Cactus RF60X User manual

User Manual
Wireless
Flash
RF60X

2
Table of Contents
1. Getting to Know your RF60X 03
2. Caution and Warnings 04
3. Major Specifications 05
4. Package Contents 06
5. Nomenclature 07
6. LCD Panel 08
7. Getting Started 08
8. On-camera Operation: 19
Local Mode
9. Wireless Flash: 21
Master and Slave Modes
10. Group Aliases 26
11. Advanced Operation 28
12. Personalizing the RF60X 44
13. Working with Cactus 50
Triggers
14. External Power 53
15. Forming the Capacitor 54
16. USB Connection 54
17. Optional Accessories 55
18. Troubleshooting 55
19. Notices 59
20. Warranty 62

3
1. Getting to Know your
RF60X
Thank you for purchasing the Cactus
Wireless Flash RF60X. The RF60X is
u n iq u e a m o n g oth e r  a s h e s
available in the market. With a built-
in transmitter and receiver, it not
only receives wireless signals, but
also functions as a commander to
control other RF60X or RF60. The
possibilities are endless!
This new RF60X features outstanding
improvement from its predecessor:
–Exclusive! Cooling mode to prevent
RF60X from overheat cut-off;
–Quick full-power recharge time at
1.9 s;
–Auto-focus assist light in sync
with other Cactus devices;
–Automatic wireless HSS support in
Slave mode for Canon, Fujifilm,
Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax
when working with V6 II; and Sony
with V6 IIs transceiver.
Other features include:
–Built-in wireless commander and
receiver
–Remote control of power and zoom
levels
–Group control of up to four groups
with configurable Group Alias
–Optical slave with delay feature
–High power up to Guide Number of
56 meters

4
–Compatible with Cactus V6 IIs,
V6 II and V6 Wireless Flash
Transceivers
–Multi-ash feature
2. Caution and Warnings
Before using the product, read the
following instructions to ensure
correct and safe use and to help
prevent damage of the Cactus RF60X.
1. Turn OFF all your equipment
(Cactus units, cameras, etc.)
before changing batteries or
making a connection.
2. Remove batteries and switch off
t h e  a s h w h e n it is n ot i n u s e.
3. Use only the batteries specified
in this instruction manual.
4. Do not permanently store the
product in a high temperature
environment (i.e., under strong
direct sunlight, near cooking
stoves or oven).
5. T h e  a s h s h o u ld n ot b e su b m e r g e d
in liquid or exposed to heavy
rain unless it is properly
protected.
6. Do not operate the device in the
presence of ammable gases or
fu mes.
7. D o n ot f i r e th e  a s h d i r e ctl y
into the eyes of someone at close
ra n ge.
8. D o n ot f ir e t h e  a s h d i r e ctl y at
the driver of a moving car.

5
3. Major Specifications
–Guide Number (ISO 100):
Zoom (m m) 24 28 35 50 70 80 105
GN (meter) 33 34 38 45 51 54 56
G N (fe et) 108 112 124 147 168 177 183
–Motor zooms: 24 mm – 28 mm – 35 mm
– 50 mm – 70 mm – 80 mm – 105 mm
–Power levels (22 in total):
1/1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/16 1/32 1/64 1/128
1/2+0.3 1/4+0.3 1/8+0.3 1/16+0.3 1/32+0.3 1/64+0.3 1/128+0.3
1/2+0.7 1/4+0.7 1/8+0.7 1/16+0.7 1/32+0.7 1/64+0.7 1/128+0.7
–Flash durations (t.5):
1/1,000 – 1/45,000 sec
–Modes: Local (L), Master (M), and
Slave (S)
–Working radio frequency: 2.4 GHz
–Number of channels: 16
–Number of groups: 4
–Maximum wireless effective
distance: 100 meters (328 feet)
–Built-in optical slave
–AF-assist light: 1W LED
–Power input: 4 AA-sized batteries
BatteryType Primary LR6
Alkaline1.5V
Rechargeable
HR6 Ni-MH 1.2V
Flash Count
at Full Power 110 170
Recycle Time
at Full Power 2.5 s e c 1.9 s e c
–Color temperature at full power:
5600k +/- 200k
–Operating temperature:
-20°C to +50°C
–Dimensions: 205 x 83 x 61 mm
–Net weight: 395 g

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4. Package Contents
X
Flash RF60X Carrying Case FC-3
User Manual
Flash Stand FS-2

7
5. Nomenclature
x
WIDE ANGLE DIFFUSER
AND BOUNCE CARD FRESNEL LENS
OPTICAL SENSOR
TRIPOD MOUNT
EXTERNAL POWER
CONNECTOR
CONNECTOR COVER
MOUNTING FOOT
CONNECTOR COVER
3.5 mm CONNECTOR
HOT SHOE CONTACT
BOUNCE ANGLE
INDICATOR
LCD PANEL
MODE BUTTON
MENU BUTTON
- BUTTON
NEXT BUTTON + BUTTON
ON/OFF SWITCH
TEST BUTTON/
FLASH-READY INDICATOR
BATTERY COMPARTMENT
DOOR
MULTI/HSS BUTTON
GROUP BUTTON
USB PORT
HOT SHOE
LOCKING WHEEL
AF-ASSIST
LIGHT

8
6. LCD Panel
7. Getting Started
Inserting Batteries
1. Using your thumb, press on the
battery compartment door and
slide it open in the direction
shown by the arrow.
7.1
GROUP PANEL
OPERATING
MODES CHANNEL
BEEP INDICATOR
OPTICAL SLAVE DELAY INDICATOR
BATTERY LEVEL
HIGH TEMPERATURE
WARNING
POWER LEVEL POWER LEVEL
INCREMENT
HSS SYMPATHY
MODE
TEXT AREA SELECTION
INDICATORS
ZOOM
LEVEL
STATUS
BAR

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2. Install the batteries.
Make sure the positive (+) and
negative (-) battery contacts are
properly oriented as shown in the
compartment.
3. Slide the battery compartment
door in the direction shown by
the arrow to close it.
Caution:
1. Use a new set of AA batteries of
the same brand and type. When
replacing batteries, replace all
four at the same time.
2. AA-sized alkaline, Ni-MH, or
lithium batteries can be used.
Use only one type of batteries at
a time. Do not mix battery types.
3. If you change batteries after
f iring many ashes continuously,
be aware that the batteries may
be hot.
4. For alkaline or lithium
batteries, the battery level
indicator on the LCD will show

10
7.2
when around 50% of the battery
power has been consumed, and
the indicator will blink when
t h e  a s h d o es n ot h av e e n o u g h
power to fire. Replace batteries
immediately when you see the
blinking signal. The
indicator is not applicable to
Ni- M H b att e r y.
5. When the ash is not in use,
remove the batteries to prevent
possible damage from battery
corrosion.
Attaching the Flash to and detaching it
from the Camera
1. To att a c h t h e  a s h, slid e t h e
 a s h’s h ot s h o e m o u nti n g f o ot
a ll th e w a y i nt o t h e ca m e r a’s h ot
shoe.
2. T o se c u r e th e  a s h, r ot at e t h e
locking wheel on the mounting
foot to the left until it locks.

11
7.3
3. T o d et a c h th e  a s h, r ot at e t h e
locking wheel on the mounting
foot to the right until it is
loosened.
Turning the Flash On
1. Switch the On/Off Switch to ON.
T h e  a s h st a r t s ch a r g i n g.
2. C h e c k th at th e  a s h is r e a d y.
- T h e  a s h -r e a d y i n d ic at o r bli n k s
i n r e d, i n d ic ati n g t h at t h e  a s h
is r e a d y fo r q u ic k  a s h (s e e
S e c t i o n 1 2.4).
- O n c e f u ll y ch a r g e d, t h e  a s h -
ready indicator stays red and the
 a s h i s r e a d y t o g iv e f u ll p o w er
output.

12
7.4
- Press the button to fire a
t e st  a s h.
Caution:
1. W h e n th e  a s h is sw it c h e d ON b ut
not used, after a certain period
of ti m e, t h e  a s h’s p o w er t u r n s
off automatically. However, the
 a s h still c o n s u m e s p o w e r a n d
batteries discharge over a long
period of time, which may damage
t h e b att e r y c o nt a cts of t h e  a s h.
Therefore, s h ut off t h e  a s h
p o wer if t h e  a s h is n ot i n u s e.
2. The overheating protection of the
R F 60X m a y st o p t h e  a s h f r o m
firing after a number of full
power ashes have been f ired in
short intervals. The temperature
warning signal will appear in
the status bar of the LCD
display. If this occur, allow a
rest time of about 15 minutes
a n d th e  a s h w i l l th e n r et u r n t o
nor mal.
3. T o pr e v e nt t h e  a s h f r o m ov e r -
heating, turn on the Cooling Mode
(see Section 12.1).
Adjusting the Flash Head
B y p oi nti n g th e  a s h t o w a r d a w a l l or
ceiling, the ash will bounce off
the surface before illuminating the
subject. This will soften the shadows
behind the subject for a more

13
natural-looking shot. This is called
a bounce ash.
Tip: W h e n u si n g b o u n c e  a s h, tr y t o
avoid hitting the subject with
d i r e ct  a s h l i g ht. M a k e su r e t h e
ash head is suff iciently angled
away from the subject.
T h e  a s h h e a d of th e R F60X c a n b e
ti lt e d u p to a v e r tic a l a n g le of 90˚,
w it h cl ick st o p s at 30˚, 60˚, 7 5˚, a n d
d o w n at 15˚. H o r iz o nt a l l y, it c a n b e
r ot at e d u p t o 180˚ to t h e r i g ht a n d
90˚ t o t h e lef t, w ith clic k st o ps at
30˚, 60˚, 90˚, 1 20˚, 150˚ (r i g ht) a n d
30˚, 60˚ (left).
270˚
90˚
15˚
X

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7.5 Bounce Card and Wide Angle Diffuser
There is a bounce card and wide angle
diffuser set built in the RF60X. The
bounce card and wide angle diffuser
can be used separately or at the same
time.
Tip: The bounce card is useful in
bounce ash applications to direct
some of the light toward the
subject in order to create catch
lights and/or soften strong shadows
from the bounced light.
Using the Bounce Card
1. Poi nt t h e  a s h h e a d u p w a r d b y 90°.
2. Pull out the wide angle diffuser.
The bounce card will come out at
the same time.
3. Push the wide angle diffuser back
in. The bounce card will be ready
for use.

15
7.6
Using the Wide Angle Diffuser
1. Pull out the wide angle diffuser
and place it over the ash head as
shown. The bounce card will come
out at the same time.
2. Push the bounce card back in.
T h e  a s h w i l l illu m i n at e at 18 m m
covera ge.
Choosing the Operating Mode
There are three operating modes in
the RF60X, namely Local, Master, and
Slave. Upon switching on the RF60X,
press the button to choose the
appropriate mode. The mode indicator
turns in the following sequence:
Local Master Slave
Modes Where to place
the RF60X?
With wireless
control?
on camera X
on camera √
off camera √

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7.7
7.8
Setting the Channel and the Radio ID
When the RF60X units are in the
Master or Slave mode, they need to
communicate in the same RF wireless
channel with each other.
To set the channel, press . Then
press the button until <CH>
(short form for channel) is
displayed. Use the or button to
select the RF channel. Press
to go back to the main screen. The
selected channel will be shown on the
LCD pa nel.
To protect your setup from
interferences by other Cactus
devices, assign all your RF60X to a
specific radio ID. Press , then
press the button until <RAD ID>
(short form for radio ID) is
displayed. Use the or button to
set the radio ID from 1 to 999. Set
the same radio ID in all Cactus
devices in your setup.
Navigating the Menu
There are a number of configurable
menu options on the RF60X.

17
To change a menu option:
1. Press the button to access
the first menu item.
2. Press the button to change
the menu subject in the sequence.
3. Press the or button to see
each option of a menu item. The
configuration of the menu item
will change immediately.
4. Press the button to leave
and go back to the main screen, or
press the button to change
the menu to the next item in the
sequence.
Menu item and
corresponding options
Text shown
on LCD
Applicable
modes
L M S
AF-assist Continuous
Mode
- Off
- On
AF CON
- OFF
- ON
√√√
AF-assist Power
- 0-9
AF PWR
- 0-9
√√√
Optical Slave
- Off
- S1: Straight
Triggering
- S 2: P r e -  a s h I g n o r e d
OPT SL
- OFF
- S1 (FIRST)
- S2 (MAIN)
√√√
Delay Timer
- 0-999 ms
- 1-99 sec
DELAY
- 0-999 ms
- 1-99 sec
√√√
Auto HSS
- Off
- On
AU HSS
- OFF
- ON
√
Cooling Mode
- Off
- On
COOL
- OFF
- ON
√√√
Quick Flash
- Off
- On
QCK FL
- OFF
- ON
√√√

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Menu item and
corresponding options
Text shown
on LCD
Applicable
modes
L M S
Beep Feedback
- Off
- Fn1: Quick Flash
- Fn2: Full Charge
- Fn3: Insufficient
Power Warning
BEEP
- OFF
- Fn1 (QCK FL)
- Fn2 (READY)
- Fn3 (WARN)
√ √ √
LCD Backlight
- 15 sec
- 1 min
- 5 min
- Continuous
BK LGT
- 15 sec
- 1 min
- 5 min
- ON
√ √ √
Sleep Timer
- Off
- 3 min
- 5 min
- 15 min
- 30 min
- 60 min
SLEEP
- OFF
- 3 min
- 5 min
- 15 min
- 30 min
- 60 min
√ √ √
RF Channel
- 1-16
CH
- 1-16
√ √
Radio ID
- 0-999
RAD ID
- 0-999
√ √

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8.1
8. On-camera Operation:
Local Mode
Set up the RF60X in Local mode
w h e n y o u w or k w it h o n e  a s h o n th e
c a m e r a’s h ot s h o e.
In the main screen, the power level
is shown on the left while the zoom
level is shown on the right. The
selection indicator ►will be shown
at either the power level or zoom
level. Press the button to
switch the selection indicator in
order to adjust a setting of an item.
Adjusting the Power Level
To adjust the power level, press
until the selection indicator ►is
pointing to the power ratio value
(i.e., the left figure in the center
row). Press to increase or to
decrease the power level.

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8.2
The power levels available for
adjustment are:
1/1 1/2 1/4 1/8 1/16 1/32 1/64 1/128
1/2+0.3 1/4+0.3 1/8+0.3 1/16+0.3 1/32+0.3 1/64+0.3 1/128+0.3
1/2+0.7 1/4+0.7 1/8+0.7 1/16+0.7 1/32+0.7 1/64+0.7 1/128+0.7
Adjusting the Zoom Level
To adjust the zoom level, press
until the selection indicator ►is
pointing to the zoom value (i.e.,
the right figure in the center row).
Press to increase or to
decrease the zoom level.
The zoom levels available for
adjustment are:
Zoom (m m) 24 28 35 50 70 80 105