Cobra D650 User manual

COBRA
D650
LCD DEDICATED
L__ INSTRUCTIONS
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KEY TO PHOTOGRAPHS
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Zoom Head focal length scale
Bounce angle scale
Swivel action
Film speed indicator
Auto/manual confirmation indicator
Distance / Range scale
Battery compartment cover
Power On/Off switch
Film speed selector
Test flash button
. Flash ready light
Hotshoe module lock
Locking ring
Removable Hotshoe (For use with optional Grip)
Zoom head
Zoom head focal length indicator
Aperture indicator
Capacitor charge indicator
Battery condition indicator
Auto / manual /Power ratio control
Aperture selector
Backlight control
Dedication switch

PRO-GRIP & BRACKET
The handle-grip is designed for use with D650
dedicated flashgun. Full dedication to the
camera is maintained through the dedicated
adaptor and cable, enabling dedicated off-
camera flash to be used as easily as on camera.
Using your flash on this handle- grip will increase
the versatility of flash photography. Mounted on
the grip, the flash is further from the camera
which will give improved modelling effects for
portraits and reduce the risk of red-eye.

Attaching grip to bracket
Locate the grooves on the base of the grip (A)
with the tongues on the left side of the bracket
(B). The ribbed face of the grip should be
facing forwards. Make sure the bush on the base
of the grip lines up with the screw (C) on the
bracket. Tighten the screw by turning it to the
right.
Fixing camera to bracket
Locate the camera tripod bush with the screw
(D) running along the slot in the bracket. Turn
the screw to the right to tighten. The screw can
be
moved
along
the
slot
to
position
the
camera
as
desired.
Ensure
that
the
camera
back
is
parallel to the bracket and not twisted.
3
Attaching the module to grip
H
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sé
Remove the module (E) from the flash
a)
Slide the adaptor (F) into the module (E)

Attaching module to camera
Slide the foot of the module into the camera’s.
hot-shoe, making sure It is pushed fully home.
Turn the locking ring (G) to the left to tighten.
Attaching flash to grip
A
Slide the flash onto the grip (A)
Hotshoe module lock (H) should be moved in the
direction of the arrow to prevent the flash unit
sliding off the module or grip.
Spare battery compartment
The handle- grip has a compartment in which to
store spare batteries for the flash. To remove the
compartment, gently squeeze the back portion
of the grip using finger and thumb and pull
outwards. Tilt the battery compartment forward
to enable batteries to be installed or removed.
Push the compartment back into the grip until
it clips into place.

Notes on use
Flash photography with the handle-grip is carried out in the same way as when using the flash
on camera. The grip is angled so that the sensor on the front of the flash is angled towards the subject.
For off-camera use, detach the grip from the bracket by turning the screw (C) to the left. Hold grip
in left hand and aim the flash as desired. If using a camera without TTL flash metering, the sensor
on the flash must always be pointed at the subject. If using a camera with TTL metering, the flash
can be aimed in any direction. The bounce facility can be used in the normal way with both types
of camera.
GENERAL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL CAMERAS
The Cobra D650 is a dedicated LCD flashgun designed to give fully automatic flash facilities with
your SLR camera. The first section of these instructions applies to all cameras. The second
section deals specifically with individual camera models. Numbers in brackets indicate the
location
of
the
function
on
the
photograph
(inside
front
cover)
for
easy
reference.

Loading the batteries (Diag.A)
The flash takes four 1.5 volt AA size alkaline batteries.
To open the battery compartment (7), slide the cover
towards the- front°of the flash. Insert the batteries,
following the diagram on the inside of the compartment.
Close the cover by pushing firmly down and sliding back
towards the LCD panel.
Battery condition is indicated by a battery symbol (19)
on the LCD panel. The symbol will flash when the unit
is first switched on. If it continues to flash after the ready
light (11) has come on, or if the ready light fails to come
on after 30 seconds, replace the batteries with a fresh
set. Always remove the batteries if the flash is not to be
used for a long time.
Diag. A

Mounting
the
flash
on
the
camera
Ensure
the
Hotshoe
module
lock
(12)
is
set
to
the
locked
position.
(Push
to
the
left)
The
flash
should
always
be
switched
off
before
mounting
the
unit
on
the
camera’s
hot-shoe.
Turn
the
locking
ring
(13)
upwards.
Slide
the
flashgun
on
to
the
camera
hot-shoe,
making
sure
it
is
pushed
fully
home.
Rotate
the
locking
ring
downwards
and
tighten
firmly.
NOTE:
The
removable
hot-shoe
(14)
is
not
interchangeable
with
other
D650
flashguns.
Any
change
of
shoes
may
cause
damage
and
therefore
invalidate
your
guarantee.
It
is
important
to
note
that
the
Auto
sensor
on
the
lower
front
panel,
should
be
directed
towards
the
subject.
This
ensures
correct
operation
in
the
Auto
mode.
Diag. B
Standby mode

Switching on the flash (Diag. B)
To turn the flash on, move the On/Off switch (8) to the ‘ON’ position. The LCD panel will display
information and the flash will begin to charge. A high pitched whine will be heard, after a few seconds
the ready light (11) will glow, indicating that the flash is ready to fire.
If the flash is left switched on for approx five minutes and not fired, the LCD display will flash on
and off for 15 seconds and then the flash will automatically switch to a standby mode to conserve
the battery power. Settings already made on the flash will be maintained. To restore the flash to
the full working mode, just press any of the function controls.
The standby mode is a useful facility to conserve battery power, but it is important to switch off
the flash at the On/Off switch (8) when you have finished using it.
Charging the Capacitor
When the flash is new, or has not been used for a long time, fire the flash a few times using the
test flash button (10) This will make sure the energy-storing capacitor is working at full power.
NOTE: OLYMPUS Flashguns must be attached to the camera when using the test button to fire.

Capacitor Charge Indicator
The
Capacitor
charge
indicator
(18)
on
the
LCD
panel
shows
how
much
charge
there
is
in
the
flash’s
capacitor,
which
stores
the
energy
necessary
to
fire
the
flash.
Soon
after
the
flash
is
switched
on,
one
dot
will
appear
next
to
the
battery
symbol
(19).
This
indicates
a
minimum
charge.
Normally,
a
second
dot
will
appear
a
few
seconds
later,
followed
by
the
ready
light
(11).
If
the
batteries
are
fresh
and
the
flash
is
left
switched
on,
a
third
dot
will
appear
to
show
a
full
charge
is
available.
When
the
flash
is
fired
on
Auto
some
of
the
energy
from
the
capacitor
will
be
used
and
the
number
of
dots
(18)
may
decrease.
One
dot
indicates
the
minimum
charge
level
has
been
reached.
For
best
results,
make
sure
at
least
two
dots
are
showing.
Illuminating the LCD Panel
For
viewing
the
LCD
panel
in
low
light,
the
flash
has
a
backlighting
facility.
Press
the
backlight
control
(22)
and
the
display
will
be
illuminated
for
approximately
15
seconds.
Setting the film speed
The
speed
of
the
film
in
use
in
the
camera
must
also
be
set
on
the
flash.
Switch
on
the
flash
and
it
will
automatically
select
100
ASA/ISO,
for
film
speeds
other
than
100
ASA/ISO,
press
the
film
speed
selector
(9).
One
push
changes
the
film
speed
to
the
next
highest
speed,
running
first
through
the
ASA/ISO
scale
and
then
the
DIN
scale.

Zoom and Bounce Head (Diag C & D)
The flash is fitted with a zoom flash head with bounce
and swivel actions for maximum control over light
coverage and illumination effects.
Pull out or push in the zoom head to match the focal
length of the lens in use, or the nearest equivalent. For
lenses wider than 28mm, use the diffuser panel
(supplied). This clips into the front of the flash
reflector. Insert the lip into the slot at the bottom of the
reflector and push into place.
This zoom head adjusts the light path of the flash to
the angle of view of the lens, to avoid bright spots or
fall-off at the corners.
If in doubt, set the zoom head to give wider angle of
coverage rather than a narrower one. Always use the
35mm, setting for bounce flash as this gives the best
coverage.
Zoom position will be shown on LCD panel and will
change the flash range on distance scale.
10
Diag.C

Direct
flash
provides
powerful,
white
light
with
strong
highlights
and
shadows.
This
can
be
unflattering
for
portrait
work
and
here
it
is
recommended
that
the
bounce/and
or
swivel
facilities
are
used.
Turn
the
flash
head
upwards
to
the
desired
position
to
bounce
the
light
off
the
ceiling,
or
swivel
it
to
the
side
to
bounce
the
light
off
a
wall.
Always
use
a
light
coloured
bounce
surface
to
avoid
colour
casts
on
the
pictures.
Diag. D
11

Refer to the separate bounce flash exposures under the ‘manual operation’ and ‘automatic
pperation’ sections for advice on exposure when using bounce flash. Remember that the flash -to-
subject range is significantly reduced when using bounce flash as the distance the light has to
travel is much greater.
Manual operation-all cameras
Although the Cobra D650 is designed for automatic dedicated use with your camera model, the
flash can be used in a manual mode with your camera or with any camera which does not offer
any dedicated functions.
In the manual mode, the flash always discharges its full charge when fired so the lens aperture
has to be adjusted according to the flash-to-subject distance for correct exposure.
1.
2.
NOOR
WwW
Switch on the flash at the On/Off switch (8).
Move the Auto/Manual control (20) to the TTL: FULL: position. The word ‘Manual’ will ap-
pear
on
the
LCD
panel
(5).
Turn the dedication switch (23) to the M position.
Set the correct film speed on the flash using the film speed selector(9).
Select the required zoom head position.
Set your camera to the manual mode.
Estimate the distance from the flash to the subject. Distance scales are shown on the lower
half of the LCD panel (6) in metres and feet.
12

8.
The
aperture
and
distance
scale
in
the
manual
mode
are
directly
linked.
The
aperture
shown
on
the
LCD
panel
(17)
is
changed
by
pressing
the
aperture
selector
control
(21)
beneath
the
LCD
panel.
One
press
alters
the
aperture
by
one
stop.
9.
As
the
aperture
is
changed,
the
distance
shown
on
the
scale
also
changes
the
larger
the
aper-
ture,
the
longer
the
range.
Continue
to
press
the
aperture
selector
until-the
distance
closest
to
your
estimate
appears
on
the
scale.
Altering
the
zoom
head
position
or
changing
the
film
speed
will
also
change
the
distance
shown
on
the
scale.
10.
Set
the
aperture
now
indicated
on
the
LCD
panel
on
the
camera
lens.
You
are
now
ready
to
take
pictures
at
the
distance
shown.
To
use
the
flash
on
manual
at
other
distances,
just
change
the
aperture
until
the
correct
distance
is
shown
on
the
scale.
IMPORTANT:
With
many
cameras,
the
Cobra
D650
will
automatically
set
the
camera’s
shutter
speed
to
the
correct
flash
sync
speed
if
the
camera
has
dedicated
functions.
However,
this
facility
is
sometimes
not
available
with
every
mode
on
certain
cameras.
Some
cameras
do
not
offer
automatic
shutter
synchronisation
because
of
a
mechanical
shutter
design.
Check
the
second
part
of
these
instructions
for
details
on
each
camera
model,
or
set
the
sync
speed
manually
on
the
camera
—
the
camera’s
instructions
will
indicate
the
correct
speed.
If
using
a
camera
with
no
dedicatedfacility,
it
is
essential
to
set
the
sync
speed
on the
camera.
13

Power ratio control (Diag. E)
The flash’s Auto/ Manual control (20) also has settings marked 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16. These are
fractions of the full flash power available and enable the power of the flash to be reduced when
necessary. Altering the power ratio automatically adjusts the distance scale on the LCD panel. Note
that power ratio settings are manual settings and do not apply to the automatic mode.
The power ratio facility is useful for close-up photography without using TTL, where only a low
flash power is required, and for freezing fast action where a very brief flash exposure is needed.
TTL-FULL-M
AUTO 1/214 1/8 1/16
1
or
x
Tr
Oo
=
Diag.E
14

Bounce flash in the manual mode
To
use
bounce
flash
in
the
manual
mode,
estimate
the
distance
from
the
flash
to
the
bounce
sur-
face
(e.g.
ceiling)
and
add
it
to
the
distance
from
the
bounce
surface
to
the
subject.
By
pushing
the
aperture
selector,
set
the
distance
nearest
to
that
estimated
on
the
scale.
Under
average
conditions,
ie.
in
a
room
with
decorations
of
an
average
lightness,
when
using
45°
bounce
angle,
to
allow
for
absorption
of
light
by
the
bounce
surface,
open
the
lens
one
stop
more
than
that
indicated.
When
using
90°
bounce
angle,
the
lens
aperture
may
need
to
be
opened
by
2
stops
more
than
that
indicated
on
the
LCD
panel.
If
the
room
has
a
very
high
ceiling
especially
of
a
darker
colour
or
if
the
room
decoration
is
generally
darker
than
average,
even
more
compen-
sation
may
be
required.
Some
experimenting
will
be
necessary
to
obtain
best
results.
NOTE:
When
bouncing
off
some
coloured
surfaces,
a
colour
cast
may
be
transmitted
to
the
rest
of
the
picture.
Coloured filters
Supplied
with
the
flash
are
a
set
of
coloured
filters.
These
fit
on
the
front
of
the
flash
reflector,
like
the
wideangle
diffuser.
Do
not
use
the
telephoto
positions
of
the
zoom
head
with
the
filters.
Coloured
filters
are
used
for
special
effects
with
colour
film.
They
work
particularly
well
with
multi-
ple
exposures..
Filters
cut
down
the
light
output
of
the
flash,
so
the
camera
lens
aperture
has
to
be
adjusted
to
compensate.
For
best
results,
only
use
filters
with
the
flash
in
the
manual
mode
and
when
the
flash
15

_
is
being
used
as
the
main
light
source,
open
the
lens
aperture
2
to
3
stops
more
than
the
setting
without
a
filter.
Some
trial
and
error
may
be
needed
to
find
the
precise
exposure
and
effect.
When
using
the
flash
as
a
fill-in
or
auxilliary
light
source,
only
1
to
2
stops
compensation
may
be
required.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR AUTOMATIC NON-TTL OPERATION (Diag. F)
For specific instructions on the use of the flash with your camera model, turn to the following pages.
However, there are some important points concerning automatic flash with all cameras which should
be noted.
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Diag. F

1. Set the Auto/Manual control (20) to the Auto position.
2.
The
correct
film
speed
must
be
set
using
the
film
speed
selector
(9)
to
match
the
speed
of
the
film
in
the
camera.
Make
sure
also
the
correct
film
speed
is
set
on
the
camera.
3.
Set
the
zoom
head
position
to
match
that
of
the
lens
in
use,
or
the
nearest
equivalent
position.
4.
The
flash
has
a
range
of
eight
automatic
aperture
settings
from
f/
1.4
to
f/16.
These
apertures
can
be
used
to
give
control
over
flash
range
and
depth
of
field.
To
change
the
aperture
shown
on
the
LCD
panel
(17),
push
the
aperture
selector
(21),
then
set
the
same
aperture
on
the
camera
lens.
NOTES:
(a)
With
some
combinations
of
film
speed
and
zoom
head
position,
some
of
the
smaller
or
larger
apertures
may
not
be
available.
(b)
Some
combinations
of
aperture,
zoom
head
position
and
film
epeed
will
cause
the
under
or
over
range
arrows
to
be
displayed
at
the
ends
of
the
distance
scales.
(see
Diag.
B)
5.
In
the
automatic
mode,
the
distance
scale
will
show
not
just
one
distance
but
several
together.
This
is
the
range
over
which
the
flash
will
give
correct
exposure
at
the
aperture
shown.
The
lowest
figure
will
be
the
minimum
distance,
the
highest
the
maximum
distance.
Changing
the
aperture
will
change
the
range
available.
Always
keep
the
subject
within
the
range
shown.
17

6. Normally the shutter speed will be set automatically to the correct sync speed when the flash
is charged. However, cameras which have a fully mechanical shutter must be set to the correct
sync speed manually.
7. All cameras with a dedicated facility will give a flash ready light in the viewfinder.
8. After the flash has fired, the auto symbol (5) will blink to confirm correct exposure.
Bounce flash in the automatic mode
To use bounce flash in the automatic mode, set the bounce head to the chosen position and fire
the flash using the test button (10). If the auto symbol (5) on the LCD panel blinks after the test
flash, there is sufficient light reaching the subject to give correct exposure. If the auto symbol does
not blink, change to a larger aperture (lower f number) and fire another test flash, or adjust the
angle of bounce to give fuller illumination.
SEE
P11
FOR
FURTHER
DETAILS.
Automatic Dedicated Operation
Dedicated flash frees the photographer from setting some of the controls on the flash or camera
because these functions are carried out automatically. The Cobra D650 is designed to take
maximum advantage of the dedicated flash facilities offered by most major camera models. The
actual facilities vary according on the make and model of camera.
18