Qflash® Trio QF8 Shoe Mount Digital Flash Operating Instructions Quantum Instruments Designed and manufactured in the USA
Reflector Locking Ring Reflector Flash Tube Power Cable Input Auto Focus Assist Light Flash Indicator Shoe lock wheel USB Auto Sensor
Reflector Reflector Locking Ring Release Button Flash Indicator 1
Flash Display Symbols The top portion of the display contains information relating to the status of the internal radio, and the options that are set on the flash. See Section 8 for setting the radio and Section 9 for setting the options. Note : in some modes the radio mode will be set automatically. Flash compensation set Reflector type N – normal D – diffusor wide angle dome soft box B – bare bulb reflector or bare bulb 1234 – Zones that are turned on. If a zone is off it will be replaced by a “-“.
Table of Contents Section 1. Introduction 2. Warnings 3. Advanced Features Summary 4. Getting started 5. Basic Navigation 6. Basic Options 7. Choosing the right mode 8. Radio set up 9. Options 10. Q QTTL Mode 11. A Automatic Mode 12. AF Auto Fill Mode 13. QR QTTL Ratio Mode 14. M Manual Mode 15. RL Remote – Linked to local Qflash Mode 16. RA Remote Auto Wireless Mode 17. RG Remote Group mode 18. AM Advanced Multi Mode 19. PRGM Program mode 20. Updating the Trio 21. Customer service 1.
2. WARNINGS CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK. DO NOT OPEN. WARNING : TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT OPEN THE QFLASH. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the Qflash’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to the person.
3. Advanced Features Summary The chart below summarizes the advanced features for various Qflash series. A “U” means the Qflash model will have this feature when upgraded to series 5d-R. An “F” means this feature is available in the model shown. An “N” means the feature is not available. Visit qtm.com for upgrade procedures and costs.
4.2 Inserting the Flash Tube Match the red dot on the base of the flash tube with the red dot in the socket of Qflash. Push the flash tube in until it is seated snugly into the socket. Excessive force is not required. Replace the flash tube only with Quantum type QF30 or QF30uv for Qflash model T5d / T5d-R. Other flash tubes will not provide proper exposure, may not work at all, or they may damage the Qflash. 4.
4.5 Connecting Trio to a Camera Loosen Shoe lock until metal “foot” protrudes fully. Slide Trio into camera hot shoe. Tighten shoe lock wheel 4.6 Powering the Trio Before turning on any power to Trio always make all electrical connections first, both to the camera and to the power pack. The Trio is powered by any Quantum Turbo Battery including Turbo, Turbo 2x2, Turbo Compact, Turbo SC, Turbo AC and Turbo Z. Plug the Trio power cable into the flash, then into the output connection of the power pack.
5. Basic Navigation This Section explains how to maneuver your way around the Trio The Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons have two functions. 1. When a selection or setting is highlighted on the display the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons will change that selection or setting. For example if the F/number is highlighted then the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons will adjust the F/number down or up. 2.
6. Soft keys There are four soft keys located under the display. The function of these soft keys will change based on user operation. To change the function of the soft keys use the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons when no selection or setting is highlighted on the display. The soft keys assignment will change to the next available one. Note that not all soft key assignments are available for all modes 6.
7. Choosing the right mode To select a mode, press the MODE/OK button. The available modes will appear across the top of the display, with the current mode highlighted. The full name of the current mode will also appear in the center of the display. Use the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ arrow buttons to Highlight the mode you want. Then press the MODE/OK or SET buttons to select the mode and exit.
7.1 Q QTTL QTTL mode uses the exposure system built into the camera. You may offset exposure by 2 stops above or 3 stops below camera setting. Use this mode if you want the camera to control the exposure. Radio: Can be set to send a SYNC signal to fire remote flashes. Or it can be set to send TTL information to remote Qflashes. Remote flash must be in Linked to Local (RL) mode.
7.3 AF A Auto Fill Light output is controlled by the sensor located on the front of the flash. When the Trio is placed on a camera F number and ISO information are sent to the flash from the camera. As the F number and ISO are changed on the camera the flash will display them. Use this mode if you want Trio’s sensor to control the exposure, but F number and ISO on Trio to track the camera settings. A Sensor Limit feature can be used in situations with no background, like an open field. See sections 11.
7.5 M Manual Light output is controlled by fixed power output of flash. When Trio is placed on a camera F number and ISO information are sent to the flash from the camera. As the F number and ISO are changed on the camera the flash will display them, and show the corresponding flash to subject distance for proper exposure. (Provided the correct reflector is set in the Options. See section 9.
7.7 RA Remote Auto Light output is controlled by the sensor located on the front of the remote Qflash. F number and ISO information are sent to the flash from the camera. Use this mode if you want a remote flash to have the dedication of a TTL flash, but the simplicity of the automatic sensor. Radio: Defaults to receive (RX) mode. Benefits : No pre flash required. Very quick mode. No time delay between shutter and flash. Sensor limit available.
8. Radio set up Press the RADIO soft key to enter the radio set up menu. To exit the set up menu press the MODE/OK or SET buttons. ZONES Zones can be used to control individual units within a Channel Code group. - RADIO OFF OFF OFF SYNC RX LINK Channel Codes The Channel Codes allow the Trio to work together with FreeXWires and other Trios. Set all units that you want to work together to the same Channel Code.
9. Options Press the OPT (options) soft key to enter the options set up menus. There are four options menus to select from. To exit the set up menu press the MODE/OK or SET buttons Use the LEFT (-) Å or RIGHT (+) Æ arrows to select the options menu that contains the option you want to change. 9.
9.1.3 Reflector N, D, B Setting the reflector type is important so that the displayed distance, guide number and f/# correspond to the reflector in use. The choices are NORM (for the reflector supplied with Qflash), DIFF (for diffusers supplied with Qflash, optional QF67A Dome diffuser, QF68 Soft Box, or QF69 Mini Soft Box), BBE (optional Bare Bulb Enhancers QF62Bs and QF62Bg) . Notes: When using QF62B s/g the manual parameters are accurate only for an open area.
9.2.2 Lock Buttons Turning this option on will lock out the buttons and prevent any accidental changing of settings. To unlock the Trio Press the outer two soft keys when prompted. 9.2.3 P1 – P8 lock This options prevents accidental changes to your P1 through P8 settings in Program mode. While you can make adjustments during use, any changes you make will not be saved into P1 through P8 while the lock is on. 9.2.4 Display light DL The back light of the display can be set to one of the following.
9.3 Options menu 4 of 4 This menu changes : OPTIONS MENU 4 OF 4 - USE Å OR Æ FOR MORE OPTIONS Auto compensation Man compensation AUTO + MAN Quantum calibrates Qflashes to American National SET MODE Standards Institute (ANSI) standards /OK with laboratory equipment traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
5. Fire the Trio. Note the F/number on the flash meter. 6. Press the AUTO soft key, then use the UP and DOWN soft keys, adjust the F/ number in the display until it matches the F/ number from the flash meter. COMPENSATION - +0 AUTO +0 AUTO F 5.6 7 + MAN SET MODE /OK 9.4.2 Manual mode Qflash Compensation This procedure will calibrate Qflash to an incident light flash meter you use and trust. Note that only incident light measurements are reliable for manual exposure settings. 1.
10. Q QTTL Mode Operation F/number and ISO are sent to the flash from the camera. Only the fill setting is user adjustable. Press the Set button to highlight the fill setting. Use the left (-) Å and right (+) Æ arrow buttons to adjust the fill down or up. QTTL F 5.6 7 - FIRE OPT FILL +0 ISO 200 SAVE MODE + RADIO SET /OK The fill setting is used to adjust the flash output from 3 stops below (-3) the camera setting to 2 stops (+2) above the camera setting. The fill can be adjusted in 1/3 steps.
A Automatic Mode Operation 11. A 11.1 On camera Auto mode F/number, ISO are user adjustable. Pressing the Set button will highlight them in that order. Use the left (-) Å and right (+) Æ arrow buttons to adjust the highlighted setting down or up. - AUTO F 5.6 7 2.4 –22 FT FIRE OPT MODE /OK ISO SAVE 200 + RADIO SET Flash distance displays the working distance between your Qflash and Subject based on the current settings. Moving outside this range may result in an under or overexposed picture.
Using the Radio (off camera) To enable the Trio to be fired remotely set the internal radio to RX. An FW9T or FW10w must be located at the camera position, or you can use another Trio at the camera position. Be sure that the channel and zones match the channel and zones set on the Trio. See section 8.0 for setting the Channel and Zones on the Trio 11.
To solve this problem use the Flash Sensor Limit. ∞ - No limit placed on sensor distance 5ft / 2m, 10ft / 3m, 15ft / 4m, 20ft / 6m When the Flash Sensor Limit is set to ∞ the flash will produce the desired f/# for a subject within the flash’s minimum and maximum flash distance. With Auto Sensor Limit turned on, a ‘Limit’ indicator is activated. After a flash, if the subject’s distance exceeds the sensor limit currently set (5, 10, 15 or 20ft. / 2, 3, 4, 6m) the word ‘Limit’ will appear in the display.
12. AF Auto Fill Mode Operation 12.1 On camera Auto Fill mode F/number, ISO are sent to the flash from the camera. Only the Fill flash setting is user adjustable. Press the Set button to highlight the Fill setting. Use the left (-) Å and right (+) Æ arrow buttons to adjust the Fill down or up. - AUTO FILL F 5.6 7 3.
QR QTTL Ratio Mode Operation 13. QR F/number, ISO are sent to the flash from the camera. Independent fill flash ratios can be set on the Local (on-camera) flash and Remote Groups 1 and 2 QTTLWR F 5.6 7 - ISO 200 FIRE OPT FILL +0 R1 +1 R2 -1 SAVE + RADIO Pressing the Set button will MODE SET /OK highlight them in that order. Use the left (-) Å and right (+) Æ arrow buttons to adjust the highlighted setting down or up.
14. M Manual Mode Operation 14.1 On camera Manual Mode F/number, ISO are sent to the flash from the camera. Only the power setting is user adjustable. - MAN 1/8 F 5.6 7 7.7 FT FIRE Press the Set button to highlight the power setting. Use the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ arrow buttons to adjust the power down or up. GN 55 ISO OPT MODE /OK SAVE 200 + RADIO SET Power settings are adjustable in 1/3 steps from full power to 1/32nd power like this: 1/1, 1/1-, 1/2+, 1/2, 1/2- …… 1/32.
14.3 Manual mode soft keys To change the function of the soft keys use the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons when no selection or setting is highlighted on the display. If the radio is turned off, there is only the default soft key functions available If the radio is on, then the zone control soft keys are available. Press a soft key to turn a zone on or off. FIRE OPT SAVE RADIO (DEFAULT) 1 ON 2 ON 3 OFF 4 OFF (RADIO ZONES) 14.
RL Remote – Linked to Local Qflash 15. RL Operation Light output of this flash will equal the light output of the Local Qflash. - REMOTE – LINKED TO LOCAL QFLASH FIRE OPT SAVE MODE /OK Using the Radio + RADIO SET The internal radio will default to receive (Rx) mode. You may still need to select the proper channel to match the channel set on the local flash. See section 8.0 for setting the channel and zones on the Trio. The local flash may be : 1.
16. RA Remote Auto Wireless Mode Operation Exposure is controlled by the sensor located on the front of the remote. F/number and ISO are sent from the camera or local Qflash to the remote Trio. REMOTE AUTO W F 5.6 7 - 2.4 –22 FT FIRE OPT ISO SAVE MODE /OK Using the Radio 200 + RADIO SET The radio will default to receive (Rx) mode. You may still need to select the proper Channel to match the Channel on the Local Qflashes. See section 8.0 for setting the Channel and Zones on the Trio.
17. RG Remote Group Mode Operation When the RG mode is selected the display will prompt you to select one of three possible groups. - REMOTE GROUP R1 AUTO F 5.6 7 3.6 –32 FT FIRE Group L – Remote flashes set to this group will have the same exposure as the local flash. Remote-linked to local Qflash will appear on the display if this group is selected OPT ISO SAVE MODE /OK 200 + RADIO SET Group R1 / R2 – The operation of remotes set to this group depend on the mode of the local flash.
18. AM Advanced Multi Mode Operation This mode gives full control of the Mode and all the settings of the Local flash plus two Remote Groups. - ADV. MULTI FIRE Press the Set button until you reach the setting that you want to change is highlighted. Then use the Left (-) Å and Right (+) Æ buttons to adjust the highlighted setting down or up. ISO 200 LOCAL MAN 1/8 7 R1 AUTO F5.6 3 R2 AUTO F8.
19. PRGM PRGM Program Mode Operation The Program mode allows you to store your favorite settings and set-ups and then quickly recall them just by pressing the soft keys. You can program up to 8 Qflash set-ups of Manual, Auto, or TTL operation, including settings for all parameters. 19.1 Saving a set up When you find a set up you like and want to store it, press the SAVE soft key. The display will prompt you to determine the program number (Pnumber) that you want to save the set up as.
20. Updating the Trio Quantum Instruments is always expanding the capabilities of its products to meet the demands of newer cameras. As new features are added to the TRIO, Quantum will post these updates on it’s website. The TRIO can be updated right from your home PC computer using the included USB cable. For updates and a detailed set of instructions visit. www.qtm.
21. Customer service Having any trouble using your Quantum product? We are here to help. Mail, call, fax, or email our Service Department: Service department Quantum Instruments 10 Commerce Drive Hauppauge, NY 11788 Tel: (631) 656-7400 Fax: (631) 656-7410 Website: www.qtm.com Troubleshooting tips are available at www.qtm.com, Support, Customer Support, FAQ. If you suspect a malfunction or require adjustment, return the unit to us with an accurate description of the problem.
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F tested to comply with FCC standards CANADA : 3707A-2811 FCC ID: CEXQFTRIO Qflash Trio This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and with RSS-210 of Industry & Science Canada.
