Vello FWIRC-C FREEWAVE User manual

FREEWAVE
IR COMMANDER
WIRELESS INFRARED
TTL FLASH TRIGGER
FOR CANON E-TTL (FWIRC-C)
USER MANUAL

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The Vello FWIRC-C FreeWave IR
Commander is the nexus of your
wireless flash setup, enabling you to
set and control all functions of your
wireless slave flash units. Equipped with
an infrared transmitter, it provides the
freedom of remote IR triggering for an
unlimited number of flashes, and full
compatibility with Canon’s E-TTL or
E-TTL II metering and flash ratio systems
for total wireless E-TTL control. It also
oers high-speed sync with compatible
flashes, allowing you to use shutter
speeds higher than your camera’s top
flash sync speed. Three groups and
four independent channels deliver
enhanced wireless operation, even in
busy environments, and the Commander
itself can be rotated atop your camera
for easy line-of-sight positioning.
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING VELLO

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Precautions.................................................... 4
Key Features.................................................. 6
Overview ....................................................... 7
Compatible Devices.................................... 8
Installing Batteries........................................ 8
Setting Up Slave Flash Units ...................... 9
Mounting the FreeWave
IR Commander........................................... 11
Turning on the FreeWave
IR Commander........................................... 12
Selecting Channels..................................... 14
About Flash Groups.................................. 14
E-TTL Mode................................................15
E-TTL Ratio Modes ................................... 16
Manual Modes.............................................19
Restoring the Factory Settings................ 21
Advanced Features ....................................22
High-Speed Sync Mode������������������������������������� 22
Repeating (Stroboscopic) Mode ������������������ 23
The Modeling Light���������������������������������������������� 24
Autofocus Assist ���������������������������������������������������� 24
Flash Exposure Bracketing ������������������������������� 24
FlashValue Lock ����������������������������������������������������� 25
Specifications ..............................................25
Troubleshooting .........................................26

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• Please read and follow these
instructions and keep this manual in
a safe place.
• Keep this product away from water,
moisture, and any flammable gases
or liquids.
• Do not attempt to disassemble or
repair this product.
• Use only parts provided by the
manufacturer.
• Make sure that this product is intact
and that there are no missing parts.
PRECAUTIONS
• Should this product sustain physical
damage, do not touch any exposed
interior metal parts. If touched, they
may generate an electric shock or
cause a malfunction. Promptly remove
the batteries and contact Vello
Customer Service.
• If you detect excessive heat, smoke,
or a burning smell coming from this
product, immediately cease operation
and remove the batteries to prevent
the product from igniting or melting.
• Do not aim the transmitter directly in
the eyes of any person or animal.
• Always install AA batteries of the
same type and age. Do not combine
dierent types or old and new
batteries.
• Dispose of used or damaged batteries
according to local regulations.
• Install the batteries in the proper
orientation, as indicated by the
markings in the battery carrier.
• Remove all batteries from this
product before long-term storage.
• Keep this product away from children.

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• Keep the metal contacts in the
battery compartment clean and free
of corrosion and dirt. Do not touch
them with your fingers. Corrosive
elements on the contacts can damage
this product and prevent it from
functioning properly. Contacts may be
cleaned with isopropyl alcohol on a
cotton swab.
• Handle this product with care.
• To avoid damage to this product,
be careful not to overtighten or
improperly thread any of the threaded
fittings.
• Do not clean this product with agents
containing corrosive or flammable
substances.
• All images are for illustrative purposes
only.

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180° rotation:
Pivots to achieve IR line of sight.
Wireless E-TTL (evaluative
through-the-lens): Makes
full use of your flashes’ built-
in E-TTL technology.
TTL exposure compensation:
Enables adjustment of TTL
exposure by ±3 EV with fine-
tuning by 1/3 of a stop.
E-TTL flash ratio:
Set the power output ratio when
working with multiple E-TTL groups.
KEY FEATURES
Manual mode: Can manually adjust
power output in 1/3 increments.
Standby mode:
Reduces power consumption.
Internal memory:
Remembers settings when turned o.
High-speed sync:
Allows flash synchronization
up to 1/8000 of a second.
Stroboscopic mode:
Fires the flash multiple times in quick
succession during a single exposure.
Modeling light:
Gives the appearance of a continuous
light to simulate the direction of light.
Flash Exposure Bracketing:
Allows continuous pictures
while automatically changing
flash exposure compensation.
Flash value lock:
Locks the flash output level
that’s optimal for specific
elements of the scene.

Front
Back
1
2
3
4
5
6
10
11
12
7
8
9
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OVERVIEW
1. Battery chamber
2. AF-assist light
3. Transmitter
4. Locking wheel
5. Mounting foot
6. LCD
7. Mode button
8. Test button/flash ready light [ ]
9. Navigation buttons [ ]
10. Set button
11. FN button
12. Power switch
Also Included
• Drawstring pouch
• User manual

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COMPATIBLE DEVICES INSTALLING BATTERIES
The Vello FWIRC-C FreeWave
IR Commander is compatible
with Canon’s E-TTL and E-TTL II
(evaluative through-the-lens) system.
To make full use of the FreeWave IR
Commander, use E-TTL-capable hot-
shoe flashes that are fully compatible
with your camera’s E-TTL system.
The FreeWave Commander is
powered by two AA batteries. To
install batteries, make sure the device
is turned o and follow these steps:
1. Press and slide the battery
compartment cover in the direction
of the arrow to open.
2. Insert batteries in the orientations
indicated by the illustrations inside
the compartment.
3. Close the battery compartment
cover by pressing and sliding it in the
opposite direction of the arrow on
the cover.

Flash Groups with multiple flashes
Line-of-sight
positioning
Group A Group B
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You can create a sophisticated lighting
setup by positioning slave flash units
individually or in groups to function as
main, fill, accent, and other lights. Setting
your light ratios at dierent light outputs
to achieve specific looks gives you a
professional level of creative control.
SETTING UP SLAVE FLASH UNITS
To set up your slave flash units:
1. Turn on your slave flash and set it to
E-TTL and IR slave modes, as well as
the same group and channel as the
FreeWave IR Commander.
2. After setting your slave flash, mount
the flash and position it with its IR
sensor facing the Commander by
rotating the flash’s base.
For information on how to perform
these procedures with your particular
flash, refer to your flash’s manual.
Tip: You can combine multiple slave flashes
within the same group to fire simultaneously.

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When positioning wireless slaves to light
a subject, keep in mind the following:
• Make sure the Commander’s
transmitter is facing your flash’s
IR sensor and that there are no
obstructions between the two units
(see Turning On the FreeWave IR
Commander on page 12 for more).
• The eective communication
range between the FreeWave IR
Commander and your slave flash
units may vary, depending on the
ambient light.
• When photographing outdoors or in
bright ambient light, the sensors can
be overwhelmed by ambient light,
which will lower their sensitivity.