Introduction
The Ambitful AF970 Speedlight is a high-performance, high-compatibility, and high-power flash unit designed for various camera systems. It features a built-in 2.4G wireless receiver, multiple flash modes, and flexible shooting angles to enhance your photography lighting. This manual provides detailed instructions for setting up, operating, and maintaining your AF970 Speedlight.
Package Contents
Please check the box for the following items:
Image: Package contents of the AF970 Speedlight.
- Flash Unit (x1)
- Mini Stand (x1)
- Diffuser (x1)
- Storage Bag (x1)
- Warranty Card & Certificate (x1)
Setup
1. Battery Installation
The AF970 Speedlight requires 4x AA batteries (Alkaline or Ni-MH are usable). To install:
- Open the battery compartment cover located on the side of the flash unit.
- Insert 4 AA batteries, ensuring correct polarity (+/-).
- Close the battery compartment cover securely.
Image: Battery compartment and hot shoe detail.
2. Mounting to Camera
The AF970 Speedlight is equipped with a universal hot shoe for mounting onto compatible cameras.
- Slide the speedlight's hot shoe onto your camera's hot shoe mount.
- Secure the flash unit by rotating the lock mechanism (if present) or tightening the mounting screw.
Compatibility Note: The AF970 is compatible with hot shoe interfaces for Canon, Nikon, Panasonic Lumix, Olympus, Pentax, and Fujifilm cameras. It is not suitable for Sony cameras.
Image: Examples of compatible hot shoe interfaces.
Important Caveat for Canon Cameras: Canon models 1500D, 3000D, and 200D Mark II have cancelled the hot shoe in the middle of the universal contact. These models cannot use the single-contact universal hot shoe flash and flash guide. For these specific Canon models, a dedicated hot shoe interface X1 flash trigger may be required.
Image: Universal contacts vs. no universal contacts on hot shoes.
Operating Modes
The AF970 Speedlight offers several operating modes to suit different shooting requirements:
Image: Flash mode descriptions.
- M (Manual Flash) Mode: Allows you to manually adjust the flash power from 1/128 to 1/1 in 8 stops, with two fine-tuning compensation steps per stop. This mode provides precise control over light output according to your shooting environment.
- S1 (Receive Flash) Mode: The flash acts as a slave unit, triggered by the main flash from another unit. It receives signals from the main light source to emit a flash.
- S2 (Receive Flash) Mode: Similar to S1, but designed to ignore the pre-flash of a master flash unit, effectively preventing premature triggering in situations where the master flash emits a pre-flash for exposure measurement.
- Multi (Repeating Flash/Strobe) Mode: This mode uses a slow shutter for continuous shooting, capturing the continuous movement of an object in a dark environment. The flash fires multiple times during a single exposure, creating a series of staggered and orderly impacts that are usually not observable.
Image: Multi Flash Mode in action, capturing continuous movement.
To switch between modes, press the "MODE" button on the flash unit.
Features
- Built-in 2.4G Wireless X System: The AF970 features a built-in 2.4G wireless receiver, allowing it to be easily triggered wirelessly with a compatible flash trigger. This enables flexible multi-flash setups.
- LCD Screen: A liquid crystal digital display provides precise parameter control, offering 24 brightness fine-tuning steps for accurate light adjustment.
- Fresnel Lens: Designed for stronger focus and uniform light emission, ensuring no significant difference in brightness at the four corners of the frame.
- Optical Receiver: Equipped with its own light control receiver, the flash can be triggered by the main light source at any time, facilitating light-controlled flash triggering.
- Flexible Shooting Angle: The flash head can be rotated vertically from 0 to 90 degrees and horizontally from 0 to 270 degrees, allowing for a variety of angles to fill light and improve shooting efficiency.
- Quick Recycle Time: Full power output recycle time is approximately 2.9 seconds (with new batteries).
- High-Speed Continuous Shooting Support: Supports high-speed continuous shooting at 1/16 brightness and below (up to 12 frames per second).
- Power-Saving Mode: The backlight turns off after 20 seconds of inactivity. The CPU automatically enters sleep mode after 60 seconds and shuts down after 30 minutes of no operation.
- Overheat Protection: Built-in temperature detection prevents overheating during extended use.
- Second-Curtain Sync Support: Allows for creative effects by firing the flash at the end of a slow shutter exposure, useful for capturing motion trails.
Image: 2.4G Wireless X System setup.
Image: LCD screen displaying flash power settings.
Image: Fresnel lens and optical receiver details.
Image: Flexible shooting angle demonstration.
Maintenance
To ensure the longevity and optimal performance of your Ambitful AF970 Speedlight, follow these maintenance guidelines:
- Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the exterior of the flash unit. For the flash tube and LCD screen, use a lens cleaning cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials.
- Battery Care: Remove batteries when the flash is not in use for extended periods to prevent leakage. Use high-quality AA alkaline or Ni-MH rechargeable batteries.
- Storage: Store the speedlight in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and high humidity. Use the provided storage bag for protection.
- Hot Shoe Contacts: Keep the hot shoe contacts clean and free from dust or debris to ensure proper communication with your camera.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues with your AF970 Speedlight, refer to the following common problems and solutions:
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Flash does not fire |
|
|
| Flash fires but exposure is incorrect |
|
|
| Flash overheats and stops working |
|
|
| Wireless triggering not working |
|
|
Specifications
The following are the technical specifications for the Ambitful AF970 Speedlight:
Image: Detailed specifications table.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | AF970 |
| Guide Number | 35 meters (ISO 100, 35mm focal length) |
| Circuit Design | Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) |
| Flash Mode | M / MULTI (Repeating) / S1 / S2 |
| Zoom Range | 35mm |
| Vertical Rotation Angle | 0 to 90 degrees |
| Horizontal Rotation Angle | 0 to 270 degrees |
| Power Supply | 4x AA Batteries (Alkaline or Ni-MH) |
| Flash Control | 8 steps (1/128-1/1) |
| Recycle Time | 0.1-5s |
| Lighting Time | 100-1500 times (using AA alkaline cell, 2800mAh Battery) |
| Color Temperature | 5600K±100K |
| Flash Duration | 1/200s ~ 1/20000s |
| Wireless Flash | S1, S2 |
| Wireless Triggering Distance | 20-30m indoor, 10-15m outdoor |
| Additional Functions | PC synchronous, Sniff mode, Over temperature protection, Test Button, Light Flash, 2.4G Wireless Flash |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 60 x 205 x 75mm |
| Net Weight | 390g |
Image: Physical dimensions of the speedlight.
User Tips
- Experiment with Modes: Don't hesitate to try out the different flash modes (M, S1, S2, Multi) to understand their effects and find the best one for your specific shooting scenario.
- Wireless Setup: For off-camera flash, ensure your wireless trigger and the AF970 Speedlight are set to the same channel and group for reliable communication.
- Battery Life: Always carry spare AA batteries or fully charged Ni-MH batteries, especially during long shooting sessions, as flash units consume power quickly.
- Diffuser Use: Use the included diffuser to soften the light and reduce harsh shadows, which is particularly useful for portrait photography or close-up shots.
- Angle Adjustment: Utilize the flexible rotation of the flash head to bounce light off ceilings or walls for a softer, more natural lighting effect.
Warranty and Support
The Ambitful AF970 Speedlight comes with a warranty as specified by the manufacturer. Please refer to the Warranty Card included in your package for details on coverage and terms. For technical support or service inquiries, please contact your retailer or the Ambitful customer service department.
