Vivitar Series 1 Power Zoom AF SDLR Flash User manual

lntroduction

Thank you for purchasing the DF-383 digital power zoom flash gun.
Your electronic flash is innovatively designed for both digital cameras and film
cameras with features that are leading photography into the digital era.
Advanced technology is used in your flash to control the correct amount of
light output. Please take a few minutes to read the instruction manual before
using.





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Compatibility

 Check to see which item number you have purchased to see compatiility
  DigitalTTL/ Auto Focus flash for:
 DF-383-CAN  - Canon Digital E-TTL, E-TTL  ll cameras & E-TTL film cameras
  DF-383-N|K  - Nikon DigitalTTL, |-TTL cameras &TTL, i-TTL film cameras
 DF-383-OP  - Olympus and Panasonic DigitalTTL cameras
 DE-383-PEN - Pentax Digital P-TTL & film cameras
 DF-383-5ON - Sony Alpha & Konica Minolta Digital ADl, D Lenses cameras & TTL film cameras

  Features
. LCD Display                                                                       . Flash readiness indication in viewfinder
. Auto and manualzoom from 24-28-35-50-70-85mm    . Front and rear curtain synchronization
. Red focus assist beam for low light focusing                . Red eye reduction (Type NIK OP & PEN)
.TTL metering                                                                     . Built-in slave function
. Automatic shutter speed setting                                    . Built-in reflecting plate and diffuser
.5levels of power ratio 1 /1,1/2,1/4,1/B,and1/16          . Power saving function           -2-

Specifications
  Guide Number (lSO 100): (45(m)/148ft) at 85mm position
  Motor zooming reflector: 24 - 28 - 35 - 50 -70 - g5mm
  Power source:       4x l.5V AA size alkaline batteries
  Flash Duration:                 i /1,OOO - 1/2O,OOO second
  Recycling Time:        0.5 - 9 seconds
 Number of Flashes:  80 times with fresh arkaline batteries
 ColorTemperature: Daylight
 Dimensions:       Approx. 72x,100 x .|25 mm
 Net Weight:          Approx. 270 grams (w/o batteries)
  * Specifications are subject to change without further notice.
  * For Minolta Dynax 3 and 5, select WL from the functional dial to the on position before using
  DF-383-SON.
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Loading Batteries


Make sure the On/Off Switch  is in the Off position. Slide
open the Battery Compartment Cover and insert 4 x AA
batteries with correct polarity(-,+), as indicated in the
battery compartment. Close the Battery Compartment
Cover.Inserting  batteries with the wrong polarity may
cause the batteries to heat up,leak, explode and damage
the flash.When you need to replace batteries, make sure all
batteries are of the same brand, type and same capacity.




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Mounting the Flashgun onto Your Camera


   . ForType CAN, NIK & PEN flashes:Loosen the lock ring. Slide the
  flash into the camera accessory shoe.Tighten the flash with the
  lock ring.
   . For Type OP flashes: Insert the mounting foot of the
  flash into the camera accessory shoe and press "LOCK" to lock
 the flash in place.
  . For Type SON flashes: Make sure the PUSH button is in "NORMAf
  state. Insert the mounting foot of the flash unit into the camera's
 hot shoe.The safety catch can be heard to snap into place onto
 the hot shoe.


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Removing Your Flash


. ForType CAN, NIK & PEN flashes  : Loosen the lock ring andremove the flash by pulling  it backwards.                                                                           ,(for@- SON)
. For Type OP flashes: Press both sides of the
Lock/Release Button towards the direction indicated by the
arrow symbois and then take the flash off by pulling  it                         Releasing  the SON flash from €mera's hot she
backwards.
. ForType SON flashes:Press the"PUSH"button toward the flash
and at the same time hold it lightly down to set it to"PRESS-IN"state.
Then slide the flash backward, away from the camera.                                                                                                       l                                                                                                            r-lAfter releasing the flash from the camera, press the "PUSH" button tw
upward to release  it to "NoRMAL" state.                          lsg-l|  ,Nl--l                                                                                                       l-l

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ON/OFF Switch and Flash Test Operation

  To switch on the flashgun, slide the main switch to the "oN" position.
  on the ready indicator "READy" rights up as soon as flash readiness is
  established. Press the Test Button to ensure the flashgun works properly.
    lf the flashgun discharges, wait until the "READY" light glows again.
  To switch off, slide the main switch to ,'OFF. position.



  lllumination of LCD display
  The LCD display  is used to show general information about your camera and the current
  status of the flashgun. Every time the "LIGHT" key is lightly iapped, the LCD
  display will be illuminated for about 5 seconds.

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Taking a Picture AF /TTL Operation

 . Automotic flash sync speed control
When the flashgun is ready, your camera will automatically switch  it to the flash
sync speed from program mode or or to an aperture-priority mode selected.The sync
speed depends on the camera modeland usually ranges between 1/3Osec to 1/250sec.
When a flash shot has been taken, an "OK" symbol briefly flashes on the LCD display to confirm
correct exposure.
 . Auto-focus "AF" measuring flash
The integrated "AF" red light beam of the flashgun supports the automatic focusing of auto-focus
TTL cameras.When the prevailing light is insufficient for automatic focusing,the flashgun will
project a red light beam onto the object as soon as the camera's shutter is lightly touched.The
camera's auto-focus system then focuses the object by this beam of red light.                                    :   .
.TTLflash control
When you switch on the flashgun,  it will set atTTL mode first and the LCD display indicates "TTL',.
When the Ready indicator lights up, press the shutter release fully to take the picture.The advanced
programming and computerized circuitry of the fllashgun provides the correct amount of flash light
output according to the camera's exposure measurement through the lens (TTL).
                                                                      _10_

Taking a Picture AF /TTL Operation

                                                         lf you need to change the mode, simply press the mode selector.
                             For Canon type flashes,this flashgun's ETTL indicator will light while
                        connected with ETTL cameras.
                             For Nikon type flashes, this flashgun's LCD Display will show TTL, I-TTL
                        and BL in different ways while connected to different camera models.                     "t
                            Please refer to your camera's manual.
                                                             . Manual flash mode at full light output
                        To use the flashgun at full light output in the manual mode, the mode
                            selector must be set to the M (Manual) position.The LCD display
                              indicates M (Manual). A full-power flash will then be fired each time
                           the flashgun is triggered.The LCD display automatically shows the
                             flash-to-subject distance required for a correct exposure.
                      An adaptation to the individual shooting situation can be achieved by
                        changing the lens diaphragm or the focal length (on the camera).5
                                level "Power Ratios"www.butkus.usof 1/1,1/2,1/4,1/8 and 1/16 could be selected by-1 1-                           slightly tapping the Mode selector when  it is at the manual position.

Front and Rear Curtain Synchronization
 Front and rear curtain synchronization  is supported,to use simply set into Front or Rear mode
when using.

For Pentax, you could select the synchronization mode as front curtain  ( I )tr) or rear curtain
( > I ).The flashgun will fire according to the mode selected to match with the camera shutter.
Canon, Sony Alpha, Konica Minolta, Nikon, olympus and Panasonic cameras control front or
rear-curtain synchronization,  therefore settings for the flashgun are not required.

Note:The rear curtain synchronization  is only possible on cameras with this feature.
See your camera's instruction manual for details.




                                                                    -12-

Bounced and Swiveled Flash
     Photos shot with full frontal flash are easily recognized by their
      harsh, dense shadows.This  is often associated with a sharp drop of
     the foreground to the background.This phenomenon can be
     avoided with bounced and swiveled flashes. Diffused light will
     produce a soft and uniform shadow when the reflector is turned
      vertically at a 90o angle. Select white or reflective srlrfaces to
     bounce the light off. Otherwise your pictures  will come with an
     unnatural color cast similar to that of the reflecting surface.When
      swiveling the reflector ensure that no direct light from the reflec
     reaches the subject. When using bouncing or swiveling flash,the zooming position will be
     locked in 50mm, except with Manual mode.

            . Reflecting plate and diffuser
.    The flashgun has a built-in reflecting plate and diffuser.You can slide out the reflecting
      plate or diffuser from the top of the flash head. Bouncing the flash head and using the
      reflecting plate can produce better looking pictures.The  diffuser can reduce                                www.butkus.us     strong light to create soft effects.
    -1 3-


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             I

:     Power Zoomirtg
                 . Automotic motor zoom control
               lf you are using a zoom lens, which transmit  its focal length to the
       camera, the camera will pass on this information to the flashgun.
      The flashgun then automatically adjusts  its zoom position to comply
       with the focal length of the lens. Automatic motor zooming reflector
       control is only possible with cameras permitting digital data
       transmission to the flalshgun.
      The LC D display on the flashgun indicates zooming positions of 24-28-35-50-70-85mm. l.
lr    When the flashgun is switched on, the activated zoom position is set at 35mm. As soon
       as the camera's shutter is lightly touched, the focal length of the flashgun is
       automatically adapted to the focal length of the lens.
      Whenever the flash head is not at a normal position (facing to the front), such as in bounced or
       swiveled at different positions,the zoom position will be at 50mm as indicated by the LCD
       display with a brief flash in auto mode.

Slave Function

       This flashgun can perform as a wireless slave by switching the Slave Mode Switch to S position.The
       flashgun  will automatically switch to M mode with power ratio l:1.When the sensor detects the
       external flash fire, the flash will synchronize to the fire.The amount of light output can be controlled
      by sef ecting the power ratio from 1/1 to 1/16.  lf multiple flashes are set as slaves, you must consider
      the light amount to get the correct exposure. When the slave mode is on, the power saving mode will
      not function.
iI    ThePowerflashgunSavingwill automaticallyFunction   be switched to power saving mode 3 minutes after:
             . the flashgun was switched on
             . the last flash was fired
     The LCD Display will show an "OFF" signal.To reactivate the flashgun, simply press any
      buttons underneath the LCD display panel or switch the main switch off and on again.
     The flashgun is not completely switched off, however its power consumption  is
        drastically reduced.  lf you are not going to use your flashgun any longer, set the main
       switch to "oFF"                                                            -16-

Warning
     .The flash unit does not function on camcorders'              Ff:ry
          . Misfiring sometimes occurs when the power switch is turned on and off  Hffi*l
      continuously.   lf it happens, power off the flash unit for few seconds betore ilb$ffi*g1      switching  it on again.The flash unit will then work as normal'        Ll4--=+1'.   I
          . Do not leave or store the flash unit in temperature exceed 40"C'Thisr----------.r l\T'lirstl

                                                          ""                       N*q                        l'iJn  ;il: ;'::f ff       ;::,i: iiHfl I"1T,T,"':                                                                                                      ;ffi , I $ffi   I      during summer.                   'ff;iTLr;"j        | *$![Al-,
          .                     batteries               the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 I      Remove                                                      --A"                                                            if you do not intend to use the flash unit for "t4                                                                               I                     of           period      long             time.                                                      l*.Wl     .The flash unit is not water-resistant.  Rain and humid weather may                                                                                              ,                  I                                                           Dffi      I      cause irreparable damages to the flash.                            l':7    "   I
             . The flash unit is composed of very delicated electronic parts.  lt should be
      protected against shocks,falls or other improper handling'
              . The flash unit contains a high voltage condenser. Do not try to open the
      housing or rePair the flash'      www.butkus.us
-17 -  . Do noi clean the surface of flash unit by any petrol, detergent solution or
      strong solvents.These solvents may cause damages to the flash.

r   LimitedOneYearWarranty
        Vivitar warrants this quality product to be free of defects in material and workmanship for a
       period of one year from the date of purchase. During the period,Vivitar will repair or replace the
      product at no charge for parts or labor.
      TIME PERIOD OFTHIS WARRANTY
     The time period of this warranty starts from the date of the original purchase and expires on the
 '       first anniversary date of purchase.
    WHAT IS NOT COVERED BYTHIS WARRANTY
     No express or implied warranty is made for any defects in this product which result from
o    accident, abuse, misuse, failure to operate the product in accordance with relevant instructions,
      neglect, immersion in or exposure to chemicals or liquids, extremes of climate, fungus, excessive
     wear and tear/cosmetic damage and defects resulting from other extraneeus causes such as     :
     unauthorised disassembly, repair or modification.
      This warranty shall not extend to any incidental or consequential damages arising from the
,     purchase, use or inability to use this product even  if Vivitar has been advised of such damages.
     The laws of some countries and some States thereof do not allow the limitation of incidental or
     consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may apply to you.                                                                                                _1 g_

WHATTO DOWHEN SERVICE IS NEEDED
  STEP 1. Package the product and relevant accessories carefully, using ample padding materials
  and a sturdy mailing container to prevent damage  in transit.
  STEP 2.Include in package:
  a) Evidence of date and place of original purchase (for example, a copy of your sales receipt).
  b) Detailed description of your problem.
   c) When possible, a sample evidencing the problem.
  STEP 3. Return item (insured)to: Vivitar
                                  Attn:Technical Support
                                195 Carter Drive
                                Edison NJ 08817
 When service is complete, the product will be returned to you shipping prepaid.In the event the
  product is deemed to be not faulty or the defect is a result in wear and tear, Vivitar may levy a
  handling charge for the return ofthe product.
  This warranty gives you specific legal rights.You may also have other rights which vary from
  country and State to State thereof.
  For more information  visit our website wwwvivitar.com                              www.butkus.us-19-