Promaster 5550DX flash User manual

PARTS IDENTIFICATION

          FN





         (1)lSO/DlN Selector                          (9) TesVReset Flash Button
            (2) F-stop Indicator                         (10) Release Button for Detaching Module
            (3) Exposure Calculator                     (1 1) Locking Ring
            (4) Bounce Angle Indicator                 (12) Bounce/Swivel Flash Head
            (5) Swivel Head                            (13) Battery Compartment Cover
            (6) Ready Indicator Lamp                   (14) Front Ready-FlashWarning Lamp
            (7) Auto Check Indicator Lamp              (15) InterchangeableDedicatedShoe Module
               (with FTM5000/FTA5000 Modules)       (16) AF llluminatorfor Autofocusing
               or Functioning Indicator Lamp               (on DX Module OM/CN and FTA5000 AF Module)
                 (with 5000DX Modules only)                or Light Sensor
             (8) ON/Off Switch          www.butkus.us(on DX Module SN/NK and FTM5000 Module)

FLASH DEDICATION

This flash unit requires an Interchangeable Dedicated Module to fit dedicated cameras for dedicated flash operation.


  o PLEASEREFERTO THE MODULEINSTRUCTIONSFOR ADDITIONALDETAILS.

DX Modules  for popular  digital cameras   :

o DX ModuleOM is for OLYMPUSdigitalcameras.(#1045with Hot-Shoei#99O1with Cord)
o DX ModuleSN is for SONYdigitalcameras.(#9908with Cord)
o DX ModuleNK is for NIKON900 seriesdigitalcameras.(#1017with SyncCord)
o DX ModuleCN is for CANONdioitalcamerasand 35mmSLR autofocuscameras
                     with E-TTiautoflashmeteringsystem.(#1010with hot-Shoe)


This flash unit can also work with other 5000 series Modules   :

o FTAmodulesfor 35mm film SLR autofocuscameras
o FTM modulesfor 35mmfilm SLR classiccameras
a Comoatiblewith PromasterSlaveModule



  a As different camera models operate  differently  for flash photography,  please also refer to
    your camera instruction manual for additional information.

 o Beforeattachingthe Moduleto the Flash unit, always make sure that the Module and the
    Flash unit contact points are clean.A stain or dirt on the surface of the contact points on
    the Module side or on the Flash unit side may cause malfunction.Youmay use a soft cloth
    to clean the contact points on both sides.





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PARTS IDENTIFICATION

                                                              (12)





                                                               t - ^ , S '       t )



                                       (e)

                                 (10)

                                                                 (16)                     ( 1 5 )



            (1) ISO/DIN Selector                           (9)  TesVReset Flash Button
            (2) F-stop Indicator                         (10) Release Button for Detaching Module
             (3) Exposure Calculator                    (11) Locking Ring
            (4) Bounce Angle Inflicator                  (12) Bounce/Swivel Flash Head
             (5) Swivel Head                             (13) Battery Compartment Cover
            (6) Ready Indicator Lamp                   (14) Front Ready-Flash Warning Lamp
            (7) Auto Check lndicator Lamp              (15) lnterchangeable Dedicated Shoe Module
                (with FTM5000/FTA5000 Modules)       (16) AF llluminator for Autofocusing
               or Functioning Indicator Lamp               (on DX Module OM/CN and FTA5000 AF Module)
                 (with 5000DX Modules only)                or Light Sensor
             (8) ON/Off Switch          www.butkus.us(on DX Module SN/NK and FTM5000 Module)

INSERTING BATTERIES
i.  Open the batterycompartmentcover.
ii.  Insertfour 1.5VAA batteriesfollowingthe (+) (-) sign as
    indicatedinsideand replacethe cover.

 IMPORTANT:
 O ENSURETHATTHEBAITERIESARE INSERTEDIN CORRECTPOSITION.
 O FOR BEST RESULTSUSE FRESHALKALINEBATTERIESOR
  PROMASTERRECHARGEABLENIMHBATTERIES.
 O DO NOT MIX FRESHANDWEAK BATTERIES.
 O TO PREVENTBATTERYLEAKAGE,REMOVEBATTERIESIF NOT IN USE
  FOR LONGPERIODSOFTIME.

AF ILLUMINATORFOR AUTOFOCUSING(on DX Module OM/CN and FTA5000AF Module only)
Whenthe camera'soperatingbuttonis pressedhalfway,the AF illuminatoris automaticallyactivatedwhen required,
with low-contrastsubjectsin low light.This illuminationenablesthe camera'sautofocussystemto determinefocus
statusand adjustthe lens.
The AF illuminatorenablesautofocusingwith subjectsup to about 16 feet away.This distanceis for autofocusingonly.
Whenfocusingmanually,flashphotographyis possibleup to about71 feeI,when usingISO 100 and a f 1.4 aperture
(pleasereferTTL Auto Flashrangetable).
NOTE:. The workingrangefor the AF illuminatoris basedon a standardtest methodwith a 50mmlens.
             lf longerfocallengthsare used,the cameramay not focusthe lensaccurately.In this case,
        or wheneverfocussignalsblink,set focusmodeof the cameraswitchto M and focuslensmanually.
           . On certaincameramodels,this AF assistlightis overriddenby the AF assistlighton the camera.

AUTO CHECK LAMP (When used with FTM5000/FTA5000  Module)
On TTL autoflashmodeor normalautoflashmode,if exposurewas sufficient,the auto checklampon the flashunit
will brieflyglowafterthe camera'sshutterbuttonis depressed.On normalautoflashmode,beforeactuallytakingthe
photos,you can checkwhetherthe shootingdistanceis withinthe automaticrangeby depressingthe test flashbutton
on the flashunit.

AUTO POWER-OFF
This flash unit incorporatesa batterysavingautomaticpoweroff circuit.The flash unit automaticallyturns itselfoff
approximately5 minutesafterthe lastoperationand the readyindicatorLED lampextinguishesitself.With the AF or
DX Moduleson somededicatedcameras,the flashcan be re-activatedfor firingby touchingthe shutterreleasebutton
on the camera.With othermodules,the flashcan be re-activatedfor firingby pressingthe ResetFlashButtononceon
the flashunitor by switchingthe flashunit OFF and then ON again.
. When used on certain digital cameras (Olympus/ Sony),the auto power-offfunction is controlled by the camera.
 The flash unit can be automaticallyturned off only if the digital camerain use is switchedoff.
                                                                                                       ?.4

TTL AUTO FLASH OPERATION

This flash unit provides automatic Through-The-Lens (TTL) flash exposure when used with dedicated cameras
which have TTL Auto Flash Metering Circuitry.

This mode permits you to use any lens aperture within the flash unit's operating range to enable you to have greater
control over the depth of field. The larger the aperture (the smaller the f-number) you select, the greater the
maximum shooting distance (less depth of field but shorter recycling time between shots). On the other hand,
the smaller the aperture (the greater the f-number) you select, the lesser the maximum shooting distance
(greater depth of field but longer recycling time). Therefore, in selecting an aperture, all three factors - maximum
shooting distance, depth of field and flash recycling time should be taken into consideration.
(When simply demonstrating the TTL Auto function there must be film inside the 35mm SLR camera).

TTL AUTO FLASH RANGE : (Approx. in feet)

    ISO FILM IN USE       NORMAL
 100  200  400  1000   COVERAGE
  1 . 4   2    2.8   4         1 0 -  7 1
   2    2.8    4    5.6        8 - 5 0
  2.8   4    5.6   8         7 - 3 6
   4    5.6    8    1 1        5 - 2 5
  5.6   B    1 1   1 6        3 - 1 8
     I     1 1   1 6    22        3 - 1 2
  11    1 6    22             3 -   9
  1 6    22                    3 -   6
  22                          3 -   4


Wheneverpossible,the TTL AutomaticMode balancesthe exposurebetweenthe main subjectilluminatedby
the flashand the backgroundin ambientlight.Therefore,the TTL modecan be usedunderconditionsranging
from totaldarknessto fill-inflash.




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                                                                                                   l . ; : i i r ' -                              . ' i                           www.butkus.us

NORMALAUTO FLASH OPERATION(When used with FTM5000Module)

Whenattachedto a FTM5000module,there are auto flash operationsettingsdesignatedby the colors
B L U E - f 2 , Y E L L O W - f 4 a n d - G R E E N - f 5 . 6 o n t h e m o d u l e f o r s h o o t i n g u p t o a p p r o x . 5 0 f e e t , 2 5 f e e t
and 18 feet respectivelywith ISO 100 film.(* Non-AFModuleCN does not havethis setting)

USINGTHE EXPOSURECALCULATOR

(a) NormalAuto Operationfor StandardSLR Cameras,
   (1) Set INDEXlineof the ISO/DINfilm selectorswitchto the ISO/DINf ilm speedin use.
   (2) Readalongthe auto line(blue,yellowor greenaccordingto your auto rangesettingselected)
     and find the correspondingf-numberfor auto operation.Set this apertureon your camera.

(b) TTL Auto Operationfor DedicatedTTL Cameras
   (1) Set INDEXlineof the ISO/DlNfilm selectorswitchto the ISO/DINfilm speedin use.
   (2) Focuson yoursubjectand notethe flashto subjectdistance.
   (3) Locatethe lens apertureyou wish to use for TTL Auto Operationand read the distanceoppositethis
      selectedapertureto checkwhetherthe flashto subjectdistanceis withinauto range.lf it is, set the
      aperrureon your camera.

(c) Manual Flash Operation
    (1) Set INDEX line of the ISO/DIN film selector switch to the ISO/DIN film speed in use.
    (2) Focus on your subject and note the flash to subject distance. Locate this distance on the distance scale.
    (3) Read the aperture opposite this distance and set the f-number on your camera.

LOW POWER MANUAL FLASH (When used with DX Module NK or FTM5000/FTA5000/Slave Module)
In the ManualFlashOperation,you can set the flashunit'sModeSelectorswitchto '1116'or'ML' power
position,whichgivesyou fasterrecyclingtime and a highernumberof flashes.lt is usefulfor close-upwork
and shootingwith a motor-drivewinder(up to 2 framesper second).The guidenumberat this settingis 1/4of the
full powerguidenumber(pleasesee GuideNumberTable).





                                                                                                P.6

SPECIFICATIONS

Power Source                 :  Four 1.5V AA size Alkaline Batteries or PROMASTERRechargeableNIMH batteries
RecyclingTime               :  Automatic : 0.3 - 10 sec.
               M a n u a l    :  6 - 1 0 s e c .
Battery Life                     :  Approx 100 - 700 flashes
                      (Depending on the type of batteries)

Flash Duration                :  Automatic : 1/30,000to 1/1,000 sec
                      Manual     : 1/1,000 sec

Angles of lllumination    :  Horizontal 70'
                           Vertical   53'

Guide NumberTable      :  (Approx. in Feet)

                           50   ISO FILM SPEED     25               100      200     400     1000                                 64
  GUIDENUMBER    50       70       100     140      200     315
*The Guide Number at 1/16or M1 Poweris 1/4 of the above.
 (on DX Module NK or FTM5000/FTA5000/SlaveModule)

Bounce Angle                                      : -7oto 90o
                                   (ClickStop i -7o,Oo,45o,60o,75'and90')

Swivel Angle                                        : 0o to 180o
                                   (ClickStop : Left 0o,30o,60o,90o120o,150o
                                             Right 0", 30o,60o,120",150', 180o)

Wefght (without batteries or Module) : approx. 212 gm

Dimensions(without Module)            : approx.128(H) x 7a (\N) x 48 (D) mm


* Designand specificationsare subject to change without prior notice.

                          www.butkus.us