NEEWER VISION4 Studio Flash Instruction Manual

1. Applications

The VISION4 Studio Flash is suitable for various photographic and video applications, including:

• Broadcast Lighting
• Wedding Photography
• Portrait Photography
• Creative applications for video shooting

2. Safety Notes

• Please do not use the light in the rain or in a humid environment.
• Please secure cables to prevent tripping hazards.
• Please do not use chemicals or liquids to clean the light.

3. Flash Light Controls

The flash unit features the following controls:

• LCD Screen: Displays settings and status.
• Sync Jack: For wired triggering.
• Modeling Lamp: Controls the continuous light.
• Function Button [function button]: Navigates through menus and settings.
• Test Button: Fires the flash manually.
• Photocell: Detects light signals for triggering.
• Beeper: Audible indicator for flash readiness or errors.
• Adjustment Button []: Adjusts settings like power output, duration, etc.
• Power Switch: Turns the unit on/off.
• Umbrella Hole: For mounting umbrellas.

Charging Battery and Charging Indicator

AC Charge: Connect the 5.5mm plug to the battery's charging socket and the other end to a grounded outlet. The charger is designed for international use (AC 100-240V). A fully drained battery reaches full power after approximately 5 hours of charging.

Charging Indicator: The charger has a built-in LED indicator. Red indicates charging, and green indicates fully charged. Charging stops automatically when the battery is full.

How to Care for Flash Capacitor

To increase the service life and reliability of your flash, it is recommended to occasionally increase the power to maximum and leave the unit switched on (modeling lamp OFF) for at least 30 minutes if the unit has been unused for months or predominantly used at low power settings. This helps preserve the capacitor's life.

How to Care for Lithium Battery

• Charge the battery fully before first use.
• Switch off the unit after use or before storing.
• If stored for a long time, the battery will become exhausted; charge it every month.
• Do not drop batteries on hard surfaces.
• Do not incinerate or expose batteries to excessive heat, as they can explode.

4. Release Protective Cap

To remove the protective cap, push the latch knob back and rotate the cap counter-clockwise. Caution: Allow the flash unit to cool down before fitting the protective cap to avoid deformation.

Installing Reflector

Mount the reflector where the protective cap was. Align the reflector's struts with the unit's slots and rotate clockwise until locked. Always switch off the unit before fitting or changing reflectors. Be careful not to damage the flash tube when fitting or removing reflectors or softboxes, as the flash tube is very delicate. Do not touch the lamp with bare hands; use white cotton gloves or a clean cloth.

5. Three Kinds of Menu Modes

The studio flash has three menu modes:

• FIRST MENU: Power output, flash duration, continuous flashes, and flash frequency settings.
• SECOND MENU: Pre-flash setting, 2.4G radio channel setting, group function setting. Access by pressing the [function button] for 4 seconds.
• THIRD MENU: Special pre-flash settings. Access by pressing the [function button] for 8 seconds.

The display will return to the first menu if no button is pressed for 20 seconds, or by pressing the [function button] for 3 seconds.

Flash Light Output Power

The maximum output power is 300WS. Output power is variable over a 6-stop range (7 f-stop points) from full to 1/64. Adjust power by pressing the [adjustment button].

Stroboscopic Flashes

In the first menu, press the [function button] twice to switch to the "FREQ" page. Use the [adjustment button] to select the flash frequency, which is variable from 1 flash/second (1HZ) to 20 flashes/second (20HZ).

FP Extremely Short Flash Duration

The flash duration range is variable from F1 (1/1000s) to FP (1/10000s). In the first menu, press the [function button] once to switch to the "Fx" page. Use the [adjustment button] to select the correct flash duration. FP duration is used for shooting fast-moving objects at close distances.

Continuous Flashes

In the first menu, press the [function button] a third time to switch to the "Multix" page. Use the [adjustment button] to select the number of continuous flashes (3, 5, 7, 10, 12, or 15 times). This function allows multiple images to be integrated into one picture, good for photographing the trajectory of a moving object.

6. Photocell

Press the photocell button to turn the photocell ON or OFF. The photocell is active when the [eye symbol] is displayed. The unit will be triggered by detecting pre-flashes from master flashes or other nearby units. The number of pre-flashes can be adjusted from 1 to 7 times to enhance triggering accuracy and anti-jamming capabilities.

The photocell is located behind the red transparent cover on the top and back of the unit. Experiment with positioning for reliable triggering, especially if the cell is not in the direct line of sight. Avoid directly illuminating the photocell with continuous light sources.

7. Setting Pre-flashes

Press the [function button] for 4 seconds to enter the second page. The first page is the pre-flash setting "Cx", where "x" is the number of pre-flashes plus the main flash (1-7 times). Adjust this number using the [adjustment button].

• Photocell "0" (C0): Automatic recognition mode. Use the camera's flash and take a test exposure; the photocell detects and memorizes the number of flashes.
• Photocell "1" (C1): Unit autoflashes immediately when another flash is activated in the same area.
• Photocell "2" (C2): Unit autoflashes on the second detected flash, ignoring the first pre-flash.
• Photocell "3" (C3): Unit autoflashes on the third detected flash.
• Photocell "4" (C4): Unit autoflashes on the fourth detected flash.
• Photocell "5" (C5): Unit autoflashes on the fifth detected flash.
• Photocell "6" (C6): Unit autoflashes on the sixth detected flash.
• Photocell "7" (C7): Unit autoflashes on the seventh detected flash.

8. 2.4G Built-in Radio Receiver

The unit features a built-in 2.4G radio receiver with 16 optional channels. In the second menu, press the [function button] once to go to the "Chx" page and use the [adjustment button] to set the channel. The studio flash is only triggered when the transmitter and receiver are set to the same channel. To avoid interference, use different channels for different groups. A separate VC-816TX radio trigger is required to use this function.

Channel Setup: Match the channel code on the VISION4 Studio Flash (CH0-CH15) with the corresponding setup on the radio transmitter. The transmitter uses a tab system where tabs set to "ON" contribute to a channel value (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 8). The sum of these values determines the channel code.

9. Operating the Modeling Lamp

1. Press the modeling lamp button to turn the 13W LED modeling lamp ON or OFF.
2. To reduce energy consumption, the modeling lamp automatically turns off after 60 seconds.

10. Setting Pre-flashes Time Frame

Press the [function button] for 8 seconds to enter the third menu. The first page is the total time setting "tx", where "t" is the total time of all released pre-flashes plus the main flash, variable from 1 to 5 seconds. Set the value "t" between 1-5 to ensure all pre-flashes plus the main flash occur within the set timeframe.

Setting Pre-flashes Block Time: In the third menu, press the [function button] once to switch to the "bx" page to set the block time between two adjacent pre-flashes. This sets the minimum delay between each pre-flash. Set the value from 1 to 9 using the [adjustment button]. Default setting is b5.

Low Power Indicator: Appears on the screen when the lithium battery voltage is lower than 8.6V, reminding the user to charge the battery.

Protection Features

• Low Power Protection: The studio flash will produce an audible alarm when the battery is low. If not charged in time, the flash light will automatically cut off output power when the battery is lower than 8.5V, and the screen will go out.
• Overheating Protection: Continuous rapid firing may cause overheating and trigger the heat protection circuit. An alarm will sound; cool down the unit to a safe level to resume normal operation.

Installing Umbrella

An umbrella with a handle diameter of 8mm can be secured in the umbrella holder. Press the umbrella shaft firmly through the holder and use the locking knob. When using the standard reflector, fit the umbrella into the hole of the reflector.

11. Changing Flash Tube

Discharge the Flash Unit: Ensure the unit is ON. Push the red "TEST" button, then immediately turn off the power switch. Do not allow more than 1/2 second between pressing "TEST" and turning off the power. Remove the battery before removing the flash tube. Wait at least 30 minutes before touching/removing the flash tube. Use white cotton gloves or a clean cloth.

Remove Old Flash Tube: Remove the reflector. Unhook the retention spring wrapped around the top of the flash tube using needle-nose pliers. Grip the base of the flash tube and carefully pull it out.

Install New Flash Tube:

1. Align the pins on the new flash tube with the pin receptacles and push them in firmly.
2. Wrap the wire around the hook.
3. Wrap the wire around the flash tube for one circle.
4. Wrap the wire on the hook again.
5. Using needle-nose pliers, gently pull the wire upward until tight.
6. Cover the retention spring over the wire and hook the loop at the top of the flash tube.

12. Specifications of Flash Light