Vivitar Flash Memory VIV DF 186 User Manual

Bounce Swivel Speedlight DSLR Flash  
INSTRUCTION MANUAL  
VIV-DF-186  
 
WHAT TO DO WHEN 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: (in the U.S.):  
(in the U.K.)  
Sakar UK  
2D Siskin Parkway East  
CV3 4PE, UK  
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 speciꢀc legal rights. You may also have other rights which vary  
TECHNICAL SUPPORT  
at the website. Can’t ꢀnd what you are looking for? E-mail us at [email protected] and one of our technical  
support team members will answer your questions. For phone support in the US please call 1-800-592-9541, in the  
free number.  
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Introduction  
Congratulations on your purchase of the Vivitar VIV-DF-186 flash unit. This electronic flash  
is innovatively designed for both digital cameras, with advanced technology used to control  
the correct amount of light output. Please kindly take a few minutes to read this instruction  
manual before using.  
Compatibility  
The VIV-DF-186 flash comes in three different varieties, each compatible with different  
cameras. Check to make sure the flash that you have is compatible with your camera.  
VIV-DF-186-CAN - Compatible with Canon Digital E-TTL cameras  
VIV-DF-186-NIK  
- Compatible with Nikon Digital I-TTL cameras  
VIV-DF-186-SON - Compatible with Sony Alpha Digital ADI cameras  
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Important Notes for Flash Photography and Maintenance  
1. After each picture, wait for two seconds for the flash to fully recharge before  
taking the next shot, even when the ready light is on. This will help to prolong the lifespan  
of the flash tube. It will also allow you to attain the full charging capacity of the flash  
capacitor for precise flash photography.  
2. For best results, keep your flash at least at about six feet away from the subject you are  
photographing.  
3. In the event that the flash exposure is incorrect (over or under exposed or green auto  
check light does not light up),you may take either one or more of the corrective actions: (1)  
move closer to the object (2) re-adjust your bounce angle (3) Increase ISO* setting.  
4. Bounce should only be used on lighter color ceilings or white walls. Note that when using  
this feature, 2-3 f/stop of light will be lost due to the reflection.  
*Note: In digital photography, the ISO number notes how sensitive the image sensor is to the  
amount of light present. The higher the ISO number, the more sensitive the image sensor is to  
light and therefore the possibility to take pictures in low light situations increases.  
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Important Notes for Flash Photography and Maintenance (cont.)  
6. Always use a fresh set of 4 AA batteries of the same brand and type when old batteries  
are depleted. Mixing and matching batteries of different types or brands will greatly  
deteriorate the flash’s performance.  
7. When the flash is not being used for extended period of time (>2 weeks), remove the  
batteries in order to prevent battery leakage. Once the batteries are removed, do not  
expose the flash unit and batteries to excessive heat, sunlight or fire.  
8. Charge up and test fire the flash unit at least once per month to maintain the optimal  
performance of the flash tube and charging capacitor.  
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Installing Batteries  
In order to power on your flash, you will first need to install batteries. To do so, first ensure  
that the ON/OFF switch is in the OFF position. Next, open the battery compartment, and  
insert 4 new AA batteries with the correct polarity (+,-) as indicated inside the battery  
compartment.  
Top View of Your Flash  
You can place the included diffuser  
over your flash in order to soften  
the light emitted.  
Slide open the battery  
compartment door to  
access the battery  
compartment.  
Battery  
Compartment Door  
-6-  
 
Mounting the Flash Onto Your Camera  
Once batteries are inserted into your flash, you can proceed to mount it onto your camera.  
To do so, first ensure that the ON/OFF swtch is in the OFF position. Next, slide the flash’s  
hotshoe base onto the camera’s hot shoe then rotate the lock ring until it is fastened  
securely. Slide the ON/OFF Switch to the ON position. When the Ready Light illuminates,  
the flash is ready to fire. Pressing the Test Button will test fire the unit.  
TEST  
TTL OK SL OFF OFF/ON READY  
Button Controls on  
Rear of Flash  
lock ring  
hot shoe  
base  
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Auto Check Light  
The Green Auto Check Light (OK) located on the back of the flash is used to confirm that  
your subject is within the effective TTL range of the flash unit. If your subject is within the  
effective TTL flash range after shooting, the green Auto Check Light will illuminate for  
approximately 2 seconds.  
Power Saving Function  
In order to save battery life, your flash will automatically turn off if left idle for more than one  
minute.  
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PROGRAM TTL (P) / AUTO MODE  
This flash unit provides automatic Through-The-Lens (TTL) control of the flash exposure  
when used with dedicated digital cameras. When using this mode, the flash unit will  
automatically emit the flash output for a balanced illumination of the subject and  
background. The inbuilt AF infra-red assistance beam will turn on automatically to assist  
the camera to focus in low lighting conditions.  
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TTL AV, TV AND M MODES  
When this flash unit is used with your camera set to AV, TV or M modes, the flash exposure  
will be automatically controlled by the camera based on the combination of shutter speed  
and aperture value.  
*For TV mode, do not exceed the camera’s maximum flash synchronization speed. In AV  
mode, setting at a slow speed will usually result in blurry pictures caused by the shaking of  
one’s hand. In such situations, the use of tripod is recommended.  
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SECOND/REAR CURTAIN SYNCHRONIZATION  
This mode permits you to fire the flash just before your camera’s shutter closes during slow  
shutter speed shooting. This will create a trail of lighting that will be appear behind the main  
subject when a slow shutter speed is being used.  
*For more information on rear curtain synchronization settings, refer to your camera’s  
instruction manual.  
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RED EYE REDUCTION  
When red eye reduction is activated on the DSLR body, the flash unit will activate a series  
of preflashes before the main flash to reduce the possibility of red eye occurrence during  
shooting.  
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USING THE BOUNCE HEAD  
USING THE SWIVEL HEAD  
Various combinations of bounce angles  
can be used to cut off unwanted  
shadows or for special soft effect  
purposes.  
Once the flash is attached to your  
camera you can use the swivel head to  
aim the light in different directions,  
allowing you to get a variety of different  
effects.  
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SPECIFICATIONS  
FEATURES  
Guide Number: 30m/ 99ft  
• Guide No:30m/99ft  
Circuitry: IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor)  
Automatic TTL Range: 15m / 50ft (F2.0)  
AF Illumination: 8m / 26ft  
• Flash ready indicator in viewfinder  
• Full Digital TTL dedication  
Autofocus Infra-Red Assistance beam  
• Bounce and swivel construction  
Automatic shutter speed setting  
•Auto check (Ok) indicator  
Dedication:  
- For Canon (model VIV-DF-186-CAN): E-TTL/E-TTL II  
- For Nikon (model VIV-DF-186-NIK): iTTL  
- For Sony (model VIV-DF-186-SON): A-Mount  
Exposure check: Green Auto Check Light  
Color Temperature: 5600K  
Bounce Angle: Up 30-45-60-75-90  
Swivel Position: left 45° / right 45°  
Flash Duration: 1/700 sec. (Full power)  
Recycling Time: 0.3-10 sec.  
Number of flashes: 100-300 per set of new batteries  
Power Source: 4 AA Batteries (Alkaline, NiCd or NiMH)  
Dimension(mm): 110 x 65 x 70  
• Red eye reduction*  
• Second/Rear curtain synchronization*  
• Slow synchronization (For Nikon only)*  
• Dedication: ETTL I / II (Canon), iTTL (Nikon)  
A-Mount(Sony)  
• Single slave function  
• Auto Shutdown Power Saving Feature  
* Camera dependent features.  
Please check your camera operating  
instruction manual.  
Weight: 250 grams (w/o batteries)  
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