of the image looks dark To fully illuminate your subject when shooting close up photography tilt the flash down to the 15 position Page 24 There s a whining sound coming from the flash This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction When the flash heats up from continuous use vib...

Page 30: ...262 80 m Flash coverage 28 mm with reflector 28 mm with reflector Flash duration 1 300 1 10 000 second 1 300 1 10 000 second Recycle time 0 05 2 6 seconds w Bolt PP 400DR 0 1 5 2 seconds w Bolt PP 400DR Manual mode power output 1 1 1 2 1 4 1 8 1 16 1 32 1 64 1 128 1 1 1 2 1 4 1 8 1 16 1 32 1 64 1 128 Slaves timing modes Instant Sync S1 Skip Pre Flash S2 Instant Sync S1 Skip Pre Flash S2 Slave sens...

Page 31: ...1 30 50 70 80 99 99 2 1 2 4 70 80 99 99 3 1 2 2 7 80 99 99 4 1 2 2 4 16 99 99 5 1 2 2 3 8 99 99 6 1 2 2 3 6 99 99 7 1 1 2 3 5 25 99 8 1 1 2 2 5 15 99 9 1 1 2 2 4 10 99 10 11 1 1 2 2 4 6 99 12 13 1 1 2 2 3 6 99 13 15 1 1 2 2 3 5 99 15 19 1 1 2 2 3 5 36 20 99 1 1 2 2 3 5 20 Repeat Mode Reference Chart ...

Page 32: ... VB Series bare bulb flashes use external power packs to power the units Bolt offers the PP 400DR and PP 310 Power Packs which have a blazing fast 1 second recycle time Additionally the 2 sockets on the PP 400DR provide the user with the ability to power two flashes simultaneously The PP 400DR has enough power for 1400 full power flash bursts while the PP 310 provides 500 full power flash bursts P...

Page 33: ... you to plug one HV power cord into two power pack outlets cutting recycle time in half and aiding in avoiding missed shot opportunities The PP SC Splitter Cable allows you to power two flashes from one power pack socket PP DC Doubler Cable PP SC Splitter Cable PP 310 Compact Power Pack ...

Page 34: ...neycomb grid The cone and tube Snoot Set is used to create dramatic lighting effects by focusing the light into tight circles The Beauty Dish and Grid Kit is ideal for creating a soft yet crisp quality of light or increasing contrast and directionality Additionally the Umbrella Mounting Kit helps facilitate the setup and installation of an umbrella for enhanced lighting effects VB GFK Grid and Fil...

Page 35: ...ts your flash s flashtube allowing you to keep it mounted to the flash during transit The 15 Extension Power Cord provides you with more reach offering the ability to power your flash unit from an increased distance Additionally replacement power cords and flashtubes are also available VB 11 FT and VB 22 FT Flashtubes VB PC S 15 Extension Power Cord VB PC C Coiled Power Cord VB FTC Flashtube Cover...

Page 36: ...damage or defect caused by misuse neglect accident alteration abuse improper installation or maintenance EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN THE WARRANTY PROVIDER MAKES NEITHER ANY EXPRESS WARRANTIES NOR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE This warranty provides you with specific legal rights and you may also have ad...