Bolt VS-570P User manual

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VS-570P for Pentax/Samsung
WIRELESS TTL FLASH
User’s Manual

2 |Introduction
Copyright © 2016 Gradus Group.
Bolt and other names of Bolt products are trademarks of Gradus Group. Other product and corporate names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective holders.

Introduction |3
Introduction
Thank you for choosing the Bolt VS-570P Wireless TTL Flash. This advanced digital ash unit puts creative
control in your hands with a broad range of automatic and manual features. It can be used as both an on-
camera ash and a wireless slave ash. Among the benets you’ll enjoy:
• Full compatibility with Pentax and Samsung’s TTL metering systems
• Wireless TTL control with multiple ash units and groups
• Automatic and manual zoom from 24mm to 105mm
• Tilt and swivel head: 90° up, 120° right, and 180° left
• 1.8-inch backlit LCD
• Seven manual ash levels: full to 1/64 power
• Autofocus-assist for low-light photography
• High-speed sync
• Rear-curtain sync
• Built-in reector and diffuser panels
• Automatic power-saving function
• Upgradeable rmware

4 |Contents
Contents
Overview ..................................................................................................................................................... 6–9
Warnings ................................................................................................................................................. 10–11
Installing Batteries ......................................................................................................................................... 12
Mounting the Flash .................................................................................................................................. 13–14
Turning on the Flash and Firing a Test............................................................................................................ 15
Extended Interface......................................................................................................................................... 16
Using the Automatic TTL Flash Mode ............................................................................................................. 17
Using High-Speed Sync ................................................................................................................................. 18
Using Red-Eye Reduction............................................................................................................................... 19
Using Flash Exposure Compensation.............................................................................................................. 19
Using the Manual Flash Mode ...................................................................................................................20-21
Controlling Flash Coverage (Zoom)............................................................................................................21-23
Using the Autofocus-Assist Light.................................................................................................................... 24
Bouncing Your Flash..................................................................................................................................24-26

Contents |5
Using Rear- or Second-Curtain Synchronization ............................................................................................. 27
Using Your VS-570P as a Wireless Master or Slave....................................................................................28-29
Using the VS-570P as a Wireless Master...................................................................................................30-31
Wireless Master Summary screen.............................................................................................................32-33
Using the VS-570P as a Wireless TTL Slave...............................................................................................34-35
Using Your VS-570P as a Wireless Manual Flash ...................................................................................... 36–37
Positioning Remote Flash Units ................................................................................................................ 36–37
Upgrading the Firmware on the VS-570P ....................................................................................................... 39
Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................................................. 40
FCC Notices................................................................................................................................................... 41
Specications ................................................................................................................................................ 42
Guide Number Chart ...................................................................................................................................... 43
One-Year Limited Warranty............................................................................................................................. 44

6 |Overview
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VS-570P

Overview |7
Overview
1. Flash head
2. Reector panel
3. Diffuser panel
4. Battery compartment cover
5. Wireless sensor (optical)
6. Mounting foot
7. Mounting foot lock
8. Mode button
9. Up button
10. Down button
11. Zoom position button
12. Ready light / Test button
13. Power switch
14. TTL OK
15. Flash head position indicator
16. LCD
17. External power socket
18. PC sync socket
19. Firmware upgrade socket
20. AF assist/Wireless ready
indicator light

8 |Overview
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TTL
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EV+
EV-
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Overview |9
Wireless TTL Master Settings
21. High-speed sync status
22. Slave mode
23. Rear-curtain sync
24. TTL mode
25. Wireless TTL mode
26. Manual mode
27. Manual ash output / Slave channel
28. Slave group
29. Zoom mode
30. Zoom position
31. Flash compensation value
32. Camera aperture (f-stop)
33. Stand / Tripod mount

10 |Warnings
Warnings
Before using your VS-570P, please read the following safety notices carefully and thoroughly to ensure safe
use, and to help prevent damage to your ash or injury to yourself or others.
• Do not re the ash at close range directly into the eyes of people or animals. This can cause damage to
the retina and may even lead to blindness.
• To avoid overheating and damaging your ash unit, please wait for at least 10 minutes after 20 continuous
ashes at full power.
• Do not disassemble or attempt to repair this product yourself. There are high-voltage components inside
that can produce a hazardous electric shock.
• Keep this product and its batteries out of reach of children.
• Use only the power sources specied in this manual.
• Always switch the ash off before changing the batteries.
• Always install AA batteries of the same type, brand, and age. Do not combine different types or brands, or
old and new batteries. This could cause batteries to leak, overheat, or explode.Install batteries in the proper
orientation, according to the indicator in the battery chamber. Installing batteries in the reverse orientation
could cause them to leak, overheat, or explode.
• Do not use or store the VS-570P in ammable conditions (such as environments containing ammable
gases or liquid chemicals). This could damage the ash, start a re, or cause an electric shock.

Warnings |11
• Do not clean the VS-570P with agents containing corrosive or ammable substances such as paint thinner,
benzene, or nail polish remover.
• This product is not water resistant. Keep it away from rain, snow, humidity, and general moisture.
• Should the VS-570P get damaged, do not touch any exposed interior metal parts. If touched, they may
generate an electric shock or cause a malfunction. Promptly remove the batteries and take the product to
an authorized service center for repair.
• If you detect excessive heat, smoke, or a burning smell coming from the ash, immediately stop operation
and remove the batteries to prevent the product from igniting or melting. Take the product to an authorized
service center for repair.
• Do not drop or otherwise cause a strong physical impact to the VS-570P, as this could cause a malfunction
that may cause it to explode or ignite.
• Remove all batteries from the VS-570P before long-term storage in order 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 with your ngers. Corrosive elements on the contacts can damage the VS-570P and prevent it from
functioning properly. Contacts may be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab.
• Dispose of used batteries properly. Never heat them or throw them into a re, as this could cause the
batteries to leak corrosive liquids, generate heat, or explode.

12 |Installing Batteries
Installing Batteries
The VS-570P can be powered by four AA batteries of several types:
• Lithium (1.5V)
• Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) (1.2V)
• Alkaline (1.5V)
Note: For the fastest recycle times and longest battery life, lithium or Ni-MH batteries are recommended.
To install batteries, make sure the VS-570P is turned off and follow these steps:
1. Press on the battery compartment cover and slide
it in the direction of the arrow to remove it.
2. Insert batteries in the orientations indicated by
the illustration inside the compartment.
3. Replace the battery compartment cover by
pressing and sliding it into place in the opposite
direction of the arrow on the cover.
Important! Replace all four batteries at the same time. Do not mix battery types or brands, or use old and new
batteries together.
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Mounting the Flash |13
Mounting the Flash
To mount the ash on your camera, make sure the VS-570P is turned off and follow these steps:
1. Turn the mounting foot lock counterclockwise to loosen it.
2. Slide the mounting foot all the way into your camera’s hot shoe.
3. Turn the mounting foot lock clockwise until snug. Do not overtighten.
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14 |Mounting the Flash
To dismount the ash from your camera, make sure the VS-570P is turned off and follow these steps:
1. Turn the mounting foot lock counter-clockwise to loosen it.
2. Slide the mounting foot out of your camera’s hot shoe.
Mounting the VS-570P on the included stand:
You can mount the VS-570P on the included stand in the same way you would mount it on your camera. This
allows you to set the ash up on a at surface, or to attach it to a tripod head, light stand, or clamp that has a
compatible ¼˝-20 screw mount.

Turning on the Flash and Firing a Test |15
Turning on the Flash and Firing a Test
To turn the ash on, simply slide the power switch to the On position.
When the ash is ready to re, the Ready light will glow red. If the ash is mounted on your camera, a ash
icon will also appear in the camera’s viewnder.
To re a test ash, press the Ready light / Test button.
Automatic power-saving function: After 3 minutes of inactivity, the ash will automatically enter power-
saving mode to conserve battery life. The LCD will display a single OFF indicator, and the Ready light will turn
off. To reactivate the VS-570P, simply press any button on the control panel, or tap your camera’s shutter-
release button. During long periods of inactivity, it is recommended that you use the power switch to turn the
ash off completely.
LCD illumination: When a button is pressed, the LCD will be illuminated for about 5 seconds.

16 |Extended Interface
Extended Interface
You can connect your VS-570P to an external power source or PC sync via the extended interface on the side
of the ash.
External power source: An external power source, such as the Bolt Cyclone Battery Pack, can greatly
increase the battery life of your ash and reduce the recycle time in between ashes.
Note: When using an external power source, the AA batteries must still be in the ash in order to operate.
PC Sync: You can synchronize your VS-570P with a camera by running a PC cord between your camera and
the VS-570P’s PC sync socket. This lets you position the ash away from the camera, thus giving you more
lighting options.
Note: The PC sync socket on the VS-570P is only for synchronous signal input, and not output.
To access the extended interface, follow these steps:
1. Pull back the contact cover on the side of the ash.
2. Plug the cable into the corresponding socket.
A. For an external power source, plug the Bolt BO-1011 power cable (sold separately) into the external
power source socket.
B. For PC sync, plug a PC cord into the PC sync socket.

Using the Automatic TTL Flash Mode |17
Using the Automatic TTL Flash Mode
When the VS-570P is mounted on a compatible camera, it can set the appropriate ash level automatically, in
conjunction with the camera’s through-the-lens (TTL) metering system. To use the automatic mode, mount the ash
on the camera and follow these steps:
1. Each time you turn the ash on, it will be in automatic mode. This will be conrmed by the TTL mode indicator
on the LCD. If the ash has been set to another mode, press the Mode button repeatedly to cycle through the
ash modes until “TTL” is shown on the LCD.
2. Make sure your camera is set on a programmed or automatic mode, or on a priority mode such as aperture-
priority.
3. Select the appropriate curtain-sync mode (see “Using Rear- or Second-Curtain Synchronization” on page 27).
4. Press the shutter-release button on your camera halfway to ensure that the camera is communicating with
the ash. The camera’s aperture setting will be displayed on the ash LCD, and a ash icon will appear in the
camera’s viewnder.
5. Press your camera’s shutter-release button to take the picture. The TTL OK light below it will glow green
momentarily to indicate that the proper exposure was attained.
Note: The aperture indicator on the VS-570P provides readouts up to f/11, in full-stop increments. The indicator will
display the f-stop closest to your current camera setting.

18 |Using the Automatic TTL Flash Mode
Using High-Speed Sync
You can use shutter speeds higher than your camera’s top ash sync speed with the VS-570P by activating
high-speed sync in automatic TTL mode. High-speed sync lets you use shutter speeds as fast as 1/8000
second. This is especially useful when using large apertures in bright situations or when freezing motion.
To activate high-speed sync mode on the VS-570P,
press the Mode button repeatedly to cycle through
the ash modes until the high-speed sync mode
indicator appears on the LCD.
To turn high-speed sync on or off, press the up or
down buttons. “ON” will appear in the top right
corner of the LCD when high-speed sync mode is
activated, and “--” will appear when high-speed
sync mode is deactivated.
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Using Red-Eye Reduction - Using Flash Exposure Compensation |19
Using Red-Eye Reduction
The VS-570P supports red-eye reduction mode, which is set automatically by your camera. Consult your
camera’s manual for more information about this feature.
Using Flash Exposure Compensation
In automatic TTL mode, you can use ash exposure compensation to adjust the VS-570P’s ash output
incrementally, just as you would adjust exposure with the exposure compensation function on your camera.
To apply ash exposure compensation, press the up or
down buttons on the ash to increase or decrease ash
exposure by 1/3 stop—up to 3 stops total. The LCD will
display EV+ or EV- next to the exposure value to indicate
whether it is increased or decreased.
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TTL
EV+

20 |Using the Manual Flash Mode
Using the Manual Flash Mode
You can also set the VS-570P’s ash output level manually for greater creative control over your images. Seven
manual settings are available: 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, and 1/64. The 1/1 setting is the full-power ash,
and each successive setting halves the light output. To use the manual mode, turn the ash and camera on
and follow these steps:
1. Press the Mode button repeatedly to cycle through
the ash modes until “M” and the ash output
level indicator show on the LCD. Press the up
or down buttons to set the desired ash output
level. The output level will cycle through in both
directions.
2. Set the exposure settings you want to use on your
camera. The highest shutter speed available will be
your camera’s ash sync speed. To use higher shutter speeds, switch to automatic TTL mode and activate
high-speed sync (see Using High-Speed Sync on page 18).
3. Take a test shot, and check the exposure on your camera’s LCD.
4. Adjust your camera’s exposure settings and the light output level of the ash as needed.
M