Marumi DRF14 User manual

Front/Back Cover &
Page 1 drawing please
refer to illustrator files
DRF14 DIGITAL TTL MACRO RING
FLASH
FOR CANON/NIKON
COVER -FRONT
Printed in Singapore Ver.01/2006

MAIN FEATURES
•Guide Number: 14m/46ft
•Automatic TTL flash exposure control
•IGBT fast recycling circuitry
•Second/rear curtain synchronization*
•Flash exposure compensation control*
•Red eye reduction flash*
•Multiple mounting threads (M52, M55, M58, M62, M67)
•Suitable for macro, scientific, medical or hobby photography
*Camera body dependent features
NONMENCLATURE / PARTS DESCRIPTION
1. Main controlling unit -> Mounted on camera hotshoe
2. Ring light attachment -> Mounted on camera lens
3. Battery compartment Lid
4. Bounce head scale
5. Locking ring
6. Dedicated Hotshoe base
7. Auto confirmation indicator
8. On/Off switch
9. Test button
10. Ring tube
11. Lens securing ring
12. Adaptor rings
13. Extension cable
14. 52mm threaded ring attachment
15. Hotshoe ring
16. Translucent light diffuser
PRECAUTIONS
Before you start to operate the macro ring flash, please read the
following caution to prevent possible damages.
1. Do not attempt to use this macro ring flash unit on other brands
of cameras other than the dedicated mounting of which it is
intended for.
2. Any attempt to dismantle the main controlling unit and ring light
attachment will result in possible electric shocks or burns. If the
outer casing of any parts is faulty, please return to the
authorized dealer for repairs by authorized personnel.
3. Do not attempt to trigger the flash close to eyes. Keep at least
1m/3.3ft when taking flash photography.
4. To maintain the optimize performance of the macro ring flash,
do not fire the flash continuously for more than 10 times. After
continuous firing, allow the flash to rest for 5 minutes before
continuing.
5. When the flash unit is not used for more than 2 weeks, remove
all batteries to prevent battery leakage.
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DRAWING
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6. Try to charge fully and fire the flash several times in a month to
ensure that the electronic circuitry as well as the capacitor is
kept in a tip-top condition.
7. During battery replacement, replace all 4 batteries of the same
type at the same time.
8. Flash unit should be kept dry at all times as it is not either
waterproof or weatherproof. Often it impractical to
repair/replace components damaged by water.
9. Care must be taken as this flash unit is a precise equipment.
Any accident knocks or drop may result in permanent damage
to the circuitry and components which may not be feasible to
undergo repairs.
10. Always store the flash unit in a cool dry place, away from heat
or direct sunlight. Never store the flash in a drawer or cupboard
containing naphthalene or camphor (moth balls) as these will
have a negative effects on the circuitry of the flash unit.
11. Do not use a thinner, benzene or other cleaning agents to
remove dirt or fingerprint from the unit. Use a soft, moistened
cloth instead.
INSTALLING THE BATTERIES
Ensure that the ON/OFF switch (15) is in the OFF position. Slide
the battery compartment Lid (6) toward the back of the flash until
the battery chamber is fully exposed. Insert 4 AA sized batteries
according to the battery polarity indication as shown inside the
battery chamber. Close the battery compartment lid (6) by sliding it
towards the front of the flash.
MOUNTING THE MAIN CONTROLLER UNIT ONTO THE
CAMERA
Ensure that ON/OFF (15) switch is at the OFF position. Slide the
Hotshoe Base (8) of the main controller unit onto the camera’s
hotshoe and fasten the locking ring (7) in an anti-clockwise motion.
To detach the flash unit, turn the locking ring (7) in a clockwise
motion until it stops.
Note:
If the camera inbuilt flash is in pop-up position, close it before mounting the
flash unit.
When attaching or removing the flash unit, grasp the bottom of the flash to
prevent damage to the hotshoe foot and the camera hotshoe.
MOUNTING THE RING LIGHT ATTACHMENT ON THE
CAMERA LENS
Check the diameter of the camera lens before mounting. If the
camera lens mounting diameter is 52mm, position the 52mm
threaded ring attachment directly onto the threaded camera lens
and use the Lens securing ring to rotate in a clockwise position
until it is reasonably secured.
In the event that the camera lens diameter is 55mm, 58mm or
67mm, use the included adaptor rings and secure it onto the 52mm
threaded ring attachment on the ring light attachment before
mounting it onto the camera lens. (i.e. for 67mm thread, use the
67-52mm adaptor and secure it onto the 52mm threaded ring
attachment before mounting it onto the camera lens).
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OPERATING THE FLASH
Once the main controlling unit and the ring light attachment is
properly secured, slide the ON/OFF switch to the left. When the
ready lamp (13) located the back of the flash light up, the flash is
ready to fire. Pressing the flash test button (10) will fire the flash to
insure its operation.
USING THE AUTO CONFIRMATION INDICATOR
The green auto confirmation indicator (14) located at the back of
the flash is used to ensure that your subject is within the effective
TTL range of the flash unit.
When the ready lamp (13) is on, press the camera shutter release
button to fire the flash. If your subject is within the effective TTL
range, the green auto check lamp will illuminate for approximate 2
seconds indicating correct flash exposure has been obtained.
If the green auto check lamp does not illuminate, move closer to
the subject and try again.
FULL AUTOMATIC TTL MACRO FLASH SHOOTING
When the camera shooting mode is set at P (Program AE) or Auto
(Full Automatic) mode, automatic TTL flash exposure* will be
activated to achieve a balance exposure between the subject and
the background.
Below are the steps that you need to follow to use the macro flash
in Program TTL or Auto mode:
1. Ensure that the main controlling unit is properly secured to the
camera hotshoe;
2. Ensure that the ring light attachment is properly secured to the
thread of the camera lens;
3. Set the camera shooting mode to P or Auto mode;
4. Slide the ON/OFF switch to the ON position;
5. Check that the flash ready indicator in the camera viewfinder
appears;
6. Focus on the subject and depress the shutter button;
7. In situation ranging from dim lighting to total darkness situation,
the AF illumination beam will light up automatically
8. To confirm that the flash unit fires the correct exposure, the
Green auto check lamp will light up for approximate 2 seconds.
In the event that the green lamp does not light up, retake the
picture at a closer distance.
* On Canon DSLR/Powershot cameras, automatic TTL flash exposure is
controlled by ETTL II/ETTL system
* On Nikon DSLR cameras, automatic TTL flash exposure is controlled by
iTTL system.
SEMI AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL TTL MACRO FLASH
SHOOTING
The macro ring flash can also be used with the camera set at any
of the semi automatic or manual shooting mode (AV-Aperture
priority, TV-Shutter Speed priority, Manual Exposure). When used
with any of the semi automatic or manual shooting mode, the
macro flash exposure is automatic controlled by the camera TTL
system.
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AV Aperture Priority Mode
This mode permits you to set the aperture value manually while the
shutter speed will be automatically set by the camera. When using
this mode, the flash exposure will be automatic controlled by the
camera base on the combination of shutter speed and aperture
value.
TV Speed Priority Mode
This mode permits you to select your desired shutter speed* and
the aperture value will be automatically selected by the camera.
When using this mode, the flash exposure will be automatically
controlled by the camera based on the combination of shutter
speed and aperture value.
*Check with your camera manual for the maximum flash synchronization speed.
Manual Mode
This mode permits you to manually select your desired shutter
speed and the aperture value. When using this mode, the flash
exposure will be automatically controlled by the camera based on
the combination of shutter speed and aperture value
FLASH EXPOSURE COMPENSATION
Even though the macro ring flash exposure is fully automatic, it is
still possible to control the lighting intensity emitted by the ring tube
by way of enabling the flash exposure compensation on the DSLR
camera body which allow the flash exposure adjustment up to +/-3
stops in +/-0.3 stops increment*.
When the flash exposure compensation is activated on the DSLR
camera body, the macro ring flash will emitted the lighting amount
according to the flash exposure adjustment.
*For detail operating instructions on the flash exposure compensation setting,
refer to your DSLR operating instruction manual.
RED EYE REDUCTION
Red eye reduction is a feature incorporated in the camera body
which helps to reduce the occurrence of red eye when shooting
under low lighting or complete darkness.
When red eye reduction is activated on the DSLR body, the flash
unit will activate a series of preflash before the main flash to reduce
the possibility of red-eye occurrence during digital photography.
For detail operation on this feature, refer to your camera body operation instruction manual.
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TROUBLESHOOT GUIDE
If for some reasons, the macro ring flash does not work properly,
refer to the below troubleshooting guide.
Problem Issue Possible cause(s) Solution
Batteries are exhausted
Replace all 4 batteries
(recommended NiMH batteries) Flash unit charges
but does not fire
Metal contacts on
either the flash unit or
camera are dirty
Use microfibre cloth to wipe the
metal contacts and remount the
flash
Orientation of the
batteries is wrong
Install again the battery polarity
according to the indication in the
battery compartment
Battery compartment lid
is not being close fully
Reopen the battery compartment
lid and close it so that the end of
the lid alight perfectly with the
main body of the flash unit
Metal contacts inside
battery compartment is
dirty
Use microfibre cloth to wipe the
metal contacts and reload the
batteries
Flash unit does not
charge at all
Batteries are
completely exhausted
Replace all 4 batteries
(recommended NiMH batteries)
Dark corners
observed at the four
corners of pictures
The focal length of the
camera lens is set to
wide angle
Adjust the focal length of the
camera lens to 50mm (35mm
equivalent) and above.
Distance to the subject
is too far and pictures
may be underexposed
Retake at a closer distance
Auto check lamp
does not lit up
Flash unit does not fire
at all
Check that the ready lamp on the
flash unit as well as the ‘flash’
indicator in the viewfinder appear
before taking pictures
Ready Lamp does
not lit up
Batteries are
completely exhausted
Replace all 4 batteries
(recommended NiMH batteries)
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Technical Specifications
Camera Type : Direct hotshoe contact mount flash
Guide No : 14 in meters / 46 in feet at 50mm (ISO 100)
Circuitry : IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor)
Automatic TTL
range
: 0.9 – 7.0m / 3.0 – 23ft (F2.0)
Dedication : DSLR dedicated mounting
Exposure check
confirmation
: Green Auto Check Lamp
Flash Duration : 1/700 sec (full power)
Color temperature
: 5600k
Number of flashes
: Approximate 150 – 300 (Alkaline batteries)
Approximate 100 – 200 (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH batteries)
Recycling Time : Approximate 6 sec (Alkaline batteries)
Approximate 4 sec (Ni-Cd, Ni-MH batteries)
Power Source : 4x AA Alkaline, NiCad or NiMH batteries
Dimension (mm) : 76 (W) x 60 (H) x 185(L)
Weight : 280g (without batteries)
Specifications are subjected to changes without prior notice. The program in
this flash unit is being upgraded constantly to meet new demands in the
market. As such, new changes to the specifications may not be reflected in
this manual.
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FLASH FEATURES AVAILABLE ON
CANON
CAMERAS
Type
Model No
Model No
(US
models)
Auto
Adjustment
to camera
x-syn
Flash ready
indicator in
view inder
Second
Curtain
Synchroniza
tion
Red eye
reduction
ETTL
Flash
Control
5D - □ □ □ □ □
20D - □ □ □ □ □
30D - □ □ □ □ □
300D Rebel
Digital
□ □ □ □ □
350D Rebel XT
□ □ □ □ □
400D Rebel XTi
□ □ □ □ □
D30 - □ □ □ □ □
Digital SLR EOS
D60 - □ □ □ □ □
FLASH FEATURES AVAILABLE ON NIKON CAMERAS
Type Model No Auto
Adjustment
to camera
x-syn
Flash ready
indicator
in view inder
Second
Curtain
Synchronization
Red eye
reduction
i-TTL
Flash
control
D40 □ □ □ □ □
D50 □ □ □ □ □
D70 □ □ □ □ □
D70s □ □ □ □ □
D80 □ □ □ □ □
D200 □ □ □ □ □
D2Xs □ □ □ □ □
D2Hs □ □ □ □ □
D2x □ □ □ □ □
Digital SLR
D2H □ □ □ □ □
Due to the rapid introduction of new digital cameras, the above compatibility
list may not be updated to indicate the respective new models at the time of
printing this manual. Nevertheless, the flash unit is still compatible with new
camera models that utilize the above flash control system.
□– Function available X – Function not available
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