Panasonic FL360 - DMW - Hot-shoe clip-on Flash User manual

Operating Instructions
Flash
Model No. L
Before connecting, operating or
adjusting this product, please read the
instructions completely.
| VQT1B10

2
Contents
Information for Your Safety .........ccconcccccnncccnnonaccncnonacononanacinonaraconanicinnonos
PESC AUT He
SUPDNEd:ACCESSONES: as
Names of the Components .................. essen enne nnns
Displays Appearing on the Display Panel .......................... eee
Concerning the batteries 1... etre ie dieere dua rana ME e vn ae
Inserting and Removing the Unit's Batteries (optional) .........................
Checking the Flash's Remaining Battery Charge ...........................
Mounting the Unit onto the Digital Camera, and Removing it ...............
Taking Pictures using a Digital Camera with Communication
FUNCIONS A A ETS Cee ee ee Se ee
How to select the flash mode ........ooccccoccccccnooconccnorocoonaronnanancnnnancnnnns
PAU TO): TERR D
O MA ic T
MANUAL cr
Eee PN Oi ceca cm
IFP-MANDALI a E Mod ated a mated bus ura ON T RO UIN ME
Taking Pictures using a Digital Camera without Communication
FUNCION oeae T ia eens
How to select the flash mode .......ooccoocconcccoccnoncnonononnnononinnorccnananonnono
AUTO adiens tbituin A MU LU VUE
MANUAL a ea
OIRer ABDIICalOnS: ea laica
Taking pictures with bounce lighting .................ccccoocccncnonaconononccnonanos
Taking pictures at close range ......cooccccoccnconcnnconconenaconnorinnonononnaronanoss
Selecting the lighting angle manually ............................... eee
How to use the Wide Panel ....................... eese
Many choices for different flash photography applications ..............
FUNCIONS PER
Concerning Continuous Firing ................... ees oe:
. Table of Guide Numbers (GN) ................ essen nnns
Troubleshooting dea
Cauttóns-for USO siria
Specifications idas O
Limited Warranty a a
Spanish Quick Use Guide/Guía rápida en español ...............................
VQT1B10

Information for Your Safety
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
When using your photographic equipment, basic
safety precautions should always be followed,
including the following:
Head and understand all instructions before using.
Close supervision is necessary when any appliance
is used by or near children. Do not leave appliance
unattended while in use.
Care must be taken as burns can occur from
touching hot parts.
Do not operate if the appliance has been dropped or
damaged - until it has been examined by qualified
Service personnel.
Let appliance cool completely before putting away.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not immerse
this appliance in water or other liquids.
To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not
disassemble this appliance, but take it to qualified
service personnel when service or repair work is
required. Incorrect reassembly can cause electric
shock when the appliance is used subsequently.
The use of an accessory attachment not
recommended by the manufacturer may cause a risk
of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS
VQT1B10

FCC Note: (U.S. only)
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits
for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. -
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television
reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
* Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
* Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
* Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that
to which the receiver is connected.
* Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
FCC Caution: To assure continued compliance, follow the
attached installation instructions.
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the users authority to operate
this equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
(Canada only)
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
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e This flash is designed to be
used with digital cameras made
by Panasonic.
itis compatible with DMC-FZ50,
. DMC-L1K (with communication
functions: P19 to 27),
DMC-FZ30 etc. (without
communication functions: P28 to
33). (as of September 2006)
e The digital camera illustrations
in these operating instructions
show DMC-FZ50 as an
example.
: WARNING
. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF
_ FIRE OR SHOCK HAZARD
- AND ANNOYING
_ INTERFERENCE, USE ONLY
. THE RECOMMENDED
| ACCESSORIES AND DO NOT -
. EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT
. TO RAIN, MOISTURE,
. DRIPPING OR SPLASHING.
.
DO
NOT
REMOVE
THE
. COVER (OR BACK); THERE
_ ARE NO USER
: SERVICEABLE PARTS
: INSIDE. REFER SERVICING
. TO QUALIFIED SERVICE
_ PERSONNEL.
e Four Thirds'™ is a trademark.
-If you see this symbol-
Information on Disposal in
other Countries outside the
European Union
This symbol is only valid in the
European Union.
If you wish to discard this
product, please contact your .
local authorities or dealer and
ask for the correct method of
disposal.
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E When the unit is not going to
be used for a prolonged
period
Bl Handling the unit
€ Do not subject the unit to e Be absolutely sure to remove
strong vibration or impact.
Doing so may cause not only the
unit to malfunction but also the
flash head to break.
Before carrying the unit around
with you, ensure that the wide
panel is properly retracted.
(P37)
Sand and dirt may cause the
unit to malfunction. When
using the unit in an
environment such as a beach,
take steps to protect it from
sand and dirt.
When taking photos on rainy
days or on a beach, take care to
keep the unit dry.
The unit is not waterproof. If
rain or drops of water splash
onto the unit, wipe off the
water with a dry cloth. If the
unit does not operate
normally, consult the dealer or
your nearest servicenter.
Read the operating instructions
for your digital camera.
the batteries from the unit.
If the batteries are left inside the
unit, a faint current will flow
continuously, even when the
units power is off, gradually
discharging the batteries. (For
details on nickel metal hydride
batteries, refer to P13.)
Store the batteries in a cool,
moisture-free location where the
temperature is kept as constant
as possible.
[Recommended temperature
range: 15 °C to 25 °C
(59 °F to 77 °F);
recommended humidity range:
40% to 60%] |
If you plan to store the unit and/
or its batteries inside a closet or
cupboard, it is recommended
that you put a desiccant (silica
gel) in with them.

Supplied Names of the
accessories Components
[Inspection to be performed
when you unpack the unit]
When removing the unit from its
packing box, check that the main
unit and its supplied accessory is
there and also check their external
appearance and functions to verify
that they have not sustained any
damage during distribution and
transportation.
If you discover any trouble, contact
your vendor before using the
product.
For this flash, use only the flash
case shown below.
1 Wide panel (P37)
2 Flash head
3 AF assist lamp (P40)
e |n dark locations where it is
. difficult to bring the subject
into focus, you can direct
light onto the subject to
facilitate focusing.
Flash case
VFC4230 (The AF assist works only
when this flash is used in
e
The
batteries
are
optional.
mer
combination
with
Panasonic’s “Four
Thirds M" digital single-
lens reflex camera: it will
not work with other
cameras.)
Flash sensor
Lock ring (P17)
Lock pin (P17)
Terminal area (P17)
NO Ol
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10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18 [TEST/CHARGE] button
(P16, 19, 28)
19 [AUTO CHECK] lamp
(P16, 21, 22, 24, 29)
20 Display panel (P9)
Bounce unlock button
(up/down direction) (P17, 34)
Bounce up/down angle
display (P34)
Bounce unlock button
(left/right direction) (P17, 34)
Bounce left/right angle display
(P34)
[MODE] button (P19, 28, 39)
[LIGHT] button
e The display panel will light
for about 15 seconds. It
also may light depending
on the operation on the
digital camera with
communication functions.
[POWER] button
(P16, 19, 28, 39)
Battery cover (P15)
[ZOOM] button
(P29, 32, 36, 37)
Select dial
(P23, 26, 29, 32, 39)

Displays Appearing on the Display Panel
e»)
« OND Cl
FP firing (P24, 25)
Flash intensity adjustment
(P26)
Flash mode (P19, 28) 10
Lighting angle display (P40) 11
e [FOURTHIRDS]: 12
The lighting angle is 13
displayed by the focal
length of the "Four Thirds"
digital camera format lens.
e [135]:
The lighting angle is
converted into the focal
length of the 135 camera
(35 mm film conversion)
and displayed.
ZOOM mode (P36)
ZOOM value (P36)
Aperture
Distance display (P40)
Setting displays
(guide number, ISO
sensitivity, aperture, flash
working range, correct
distance, flash intensity
adjustment)
ISO sensitivity
Guide number (GN) (P43)
Close-up flash (P35)
Wide panel display (P37)
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Concerning the
batteries
e
AA Alkaline dry batteries (LR6)
AA Rechargeable nickel metal
hydride batteries (Ni-MH)
Types of batteries that can be
used
The use of batteries made by
Panasonic is recommended.
The performance of the
batteries used may significantly
differ depending on which -
battery brand is used, how long
the batteries have been stored
since they were manufactured
and how they have been stored.
The performance of the
batteries decreases temporarily
at low temperatures [below
10 °C (50 °F)], but will be
restored when the temperature
returns to room temperature.
Malfunctioning may occur under
certain ambient temperatures
and operating conditions.
However, this is not indicative of
trouble.
In order to ensure that the
batteries will function for as long
. as possible, it is recommended
that you turn off the units power
during the intervals between
taking photos. If the unit is to be
used for prolonged periods, the
use of rechargeable nickel metal
hydride batteries is
recommended.
_|AA Lithium batteries (FR6)
e Once spent, batteries may
recover their performance when
left standing for a while, but they
will quickly become unusable
again. For this reason, always
make a point of replacing spent
batteries with fresh ones.
: EZ Types of batteries with which
operation is not guaranteed
AA Ni-Cd batteries
AA Nickel-manganese batteries
(ZR6)
AA Manganese batteries (R6)
AA Oxyride (oxy-nickel-hydroxide)
dry batteries
CR-V3 Lithium battery packs
e Panasonic offers no guarantees
that the unit will operate properly
when any of the batteries listed
above are used. Furthermore,
use of these batteries may result
in electrolyte leakage, power
failure etc.

BB Batteries with shapes that El Handling the batteries
cannot be used Mishandling of batteries may
e Installing batteries with irregular cause electrolyte leakage, heat
shapes in the unit may cause generation and even rupturing of
electrolyte leakage, heat the batteries themselves. Heed
generation and even rupturing of with the following cautions.
the batteries themselves.
e Some batteries sold on the
market have part or all of their
jackets missing: Under no
circumstances should such
batteries be used. (Refer to the
figure below.)
Do not expose batteries to
water or seawater or allow their
terminal areas to become wet.
e Do not remove their external
jackets or damage them in any
way.
e Do not drop the batteries,
knock them into other objects
or subject them to any other
kind of strong impact.
e Stop using the batteries as
Soon as you notice any
electrolyte leakage,
deformation, discoloration or
any other such trouble.
e Do not store batteries in
locations where the
temperature and/or humidity
levels are high.
e Keep batteries out of the reach
of infants and small children.
€ Always use 2 new batteries of
the same type when replacing
batteries.
e Batteries (bare batteries) with
no external jackets or batteries
with parts of their jackets
missing
© "
e Batteries whose © electrode is
©,
CD
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® Remove the batteries from the
unit when you do not intend to
use the unit for a prolonged
period.
® Batteries may be hot
immediately after the unit has
been used. Before removing
them from the unit, turn off the
unit’s power and wait until the
temperature of the batteries
has dropped.
@ At low temperatures [under
10 °C (50 ^F)], the performance
of batteries will deteriorate and
the number of flashes fired by
the unit will be sharply
reduced. The operating
duration of batteries tends to
be shorter particularly when
alkaline dry batteries are used
so warm them in your pocket
before use. When warming
batteries in your pocket, avoid
direct contact with cigarette
lighters and other metal objects
as well as with pocket/body
warmers.
® The number of flashes fired by
the unit may also be sharply
reduced if the ®© and ©
electrodes of the batteries are
exposed to oils from the skin or
other forms of dirt. Before
installing the batteries, wipe the
CB and © electrodes carefully
using a soft, dry cloth.
If electrolytes should leak from
the batteries, wipe away all
traces of the electrolyte in the
battery compartment, and then
insert fresh batteries or fully
charged nickel metal hydride
batteries.
If you should get electrolyte on
your hands or clothes, rinse it off
thoroughly with water. If you
should get electrolyte in your
eyes, you risk losing your sight.
In such a case, do not rub your
eyes but immediately wash them
with clean water, and then seek
medical advice.

ES Rechargeable nickel metal
hydride batteries
Nickel metal hydride batteries can
be made ready for use by
recharging them using a dedicated
charger. However, mishandling
may cause electrolyte leakage,
heat generation, the ignition of
flames and even rupturing of the
batteries themselves. Heed the
following precautions.
e ltis recommended that the
batteries be recharged only
after their existing charge has
been used up. lf they are
repeatedly charged without
their existing charge first
having been used up, it may be
difficult for them to sustain their
capacity. (A phenomenon
referred to as the memory
effect.)
If the memory effect has
occurred, use up the existing
charge in the batteries until the
unit cannot fire and then
recharge them fully a number
of times. This will restore their
e |t may not be possible to
properly recharge batteries
with dirty CQ and ©
electrodes. Use a soft, dry
cloth to carefully wipe the ®
and © electrodes as well as
the terminal areas of the
charger.
e Either when they are
purchased or when they have
not been used for a prolonged
period, nickel metal hydride
batteries may not have a
sufficient charge. This is due
to their characteristics and is
not indicative of trouble. Their
regular performance will be
restored after they have been
charged a number of times.
capacity.
When nickel metal hydride
batteries are not being used,
their capacity will diminish due
to the effects of natural
discharging.
Do not continuously charge
nickel metal hydride batteries
which already have a charge.
Do not remove their external
jackets or damage them in any
way.
Read the instructions
accompanying the charger
used when recharging the
batteries.
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Nickel metal hydride batteries have
a specific service life. As they are
increasingly used or as time goes
by, their capacity will diminish
gradually. When the length of time
during which the unit can be used
has dropped drastically, the
batteries may have reached the
end of their service life. Obtain
fresh batteries.
e The length of the service life of
batteries differs depending on
their storage method, operating
conditions and the environment
in which they are used.
Bi When the unit is not going to
be used for a prolonged
period
e |f the batteries are left inside the
unit, a faint current will flow
continuously, even when the
units power is off, gradually
discharging the batteries. If they
are left like this, they may
overdischarge and may become
unusable even when recharged.
e When storing the batteries for a
prolonged period, it is
recommended that they be
charged once a year and that
after their remaining charge has
been used up, they be removed
from the unit and stored again.
E Service life of batteries
Number of flashes
(number of fuli flashes in
MANUAL mode at intervals of
30 prada
| Number of
teries es used flashes
Approx.
120 flashes
"Alkaline dry €
batteries (LR)
Nickel metal
hydride
batteries
(Ni-MH)
Photo taking conditions
e Temperature: 23 °C (73.4 °F)
Approx.
200 flashes
Flash interval
d | Flash interval -
batteries $ (LR6)
Nickel metal
hydride
Appena
Approx. 8s
Approx. 7.5 s
e The number of flashes and flash
interval differ slightly depending
on the storage status of the
batteries and the operating
conditions.

Inserting
and
3
Close
the
battery
cover
Removing
the
Units
by
sliding
it
back
firmly
as far as it will go.
e Check that the unit's power is
off.
€ Use alkaline dry batteries or
rechargeable nickel metal
hydride batteries.
1 Slide the battery cover to
open it.
e After using the unit, take out the
batteries.
e There is tape adhered to the
battery cover the first time that
you use the unit. Peel it off.
2 When inserting the
batteries, ensure that the
CD and © poles of the
batteries are aligned
correctly.
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Checking the
Flash's Remaining
Battery Charge
e Install the batteries and then
turn on the unit and check the
battery remaining power.
1 Press the [POWER]
button.
POWER
e Charging now starts.
2 Check that the [TEST/
CHARGE] button lights.
TEST/CHARGE
e After the batteries have been
fully charged, the [TEST/
CHARGE] button lights.
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VQT1B10
e |f it takes as long for the [TEST/
CHARGE] button to light as the
period indicated in the table
below, it means that the
batteries are nearly worn out.
Replace them with fresh
batteries as soon as possible.
PERO ME Ge
than 30s
| More
| than 10 s
Rechargeabl e nickel | |
metal hydride
batteries
MAINS IA
e 4f the (TESTICHARGE] button
and [AUTO CHECK] lamp both
flash at the same time, it means
that the batteries are almost
completely worn out and should
be replaced with fresh batteries
as soon as possible.
3 Press the [POWER]
button to turn off the
unit's power.
e When the [TEST/CHARGE]
button is pressed, the unit may
fire.
e Turn off the power in the
following situations:
e When mounting the unit onto,
or disengaging it from, the
digital camera
e When you do not want the
unit to fire
e When you are not going to
use the unit

Mounting the Unit 2 Loosen the lock ring.
onto the Digital
Camera, and
Removing it
e Check that the power ie the.
digital camera and unit is off.
(Mounting the unit onto, or e |f the lock pin is protruding, turn
disengaging it from, the camera the lock ring in the opposite
while the power is on may cause direction from [LOCK] and
trouble and is not retract the pin.
recommended.) e Do not apply more force than is
necessary to the lock ring.
B Mounting the unit e Do not touch the terminal areas
4 Secure the flash head at with your fingers, metal objects,
: etc.
the horizontal front e Do not mount the unit onto the
position. digital camera while the lock pin
is protruding. Otherwise you
may damage the unit.
(a): Bounce unlock button
e |f the flash head is at the lock
position, rotate it while pressing
the bounce unlock button.
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3 Slide the unit firmly Bi Removing the unit
toward the back of the Completely loosen the
hot shoe until a clicking lock ring, and slide the
sound is heard. unit off from the hot
shoe.
4 Turn the lock ring in the
[«LOCK] direction until
it stops turning.

Taking
Pictures
3
Press
the
shutter
button
using
a
Digital
of
the
digital
camera
Me
halfway
down.
Camera
with
e The ISO sensitivity, aperture,
Communication
/
shutter
speed
and
other
photo
Functions
taking
information
are
sent
between the digital camera and
the unit.
4 Press the [MODE]
button, and select the
e For details on each flash mode, flash mode.
turn to P21 to 25.
1 Turn on the power of the (5
digital camera.
2 Press the [POWER]
button on the unit.
(A): Flash mode
e The flash mode is shown on the
display panel.
e The mode is changed each time
the [MODE] button is pressed.
POWER
e The [TEST/CHARGE] button
lights after the batteries have
been fully charged.
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discharging a pre-flash, the unit fires again for
photo taking. (P21)
[AUTO] The unit senses the light by its flash sensor in
accordance with the aperture of the lens, and it
adjusts the flash intensity. (P22)
e This mode can be used only for digital camera
models with communication functions which
support the [AUTO] mode.
[MANUAL] The unit fires at the guide number (GN)* which
has been set. (P23)
[FP TTL AUTO] This mode enables flash photo taking even at the
high shutter speeds of the digital camera by FP
nears firing (repeatedly firing the flash at high speed).
(P24)
The unit initiates FP firing at the flash intensity set
i in the [FP MANUAL] mode. (P25)
x The guide number (GN) is a value which indicates the light quantity of
a flash. The higher the value, the greater the quantity of light emitted
e You may not be able to use some modes depending on the type of
digital camera.
(O: Available, —: Not available)
MM! p EET T
Imm. AUTO], [AUTO] [MANUAL]
e |t is not possible to select a mode which cannot be used.