Vello FreeWave Captain User manual

FREEWAVE CAPTAIN
TTL TRIGGER
USER MANUAL

2
Introduction ............................................................3
Features....................................................................4
Compatible devices ...............................................5
Precautions..........................................................6-7
Box contents.......................................................8-9
Overview ........................................................ 10-11
Installing the batteries &
turning on the device......................................... 12
Setting the channels............................................ 13
Mounting the transmitter.................................. 14
Mounting the receiver........................................ 15
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Connecting to a studio flash ............................ 16
Flash trigger functions........................................ 17
Canon-specific functions ............................. 18-19
Nikon-specific functions.............................. 20-21
Triggering the flash ............................................. 22
Using as a remote shutter release .................. 23
Triggering the camera .................................. 24-27
Compatibility / USB upgrades / FCC.............. 28
Specifications........................................................ 29
Troubleshooting .................................................. 30
Warranty............................................................... 31

3
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING VELLO.
The Vello FreeWave Captain wireless triggering
system is a multi-purpose 2.4 GHz 4-channel
digital radio TTL system that empowers users
to remotely trigger flash and camera devices.
You can enjoy the freedom of triggering from
a distance up to 300 feet (100 meters).
The Vello FreeWave Captain is designed to
give photographers an easy-to-use, high-quality
TTL radio slave system. With the use of built-in
TTL functionality, your camera and flash unit
can automatically adjust your settings for the
ideal exposure in various lighting scenarios.
The wireless control capability eliminates
the presence of cable clutter, making it ideal
for studio or outdoor flash scenarios.
Remote camera triggering is another ability
of the Vello FreeWave Captain. This is helpful
when a subject, such as wildlife, may be
dicult to approach. Additionally, the wireless
function of the device removes the potential
of camera shake, making it ideal for macro,
close-up, and long-exposure photography.
The Vello FreeWave Captain’s high-speed sync
and second-curtain sync functions create easy-
to-control lighting eects, making it simple to
take creative and artistic images. The wireless
system has a high-speed sync of up to 1/8000
second, allowing the user to capture images
wirelessly in most shooting scenarios. Its
small size and included pouch make the Vello
FreeWave Captain simple to store and transport.
To fully understand and best use the
functions and capabilities of your Vello
FreeWave Captain, please take a moment
to read through this user guide.

4
FEATURES
TTL functionality for Nikon (VCTTL-N)
or Canon (VCTTL-C) units: Designed
to work seamlessly with your camera’s
i-TTL or E-TTL system.
Adjustable TTL: Fine-tune your TTL settings.
4 separate radio channels: Digitally coded
2.4 GHz signal, perfect for operating
multiple devices wirelessly without having
to worry about radio or ash interference.
Multiple trigger options: Wireless hot shoe,
studio ash, and shutter release triggering.
High-speed sync: Offers a maximum sync
speed of up to 1/8000 second, allowing
the user to capture images wirelessly in
most shooting scenarios.
Second-curtain sync: Allows you to
create special effects and “after blur”
images.
Wake up: Remotely wake up your ash unit
(with compatible ashes).
Battery level indicator: Level of battery
power.
Backlit LCD panel: Allow viewing /
changing settings in low light.
Key lock: Ability to lock the settings against
inadvertent changes.
Sleep mode: After 10 minutes of inactivity.

5
COMPATIBLE DEVICES
The Vello FreeWave Captain receiver
is available in models for both Nikon
i-TTL and Canon E-TTL cameras. The
Nikon and Canon models are each
compatible with the respective company’s
TTL (through-the-lens) technology.
To make full use of the FreeWave
Captain system, we recommend using
TTL-capable hot-shoe speedlights that
are compatible with your camera’s TTL
system (i.e., Nikon-compatible flashes with
a Nikon camera or Canon-compatible
flashes with a Canon camera).

6
PRECAUTIONS
• Please read and follow these instructions
and keep this manual in a safe place.
• There are no user-serviceable parts
inside the devices. Do not attempt to
disassemble or perform any unauthorized
modification.
• Do not operate the transmitter or
receiver in the presence of flammable gas
or vapors.
• Do not handle with wet hands or immerse
in or expose to water or rain. Failure to
observe this precaution could result in fire
or electric shock.
• Keep out of reach of children. This device
contains small parts which may pose a
choking hazard.
• Observe caution when handling batteries.
Batteries may leak or explode if improperly
handled. Use only the batteries listed in
this manual. Make certain to align the
battery with the correct polarity.
• Batteries are prone to leakage when
fully discharged. To avoid damage to the
product, be sure to remove the batteries
when leaving the product unattended for
prolonged periods or when no charge
remains.

7
• Handle the units with care.
• Do not use or leave the devices in
conditions of extreme heat, severe cold, or
high humidity.
• Turn o the power of the camera and
studio flash before inserting or removing
the remote.
• Dispose of used batteries, packaging, and
old devices in accordance with appropriate
local environmental regulations.
• Clean the unit with a soft, dry cloth.
• Make sure the item is intact and that there
are no missing parts.
• All photos are for illustrative purposes
only.

8
BOX CONTENTS
Transmitter and Receiver Set
(VCTTL-C and VCTTL-N)
• Transmitter
• Receiver
• 4×AA batteries
• 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm studio flash cable
• 3.5 mm to 1/4"monoplug adapter
• Shutter release cables (see page 9)
• USB upgrade cable
• 2×lanyards
• Pouch case
• User manual
Receiver Only
(VCTTL-CR and VCTTL-NR)
• Receiver
• 2×AA batteries
• 3.5 mm to 3.5 mm studio flash cable
• 3.5 mm to 1/4"monoplug adapter
• 1×lanyard
• User manual

9
Also Included with Canon Set (VCTTL-C)
• Shutter Remote 2.5 mm
to Canon 2.5 mm Shutter
Release Cable (RCC-C1)
• Shutter Remote 2.5 mm
to Canon 3-Pin Camera
Shutter Release Cable
(RCC-C2)
Also Included With Nikon Set (VCTTL-N)
• Shutter Remote 2.5 mm to
Nikon 10-Pin Camera Shutter
Release Cable (RCC-N1)
• Shutter Remote 2.5 mm to
Nikon DC2 Camera Shutter
Release Cable (RCC-N2)
• Shutter Remote 2.5 mm to
Nikon D70s/D80 Camera Shutter
Release Cable (RCC-N3) (Not Shown)
VCTTL-C/N
VCTTL-CR/NR

1
9
12
11
13
6
2
3
4
10
5
1. Shutter release test button
2. LED indicator
3. Lanyard loop
4. Flash test button
5. Mini-USB port
6. EV compensation buttons
7. Channel selector button
8. Function button
9. LCD screen
10. On/o switch
11. Battery compartment door
12. Hot-shoe foot
13. Tightening screw
7
8
10
OVERVIEW Transmitter

1
10
13
14
12
15
2
3
5
4
11
6
1. Shutter release test button
2. LED indicator
3. Lanyard loop
4. Channel selector switch
5. Flash test button
6. Mini-USB port
7. 3.5 mm flash-trigger output
8. 2.5 mm shutter-release output
9. DC5V power port
10. Hot-shoe mount
11. On/o switch
12. Battery compartment door
13. Cold-shoe foot
14. 1/4"-20 light-stand thread
15. Tightening screw
7
8
9
11
Receiver

12
INSTALLING THE BATTERIES & TURNING ON THE DEVICE
The Vello FreeWave Captain transmitter
and receiver each take two AA batteries.
To install the batteries, simply remove the
battery compartment door on the back of
the unit. With the door removed, insert the
batteries with the correct polarity as displayed
within the compartment. Once secured,
reinstall the battery compartment door.
To turn on the Vello FreeWave Captain
transmitter or receiver, simply slide the on/
o switch to the ‘on’ position. Reverse
this step to turn the device o.

13
SETTING THE CHANNELS
The Vello FreeWave Captain transmitter
and receiver can communicate with your
choice of four separate channels, thereby
allowing the photographer to shoot without
interference from other shooters.
To change the channel on the transmitter,
turn on the device and press the channel
selector [ ] button until the desired
channel appears on the LCD screen.
To change the channel on the receiver,
use the channel selector switch
on the left side of the unit.
The channels on both the transmitter
and receiver must be synchronized for
the two devices to communicate.

14
MOUNTING THE TRANSMITTER
To wirelessly trigger your flash device using the
Vello FreeWave Captain, the transmitter must
be mounted on the camera’s hot shoe. With
both devices turned o, slide the transmitter’s
hot-shoe foot into the camera’s hot-shoe
mount. Turn the transmitter’s tightening
ring to secure the device to the camera.

15
Note: Make sure your flash and FreeWave
Captain are turned o before mounting.
Mount the receiver to your tripod or stand via
one of the two provided mounting options:
1. Threaded socket for a standard 1/4"screw
mount.
2. Accessory shoe (cold shoe) foot.
Mounting a Hot-Shoe Flash
To mount your hot-shoe flash to the
receiver, slide the foot of the hot-shoe
flash into the receiver’s hot-shoe mount.
Secure the flash to the hot-shoe mount.
MOUNTING THE RECEIVER

16
With all devices turned o, plug the 3.5 mm
studio flash cable into the receiver’s flash [ ]
port. Plug the other end into your studio flash.
If your flash does not accept a 3.5 mm cable,
attach the 1/4"monoplug adapter to the cable
and insert that into the studio flash’s input.
Note: For studio flashes with household plugs,
a 3.5 mm to household adapter is available
separately.
CONNECTING TO A STUDIO FLASH

17
TTL EV Control
The Vello FreeWave Captain’s transmitter
provides the user with the ability to manually
adjust the TTL reading of a TTL-capable
flash. This function can adjust the TTL
reading in 1/3 stops between -3 and +3. To
use this function, simply push the + or - EV
buttons on the bottom of the transmitter.
Tip: Each photographer has their own vision
of proper image exposure. The EV settings
allow the photographer to adjust the TTL
exposure to reflect their own specific vision.
FLASH TRIGGER FUNCTIONS
Note: Remote flash units attached the Vello
FreeWave Captain receiver need to be set to
TTL EV 0 for proper TTL exposure control
by the Vello FreeWave Captain transmitter.
Separate EV adjustments to individual remote
flashes will result in improper TTL exposure.
Note: The Vello FreeWave Captain is optimized for
Nikon and Canon TTL flashes. Not all third-party
flashes may be compatible.
Camera-Specific Information
For more information about your specific camera
visit our page here:
www.vellogear.com/Camera_Specific_Compatibilities/

High-Speed Sync (HSS) Control
High-speed sync (HSS) allows your camera
to set the shutter speed faster than what
flash would normally be able to fire in sync
with. HSS mode instructs the flash to fire
multiple short pulses of light to match the
shutter’s speed. To the camera, this will
appear as one continuous flash. Because of
the short duration of the light, the flash needs
to be positioned closer to the subject.
To activate high-speed sync mode, set your
transmitter to HSS mode by pushing the
function [ ] button until HSS appears on
the Vello FreeWave Captain’s LCD display.
18
Second-Curtain Sync (SCS) Control
Second-curtain sync (SCS) fires a flash at
the end of an exposure (rather than at the
beginning) to create the illusion of motion
in an image. This creates an image that
blurs the motion of the subject from its
position at the beginning of the exposure
and then fully illuminates and captures its
position at the end of the exposure.
To activate, set your transmitter to SCS
mode by pushing the function [
button until SCS appears on the Vello
FreeWave Captain’s LCD display.
Note: Canon wireless flash functions
need to be disabled in your cameras
menu setting to use SCS.
CANON-SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS

19
AF Illumination Control
On a Canon camera, the AF illumination
light is controlled by adjusting the settings
within your camera body. See your Canon
instruction manual for your camera model.
Wake Up
To remotely wake up a flash unit, half-
press the flash test [ ] button.
Key Lock
Press and hold the function [ ] button
for 2 seconds to initiate the key-lock function.
A lock icon [ ] will appear on the screen
and no setting changes can be made to the
unit while this mode is initiated. Press and
hold the function [ ] button for 2
seconds to disable the key-lock function.
Canon 1Dx Camera
A special mode has been designed for the
Canon 1Dx for increased compatibility. This
mode works only with the Canon 1Dx.
Press and hold the EV + and Function [ ]
buttons together to enable 1Dx mode. The
LCD panel will display HSS/1DX or 1Dx .
Press and hold the EV + and Function [ ]
buttons together to disable 1Dx mode.
Note: In 1Dx mode, second-curtain sync is not supported.

High-Speed Sync (HSS) Control
High-speed sync (HSS) allows your camera
to set the shutter speed faster than a flash
would normally be able to fire in sync with.
HSS mode instructs the flash to fire multiple
short pulses of light to match the shutter’s
speed. To the camera, this will appear as
one continuous flash. Because of the short
duration of the light, the flash needs to
be positioned closer to the subject.
To activate high-speed sync mode
on Nikon cameras, set your camera
to a shutter speed above 1/250.
Second-Curtain Sync (SCS) Control
Second-curtain sync (SCS) fires a flash at
the end of an exposure (rather than at the
beginning) to create the illusion of motion
in an image. This creates an image that
blurs the motion of the subject from its
position at the beginning of the exposure
and then fully illuminates and captures its
position at the end of the exposure.
To set your Nikon camera to SCS
mode, follow the instructions
in your camera’s manual.
20
NIKON-SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS