Please help explain this Quantaray flash

[scobols]

OK, I know this flash doesn't compare to a 580EX, but it's all I could afford now. My problem is it did not come with any manual at all.

I don't understand the settings. Do I set it for the ISO I am using? Then what? What do the blue, yellow, and green lines represent. Help - how do I use it correctly?

Thanks,
Scott

[PacAce]

Yes, set the ISO to match what the camera is set to (or vice versa).

The color-coded lines tell you what apertures you can use in auto mode and the distances each auto setting is good for. In order to use the flash in auto mode, you need to select one of three auto-mode settings based on the aperture and/or the distance you want to work with.

Although you don't show it, there should be a switch someplace on the flash that allows you to select the Green, Blue, or the Orange auto setting.

You would set the camera to the appropriate aperture depending on which mode you selected. For example, with the flash set the way you have it in the photo, if you select the Orange auto setting, you would set the aperture to f/11. And your working distance will be from 5 ft. to just over 20 ft.

Set the shutter speed to anything between 1/60 and the max sync speed of the camera.

That's all there is to it. You may need to fine tune the aperture setting so get the exposure the way you really want it.

[scobols]

Here is a picture of the whole back side. I cannot find any switch to select which color to use.

[PacAce]

Now that I see the whole back, it looks like it's not an auto flash as I had initially thought it was. It looks like it's a dedicated flash, for the Canon, maybe? How many pins does it have? 5? If so, then it's definitely a dedicated flash although I can't say for sure if it's for a Canon even though it is labeled "E-TTL". The "CN Digital" marking could indicate that it's for a Canon.

[scobols]

Yes, it is for a Canon. I use it on my Rebel XT.

[PacAce]

In ETTL mode, there really isn't anything you need to do with the flash since everything is automated by the camera. I guess the ISO slider is there just so you can see on the chart what your working distances would be based on the ISO and apeture you are using. But I don't think it affects the flash operation any. A good way to find out is the set the ISO switch to both extremes on the flash and see if the flash pictures is affected at all (don't do anything to the ISO on the camera, though).

[scobols]

Thank you for all of the information - it really helps me out.
Scott

[Wilt]

It is not possible to see what the 3 switches are for, even if I enlarge in in Photoshop and increase the brightness and contrast. Could you describe the engraved markings for each of the three buttons, especially the right switch? (the center one is probably an Open Flash button (manual flash trigger).

From the label, one can see that there are 4 settings for zoom of the flashhead, to correspond with different area of coverage seen with different lenses.

[Curtis N]

My best guess is, that flash is sold with different modules (The module is the bottom part of the unit, with the red light on the front). You have the Canon E-TTL module, which appears to be an E-TTL only flash unit with no adjustments or manual capability, similar to the Canon 420EX. You'll need to adjust the exposure of your shots with Flash Exposure Compensation on the camera as needed.

The ISO slider and other numbers on top are more of a guide for use with a non-dedicated automatic module, which (if you had one) would have a switch to choose between different automatic settings. Like Leo mentioned, if you set the ISO slider to match your camera, the distance indicated below your aperture is the maximum distance for direct flash.

The switch on the right is for turning the smaller, secondary light on or off. Its purpose is to provide a bit of direct light when you're bouncing the flash. If you get redeye problems when you use it, turn it off. It doesn't make the flash more powerful.