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INON D-180 Manual 

Version 1.   October 4, 2003 
Copyright 2002, 2003 by INON America, Inc.    All rights reserved. 

30

and filling in the blanks below. 

1)  ISO sensitivity effective range                                  ISO        to ISO                 

2)  Largest aperture value (at both 

T

ele and 

M

acro)      W:f/        -      T:f/           

3)  Smallest aperture value (at both 

T

ele and 

M

acro)    W:f/        -      T:f/           

 

Naming conventions of cameras having shooting modes capable of settable aperture values: 

Olympus   A (Aperture Priority Mode)          /      M (Manual Mode) 

Canon     Av (Aperture Priority AE)     /   M (Manual Exposure) 

Nikon     A (Aperture Priority Auto)    /   M (Manual) 

     

By setting the D-180 to External Auto as described above, imaging with external strobes is easier 

compared to conventional strobes using manual flash adjustment.    However, in order to achieve 

“proper” exposure of various subjects and shooting conditions it is necessary to have a deep 

understanding of “exposure”, especially the relationship between exposure from natural ambient 

light and exposure from strobe light.    (See Ref. No. 8, page 42)

 

 

Digital Camera Setting Example No. 1A 

(Olympus C-4040 Zoom) 

(And for cameras having settable ISO, Aperture Value, and with Aperture Value visible in LCD 

display) 

1)  Turn Mode Dial to “A/S/M”, push “OK/MENU” Button, push camera’s Arrow Pad control to 

RIGHT and enter “MODE MENU”. 

2)  In the MODE MENU Tabs, set ISO to “100”; and then “A/S/M Mode” to either A (Aperture 

Priority) or M (Manual). 

3)  Push OK/MENU to complete this setting. 

4)  Push Flash Mode Button to Fill-in Flash. 

5)  If the camera is set to Aperture Priority Mode, push the 

Arrow Pad either up or down and choose an aperture 

value.    If camera is set to Manual Mode, push Arrow 

Pad either right or left.   

6)  When camera is set to any mode 

other than 

Manual 

Mode, push the Arrow Pad up or down to set Exposure 

Compensation as necessary. 

7)  Confirm these settings in the LCD display. 

     

C-4040 Zoom LCD Monitor Display

 

 

 

 

Shooting Mode (Aperture Priority)

Aperture Value 

Fill-in Flash 

ISO 

Exposure Compensation

Summary of Contents for INON D-180

Page 1: ...3 by INON America Inc All rights reserved 1 INON D 180 Underwater Auto Strobe User Manual This Manual may be printed and used according to conditions below This Manual may not be used or transmitted in whole or part or reproduced in any way for any commercial use ...

Page 2: ...ash Adjustment of External Strobes 13 Ref No 2 TTL What is it 15 Ref No 3 Pre flash What is it 15 Ref No 4 External Auto External Auto Flash Exposure Adjustment 16 Ref No 5 Master Strobe and Slave Strobe 16 Ref No 6 Advanced Cancel Circuit 16 Ref No 7 Clear Photo System 17 Connecting D 180 to Camera System 18 Optical D Cable Connection Optical Slave Cable Connection Optical D Slave Cable Connectio...

Page 3: ...cting to Camera System 35 Attaching to Camera Housing System 35 Chapter 3 How to use the D 180 Strobe Main Mode Switch Setting Method 36 Focus Light Switch Setting Method 36 Aperture Value Set Switch Use Method 37 1 4 EV Compensation Switch Use Method 38 Troubleshooting External Auto Flash 39 Adjusting D 180 Flash Output 41 Reference Ref No 8 Exposure when using strobes 42 Ref No 9 Differences bet...

Page 4: ...2003 Copyright 2002 2003 by INON America Inc All rights reserved 4 Chapter 5 Reference Optional Accessories 51 Connector Parts 51 Arm System 53 AD Mount Base System 54 M67 Mount Base System 54 Specifications 55 Technical Support Service 56 ...

Page 5: ...a housing systems Before learning more about how to use the D 180 we recommend you read or review your camera housing manual s so that you thoroughly understand these components of your system first Then we strongly advise you thoroughly read this Manual to become familiar with the D 180 especially with regard to your particular camera system and applications The D 180 is designed to withstand and...

Page 6: ...rica assumes no responsibility if as a result of using the product there are any damages or losses including but not limited to fees costs or other expenses incurred or related to taking photographic images or any lost or unattained profit from not being able to take photographic images Instructions to activate and receive warranty service 1 Complete and mail the Warranty Activation Card enclosed ...

Page 7: ...The D 180 is waterproof due to a rubber O ring that seals the internal circuitry from the elements There is only one user serviceable O ring the Battery Box O ring This O ring requires frequent inspection and care to ensure its watertight integrity Since most flooding occurs due an O ring related problem we strongly recommend you to inspect the O ring and clean grease or replace as necessary each ...

Page 8: ... compatible with all grease types Periodically re grease the O rings only using the supplied Inon Grease Do not use any other grease which may cause the O rings to swell or deform causing poor seal and water leakage Use of non Inon grease will void warranty Field Maintenance For periodic maintenance in the field it is not necessary to always remove the O ring and inspect the O ring groove for each...

Page 9: ... ring contact surface on the battery box A little extra grease is necessary due to friction when screwing down the battery box cap Slowly screw down the battery box cap making sure you don t feel any excessive resistance which could mean the O ring is binding or bearing too much friction When the battery box cap is fully screwed down and seated on the O ring surface look at the O ring through the ...

Page 10: ...INON D 180 Manual Version 1 October 4 2003 Copyright 2002 2003 by INON America Inc All rights reserved 10 Names of D 180 Parts ...

Page 11: ...or 6 Main Mode Switch 7 Aperture Value Set Switch 8 Focus Light Switch 9 Advanced Cancel Circuit Switch 10 Strobe Ready Red Lamp 11 TTL OK Green Lamp 12 Battery Box 13 Battery Box Inner Cap 14 Battery Box Inner Cap Screw 15 Battery Box Outer Cap 16 6mm threaded socket for Z Adapter YS Adapter 17 Magnet Switch Screw 18 Magnet Switch 19 Magnet Screw Tightener 20 Battery Box Spare O ring 21 Inon Grea...

Page 12: ... adjustment control Or use the Manual Mode 4 step flash output adjustment for manual strobe control 2 Slave Strobe External Auto Slave Strobe Function When connected to another master strobe including internal strobes of digital cameras the D 180 flashes at the same time as the master strobe Using the D 180 s External Auto control mode the D 180 itself automatically adjusts for correct flash outpu...

Page 13: ...rn on and upon sensing the camera s internal strobe flash will automatically turn off so no light from the Focus Light is recorded in the image Also the Focus Light can be set to turn off automatically in about eight seconds if the Focus Light Switch is not pressed again Reference No 1 Automatic Flash Adjustment of External Strobes When using external strobes in order to automatically adjust the a...

Page 14: ...Auto Exposure Adjustment Unlike conventional 35mm film camera systems with the widely adopted Real Time TTL Auto Flash Adjustment most current digicams cannot use such automatic exposure adjustment with external strobes Likewise except for some dedicated land strobes for certain camera brands there are no external strobes yet available fully compatible of functioning with the various Pre Flash TTL...

Page 15: ...eflected off the light sensitive medium device An external strobe using these TTL metering methods of automatic light control is called a TTL Strobe and an external slave strobe set to synchronize with the master strobe s flash duration is called a TTL Slave Strobe For the purposes of this Manual we distinguish between two types of TTL light adjustment both of which are common in current digital c...

Page 16: ...t strobe output Reference No 5 Master Strobe and Slave Strobe Master and Slave are terms corresponding to which strobe is the controlling device and which strobe is being controlled When using two strobes including the case of the camera s internal strobe and the D 180 where both the camera s strobe and D 180 are directly connected to the camera housing and are controlled by the same signal since ...

Page 17: ... dump of light and releases all the built up energy stored in its capacitor It then takes a few seconds for the energy to build up again before another image can be taken In contrast in addition to the internal strobe s pre flash intensity the D 180 calculates its pre flash based on the fact that the pre flash must pass through water not air on its way to the subject and back again to the camera W...

Page 18: ...uation The D 180 can be connected to your camera housing master strobe system as follows 1 Using D 180 as an external Slave Strobe to digital camera s internal strobe Master Strobe 1 Optical D Cable Connection Select an Inon Optical D Cable Cap Set specified for your camera housing and connect one end to the Master Strobe Housing and the other end to the D 180 Slave Strobe The Master Strobe transm...

Page 19: ... external master strobe Fill in or the check boxes below Use with Digital Camera alone or Use with other external master strobe Confirming your camera system master strobe housing Next confirm the camera system master strobe housing that you will be using Then confirm which automatic flash adjustment method your camera system master strobe is compatible with in the various charts on the next pages...

Page 20: ...040Zoom C 3040Zoom C 2040Zoom PT 007 PT 010 YES YES YES Brio 100 C 1 C 1 PT 008 NO NO NO D 510Z D 550Z C 200Zoom C 300Zoom C 200Zoom C 300Zoom PT 009 YES NO NO C 4040Zoom C 4040Zoom C 4040Zoom P TTL YES YES YES C 4000Zoom slave mode C 4100Zoom slave mode C 4000Zoom slave mode R M YES YES YES C 4000Zoom other than above C 4100Zoom other than above C 4000Zoom other than above PT 010 YES YES YES Brio...

Page 21: ...ES YES A40 A30 other than above A40 A30 other than above A40 A30 other than above WP DC200s P TTL YES NO NO S50 S45 S40 S30 Manual Mode S50 S45 S40 S30 Manual Mode S50 S45 S40 S30 Manual Mode R M YES YES YES S50 S45 S40 S30 other than above S50 S45 S40 S30 other than above S50 S45 S40 S30 other than above WP DC300 P TTL YES YES YES A200 A100 A200 A100 A200 A100 WP DC400 P TTL YES NO NO S230 Digita...

Page 22: ...995 CP990 CP950 E995 E990 E950 CP995 CP990 CP950 R S YES YES YES CP885 CP885 CP885 CP4 P TTL YES YES YES CP4300 CP4300 CP4300 CP4 P TTL YES YES YES CP4500 CP4500 CP4500 YES YES YES CP5000 CP5000 CP5000 Aquamir CP5 YES YES YES CP5400 CP5400 CP5400 YES YES YES Nikon CP5700 CP5700 CP5700 R S YES YES YES DSC P1 DSC P1 DSC P1 MPK P1 R S NO NO NO DSC P3 DSC P5 DSC P3 DSC P5 DSC P3 DSC P5 MPK P5 R S YES ...

Page 23: ...onfirming useable functions Here confirm the D 180 functions possible with your camera system master strobe configuration For detailed explanation of each function see page 11 D 180 Main Functions For camera systems not listed in this chart try shooting some test images to confirm functionality Useable functions when using with digital camera Slave Strobe Function Flash Adjust Type Settable ISO Ap...

Page 24: ... refer to your camera manual and determine the Effective Aperture Value Range and Effective ISO Sensitivity Range For more details see page 29 Camera System Preparation 3 Clear Photo System possible when using optional Inon Optical D Cable Cap Set available for various specific camera housing configurations 4 It is possible that light from the Focus Light may expose the image We recommend first tu...

Page 25: ...r 4 2003 Optical D Slave Cable Compatible Strobe Chart Compatible Master Strobes Compatible Slave Strobes D 180 D 180S Z 20 Z 220S Z 220 Z 220S Z22 D 180 D 180S There are limitations on what strobes and functions are possible See Compatible Master Slave Strobe section of Optical D Slave Cable Manual Optical Slave Cable Connection Compatible Strobe Parts Chart Mfr Master Strobe Model Necessary Opti...

Page 26: ... The flash tubes are arranged in a T configuration to provide a round 100 degree angle of illumination Guide Number 18 Air ISO 100 x m 2 Focus Light Activate Focus Light by pushing Focus Light switch The Focus Light will turn on and then turn off automatically as the internal strobe fires or if shutter not released after about 8 seconds Or by pushing Focus Light switch continuously or by turning i...

Page 27: ...ON by not installing the Magnet Switch and Magnet Switch Screw For details see Page 34 Setting the Advanced Cancel Circuit 17 Magnet Switch Screw 18 Magnet Switch 19 Magnet Screw Tightener Use this tool when changing the Advanced Cancel Circuit Switch For details see Page 34 Setting the Advanced Cancel Circuit 3 Light Adjustment Sensor When using External Auto this sensor measures the light reflec...

Page 28: ...n electrical short corrosion damage cause buildup of flammable gas lead to explosion or other accident In particular when removing the Battery Box Outer Cap follow these precautions 1 First rinse with fresh water and dry area around the Battery Box Assuming strobe is wet with salt water 2 To prevent any water from entering the Battery Box hold the Battery Box so the Battery Box Outer Cap is facing...

Page 29: ...g when the camera s ISO sensitivity is set to a base line ISO 100 We recommend setting the camera as follows as an initial standard setting 1 Set the camera s ISO sensitivity to ISO 100 on camera s that allow such setting 2 Set the camera s Shooting Mode to a mode that allows setting the Aperture Value if your camera allows such setting 3 Set your camera s Aperture Value to a value that reflects y...

Page 30: ...ly the relationship between exposure from natural ambient light and exposure from strobe light See Ref No 8 page 42 Digital Camera Setting Example No 1A Olympus C 4040 Zoom And for cameras having settable ISO Aperture Value and with Aperture Value visible in LCD display 1 Turn Mode Dial to A S M push OK MENU Button push camera s Arrow Pad control to RIGHT and enter MODE MENU 2 In the MODE MENU Tab...

Page 31: ...Circuit 4 Push OK MENU Button to complete this setting 5 Push Flash Mode Button one or more times to set Fill in Flash 6 Turn the Jog Dial to select your desired Aperture Value When the Shooting Mode is A Aperture Priority or M Manual push the Exposure Compensation Button while turning the Jog Dial to make these settings 7 As necessary while pushing the Exposure Compensation Button turn the Jog Di...

Page 32: ...C P3 DSC P5 DSC P7 DSC P8 DSC P9 DSC P10 Digital Camera Setting Example No 3 Olympus C 200 Zoom And for cameras having settable ISO Sensitivity but not settable Aperture Value and with Aperture Value not visible in LCD display 1 Push Menu Button to display Shooting Menu 2 Set ISO Sensitivity to 100 3 As necessary set Exposure Compensation 4 Push OK MENU Button to fix settings 5 Press Flash Mode Bu...

Page 33: ...nsitivity range ISO 100 ISO 150 8 From the lens front or the camera Manual Specifications page check the widest aperture value or the settable aperture range Widest Aperture at Wide Setting f 2 8 Widest Aperture at Tele Setting f 4 8 Below are some other cameras requiring similar settings For details of making such settings refer to your camera manual Olympus C900Z D 400Z C 2 Brio 230 C 1 Zoom C 2...

Page 34: ...ircuit Switch Installation Method 1 Insert the magnet into the Advanced Cancel Circuit Switch hole 2 Thread in and screw down the Magnet Switch Screw Caution Screwing down the Magnet Screw too tightly will damage the strobe Use the Magnet Screw Tightner as shown in picture to screw down Magnet Screw so it is not quite snug almost loose but definitely not tight For all Group Cameras other than R TT...

Page 35: ...ew down the battery box outer cap clockwise Connecting to Camera System Connecting with Optical D Cable Optical Slave Cable or Optical D Slave Cable 1 Select the appropriate Optical Cable for your camera housing master strobe system Then following the instructions provided with the cable connect to your system accordingly 2 Place Sensor Plug end of Optical Cable directly over the Optical Sensor li...

Page 36: ...osely matching that of the camera system FULL M 2 M 3 M 4 For manual exposure set the dial to one of the four positions The light output level for each position is as follows Switch Position Output Level Guide Number FULL 1 18 M 2 1 4 9 M 3 1 8 6 3 M 4 1 16 4 5 Guide Number Air ISO 100 x m The Red Strobe Ready Lamp will activate when the strobe re charge is 80 complete For situations where more pr...

Page 37: ...s Light automatic off function is not recommended for use with R TTL R S and R M Group digital cameras having internal strobes or with other external strobes that do not use pre flash type of exposure calculation The shutter linked automatic off function will not work and light from the Focus Light will be recorded in the image Turn the Focus Light OFF before releasing the shutter In Continuous MO...

Page 38: ... ISO value and aperture Use this chart together with the troubleshooting points on next page ISO 50 ISO 100 ISO 200 ISO 400 Switch Position Compensation Switch 1 0 1 2EV 1 4 1 2EV 2 1 2EV 2 8 1 2EV 1 4 1 2 OFF 1 0 3 4EV 1 4 3 4EV 2 3 4EV 2 8 3 4EV 1 4 1 2 ON 1 4 2 2 8 4 2 OFF 1 4 1 4EV 2 1 4EV 2 8 1 4EV 4 1 4EV 2 ON 1 4 1 2EV 2 1 2EV 2 8 1 2EV 4 1 2EV 2 1 2 OFF 1 4 3 4EV 2 3 4EV 2 8 3 4EV 4 3 4EV ...

Page 39: ...ging Problem Blooming image highlights washed out overexposed too bright Cause 1 Because the amount of strobe light exposing the subject is small the proportion of natural light reflecting off the subject is greater After the strobe stops firing when it thinks proper exposure has been reached natural light continues to expose the subject until the camera shutter closes and the digital camera s exp...

Page 40: ...shed out overexposed too bright Cause 1 The total possible minimum light output from the combined strobe system external strobe s internal strobe is too great at close distances causing the close end nearest the camera of the effective flash exposure range to lengthen out away from the camera Subjects close to the camera flash will receive too much light and be overexposed This is particularly the...

Page 41: ...camera shooting parameters Solution 1 Set strobe flash output compensation and camera exposure compensation according to the subject reflectivity background brightness and to what degree the subject fills the frame In general set camera exposure to plus compensation and strobe flash output to minus compensation Adjusting D 180 Flash Output It is not necessary to always exactly match the Aperture V...

Page 42: ...exposure amount and how to match the camera parameters for each subject and shooting condition to appropriately control the outcome Considering the light exposure from the Film or Image Sensor s perspective the characteristics of Ambient and Strobe light can be compared as follows Ambient Light Comparatively weaker than strobe light but exposing for the whole time the shutter is open Exposes subje...

Page 43: ...arger aperture value smaller number will reduce the flash amount weaker 2 Dialing to a smaller aperture value larger number will increase flash amount stronger D 180 1 4 EV Compensation Switch Moving switch to ON position so that it covers the Light Sensor will increase exposure by 1 4 EV Flash light becomes stronger Reference No 9 Differences between using external strobes with digital cameras an...

Page 44: ...h Strobe Light Adjustment Timing Compared to conventional silver halide film camera systems using external strobes with TTL automatic light adjustment when using external strobes with External Auto light adjustment the strobe itself determines the strobe s output and when to quench for D 180 in less than 1 1 000 of a second However even after the strobe flash stops the shutter may remain open and ...

Page 45: ... to become darker and less light will reach the film image sensor Adjust settings accordingly Also be aware that natural light may increasingly contribute to the exposure based on you settings so taking test images and analyzing the exposures is useful The chart below should be used as an initial reference guide for setting manual exposure and supported with actual testing and experience to obtain...

Page 46: ...trobe or battery connection terminals Where possible avoid battery changes when the strobe is wet 6 Limitation on number of continuous repeated strobe flashes In order to prevent overheating and damage of D 180 flash tubes and internal circuitry do not repeatedly discharge the strobe more than recommended limit Limit the number of continuous repeated strobe discharges according to the chart below ...

Page 47: ...utions to avoid damage to batteries and strobe and depending on the type of batteries possible buildup and explosion of flammable hydrogen gas Warning Equipment damage or personal injury may result if these precautions are not followed A Make sure battery positions are properly placed in Battery Box B Do not use non specified batteries such as Lithium or Manganese batteries C Do not mix batteries ...

Page 48: ... battery connection check the terminals as an initial troubleshooting measure 1 Adjust position of Battery Box Inner Cap terminals High performance rechargeable batteries can be heavy and may tend to flatten the Battery Box Inner Cap terminals This can cause poor connection so gently bend the terminals back to the correct position as in image below 2 Clean battery terminals Battery Box Inner Cap t...

Page 49: ...ht from reaching the sensor However do not scrub the sensor with anything abrasive that could scratch the sensor surface 4 After soaking do not leave in direct sunlight First thoroughly towel dry and remove the batteries Then place in shaded well ventilated area In areas of high relative humidity it may take several days for moisture in the small gaps and recesses of the strobe to completely dry N...

Page 50: ...t all controls moving parts Pressure test O ring and other degradable part life can vary considerably due to type of use frequency of use maintenance method storage conditions etc Inon will conduct incoming product inspection of each overhaul request and determine at its discretion whether Normal or Full Overhaul is necessary Of course Inon can conduct overhaul and any time based on specific instr...

Page 51: ...able for dual strobe use Optical D Cable Cap W5 Set with Clear Photo System Film Optical D Cable and fixtures for direct mounting on PT 015 housing Possible to install a second Optical D Cable for dual strobe use Optical D Cable Cap W3 Set with Clear Photo System Film Optical D Cable and fixtures for mounting on AD Mount Base DC100 500 DC200 200s DC300 M67 Mount Base DC100 500 DC200 200s DC300 Pos...

Page 52: ...o D 180 slave S small for strobes with diameters of approx 6 10cm for master strobes Inon Z 220 220S D 180 D180S Nikon SB 105 Sea Sea YS25 YS30 YS60 YS90 YS120 Ikelite DS 50 DS 125 SS 50 L large for strobes with diameters of approx 10 15cm for master strobes Inon Z 22 Nikon SB 104 Sea Sea YS350 YS300 Ikelite SS 100 SS 200 SS 400 Optical D Slave Cable Connect Optical D Slave Cable between a D 180 o...

Page 53: ...e PT 010 Grip Base Attach to D Base or AD M67 Mount Adapters use as grip and attachment point for strobe arms Grip Base DII for AD or M67 Mount Base Grip Base DIII for PT 018 015 010 007 005 Direct Arm Sets Permit greater flexibility of strobe placement Direct Arm Z Set with Z Adapter mount Direct Arm YS Set with YS Adapter mount Inon YS Adapter YS Adapter Fixing Bolt YS Adapter Fixing Bolt Z Adap...

Page 54: ...tem A multi function attachment for some specific camera housing models A M67 Mount base will accommodate Optical D Cable Cap Sets Strobe Arm Systems and Inon Attachment lenses having a standard 67mm threaded mount Refer to catalog to determine if a M67 Mount Base is available for your housing model Spare O ring for D 180 Battery Box Inon yellow O rings contain lubricant in the o ring rubber Yello...

Page 55: ...conds minimum AA Nicad batteries 1 7 seconds minimum 1 000mAh AA NiMH batteries 1 5 seconds minimum 1 600mAh Flash Capacity AA alkaline batteries approximately 600 flashes AA Nicad batteries approximately 240 flashes 1 000mAh AA NiMH batteries approximately 500 flashes 1 600mAh Full strobe output at 30 second intervals with both Focus Light and Advanced Cancel Circuit OFF at 25C 77F degrees For re...

Page 56: ...conditions pages 1 2 of this Manual In principle service is not free of charge after warranty period has expired and customer is required to bear shipping costs to and from Inon or Inon s designated repair facility Please consult with Inon before returning any products for service Inon Dealer Contact Information INON America Inc 6445 Ithaca Lane North Maple Grove MN 55311 USA Tel 763 763 559 1212 ...

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