Hahnel modus 600rt User manual

GB
Modus 600RT 1
English
Wireless Speedlight
for Nikon
English
German
Français
Español

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2 Modus 600RT

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Modus 600RT 3
Foreword
Thank you for purchasing the hähnel Modus
600RT.
The Modus 600RT is a Speedlight for Nikon DSLR
(Nikon FX/DX format) series cameras (Except D1
and D100 series) and is compatible with the i-TTL
Auto ash system. Older generation i-TTL/TTL
Autoash system and (Type-B camera) will work
also with some features not available.
• Before starting to shoot, be sure to read this
manual
• When reading this manual also refer to the
camera’s Instruction Manual
Conventions &
assumptions
• The manual is based on the assumption that all
devices including camera are turned on
• Reference page numbers are indicated by
(page **)
• The caution symbol indicates a warning to
prevent shooting problems
• The Note symbol gives supplemental
information

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4 Modus 600RT
Contents
1 Introduction
• Safety precaution - Warnings & Cautions 6
• Nomenclature
• Body 8
• Control Panel 9
• LCD Panel in ve modes 11
• Viper TTL Transmitter 12
2 Getting started
• Wireless Kit - Whats in the box 14
• Wiress Pro Kit - Whats in the box 14
• Battery and charger 14
• Attaching to camera 17
• Power Management 17
• Flash Mode - i-TTL Autoash
• FEC (Flash Exposure Compensation) 18
• FEB (Flash Exposure Bracketing) 19
• FV Lock (Flash Value Lock) 19
• HSS (High Speed Sync) 19
• 2nd Curtain Sync 20
• Flash Mode - Manual Flash 20
• Flash output power range 21
• Optical O1 Secondary unit setting 21
• Optical O2 Secondary unit setting 21
• Flash Mode - RPT: Stroboscopic Flash 21
• Calcualting the shutter speed 22
• Number of ashes / ash frequency
= shutter speed 22
3 Wireless Flash Photography: (2.4GHz)
Control
• Master/Slave wireless ash lighting 24
• Wireless multiple ash shooting 25
• Wireless settings
• Master unit Setting 26
• Slave unit Setting 26
• Master unit ash ON/OFF 26
• Setting the group mode: TTL / M / off 26
• DCM (Digital channel matching) 27
• Master - Viper TTL or Modus 600RT 27
• Slave - Modus 600RT 27
• Modus 600RT Reset 28
• i-TTL - Fully automatic wireless
ash shooting 28
• Using Automatic wireless ash with multiple
slave units 30
• Adavnced setting with fully automatic
wireless ash 30
• Multiple master unit 31
• M: Wireless Flash Shooting with
Manual Flash 31
• RPT: Wireless Flash Shooting with
repeating ash stroboscopic 31
Page

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Modus 600RT 5
• M/A/B/C: Wireless ash shooting with different
ash modes for each goup 32
4 Wireless Flash Photography: Optical
Transmission
• Wireless settings 34
• Master unit setting 35
• Slave unit setting 35
• Master unit ash ON/OFF 35
• Setting the optical communication
channel 35
• i-TTL - Fully automatic wireless
ash shooting 36
• M: Wireless Flash Shooting with
Manual Flash 36
• RPT: Wireless Flash Shooting with
Multi Flash 36
5 Wireless Flash Photography: (2.4GHz) using
Viper TTL Transmitter
• Wireless setting 38
• DCM (Digital Channel Matching) 38
• Viper TTL group Mode Setting 38
• Group Power Control setting for Manual
and TTL FEC 38
• Multi Mode 39
• Sync Modes 39
6 Other Applications
• Sync Triggering 40
• Auto Focus Asist Beam 40
• Bounce Flash 40
• Catchlight Panel 41
• Zoom – Setting the Flash Coverage and using
Wide Panel 41
• C.Fn – Setting Custom Functions 42
• Protection Functions 43
• Technical Data 45
• Troubleshooting 46
• Firmware Upgrade 47
• Maintenance 47
Page

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6 Modus 600RT
Introduction
1
Warnings:
Failure to observe the instructions below may
result in loss of life or serious bodily injury. To
prevent re, excessive heat, chemical leakage,
explosions, and electrical shock, follow the
safeguards below:
• Do not insert any foreign metallic objects
into the electrical contacts of the product,
accessories, connecting cables, etc
• Do not use any batteries, power sources, or
accessories not specied in the instruction
Manual. Do not use any deformed or modied
batteries, or the product if it is damaged
• Do not short-circuit, disassemble, or modify
the product or batteries. Do not apply heat or
solder to the batteries. Do not store batteries
with metal objects. Do not expose the batteries
to re or water. Do not subject the batteries to
strong impact or continuous mechanical shock
• Do not place batteries in microwave, cooker or
high-pressure container
• Do not use the product in locations where there
is ammable gas
• Do not re the ash at anyone driving a car or
other vehicle
• Do not disassemble or modify the equipment.
High-voltage internal parts may cause electrical
shock. If you drop the equipment and the
casing breaks open to expose the internal
parts, do not touch the exposed parts. There is
a possibility of an electrical shock
• Do not store the product in dusty or humid
places or location with lots of oil smoke. Do not
store battery in charger
• Keep the batteries and other accessories out of
the reach of children and infants
• Do not drop product or battery in re or water
• Do not expose product or battery to excessive
temperature (below 0ºC or above 40ºC) or
strong direct sunlight

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Modus 600RT 7
• Battery temperature while on charge or in use
should never increase above 60ºC/140ºF. If
higher temperature occurs, stop using and stop
charging immediately
• Do not use paint thinner, benzene, or other
organic solvents to clean the product
Caution:
• Failure to observe the instructions below may
result in serious bodily injury or damage to
property
• When the product is not in use for a prolonged
period, make sure to remove the batteries
before storing
• When disposing of a battery, insulate the
electrical contacts with tape. Contact with other
metallic objects or batteries may cause a re or
an explosion. Dispose of battery in accordance
with the appropriate regulations
• Do not store or leave product or battery in
trunk or on dashboard of a vehicle or in direct
sunlight or with a high interior temperature
as overheating can result in burns if touched
leaking, re or explosion
• Do not re the ash with the ash head (light-
emitting unit) in contact with a human body or
any object doing so may result in the risk of
burns and re
• Do not re the ash near the eyes. Keep the
ash unit at least 1m (3.3 feet) away from
face. It may hurt or damage the eyes. Using
bounce ash to reduce light intensity is also
recommended

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8 Modus 600RT
Nomenclature - Body
01
04
02
05
03
06
08
09
07
10
12
11
01. Catchlight Panel
02. Built-in Wide Panel
03. Flash Head
04. Optical Control Sensor
05. Focus Assist Beam
06. Slave Flash Ready Indicators
07. Sync Cord Jack
08. USB Port
09. Hotshoe
10. Dot-matrix LCD Panel
11. Battery Compartment
12. Lock Wheel
Nomenclature

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Modus 600RT 9
Nomenclature - Control Panel
Nomenclature - LCD Panel
13. Function Button 2
14. Function Button 1
15. < > Mode Selection
Button / Lock button
16. < > Test Button / Flash
Ready Indicator
17. <SET> Set Button
01.ITTL: i-TTL autoash
02. : Automatic
: Manual
03.Zoom: zoom display
04.Focus Distance
05. : High-speed sync
06. Battery level indicator
07. : Flash exposure
compensation
08.Flash exposure
compensation amount
09.Aperture
10.Distance indicator scale
11.Effective ash range
12. Beep on/off (C. Fn 7)
18. Function Button 3
19. Function Button 4
20. < > Wireless Mode/
Master/Slave
21. ON/OFF Power Switch
22. Select Dial
17
13 18
14
19
15
21
20
16
22
01 02 03 04 05 06
08 09
12
10
11
09
07
(1)I-TTLAutoash
• The display will only show the settings currently applied.
• The functions displayed above function buttons 1 to 4, such
as and change according to settings’ status.
• When a button or dial is operated, the LCD panel
illuminated.

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10 Modus 600RT
(2) Manual Flash
(3)Multi:RPTrepeatingashmode
(4) Radio Control Shooting/Optical
Control Shooting
(a) Master Unit - Flash Mode
M : Manual ash Manual ash output power
Flash power Number of ashes
O1: Standard Optical. 02: Preash Optical
MULTI : RPT repeating Stroboscopic ash
15
18
17
19
16
15. : Radio control
wireless shooting
: Optical control
wireless shooting
16. Flash mode : <blank>,
<RPT>
17. :Master unit ash ON
:Master unit ash OFF
:Master unit bounce ON
18. : Master
19. Master Group: Mode
12. A.B/C Group: Mode
Flash
frequency
20

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Modus 600RT 11
LCD Panel in Five Modes
(1) Attached to the Camera
(2) 2.4GHz Radio Control: As a Master Unit
(3) 2.4GHz Radio Control: As a Slave Unit Group A
Channel no. Optical only Slave mode Group A/B/C...
(b) Slave Unit

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12 Modus 600RT
(4) Optical Control: As a Master Unit
(5) Optical Control: As a Slave Unit
08
06
05
04
A B C
07
09
01
03
02
(A) Group A
(B) Group B
(C) Group C
(1) ON/OFF - switch
(2) SEL - select button
(3) Adjust Dial - To adjust
settings
(4) Lock Wheel
(5) LCD Screen
(6) Power / Status LED
(7) Hot shoe
(8) Test - button
(9) Micro USB - rmware
update
Nomenclature - Viper TTL
Transmitter

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Modus 600RT 13
Transmitter LCD Screen
Multi Mode
(10) Manual / TTL / OFF Mode
(11) Flash exposure
compensation amount
(12) Manual ash output
(13) High-speed sync
(14) Always On
(15) Battery indicator
(16) Number of ashes
(17) Flash frequency
(18) Flash output power
15
14
13
1211
10
181716
B CA
• The Viper transmitter is included in the “Modus 600RT
Wireless Kit” & “Modus 600RT Wireless Pro Kit” and sold
separately

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14 Modus 600RT
Getting Started
2
What’s in the Modus 600RT?
1. Modus 600RT
Speedlight
2. Li-ion Battery Pack
3. Battery Charger
4. Charger Power Cable
5. Mini Stand
6. Protection Case
7. Instruction Manual
What’s in the Modus 600RT
Wireless Kit?
1. Modus 600RT
Speedlight
2. Viper TTL Transmitter
3. Li-ion Battery Pack
4. Battery Charger
5. Charger Power Cable
6. Mini Stand
7. Protection Case
8. Instruction Manual
9. 2 x AA Batteries
What’s in the Modus 600RT
Pro Kit?
1. 2 x Modus 600RT
Speedlight
2. Viper TTL Transmitter
3. 2 x Extreme Li-ion
Battery Pack
4. Battery Charger
5. Charger Power Cable
6. 2 x Mini Stand
7. 2 x Protection Case
8. Instruction Manual
9. 2 x AA Batteries
Battery and Charger
• The Modus 600RT uses a lithium ion battery HLX-MD1
and it must be charged before use
• Use only the MD1 charger to charge the battery
• Remove battery from charger when charging is nished
and disconnect charger from mains
A fully charged battery will offer approx 500 ashes at full
power and even more when power level is reduced. The
composition and construction of the MD1 battery pack
offers very reliable and fast refresh time for the speedlight.
How to store the battery
When not in use remove battery from the charger or
the speedlight and store battery in a cool and dry place.
Exposing the battery to higher temperature can shorten
the lifetime of the battery. Store the battery almost empty
(one bar in the battery level indicator) when not used for
a long period of time. For optimum battery life use battery
regularly and if not used for more than 6 months charge

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Modus 600RT 15
the battery fully and use it with the Modus 600RT until the
battery level is down to 1 bar again before storage.
Battery Lifetime
The lifetime of a recharable battery is limited. The capacity
will drop progressively with use and age of battery
pack. Replace the battery pack when the ash cycle
time becomes longer or the number of ashes reduces
noticeably. The battery lifetime can vary substantially
depending on storage, operation conditions and exposure
to unsuitable enviormental conditions
Caution
• Do not short circuit the battery
• Do not drop battery into water or re
• Do not drop or dismantle or subject the batteries to
strong impact or continuous mechanical shock
• Stop using the battery if the battery has any signs of
damage or bulging to housing and dispose of battery in
accordance with the appropriate local regulations
How to charge the battery
The HLX-MD1 battery must be charged before use. Use
only the supplied MD1 charger to charge the battery.
Connect the MD1 charger to the mains with the supplied
mains cable and the power LED will light up red if
connected correctly. To start the charge insert the HLX-
MD1 battery into the MD1 charger and the green LED
bars will start to illuminate, indicating that the battery is
charging. 4 green LED’s on indicates full charge. Remove
the battery from charger when fully charged.

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16 Modus 600RT
Fitting and Removing the Battery
1. To t the battery,
push the battery
compartment cover
downward and open it.
2. According to the
triangle sign on the
battery pack, insert it
into the compartment
until a white clip locks
the battery with a click
sound.
3. To remove the battery,
tap the white clip and
the battery pack will
pop out. Then close the
compartment.
Battery Level Indication
Make sure the battery pack is securely tted in the ash.
Check the battery level indication on the LCD panel to see
the remaining battery level.
Low Battery Warning
Battery Level
Indication Meaning
3 bars
2 bars
1 bar
No bars
Blinking
Full
Middle
Low
Lower battery, please recharge it
The battery level is going to be
used out immediately.
Note: Please recharge the battery
as soon as possible (within 10
days). Then, the battery can be
used or stored as detailed in the
“How to store the battery” section.

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Modus 600RT 17
Attaching to Camera
1. Attach the Speedlight
to the camera.
Slip the ash’s
mounting foot into the
camera’s hotshoe all
the way.
2. Secure the Speedlight
Rotate the lock ring on
the mounting foot until it
locks in position
3. Detach the Speedlight
Rotate the lock ring on
the mounting foot until it
is loosened. Then slide
the speedlight off the
camera hotshoe
Power Management
Use ON/OFF Power Switch to power the ash unit on or
off. Turn off if it will not be used for an extended period of
time. Setting as a master ash, it will turn the power off
automatically after a certain period (approx. 90 seconds)
of idle use. Pressing the camera shutter halfway or
pressing any ash button will wake up the ash unit.
Setting as a slave ash, it will enter sleep mode after a
certain period (adjustable, 60 minutes by default) of idle
use. Pressing any ash button will wake it up.
Disabling Auto Power Off function is recommended
when the ash is used off camera. (C.Fn-APO)
Slave Auto Power Off Timer is set to 60 minutes by
default. Another option “30 minutes” is available. (C.Fn-
Sv APOT, Page 42)

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18 Modus 600RT
FlashMode-i-TTLAutoash
This ash has three ash modes: i-TTL, Manual (M), and
RPT (Stroboscopic). In i-TTL mode, the camera and the
ash will work together to calculate the correct exposure
for the subject and the background. In this mode, multiple
TTL functions are available: FEC, FEB, FEL, HSS,
second curtain sync, modeling ash. These can be
controlled with the Modus 600RT or with the camera’s
menu screen.
* Press < MODE > Mode Selection Button and three ash modes
will display on the LCD panel one by one with each pressing.
I-TTL Mode
Press < MODE > Mode Selection Button to enter i-TTL
mode. The LCD panel will display i-TTL.
• Press the camera release button halfway to focus. The
aperture and effective ash range will be displayed in
the LCD panel.
• When the shutter button is fully pressed, the ash will
re a preash which the camera will use to calculate the
correct ash output power the instant before the photo
is taken.
FEC: Flash Exposure Compensation
With FEC function, you can adjust the calculated level
from -3 to +3 in 1/3 stops. It is useful in situations where
minor adjusting of the TTL system is needed based on the
lighting environment.
Setting FEC:
1. Press Function Button
2< >. The
icon < > and ash
exposure compensation
amount will be
highlighted on the LCD
panel.

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Modus 600RT 19
SET
2. Set the ash exposure
compensation amount.
• Turn the Select Dial to
set the amount.
• “0.3”means 1/3 step,
“0.7”means 2/3 step.
• To cancel the
ash exposure
compensation, set the
amount to “+0”.
3. Press < SET > button
again to conrm the
setting.
FEB: Flash Exposure Bracketing
The Flash Exposure Bracketing can be set from your
camera. Please refer to the Camera instruction manual for
further details
FV Lock: Flash Value Lock
The Flash Value Lock can be enabled from the camera.
Please refer to the Camera instruction manual for further
details
High-Speed Sync
High Speed Sync (FP ash) enables the ash to
synchronize with all camera shutter speeds. This is
convenient when you want to use aperture priority for
ll-ash portraits. To enable high speed sync in the Nikon
camera menu, set the ash sync speed to 1/320’s (Auto
FP) or 1/250’s (Auto FP). Refer to camera manual for
more info.
1. Press the camera
shutter button halfway
and the icon < > will
be displayed. If camera
(Auto FP) is enabled.
HSS is now turned on

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20 Modus 600RT
Second-Curtain Sync
The Second curtain sync (Rear curtain sync) can be
enabled from the camera. Please refer to camera
instruction manual for further details.
• When rear curtain sync is enabled it will not be displayed
on the modus 600RT speedlight. See LCD on camera.
• If you set a shutter speed as 1/320s (Auto FP) or 1/250s
(Auto FP) in the Nikon camera setting, < > will be
displayed in the ash screen regardless of actual shutter
speed selected
• With high-speed sync, the faster the shutter speed, the
shorter the effective range
• To return to normal ash, set the camera ash sync speed
to other option other than Auto FP. Then the icon < >
will no longer be shown when half pressing the camera
shutter button
• Multi- RPT mode cannot be set in high-speed sync mode
• Over-temperature protection may be activated after 15
consecutive high-speed ashes
SET
1. Press < MODE >
button so that <M>is
displayed
2. Turn the Select Dial to
choose a desired ash
output amount
3. Press < SET > button
again to conrm the
setting
Flash Mode - Manual Flash
The ash output is adjustable from 1/1 full power to
1/128th power in 1/3rd stop increments. To obtain a
correct ash exposure, use a hand-held ash meter to
determine the required ash output.