background image

|

 Introduction

Thank you for choosing Bolt.

The Bolt VD-420 Wireless Manual Flash puts creative control in your hands with manually adjustable power 
output settings. It can be used for wireless operation with up to sixteen individual channels, or as an optical 
slave. Use the flash on camera, or connect the included wireless transmitter to trigger it remotely. With eight 
power levels, up to 270° rotation, and -7° to +90° tilt, the Bolt VD-420 can help you get the perfect lighting for 
the perfect shot.

Summary of Contents for VD-420

Page 1: ...VD 420 WIRELESS MANUAL FLASH User Manual ...

Page 2: ...wer output settings It can be used for wireless operation with up to sixteen individual channels or as an optical slave Use the flash on camera or connect the included wireless transmitter to trigger it remotely With eight power levels up to 270 rotation and 7 to 90 tilt the Bolt VD 420 can help you get the perfect lighting for the perfect shot ...

Page 3: ...mitter 13 Turning On the Flash and Firing a Test 14 Testing Wireless Sync Between the Flash and Transmitter 14 Automatic Power Saving Function 15 Extended Interface 16 Using the Flash 18 Bouncing Your Flash 20 Optical Slave Mode 23 Positioning Remote Flash Units 25 Wired Camera Triggering 26 Specifications 27 Troubleshooting 28 FCC Compliance 29 One Year Limited Warranty 30 ...

Page 4: ...out of the reach of children Use only the power sources specified in this manual Always switch the flash off before changing the batteries Always install batteries of the same type brand and age Do not combine different types or brands or old and new batteries This can cause the batteries to leak overheat or explode Install the batteries in the proper orientation according to the indicator in the ...

Page 5: ...sical impact to this product as this can cause a malfunction that may cause it to explode or ignite For long term storage remove all batteries from this product to prevent the product from igniting or leaking corrosive liquids Do not store or use this product at temperatures above 104 F 40 C Keep the metal contacts in the battery compartment clean and free of corrosion and dirt Do not touch them w...

Page 6: ...Locking wheel 6 Mounting foot 7 3 5 mm sync socket 8 HV power socket 9 Output level indicator 10 Mode indicator 11 Flash power level button 12 Mode select button wireless on off 13 Test button 14 On Off switch 15 Channel selector 16 Wireless indicator 17 Power ready indicator 18 Battery compartment cover ...

Page 7: ...Overview 7 3 7 15 16 17 18 8 11 12 14 13 1 2 4 9 10 5 6 ...

Page 8: ...rview Transmitter 1 Trigger button 2 LED indicator 3 Mounting foot 4 Locking wheel 5 Battery compartment screw 6 Channel selector 7 2 5 mm sync input Stand 8 Stand tripod mount Also included Drawstring pouch ...

Page 9: ...Overview 9 4 3 1 2 8 5 6 7 ...

Page 10: ...ake sure the VD 420 is turned off and follow these steps 1 Press down on the battery compartment cover and slide it in the direction of the arrow to open 2 Insert batteries in the correct orientations 3 Replace the battery compartment cover Important Replace all four batteries at the same time Do not mix battery types or brands or use old and new batteries together 1 2 ...

Page 11: ...n last up to two years To change the battery 1 Use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the battery compartment screw on the back of the transmitter 2 Remove the old battery and replace it with a fresh one Make sure to install the new battery with the correct polarity 3 Close the compartment and tighten the screw on the back of the transmitter 1 2 ...

Page 12: ... the on body channel selector switches There are 16 individual channels available Refer to the following chart to choose the channel and synchronize both the transmitter and flash by setting them to the same channel Adjust to the same channel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 ...

Page 13: ...en it 2 Slide the mounting foot all the way into your camera s hot shoe 3 Rotate the locking wheel clockwise until snug but don t overtighten Mounting the VD 420 on the included stand You can mount the VD 420 on the included stand in the same way you would mount it on your camera This allows you to set up the flash on a flat surface or attach it to a tripod head light stand or clamp that has a com...

Page 14: ... to fire the ready indicator will glow red To fire a test flash press the Test button Testing Wireless Sync Between the Flash and Transmitter Make sure the flash s wireless mode is turned on with the indicator lit blue If not press and hold the Mode button for about two seconds until the indicator turns on Press the Test button on the transmitter to trigger the flash ...

Page 15: ... life The Ready indicator light will blink every three seconds and other indicator lights will turn off To reactivate the VD 420 press any button on the control panel When in S1 S2 modes see Optical Slave Mode below the flash will enter power saving mode after 60 minutes of inactivity During long periods of inactivity use the power switch to turn the flash off completely ...

Page 16: ... the flash External power source An external power source such as the Bolt Cyclone Battery Pack can greatly increase the number of flashes and reduce the recycle time in between flashes You will need a CZ type cable not included Note When the VD 420 is used with an external power source the AA batteries must still be in the flash in order to operate ...

Page 17: ...tions Note The 3 5 mm sync socket on the VD 420 is only for synchronous signal input To access the extended interface follow these steps 1 Pull back the contact cover on the side of the flash 2 Plug the cable into the corresponding socket a For an external power source plug the appropriate power cable into the external power source socket b For wired sync plug a 3 5 mm cord into the sync socket ...

Page 18: ...d each successive setting halves the light output To use the manual mode turn the flash and camera on and follow these steps 1 Make sure the Mode indicator is set to M 2 Press the flash power level buttons to set the desired flash output 3 Set the exposure on your camera 4 Take a test shot and then check the exposure on your camera s LCD 5 Adjust your camera s exposure settings and the flash outpu...

Page 19: ...420 and damaging it wait at least 10 minutes after 20 continuous flashes at full power The flash will automatically shut off if the internal circuit overheats It will also alter the recycle time from 10 to 25 seconds until the flash bulb cools down ...

Page 20: ...and 90 angles from the lens It can also swivel horizontally 180 to the left and 90 to the right When bouncing your flash you may need to adjust your exposure settings since the level of light falling on your subject will decrease The farther away the bounce surface and your subject are the more power you will need Tip Bouncing your flash off colored surfaces can create a color cast in your images ...

Page 21: ...ut the reflector to bounce the flash into the frame and toward the subject Catchlights can make the eyes appear more lively and captivating To use the reflector card follow these steps Pull the built in reflector and diffuser panels out of their slot in the flash head Push the diffuser back in and leave the reflector card extended ...

Page 22: ...rage area The diffuser also softens the light providing an alternative when no surface is available for bouncing the flash To use the diffuser follow these steps 1 Pull the diffuser and reflector panels out of their slot in the flash head 2 Push the reflector back in and let the diffuser lay flat against the flash lens 1 2 ...

Page 23: ...lave flash is not set correctly the pre flash will trigger it to fire and fire before the camera s shutter opens In S2 mode the flash will ignore one pre flash and fire on the next flash To use the VD 420 flash unit as a slave follow these steps 1 Press the Mode button until the indicator light highlights the S1 or S2 slave mode 2 Use the and buttons to select the flash s power output 1 1 through ...

Page 24: ...rtant Some cameras when set to red eye reduction will emit a series of quick flashes lasting a second or more This may not work properly with any slave mode We suggest you avoid using red eye reduction when the VD 420 as a slave ...

Page 25: ... light a subject keep in mind the following The wireless sensors are on the front of the VD 420 Make sure the sensor is facing the master flash and there are no obstructions between the two units When photographing outdoors or in bright ambient light the sensors can be overwhelmed by ambient light which will lower their sensitivity To avoid creating interference between flash units don t use more ...

Page 26: ... 1 Plug a PC cord into your camera s PC sync port and the transmitter s 2 5 mm sync input 2 Press your camera s shutter release button to fire the flash The LED will flash red and the flash will fire to confirm signal transmission Note Some camera models do not have PC ports A hot shoe PC adapter is required for off camera wired connections ...

Page 27: ...e Up to 49 ft 15 m Optical slave modes 2 Slave timing modes Instant sync skip one pre flash Transmitter power source 12 V 23 A battery Flash power source 4 AA lithium NiMH or alkaline batteries HV external power source with CZ type cable Tilt positions 7 0 45 60 75 90 Swivel range Right 0 to 90 Left 0 to 180 Transmitter dimensions 1 1 1 6 2 4 in 28 42 61 mm Flash dimensions 7 3 2 8 2 1 in 186 73 5...

Page 28: ...ny obstructions in the line of sight between the two sensors see Optical Slave Mode The ambient light may be too high see Positioning Remote Flash Units The flash is set up as an optical slave but the light is not noticeable in the picture Make sure the flash is set to the appropriate power level see Using the Flash The edges of the images look dark Make sure the diffuser is deployed to spread the...

Page 29: ...mplies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules Operation is subject to the following two conditions 1 This device may not cause harmful interference 2 This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation ...

Page 30: ... and in its intended environment Inoperability of the product or part s shall be determined by the warranty provider If the product has been discontinued the warranty provider reserves the right to replace it with a model of equivalent quality and function This warranty does not cover damage or defect caused by misuse neglect accident alteration abuse improper installation or maintenance EXCEPT AS...

Page 31: ... with the RMA number and proof of purchase Shipment of the defective product is at the purchaser s own risk and expense For more information or to arrange service visit www boltflashes com or call Customer Service at 212 594 2353 Product warranty provided by the Gradus Group www gradusgroup com BOLT is a registered trademark of the Gradus Group 2022 Gradus Group LLC All Rights Reserved ...

Page 32: ...GG2 ...

Reviews: