Vivitar Camera Flash VIV DF 183 User Manual

AF TTL Flash  
INSTRUCTION MANUAL  
VIV-DF-183  
 
WHAT TO DO WHEN SERVICE IS NEEDED  
STEP 1. Package the product and relevant accessories carefully, using ample padding materials and a sturdy  
mailing container to prevent damage in transit.  
STEP 2. Include in package:  
a) Evidence of date and place of original purchase (for example, a copy of your sales receipt).  
b) Detailed description of your problem.  
c) When possible, a sample evidencing the problem.  
STEP 3. Return item (insured) to: Vivitar  
Attn: Technical Support  
195 Carter Drive  
Edison NJ 08817  
When service is complete, the product will be returned to you shipping prepaid. In the event the product is  
deemed to be not faulty or the defect is a result in wear and tear, Vivitar may levy a handling charge for the  
return ofthe product. This warranty gives you speciꢀc legal rights. You may also have other rights which vary  
Technical Support  
FAQ’s at the website. Can’t ꢀnd what you are looking for? E-mail us at [email protected] and one of our  
technical support team members will answer your questions or call 800-592-9541 to access our technical  
support information on the phone.  
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Introduction  
Congratulations on your purchase of the Vivitar VIV-DF-183 flash unit. This electronic flash  
is innovatively designed for both digital cameras and film cameras, with advanced  
technology used to control the correct amount of light output. Please kindly take a few  
minutes to read this instruction manual before using.  
Compatibility  
The VIV-DF-183 flash comes in six different varieties, each compatible with different  
cameras. Check to make sure the flash that you have is compatible with your camera.  
VIV-DF-183-CAN - Compatible with Canon Digital E-TTL, E-TTL II cameras & E-TTL film cameras  
VIV-DF-183-NIK  
- Compatible with Nikon Digital TTL, i-TTL cameras & TTL, i-TTL film cameras  
VIV-DF-183-OLY - Compatible with Olympus Digital TTL cameras  
VIV-DF-183-PANA - Compatible with Panasonic Digital TTL cameras  
VIV-DF-183-PEN - Compatible with Pentax Digital P-TTL & film cameras  
VIV-DF-183-SON - Compatible with Sony Alpha & Konica Minolta Digital ADI, D Lenses cameras & TTL film cameras  
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Features  
The VIV-DF-183 has the following features:  
• A red focus assist beam for low light focusing  
• An automatic shutter speed setting  
• A flash readiness indication  
• A five position tilted reflector  
• Red-eye reduction (for VIV-DF-NIK, OLY, PANA and PEN units)  
• Front and rear curtain synchronization  
• A Power saving function  
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Specifications  
Guide Number (ISO 100)  
20(m)/66(ft)  
Five Position Tilted Reflector  
Power Source  
0°/45°/60°/75°/90°  
2 x 1.5V AA size batt. (R6, LR6)  
1/2,000 - 1/40,000 sec.  
0.3 - 10 sec. with fresh batteries  
100 times with fresh batteries  
Approx. 65 - 54 - 98mm  
Approx. 127 g  
Flash Duration  
Recycling Time  
Number of Flashes  
Dimensions  
Weight w/o batt.  
Specifications are subject to change without notice.  
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A Quick Look at Your Device  
Tilted Reflector  
Type SON Mounting Foot  
Red Light  
Mounting Foot  
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A Quick Look at Your Device (continued)  
DF-183  
Battery Compartment  
Cover  
Auto OK  
Test/Ready  
ON/OFF Switch  
Lock Button  
Shoe Release Button  
Type CAN  
Type PEN  
-7-  
 
Inserting Batteries into Your Flash  
• Turn the ON/OFF switch to the OFF position.  
• Slide the battery compartment cover open.  
• Insert 2 AA batteries as indicated by the symbols in  
the battery compartment.  
• Close the battery compartment cover.  
Caution: Make sure your batteries are inserted with  
the correct polarity (+,-). Replace each battery one at  
a time and make sure that the batteries you are using  
are of the same brand and type with the same  
capacity.  
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Mounting Your Flash to Your Camera and Removing It  
Mounting Your Flash to Your Camera  
• For Type CAN, NIK, OLY, PANA and PEN flashes:  
Release the Lock button. Insert the mounting foot of  
the flash unit into the camera's accessory shoe clip.  
Press the Lock button to fasten the flash unit to your  
camera.  
• For Type SON flash: Insert the mounting foot of the  
flash unit into the camera's accessory shoe. Then the  
flash unit is locked in place.  
Removing the Flash from Your Camera  
For Type CAN, NIK, OLY, PANA & PEN flashes: Press both sides of the Shoe Release  
button towards the direction indicated by the arrow symbols. Then remove the flashby  
pulling it backwards, away from the camera.  
For Type SON flash: Push the Shoe Release button and pull the flash off backwards,  
away from the camera.  
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Operating Your Flash and Running a Test Flash  
Slide the ON/OFF switch to the "ON" position. After a few seconds  
the Test/Ready lamp should illuminate, indicating that the flash is  
ready to use. Press the Test/Ready button to make sure that your  
flash works properly. If the flash discharges, it should be working  
properly. Wait until the Ready lamp glows again to use once more.  
Adjust your camera to the appropriate setting. Most cameras should  
be set to the program position (see your camera's manual for details  
on flash synchronization.) When the flash is ready to fire, it will  
automatically match the camera's shutter speed. The flash readiness  
indicator will appear on the camera. Different camera models indicate  
flash readiness in different ways (see your camera's manual).  
Point the digital camera at the subject and focus. Press the shutter  
button on the digital camera half way down to check the image. Then  
press the shutter button all the way down firmly. The Auto OK  
indicator will light when the picture is exposed correctly.  
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AF/TTL Operation  
AF - AUTO FOCUS  
If the camera is compatible with an external AF mode, when the shutter button is pressed  
half way down, the focus assist light is automatically activated to help the camera focus  
properly when the subject is in darkness.  
TTL  
The flash performs pre-flashes for cameras to calculate the intensity of flash light output.  
Therefore the flash light output is controlled automatically.  
-For Nikon D40 & D40x owners: The flash can support an ISO speed up to 800 in full auto  
mode. It may not perform as expected if the ISO speed exceeds the supported range.  
Red-Eye Reduction (Type NIK, OLY, PANA and PEN)  
The red-eye reduction function reduces any red-eye problems by emitting pre-flashes  
before the main flash. To setup this function, please refer to your camera’s instruction  
manual.  
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Front and Rear Curtain Synchronization  
Some cameras offer the option of rear curtain synchronization (Rear mode) triggering the  
flash unit at the end of the exposure time. Rear curtain synchronization is particularly  
advantageous when using slow shutter speeds (slower than 1/30 sec.) or when shooting  
moving objects that have their own source of light. Rear curtain synchronization gives a  
more realistic impression of movement because the light streaks behind the light source  
instead of building up in front of it, as is the case when the flash is synchronized with the  
front shutter curtain. Depending on its operation mode, the camera uses shutter speeds  
slower than its sync speed.  
For Type PEN flash: You could select the synchronization mode as either front curtain (  
)
or rear curtain (  
) at the back of the flash. The flash will fire according to the mode  
selected to match with the camera shutter.  
For Type CAN, NIK, OLY, PANA, SON flashes: The camera controls front or rear curtain  
synchronization, therefore no setting is required to be changed on the flash.  
Note: The rear curtain synchronization is only possible on cameras with this feature. See  
your camera’s instruction manual for details.  
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Bounce Photography  
Using direct a flash to illuminate a subject will result in harsh,  
unnatural and unattractive shadows. This can be avoided by  
using bounce flash. The head of your flash can be tilted to an  
angle of 45°, 60°, 75°, or 90°. You can tilt the flash head to  
bounce the light off the ceiling or walls. While shooting indoors,  
this technique can help to create more natural looking pictures  
of people with softer shadows.  
In order to have your pictures correctly exposed using bounce  
flash, it is recommended to follow the steps below:  
(1) Select white or reflective surfaces to bounce the light off. Otherwise your pictures will  
come with an unnatural color cast similar to that of the reflecting surface.  
(2) Set the camera’s exposure mode to Aperture Priority Auto (“A”) or Manual (“M”).  
(3) Use a wider aperture than normal, as 2 or 3 stops of light can be lost when using  
bounce flash.  
-13-  
 
Power Saving Functions  
If there is no communication between the flash and your camera for about three minutes,  
the flash will automatically be switched to power saving mode in order save battery power.  
-The Ready light will be off while in power saving mode.  
-To reactivate the flashgun, simply press your camera’s shutter button or switch the main  
switch off and on again.  
-The flashgun is not completely switched off in power saving mode. However, power  
consumption is drastically reduced. If you are not going to use your flashgun for a while,  
we recommend you to turn the flash off.  
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Maintenance and Tips for Taking Better Photos  
When not in use, switch the unit off. Take the  
batteries out when the flash is being stored or when it  
will be carried for a long time. Keep your flash away  
from dust and moisture to prolong its life.  
The flash should not be exposed to moisture or  
liquids.  
Batteries should not be exposed to excessive heat  
from sunshine, fire or the like.  
Never try to open or repair your flash since the  
electronic circuit inside carries a high voltage. If your  
flash needs repair or does not work properly, please  
contact a qualified repair service.  
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