Vello Flashboss User manual

FLASHBOSS
TTL TRANSCEIVER
FOR NIKON (FB-TTL-N)
USER MANUAL

2
The FlashBoss TTL Transceiver
functions as both a TTL
transmitter and receiver that
take full advantage of
Nikon’s i-TTL flash metering
technologies. Lightweight and
compact, it mounts to a camera
and functions as a transmitter,
sending TTL metering data to
your remote flashes. Attached
to a flash, it’s a slave that
adjusts the output power
of the flash accordingly. The
FlashBoss supports HSS and
allows flash synchronization
of up to 1/8000 of a second.
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING VELLO
As a transmitter, the FlashBoss
gives you control over your
lighting setup. Each group
can be individually set to
TTL, manual, delayed time
(DT), and o. Controls for
flash zoom and exposure
compensation can be remotely
set for all compatible flashes.
The 2.4 GHz radio signal oers
control from over 300 feet
(100 m) away without line-of-
sight positioning. Trigger your
camera around corners or even
through a wall. Thirty selectable
channels assure you of trouble-
free shooting without any
interference from other remote
units in the area. A backlit digital
display allows for easy viewing in
all kinds of lighting conditions.

3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Precautions.....................................4
Overview ........................................6
Box Contents.................................9
Installing the Batteries ...............10
Powering on the FlashBoss.......11
Mounting the FlashBoss on a
Camera..........................................12
Mounting the FlashBoss to a
Stand ..............................................13
Mounting a Flash to the
FlashBoss.......................................14
The Settings Menu......................15
Transmitter Operation..............18
Master Mode................................19
Controlling Flash Coverage
(Zoom)..........................................21
Slave Mode....................................22
Remote Shutter Release
Function ........................................24
Firmware Upgrade ......................25
FCC Compliance.........................25
Specifications ...............................26
Troubleshooting ..........................28
One-Year Limited Warranty .....30

4
• Please read the full manual
before using this device.
• Do not disassemble or
modify. Failure to observe
this precaution could result
in electric shock or product
malfunction.
• Keep this product dry. Do
not handle with wet hands,
immerse in water, or expose
to rain or snow. Failure to
observe this precaution could
result in fire or cause electric
shock.
PRECAUTIONS
• Do not use in the presence
of flammable gases. Failure to
observe this precaution could
result in fire or explosion.
• Keep out of the reach of
children. This product
contains small parts that
may pose a choking hazard.
Should a child swallow any
part of this product, consult a
physician immediately.
• Turn o immediately should
a malfunction occur. Should
smoke or any unusual smell
come from this product,
shut it o and remove
the batteries immediately.
Continued use may result in
damage or physical injury.
• Do not expose this product
to high temperatures. Do not
leave this product in a closed
vehicle in the sun or other
area subject to extremely
high temperatures. Failure to
observe this precaution could
result in fire or damage to the
casing or internal parts.

5
• Observe precautions when
handling batteries. Batteries
may leak or explode if
improperly handled.
• Use only batteries listed in
this manual. Do not mix new
and old batteries, or dierent
brands or types of batteries.
• Read and follow all warnings
and instructions provided by
the battery manufacturer.
• Do not attempt to short-
circuit or disassemble
batteries.
• Do not put batteries in a fire,
or apply direct heat to them.
• Do not attempt to install
batteries in the reverse
direction.
• Batteries may leak when fully
discharged. To avoid damage
to the product, be sure to
remove the batteries if the
product will not be used for
an extended period of time or
if the battery power is low.
• If fluid from damaged
batteries comes into contact
with skin or clothing, rinse
immediately with fresh water.
• All images are for illustrative
purposes only.

6
OVERVIEW
Device
1. Status indicator
2. Battery compartment
3. Power switch
4. + button
5. − button
6. Set button
7. Zoom/Function button
8. Group/Channel button
9. Mode button
3
4
5
6
1
2
7
8
9

7
10.Test flash/shutter
11.PC/USB ports
12.AF Assist light
13.Hot shoe
14.Locking wheel
15.Mounting foot
10
12
11
13
14
15

8
Transmitter Display
1. Zoom indicator
2. Group mode indicator
3. Output/exposure compensation/
delay time
4. Channel indicator
5. Transmitter/receiver mode indicator
6. Camera communication indicator
7. AF assist beam indicator
8. Battery indicator
9. Sync mode
Receiver Display
10.Zoom indicator
11.Group indicator
12.Channel indicator
13.Receiver mode
14.Battery indicator
2
11
1
10
4
12
5
13
6 7 8
14
9
3

9
• FlashBoss Transceiver
• Mini stand
• Setup guide
Also Available
• FlashBoss cable for Nikon
10-pin (FB-N1)
• FlashBoss cable for Nikon
DS-2 (FB-N2)
BOX CONTENTS

10
INSTALLING THE BATTERIES
The FlashBoss is powered
by two AA batteries.
1. Press down, and slide the
battery compartment door
in the direction of the arrow
to open.
2. Insert the batteries according
to the illustration inside the
battery compartment, and
close the compartment door.

11
POWERING ON THE FLASHBOSS
To turn on the FlashBoss,
move the power switch
to the On position.
The FlashBoss switches to
standby mode after a selected
amount of time, and the LCD
screen goes blank. To resume
operation, press the camera’s
shutter button or the test
button on the FlashBoss.
See the Settings Menu below
to adjust the amount of time
before standby mode.

12
When mounted to a camera’s
hot shoe, the FlashBoss can
be used as a transmitter.
Make sure the FlashBoss
and your camera are turned
o before proceeding.
MOUNTING THE FLASHBOSS ON A CAMERA
1. Loosen the locking wheel, and
insert the FlashBoss into the
camera’s hot shoe.
2. Make sure the Flashboss is
fully inserted into the hot
shoe, and tighten the locking
wheel until secure.
3. Turn on your camera
first, and then turn on the
FlashBoss.

13
MOUNTING THE FLASHBOSS TO A STAND
The Mini Stand
1. Loosen the locking wheel, and
then insert the mounting foot
into the mini stand’s cold-
shoe mount.
2. Tighten the locking wheel
until secure.
Mounting to a Light Stand
1. Screw the 1/4-inch receiver
on the bottom of the mini
stand onto the light stand’s
1/4-inch stud.
2. Mount the FlashBoss onto the
mini stand.

14
MOUNTING A FLASH TO THE FLASHBOSS
A flash can be mounted
onto the FlashBoss when the
FlashBoss is attached to the
camera. In this configuration,
the FlashBoss can operate as
a transmitter or receiver.
The FlashBoss TTL pass-through
capability allows the TTL
metering data to flow from the
camera, through the FlashBoss,
and directly to the flash.
A flash and FlashBoss can also be
used for remote operation with
the FlashBoss in receiver mode.
Make sure the FlashBoss
and your flash are turned
o before proceeding.
Mount the flash to the
FlashBoss’s hot shoe, and
turn on the flash.
Important! Make sure the flash
is set to TTL mode in order
to function properly with the
FlashBoss’s operating modes. Refer
to your flash’s manual for enabling
TTL mode.

15
THE SETTINGS MENU
The Settings menu can be
accessed from any screen.
• Use the +or −button to
select the new value in the
submenu.
• Press the Set button to
confirm the submenu
selection.
• Press and hold the Set button
to return to the previous
screen.
• Press and hold the Set button
to access the Settings Menu.
• Press the Mode button
repeatedly to scroll through
the menu selections.
• Press the +or −buttons to
open the submenu for each
setting.
Navigating the Settings Menu
Settings

16
Settings Menu Items
Menu Item Submenu options Function
Reset RS Select RS and press the Set button to return to the factory presets.
Model
(Nikon only)
SP700
551EX
SP690I/II
Others
Profile 1
Profile 2
Profile 3
Optimized for Nikon speedlights.
Backlight On/O Turns the LCD backlight on or o. The LCD screen will remain
illuminated for 15 seconds.
Key Backlight On/O Select On to illuminate the keys while using the buttons. When
set to On, the buttons will remain illuminated for 15 seconds.
Note: If you reset to the factory presets, you will need to select Other in the Model menu for original Nikon flashes.

17
Menu Item Submenu options Function
Auto Focus
(AF)
On/O Controls the AF assist light.
Standby 15 min./30 min./
45 min./O
Menu selection determines the length of time before sleep mode
activates.
LCD Light 5/4/3/2/1/0 Sets the LCD display’s contrast. 5 is maximum contrast, and 0 is
minimum contrast.
Version
Number (Ver)
n/a Displays the version number of the FlashBoss’s firmware.
Adjust -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 n/a

18
TRANSMITTER OPERATION
To use the FlashBoss as a
transmitter, mount it to
a camera’s hot shoe. The
FlashBoss will wirelessly control
one or more speedlights.
Note: In order to control an
external speedlight, it must be
mounted onto a receiver FlashBoss
that’s set to slave mode, and the
flash must be set to TTL mode.
Setting the Master Channel
The master channel
setting can be accessed in
any operating mode.
1. Press and hold the Gr/Ch
button to select the Master
Channel setting.
2. Press the +or −buttons to
select channel 1 to 30 or
a (all).
3. Press the Set button to
confirm the master channel
selection.
Make sure all FlashBoss
units that are operating in
Slave Mode are set to the
same channel. See Receiver
Operation below for more
information on Slave mode.
Master channel

19
Master mode allows you to
set each group’s operating
mode individually. Each group
can be set to TTL, Manual,
Delayed Time (DT), or O.
If the Master menu does not
appear on the screen, press and
hold the Mode button until the
Master Mode screen appears.
Group Mode settings
1. Press the Gr/Ch to navigate
to the group you want to
adjust.
2. Press the Mode button
repeatedly until the desired
operation mode appears.
3. With the group selected, use
the +and −buttons to adjust
the mode’s value.
4. Press Set to confirm.
MASTER MODE
Master mode

20
• When a group is set to TTL
mode, the flash exposure
compensation (EV) can be
adjusted from −3 to +3 in
1/3-stop increments.
• When a group is set to
Manual mode, the flash
output power can be adjusted
from 1/1 (full power) to 1/128
in 1/3-stop increments.
• When a group is set to
Delayed Time (DT mode), the
delay time can be adjusted
from 0 to 5 seconds in
1/10-second increments.
Important! When shooting in
HSS, DT mode delays the time
an external flash fires after it’s
triggered.
• The flash coverage value
can be individually set in
all operating modes. See
Controlling Flash Coverage
(Zoom) below.
TTL Mode
Manual Mode
DT Mode