Simon TSI 324 Electronic Flash User manual

Digitally signed by Mike Butkus
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                                               ou=butkus.org, email=mike@butkus.org, c=USMike Butkus Date: 2024.02.16 14:44:02 -05'00'



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PARTS DESCRIPTION
 1. MAIN Flash tube                    12. AUTO CHECK
 2. AUX. Flash tube                     13. Zoom position indicator                                                                       j
 3. Auto sensor                         14. Bounce angle indicator
 4. Bounce head                       15. Sliding scale for f stops
 5. AUTO/MANUAL 3 position switch     16. Battery door
 6. AUX. (Flash 1 &2) Switch            17. Dstance scales
 7. Synchro cord socket                  I8. ON/OFF SWITCH
 8. Synchro cord                        19. READY Light
 9. ASA (film speed chart)              20. TEST button
10. AUTO dot marks                    21. Shoe locking screw
11. AUTO RED/BLUE range lines        22. Hot shoe contact

   This is a typical dual light bounce flash system

"l
 Guide number & coverage angle (MAIN flash)                                                    i
 ZOOM HEAD   Lighting angle                                       Guide number
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             I  position       (35mm lens camera)                          ASA 100/ft)
 TELE 85     85mm lens and up Hoizontal32"  Vertical 23o          90
 STD 50      50mm lens and up  Horizontal 46"    Vertical 35o           80
 WIDE 1 35    35mm lens        Horizontal 60o   Vertical 45o          70
 WIDE 2 28    28mm lens         Horizontal 70o   Vertical 53o          60
Angle of coverage     Horizontal 55"
(Aux. flash)          Vertical40o
Colour temperature  Same as daylight (5700K)
Flash duration       1/1000th second on MANUAL MODE
                  U1000-1/30000 second on AUTO MODE
Multi dedicated   NIKON EM  FE  FG   F3
contact system    CANON F-1  A-1  AE-IP AE-I AL-I  AV.I  AT.I
              MINOLTA XG-Series _- _  (XG 1 XG-7 XG-9 XCrr,I) X_?OO                ASAHI PENTAX MV.I ME Supet  MEF MGRecycling time      Approx.6 sec. on MANUAL MODB
                  Approx.0.5 to 6 sec. on AUTO MODE
Power source       4 x 1.5V AA type Alkaline batteries
Battery life         120 flashes on MANUAL MODE
                   L20-2000 flashes on AUTO MODE depending on distances by
                      Alkaline battery
Weight             340g
Dimension        H180xW87xD60mm
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MULTI.DEDICATED CONTACT SYSTEMwww.butkus.us
The multi-dedicated contact system enables you to adapt the SIMON TSI 324 to
the antomatic flash systems of the 35mm SLR cameras made by NIKON
MINOLTA CANON and ASAHI PENTAX.
Turn the switch to "ON" position, after 5*8 seconds (with fresh batteries) the
"READY" lite light up. Also a "Flash Ready" signal will light up in the Dedi-
cated camera's viewfinder.
NIKON:    EM    A Red 'LED' wi[ light up between 1160 sec and
                           lll25 sec
              FE    A Red 'LED' at the top of the viewfinder eyepiece
                                will light up. The needle in the viewfinder moves
                                  freely, but no worry.
             FG     Red 'I ED' light up between ll60 and lll25, flash
                               signal' r  ' will light up.
                F3       The speed show 1/80 and Red'LED'light up.
CANON      F.l     The meter needle will indicate to its stop. (or to
                       F 14)
                   A-1     A letter 60 F8.0 will light up
               AE.IP   A flash signal ' I'  and F4 will light up.
                AE.I    The meter needle will swing, to its stop (or to'F/4)

r                   AL-l    The meter needle will point up to l/60 sec.
I                 AV-l   The meter needle will point up to 1i60 sec.
                  AT-l   No viewfinder indication available.
    MINOLTA:  XG-l  A Red 'LED' will light up next to 1/60 sec.
             XG-M A Red 'LED' will light up next to 1/60 sec.
                X-700 The Red'LED'will light up next to l/60 sec.
      ASAHI PENTAX: MV-l   Green 'LED' will light up next to 11125 sec and
                                    signal'LED' next to'M' will activate.
                 ME Super Green 'LED' will light up next to l/125 sec and
                                    signal'LED' next to 'M' will activate.
            MEF   Green 'LED' will light up next to lll25 sec and
                                    signal'LED' next to'M' will activate.
          MG    Green 'LED' will light up next to the 'X' 't 'sign
                                            will light up.
                       IMPORTANT: Beside Green LED and 'M' signal, if there is no other
                      LED light up mean it is ready to shoot. If there is any LED light up
                                 please wait a while for them to clear otherwise you may not get the
                                 correct flash speed.
                                                           .'READY"      WARNING: The actual switching over does not take place until the
         indication of the flashlight lights up. The camera shutter operates normally when
        the flashlight is not switched on.
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  i     BATTERY INSTALLATIONI.I
             i
   t-      Ensure that the ON/OFF switch is in "OFF" position.
          Slide the battery compartment lid in the direction of arrow mark until the lid
r i      becomes detached.]f
          Insert four AA size Alkaline batteries taking care that the positive and negative
          terminals are correctly aligned as indicated in the compartment.
         Alkaline batteries are recommended because of their longer life and endurance
          to a wider temperature range.
         Moreover, their strength is far superior to that of conventional zinc-carbon
          batteries and this powerful flash unit understandably requires considerable
          energy.
        N.B. Clean the batterv and compartment contacts at regular intervals.
            Remove the batleries if the unit is likely to be oui of use for a long period.
          When the unit is new and after it has not been used for a long time, the
                capacitor will take slightly longer time to charge.

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ATTACHMENT TO CAMERA AND SHUTTER SPEED SETTING

The flash unit has a "HOT-SHOE" contact.

 Insert the mounting foot into the accessory shoe on the camera and tighten.
A Synchro cord is supplied and should be used for non hot shoe cameras to
connect the flash to the 'X'svnc contact.

FOR NON.DEDICATED CAMERA

Any shutter speed can be set on camera having interlens shutters. However
11125 is recommended.
Focal-plane shutter cameras will have an 'X' shutter speed setting at ll6}th
usually (sometime s  I I l25th sebond).
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      OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

          Slide the ON/OFF switch to ON position.
                                       as the unit is turned ON, which will becomerl    A humming noise will be heard           fainter when the flash unit is charged.
       At that time, the READY LIGHT will glow and the unit is now ready for
          operation. If the flash unit is not-likely to be used for a minute or longer, switch
               it OFF to save batteries.

       When the flash unit is being used for the first time or after several weeks disuse,
         allow a few minutes for the capacitor to become fully charged. The unit may be
         discharged without operating the camera by depressing the "TEST" button at
          the shoe base.




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AUTO CHECK

During Automatic Operation, before taking the picture, TEST the flash and
conform the AUTO CHECK.
If the AUTO CHECK lights at the same moment when the flash test button is
pushed, this indicates the auto circuit is working in the proper auto distances.
If the AUTO CHECK does not light, this indicate the shooting distance exceeds
the auto distance and refer to FLASH OPERATION-COMPUTER USE.

When shooting outdoors in daytime, intense illumination may cause malfunction
of the auto circuit and auto check lamp.

When taking a picture immediately after READY LIGHT on, sufficient light
may not reach to the subject in auto mode and AUTO CHECK may not light
due to low guide number setting.


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ADJUSTING THE ZOOM HEAD
The lighting angle mechanism built into this flash unit allows selection of 4
preset lighting positions by just pulling out the flash head.
The guide number changes in relation to the ZOOM position.
Determine the best ZOOM position for flashing in relation to the focal length of
the lens you use.



                                                    8Srnrn Lens ond up                                       - For(
                                                         Lens onct up                                   - For< 5orrm
                                                    For < 35mm Lens                                      -                           I
                                       For< 28mm Lens                                      -                         I
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ADJUSTABLE BOUNCE HEAD FOR INDIRECT FLASH

The head of flash unit can be elevated from horizontal position for conventional
direct flash photography to vertical position for indirect flash photography by
turning the flash head.
The light is reflected satisfactorily provided that the ceiling is flat-surfaced, or
average height and not of a dark, non-reflective colour.
The benefit of reflected light is that it results in soft and shadowless photographs.
If natural colours are desired when taking colour pictures pay attention that the
reflecting surfaces are as light as possible or white.
Watch the AUTO CHECK will not flash when taking indirect flash photographs
with AUTO MODE SETTINGS.
With MANUAL MODE operation, the camera lens aperture should be opened as
a rule by about 2-3 stops more than stated on the f number scale.

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DUAL FLASHES
Using bounce flash (indirect flash), you can minimizehard,shadows and further
using dual flashes, you will get brighter shadows and still get the brilliance of
direct flash. When using the dual flashes, slide the flash I -2 switch to 'FLASH 2'
position on the front body after switching on the main switch on the back.





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     FLASH OPERATION (MANUAL USE)
         Set the knob of AUTO/MANUAL 3 position switch at WHITE dot.
       In this position, your flash unit is to be operated in the MANUAL MODE.
      EXAMPLE: when using standard 50mm lens.
        Set the ZOOM HEAD at STD 50 position. At this ZOOM Head position, the
         flash unit has guide number 80/ASA100 in ft (40/ASA25 in ft) by full flash
        power.
      Now, set the UPPER SLIDING SCALE on the back body at the film speed you
        use (EXAMPLE: ASAI00, ASA400 etc.) by ARROW MARK.
        Set another ARROW MARK of LOWER SLIDING SCALE (bottom of 60ft) at
         'S'position.
        Estimate the distance between the flash and subject, and then read the nearest
         greater reading in feet or meters on LOWER SLIDING SCALE.
      Read the adjacent white figure for f stop number in the UPPER SLIDING
      SCALE to determine the camera lens aperture setting.
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                                  :

FLASH OPERATION (COMPUTER USE)
The built-in photosensitive cell measures the light emanating from the subject
and the computer automatically determines the correct quantity of light required.
Before taking a picture, TEST THE flash and confirm, the AUTO CHECK
whether distance is in the automatic operation ranges at the ZOOM HEAD
positions, AUTO BLUE/RED positions. Lens apertures settings.
There are two settings for COMPUTER USE for relative closer ranges at the
BLUE position and for the greater distance ranges at the RED position. And
depending on the focus length of your camera lens, following chart is the
guidance for settings on ZOOM HEAD positions. AUTO distance ranges and
AUTO SETTINGS at f5.6 or f2.8.
AUTO MODE     Film speed        ZOOM HEAD POSITION
SWITCH
POSITION       ASA 1OO/M    TELE 85    STD 50   WIDE 1 35 WIDE 2 28
                                           4.5 -16ft       4 -15ft      3.3 -12ft                                                                                              3 -1oftBLUE DOT                     f = 5.6                                1.36-4.8m   1..214.5m    1-3.6m     0.9-3m
                                                            I -3 sft        7.5 -30ft    6.6-28ft     6 -zrftRED DOT                     f = 2.8                               2.42-10.6m   2.2-9m     2-8.4m    1.8-6.4m
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EXAMPLE: when using Tele 85mm Lens
Set ZOOM HEAD at TELE 85 position. In this ZOOM HEAD position you can
take a picture in the distances between 4.5-35ft in AUTO MODE (ASA100).
In this ranges, you can select one of two AUTO SETTINGS depending on closer
and greater distances.
For closer distance up to l6ft, set front AUTO SELECTOR SWITCH at BLUE
position and set your camera lens aperture at f5.6.
For greater distance up to 35ft, set front AUTO SELECTOR SWITCH at RED
position and set your camera lens aperture at f2.8.
Refer to SLIDING SCALES on back body.
Set the ARROW MARK of IIPPER SLIDING SCALE at the position of film
speed you use (example: ASA100).
Set the another ARROW MARK of LOWER SLIDING SCALE at the 'T'
position among T, S, Wl ,W2.

THYRISTOR FLASH

The built-in photosensitive cell measures the light emanating from the subject
and the computer automatically determines the correct quantity of light required.

The THYRISTOR CIRCUIT is power-saving and does allow quite a number of
flashes to be made from a single charge with microscopic intervals between
flashes.

In addition to this feature, a new Thyristor (sometimes called a Series Control)
circuit is built into this flash to provide additional unusual features. In the
Thyristor circuit, the amount of energy used is always in proportion to the
amount of light needed.

Thus, at any distance from the subject less than the maximum range, there will
always be some energy remaining in the capacitor for the next flash. At close-up

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distances where very little light is needed, as much as 90% of the energy may
remain in the capacitor after the flash. This residual energy allows the flash to
recycle much faster and be ready to flash again much sooner (as fast as 0.5
second).
Since you are conserving the energy of the capacitor instead of wasting it, you
are alsb conserving the energy of the batteries which do not have to refill the
capacitor every time. Thus, this unit can give as many as 800 flashes from one
set of fresh batteries depending on the distance to subject.
Before taking a picture, TEST the flash and conform'the AUTO CHECK
whether distance is in the automatic operation ranges at the AUTO BLUE/
RED positions, lrns apertures settings.

.:i
     CAUTION                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            ..1i.:"
      1. Remove the batteries if the unit is not in use for any period exceeding say
           2 or 3 weeks.
      2. Keep the unit dry and store in a moisture-free enviroment.
      3. In order to keep safety, when change the batteries must remove the unit
           from the cdmera.
      4. Do not expose the unit to the sunlight too long or set the unit on the
            temperature above 45"C indoors.
      5. When photographing outdoors or in a large room or hall where there are no
             effective reflecting surfaces nearly, it is necessary to set the camera lens at
            a wider aperture than that indicated in the expose.

       Because we continually strive to improve our products we may change specifica-
        tions without prior notice.
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