Godox THINKLITE Camera Flash TT520III
About This Instruction Manual
This manual is based on the assumption that both the camera and camera flash's power switches are turned on.
The following alert symbols are used in this manual:
▲ The caution symbol indicates a warning to prevent shooting problems.
ℹ️ The note symbol gives supplemental information.
Foreword
Thank you for purchasing!
Main Features
- 8 steps of power adjustable from 1/128 to 1/1 full power with ±1/3 increment in manual mode.
- Support S1/S2 photocell, workable as a secondary flash in multi-flash system.
- Wireless triggering is available with the standard transmitter.
- Flash head is vertically adjustable from -7° to 120°, horizontally adjustable from 0° to 330°.
- Built-in reflector and wide-angle diffuser for unlimited creativity.
Important Safety Instructions
This product is a professional photographic equipment, to be operated by professional personnel only. All transport protective materials and packaging on the product must be removed before use. The following basic safety precautions must be followed when using this product:
- Carefully read and fully understand the instruction manual before use and strictly follow the safety instructions. Failure to do so may result in death, serious injury, damage to the product, or other property damage.
- This product is a professional lighting fixture, children are prohibited from using it. Children must be closely supervised by adults when approaching the fixture, to prevent collisions with the fixture or unauthorized use that could cause personal injury.
- This is not an ordinary lighting fixture and must not be used for general illumination. Anyone with a history of eye damage or sensitivity should avoid using this fixture or looking directly at it; patients with photosensitive epilepsy are prohibited to use.
- Extreme caution must be exercised when using it, do not touch high-temperature parts such as flash tubes to avoid burns.
- Do not point the flash directly at the eyes (especially baby's eyes) under any circumstances, as this could impair vision in a short time. Turn off immediately if discomfort occurs, stop using, and seek medical attention promptly.
- If the flash tube is damaged, stop using it immediately and contact the manufacturer, service agent, or qualified repair personnel for a replacement to prevent accidents.
- Stop using immediately if the product shell is cracked due to falling, squeezing, or strong impact, to avoid touching the internal electronic components and getting an electric shock.
- Disconnect power source or remove batteries (if it has one) before replacing flash tube, protective glass, or fuses. Allow 10 minutes to cool before replacing flash tube, and wear insulated or heat resistant gloves when operating.
- This device is not waterproof. Keep it dry and avoid immersing it in water or other liquids. It should be installed in a ventilated and dry location and avoid using in rainy, humid, dusty, or overheated environments. Do not place items above the device or allow liquids to flow into it to prevent danger.
- Do not disassemble without authorization. If the product malfunctions, it must be inspected and repaired by our company or authorized repair personnel.
- Do not place the device near alcohol, gasoline, or other flammable volatile solvents or gases such as methane and ethane.
- Do not use or store this device in potentially explosive environments.
- Maintain at least 1 meter distance between the lamp head and the user, other people, and heat-sensitive or flammable items during and after use.
- Do not cover the heat dissipation port!
- Do not use accessories not been approved by our company, as this may cause fire, electric shock or personal injury.
- Clean gently with a dry cloth. Do not use a wet cloth as it may damage the device.
- This product is powered by AA batteries. Please note:
- Use only the batteries or power sources specified in the instruction manual.
- Keep batteries and other small accessories out of the reach of children and infants. If a battery or small accessory is accidentally swallowed, seek medical attention immediately.
- If the battery leaks, changes color, deforms, smokes or emits an unusual smell, remove the battery immediately. Be careful during operation to avoid burns. Continued use may cause fire, electric shock, or skin burns.
- Do not use any deformed or modified batteries.
- Do not disassemble or modify the product or battery.
- Avoid heating, welding, exposing the battery to fire or water.
- Avoid strong impacts on the battery.
- Do not mismatch positive and negative terminals of the battery, or mix old and new or different types of batteries.
- Confirm and comply with all relevant local laws and regulations when handling any batteries.
- This instruction manual is based on rigorous testing. Changes in design and specifications are subject to change without notice. Check official website for latest instruction manual and product updates.
- The warranty period for this device as a whole is one year.
- Unauthorized repairs will void the warranty and will incur charges.
- Failures from improper operation is not covered under warranty.
Name of Parts
Camera Flash TT520III
1. Reflector: Used for reflecting light.
2. Wide-angle Panel: Pull out to enlarge flash lighting range for softer, more natural lighting.
3. Flash Head: The main lighting component.
4. Wireless Sensor: Receives wireless signals.
5. External Power Box Port: For connecting an external power box (e.g., PB960, sold separately).
6. Sync Cord Jack: Connects the camera to the flash via a sync cord for triggering.
7. Hot Shoe: Mounts the flash onto the camera's hot shoe.
8. Hot Shoe Lock Ring: Secures the flash to the hot shoe.
9. Test Button: Short press to fire a test flash.
10. Power - Button: Decreases power output.
11. Power + Button: Increases power output.
12. Mode Button: Short press to switch between S1/S2 photocell modes. Long press to turn wireless triggering on/off.
13. ON/OFF Button: Powers the flash unit on or off.
14. Channel: For wireless triggering, the channel code on the RT transmitter and TT520III must match.
15. Battery Compartment: Slides down to open; insert four AA batteries.
16. Display: Shows current settings and status.
RT Transmitter
1. Hot Shoe: Mounts the transmitter onto the camera.
2. Channel Code: Sets the wireless channel.
3. Sync Cord Jack: For connecting a sync cord.
4. Indicator: Shows status.
5. Test Button: Fires a test flash.
Installing/Disassembling the Camera Flash
Installing the Camera Flash
Slide the hot shoe on the camera flash and insert it into the camera's hot shoe base. Rotate the lock ring clockwise until the flash is securely locked.
Disassembling the Camera Flash
Rotate the lock ring anticlockwise until it is loosened, then carefully remove the camera flash.
Installing the Battery
Slide and open the battery compartment according to the arrow direction. Insert four batteries, ensuring correct positive (+) and negative (-) poles (refer to figure 2 for pole indicators). Finally, slide the battery compartment closed according to the arrow direction (figure 3).
Attention:
- Take care of hot batteries when changing them after continuous flashes.
- Remove batteries when the flash unit is idle to prevent leakage that could damage the unit.
Operation
Power On/Off
Switch the ON/OFF button to ON to power on the flash. Switch to OFF to power it off.
M: Manual Flash
The flash output is adjustable from 1/128 to 1/1 full power in ±1/3 increment steps. To achieve correct flash exposure, use a hand-held flash meter to determine the required flash output. Press the power '-' button or power '+' button to adjust the power.
Photocell Settings
Press the MODE button to switch between S1 photocell and S2 photocell. The display will not show the S1 or S2 icon when the photocell function is turned off.
S1 Photocell Unit Setting
This flash can function as an S1 secondary flash using its optic sensor. It fires synchronously with the main flash's first flash, similar to using wireless triggers, creating multiple lighting effects.
S2 Photocell Unit Setting
This flash can also function as an S2 secondary flash using its optic sensor. This mode is useful when cameras have a pre-flash function. The flash will ignore a single "pre-flash" from the main flash and will only fire in response to the second, actual flash.
Wireless Triggering
Wireless On/Off
Press and hold the MODE button for 2 seconds to turn the wireless function on or off. The wireless icon ( wireless symbol ) will appear on the display when the function is on and disappear when it is off.
Wireless Triggering
Triggering flash is available when the channels of the RT transmitter and TT520III are set to the same channel after the wireless function is turned on.
Photography Techniques
Bounce Flash
By pointing the flash head toward a wall or ceiling, the flash will bounce off the surface before illuminating the subject. This softens shadows behind the subject for a more natural-looking shot. To set the bounce direction, hold the flash head and turn it to a satisfying angle (vertically adjustable from -7° to 120°, horizontally adjustable from 0° to 330°).
Note:
- If the wall or ceiling is too far away, the bounced flash might be too weak and result in underexposure.
- The wall or ceiling should be a plain, white color for high reflectance. If the bounce surface is not white, a color cast may appear in the picture.
Use Reflector to Take Photos
Pull out the built-in reflector and wide-angle diffuser from the flash head simultaneously, then push the wide-angle diffuser back. This technique creates a highlighted point in the subject's eyes (catchlights), making them appear more charming. This function achieves optimal effect when the flash head is tilted up 90°.
Use Wide-angle Diffuser to Take Photos
Pull out the built-in wide-angle diffuser to enlarge the flash lighting range, resulting in a softer and more natural lighting effect.
Over-Temperature Protection
To prevent overheating and damage to the flash head:
- Do not fire more than 40 continuous flashes in rapid succession at 1/1 full power. After 40 continuous flashes, allow a rest time of at least 10 minutes.
- If more than 40 continuous flashes are fired, and then more flashes are fired in short intervals, the internal over-temperature protection function may activate, increasing the recycle time to over 10 seconds. If this occurs, allow a rest time of about 10 minutes for the flash unit to return to normal.
Number of flashes that will activate over-temperature protection:
| Power Output Level | Number of Flashes |
|---|---|
| 1/1 | 40 |
| 1/2 | 66 |
| 1/4 | 100 |
| 1/8 | 133 |
| 1/16 | 200 |
| 1/32 | 266 |
| 1/64 | 400 |
| 1/128 | 800 |
Power Saving Mode
With the power saving function, the flash automatically enters power saving mode after 30 minutes of idle use when mounted onto a camera. In wireless flash or photocell mode, it enters power saving mode after 60 minutes of idle use. Pressing any flash button will wake it up.
Channel Instructions
Set the Channel Code on the RT transmitter and TT520III to the same channel for wireless triggering.
| Channel | CH01 | CH02 | CH03 | CH04 | CH05 | CH06 | CH07 | CH08 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code | ON | ON | ON | ON | ON | ON | ON | ON |
| Channel | CH09 | CH10 | CH11 | CH12 | CH13 | CH14 | CH15 | CH16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code | ON | ON | ON | ON | ON | ON | ON | ON |
Technical Data
Camera Flash
| Model | TT520III |
| GN | Approx.33 (ISO 100, in meters) |
| Photocell | S1/S2 |
| Vertically Rotatable Flash Angle | -7°~120° |
| Horizontally Rotatable Flash Angle | 0°~330° |
| Battery | Four AA NIMH batteries (recommended)/LR6 alkaline batteries |
| Flash Duration (t0.1) | 1/510s~1/31000s |
| Time of Flashes (1/1 step) | Approx. 400 (NIMH batteries) |
| Recycle Time (1/1 step) | Approx. 1.8s (NIMH batteries) |
| Channel | 16 groups |
| Wireless Frequency | 433MHz |
| Wireless Transmission Distance (Max.) | Approx. 15m |
| Dimension | 182×74×72mm (7.17"×2.91"×2.83") |
| Net Weight | Approx. 304g |
RT Transmitter
| Model | RT-16 |
| Power Source | 23A(12V)Li-ion battery |
| Wireless Transmission Distance (Max.) | Approx. 20m (indoor)/Approx. 30m (outdoor) |
| Wireless Frequency | 433MHz |
| Dimension | 60×42×30mm (2.36"×1.65"×1.18") |
| Net Weight | Approx. 31g |
Specifications and data may subject to changes without notice.
Warranty and Service Information
Product Warranty
This warranty card is an important certificate for applying for maintenance service. Please fill in the following form in coordination with the seller and keep it safe.
Product Information
| Model: | |
| Product Code Number: |
Customer Information
| Name: | |
| Address: | |
| Contact Number: |
Seller Information
| Name: | |
| Address: | |
| Contact Number: | |
| Date of Sale: |
Note: This form shall be sealed by the seller.
Applicable Products
This document applies to products listed in the Product Maintenance Information. Other products or accessories (e.g., promotional items, giveaways, and additional accessories) are not included in this warranty scope.
Warranty Period
The warranty period is implemented according to the relevant Product Maintenance Information. It is calculated from the date of first purchase, which is registered on the warranty card.
How to Get the Maintenance Service
Contact the product distributor or authorized service institutions. You can also contact the Godox after-sale service. Provide a valid warranty card for service. If a valid card cannot be provided, service may be offered upon confirmation that the product is within the maintenance scope, but this is not an obligation.
Inapplicable Cases
The guarantee and service are not applicable in the following cases:
- Product or accessory has expired its warranty period.
- Breakage or damage caused by inappropriate usage, maintenance, or preservation (e.g., improper packing, usage, plugging/unplugging equipment, falling, squeezing, improper temperature, solvents, acids, bases, water immersion, or damp environments).
- Breakage or damage caused by non-authorized installation, maintenance, alteration, addition, or detachment.
- Original identifying information of the product or accessory has been modified, altered, or removed.
- No valid warranty card.
- Breakage or damage caused by using illegally authorized, nonstandard, or non-public released software.
- Breakage or damage caused by force majeure or accident.
- Breakage or damage not attributable to the product itself.
In such cases, seek solutions from the responsible parties; Godox assumes no responsibility. Damage caused by parts, accessories, or software beyond the warranty period or scope is not covered. Normal wear, discoloration, abrasion, and consumption are not considered product defects.
Maintenance and Service Support Information
| Product Type | Name | Maintenance Period(month) | Warranty Service Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parts | Circuit board | 12 | Customer sends the product to designated site |
| Parts | Battery | 3 | Customer sends the product to designated site |
| Parts | Electrical parts (e.g., battery charger, etc.) | 12 | Customer sends the product to designated site |
| Other Items | Power cord, sync cable, lamp body, lamp cover, locking device, package, etc. | No | Without warranty |
Contact Information
Shenzhen Godox Photo Equipment Co., Ltd.
Address: Building 2, Yaochuan Industrial Zone, Tangwei Community, Fuhai Street, Bao'an District, Shenzhen 518103, China
Tel: +86-755-29609320(8062)
Fax: +86-755-25723423
E-mail: godox@godox.com
Website: www.godox.com
Wechat Official Account: 神牛微信公众号
Made in China
Model: 705-TT5203-00
Certifications: UK CA, CE, FC
GODOX Photo Equipment Co.,Ltd.
