Philips P 536 TCL - X User manual

ENGLISH





  1. Cameraadaoter
  2. Lockingwedge
  3. Computereye
  4. Batterycompartmentcover
  5. Connectionfor synchronisationcable (only for PDA 1 10)
  6. Rotatingreflectorcontrol
  7. Rotatinglight beam control (wide angle-normal-tele)
  8. Colourfiltercomoartment
  9. Aoerturescale
10. ASA scale
11. ASA slidingcontrol
12. Distancescale'13.   Wide angle - normal-teleslidingcontrot(W-N-T)
14. Off/standby/loadswitch
15. Manual/automaticselector(TTL)
16. Power ratio/computersettingselector
17. Load indrcator(load)
18. Buttonfor test f lash (test button)
19. FlashRangeCheck
20. Load indicator1/2 guide number
21. Load indicator3/4 guide number
22. Load indicatorfull guide number
23. Connectionfor power pack accessory

Your flash unit can operateon almost every automaticcamera if a specialadapter
is used.

PDA 1 1Ofor standardcameras
P D A 1 1 1 N i k o n
PDA 1 12 Pentax
PDA 1 13 Minolta
PDA 1 14 Canon
PDA 1 15 Olympus
PDA 1 16 Chinon
PDA 1 17 Ricoh

You will find the characteristicsand possibilitiesofferedby your flash unit on your
particularautomaticcamera in ihe instructronsfor use of the camera adapter.See
also the instructionsfor fse lor your camera.
MAKE SURETHAT THE FLASH UNIT IS SWITCHEDOFF YOU PLACE IT ON
THE CAMERA.

INSERTINGTHE BATTERIES
Remove the battery compaftment cover 4 and insert four AA size batteries(prefer
ably the alkalinetype)or rechargeable(nickelcadmium)batteriesin the batterycom-
partment.

Note: The batteriesmust be inseftedwith their polarityas indicatedwithinthe battery
      .  compafiment.Incorrectinsertionwill preventproperoperationof the flash unit.
Replacethe batterycompaftmentcover.

TESTING
To make sure that your flash unit iSworking properlyand that the batteriesare not run
down, set switch 14 to the standby position,press the switchand wait till lamp 20
lightsup. Then presstest button18.

CONNECTINGTHE FLASH UNIT TO YOUR CAMERA
Slide lockingwedge 2 towards the rear of
the flash unit and slide mountingfoot 1 into
the accessoryshoe on the camera.Secure
the flash unit by slidinglockingwedge 2 to-
wards the front of the unit.
lf your camera has a hot shoe contact,the
flash unit has now been adaptedcomplete-
ly to your camera.





SETTINGTHE SHUTTER SPEED
Check the instructionsfor use of your camera, then set the shutterspeed of your ca-
mera to the proper settingfor use with an electronicflash, or use 1/30 second.
Your dedicatedflash unit ensures that the camera sets the correct shutter time
automatrcally.
THE PHILIPSENERGYSAVING SYSTEM
This electronicflash unit is fittedwith the PhilipsEnergySavingSystem so that optimal
use is made of the batteries.Set switch 14 to the standby position,press the switch
and the electronicflash unit starlsto load.This is indicatedby load indicatorlamp 17.
After a periodof time, loadingis switchedoff automaticallyand the load indicatorlamp
17 goes off. Duringloading,the indicatorlamps 20, 21 and22lighl up one afterthe ot-
her and continueto be lit as long as there is sufficientelectricalcharge to make a flash
with the maximumof power. As the charge fades after auto switchoff these indicators
extinguishone after another,showing the remainingpower.
Lamps 20,21 and 22 glow at full load 1/1.
Lamps 20 and 21 glow at three-quarterload 3/4.
Lamp 20 glows at halt load 112.
 ff the lamps 20,21 and 22 are lit, the lower distancescale 12 should be used. This
scale is locatedat the same height as lamp 22 and shows the maximum distance
valuesat full load. lf only lamp 20 is lit, you should use the upperdistancescale 12.
At half load (correspondingto indicatorlamp 20) you only have half the distanceyou
have at full load. lf the lamps 20 and 21 are lit, you have 3/4 of the maximumshown on
distancescale 12.
The flash unit reloadsif you press switch14 briefly.The flash unit reloadsautomatical-
ly after an exposurehas beenwww.orphancameras.commade.

When the batteriesare run down or are no longer capable of loadingthe flash unit
completely,the availableflashpoweris indicatedby the indicatorlamps20,21 and22.
These indicatorlamps give a clear rndicationof the state of the batteriesand therefore
make it possibleto use batteriesfor longer and more economicallythan is the case
with flashunitsnot usingthe ESS system.In addition,this electronicflashunit is fitted
withan energy-savingthyristorcomputerwhichconservesthe remainingpowerfroma
computer-controlledflash for the next flash and thereforecreates a further saving in
batteryconsumption.

AUTOMATIC FLASH CONTROL
In automatic"computer"mode the light sensingcell3 receiveslight reflectedfrom
the centralarea of the subjectand cuts ofJthe flash when enough lighthas beett re-
ceived.
It is necessaryto set your camera lens apertureto matchthe one indicatedon aper-
ture scale9.
You have a choice of up to five differentapertureswith the P 536 TCL-X.
Both main and subflashlightis regulatedsimultaneously.Selectyour filmspeedin
ASA scale10, switch14 to stand by selector1 5 to positionA and switch16 to A1,
A2 or A3. You will see a green lighted figure on the exposurescale 9.
For ASA 100 thesefigureswill be 2.8, 5.6 and 11 respectively.
PositionA1 has a range of 1 .5 to 13 m. (5 to 43 feet)
PositionA2 has a rangeof 0.7 to 6.5 m. (2.3 to 21.5 feet)
PositionA3 has a rangeof 0.7 to 3.3 m. (2.3 to 10 feet)
When the subjectis closerthan 1 .5 m (5 feet) it is advisableto selectthe wide angle
refractorand W settingswhen using normal lenses.
Dependingon the actual flash-to-objectdistance,a choice can be made between
these computerranges. In general,the computersettingwith the shorterdistance
range (smalleslaperture)should be selectedto ensurethe greatestdepth of focus.
Set the correctf ilm speed with the ASA slidingcontrol11 and selectA1, A2 or A3.
You will find the maximum distance for this computer range above the lit ex-
posure indication.
For ASA 80, you will find a green indication betweentwo exposurevalues.This is
between4 and 5.6 for positionA2. You shouldthen set the apertureof your camera
between4 and 5.6. lf this is not possible,aperture4 should be selected.
Example: you are usinga 100ASA film and set the slider1 1 accordingly.lf you se-
 lect a computerrange of between0.7 m and 6.5 m (2.3 to 21.5 feet) (positionA2),
you should select apertureon your camera.
 lf your camera has a TTL tlash measurementSystem,you should Setthe Selector
switcn 15 to the TTL position. The camera then measuresaccuratelywhether
your film is exposed correctlyand adjuststhe light output of the flash unit accord-
 ingly.See also the instructionsfor use for your camera.
Note:  lf you have a "Flashmatic"camera (with a built-inflash control)you cannot
      use aulomaticcontrolbut have to followthe instructionsfor MANUAL CON-
      T R O L . , : I

AUTOMATIC FLASH RANGE CHECK
 In orderto be certainthat the flash unit providessufficientlightto illuminatethe sub-
ject correctly,you can make a trial flash.
This is done as follows:set the selector15 to positionA.
Then select A'1,A2  or A3. Wait until the indicator lamps 20, 21 and 22 light

up and then press test button 18. lf indicatorlamp 19lights up, there is sufficient
light for a good picture.You can also check this after an exposure.lf indicator:19
does not glow, try positionA1, or the one permittinglargestcamera lens aperture.

MANUAL FLASH CONTROL
 In contrastwith an automaticflash control,the flash unit gives the same quantityof
lightunder all circumstancesIn the M position.set switch 14 to the standby positi-
on, pressthis switch and then set switch 15 to positionM. Set switch16 to position
1. Determinethe distanceto the subjectand selectthe aperturesettingon your ca-
mera correspondingto the distanceand the film speed (ASA) as shown on aperture
scale 9.
Example: At a film speed of 100 ASA and a distancefrom the object to be photo-
graphedof 9 metres,the apertureof your camera should be set at f4.
A simpleformulais:         . guide number        :: apenureapenure(1(1 metremetre isis iapprox.'1yard)                      distance in metres
Your flash unit has a guide number of 36. lt makes negligabledifferencewhether
the subflashis on or off.
Pleaserememberthat this is only the case when switch 16 is in position1.
The 1/4 and 1/16 positions of switch 16 ensure that the flash unit produ-
ces a reducedbut fixed quantityof light (power ratio).As comparedwith position1
and at the same distance, you must open the aperture by one, two, four or six stops
further respectively.
This facilityfor selectinglight quantitiesnot only saves energy but also makes the
flash unit suitablefor less usual flash exposures,e.g. for macrophotographyor
when using a camera fittedwith a winder or motor drive or in circumstanceswhere
less light is desirable.

Example: You are using a 100 ASA film and set the flash unit accordingly.Set
switch15 to positionM. The distanceto the subjectis 4.5 metres.When switch16 is
in position1, aperturef8 should be selected.However,if you select position1/4,
you should also select aperture  f 4.  lf you select position 1/16, you should use
aperturef2, given the same distance.

SHOOTING
Focusyour camera and take the pictureil the indicatorlamps 20,21 and22arelit.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION: 25 ASA ='15 DIN
                        50 ASA = 18 DIN
                        64 ASA = 19 DIN
                        80 ASA = 20 DIN
                      100 ASA = 21 DIN
                      125 ASA = 22 DIN
                       200 ASA = 24 DIN
                       400 ASA = 27 DIN





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BOUNCE FLASH
Bounce flash is recommended if you
want gentle diffuselightingwithoutprom-
inentshadows.Pointthe flashlightat the
ceiling (white for colour photographyto
avoid undesirablecolourvariationsin the
exposure).The reflectorcan be moved
throughan angleof 180'to the left, 160'
to the right and 90" upwards.
The reflectorcan be moved uowards if
you rotatethe rotatingreflectorcontrol6.
We recommend that you only make
bounce flashes exposures when the
computeris switchedon (computerposi-
tion with the greatestdistance range).
Ensure that the distance from the flash
unit via the reflectiveceilingto the object
is not greater than the maximum permitteddistance range of the computer.This
can be checkedeasilywith computerready lamp 19. For manualbounceflash,the
apertureshouldbe opened one stop furtherthan indicatedon the aperturescale on
the unitfor directf lash.For examole:f4 insteadof f5.6 at a reflectoroositionof 45". lf
the reflectoris in a positionbetween 60" and 90", the apertureshould be opened
two stops more, i.e. f4 insteadof f8. Clearly,this whole processdependsto a cer-
tain extent on the type of wall or ceiling.The correctiveaction mentionedabove
should only be used in normal situations(white ceilingor wall).
Difluselight can also obtainedwith the Philipsaccessory,bounce panel PFB 507.

WIDE ANGLE. NORMAL. TELE SETTING
The light beam of the flash unit can be widened or narrowedwith the built-inwide
anglediffuseror tele refractorin the flash unit.These can be used to modifythe light
beam from your flash unit to the variouslensesof your camera.The indicationsW,
N and T are locatedon the side of the unit.
W means wide angle and is for use with wide angle lenses lrom 28mm to 50 mm.
N means normal and is for use with lenses with a focal lengthfrom 50 mm to 135
m m .
T meanstele and is for use with tele lensesfrom 135 mm and longer.
The wide angle diffuseror tele refraclorcan be positionedin front of the reflectorby
means of rotatingcontrol7.
 lf the reflectoris rotated,the selectedlight beam setting is also rotated.
The W-N'T slidingcontrol 13 should be set in a positionwhich correspondsto the
beam settingin use. The correctedmaximum distanceto the subjectcan then be
 read off normallyfrom the distancescale 12.


USINGCOLOUR FILTERS
The light beam can be colouredwith the colour filterssupplied.
These filtersshould be insertedin the colour filter compartment8.
The colourfilterscan also be used in combinationwith the tele refractoror the wide
angle diffuser.
Clearly,the use of colourfiltersaffectsthe lighting.The apertureshouldthen be set
approx.1 to 1.5 stops furtheropen.


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HINTSAND PRECAUTIONS
Flash units are not only used in photographywhen ordinarylightingis insufficient
but can also be used when lightingis normalin orderto preventshadowsappearing
in the final exposure.You can read books on this subject but the most importanl
thing is to experlmentwith your camera and flash unit rjntilyou have discoveredall
the possibilityesBy usingthe slave unit P 100-su (availableseparately),you can
use severalflash unitssimultaneouslV.
Powerpack PFB 104 (availablesepaiately)can be used to shortenthe intervalbe-
tween two flashesto approx.4 sec. for manual controland between0.5 sec and 4
sec for automaticcontrol.
The power pack can be connectedto your flash unit via connection23. The power
pack is extremelyusefulwith a camera fitted with a winder or motor drive.
When taking pictureswith flash,do not shoot directlyat highlyreflectivesurfacesli-
ke mirrorsor windows.when you have finisheda sessionof flash photography,set
switch14 to the off oosition.
Removethe batterieswhen the flash unit is not to be used for some time.
Do   1o! try to open or repair your flash unit. This not only voids the guaranteebut
could be dangerousbecauseof the high voltage present.
lf your flash unit needs repairingor does not work correctly,take it back to your
dealer.





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TECHNICAL DATA P 536 TCL-X
Guidenumberin metres(m): 36 at 100 ASA

Computerrange at 100 ASA:  12.81 .5 to 13 m   (5 to 43 feet)
                              f5.6 0.7 to 6.5 m  (2.3 to 21.5 feet)
                                                    f 1 1 0.7 to 3.3 m  (2.3 to 10 feet)

Exposureangle: N horizontal 60.
                       vertical    35.
         W horizontal 70.
                     vertical   53.
              T horizontal 60.
                     vertical   20"
Power: 4 x 1.5 V batteriestype LR6 or rechargeable
       (nickelcadmium)batteriestype KR 15/51(AA size)

Flashduration: 1/500to 1i30,000sec.
               (automaticsetting)
              1/500sec (manual)

Periodbetweenflashes < 0.5 sec to 12 sec (automaticsetting)
with alkalinebatteries:  12 sec (manual)
Numberof flasheswith alkalinebatteries: 100 (manual)

Dimensions:155 x77 x 50 mm,

Standardaccessories:Colour filters (red, blue. yellow)

Accessoriesavailableseparately: Power pack PFB'104
                          Bounce panel PFB 507
                            Slaveunit P-100SU

Specificationsmay be changed without notice.





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