Table of Contents 1. Getting to Know the Cactus V6 IIs 2. Cautions and Warnings 3. Major Specifications 4. Package Contents 5. Nomenclature 6. LCD Panel 7. Compatibility 8. TTL Pass-through 9. Getting Started 10. Flash Profile: Auto Detect and Customization 11. Flash Triggering 12. Remote Manual Power Control 13. High Speed Synchronization 14. Camera Shutter Release 15. Advanced Operations 16. Personalizing the V6 17. Working with Cactus Gear 18. LED Signal Guide 19. USB Connection 20.
1. Cross-brand wireless manual power control of Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, and Pentax flashes with Cactus V6 II; 2. Two cross-brand high-speed sync modes: Normal HSS and Power Sync; - Normal HSS supports shutter speeds up to 1/8000s; - Power Sync boosts flash contribution above x-sync shutter; 3. Rear curtain sync and slow sync supported; 4. Multi-master supports up to 16 photographers firing the same set of flashes at their own power setting; 5.
1.3 Auto and Model-Specific Flash Profiles Each flash model has its individual power level characteristics. In V6 IIs, we have profiled them in two ways: 1. System-specific Auto Flash Profiles: The default ‘Auto’ profile of the V6 IIs will work with all Sony flash models with the MI hot shoe; 2. Model-specific Profiles: For more accurate power output, users can choose from the V6 IIs menu the flash profile that would work perfectly with the specific flash model.
Before using your V6 IIs, read the following safety precautions to ensure correct and safe use: 1. Turn OFF all your equipment (e.g., Cactus units, flash units, cameras, etc.) before changing batteries or making connections. Observe the correct polarity when changing batteries. There is a danger of explosion if the batteries are installed incorrectly. 2. Switch off the transceiver and remove batteries during storage. 3. Do not permanently store the product in a high temperature environment (i.e.
4. Package Contents (image) V6 IIs Transceiver (image) Flash Stand FS-2 (image) Album & User Manual 5.
TRIPOD MOUNT MULTI-SYSTEM SHOE (MALE) HOT SHOE LOCK LEVER SELECTION DIAL OK BUTTON MENU BUTTON LED STATUS INDICATOR BATTERY DOOR 6. LCD Panel 6.1 TX Mode BATTERY INDICATOR GROUP CHANNEL POWER LEVEL POWER LEVEL INCREMENT 6.
BATTERY INDICATOR GROUP POWER LEVEL POWER LEVEL INCREMENT SELECTED FLASH PROFILE WIRELESS SENSITIVITY CHANNEL DELAY TIMER RELAY MODE INDICATOR SLAVE MODE INDICATOR 7. Compatibility The Cactus V6 IIs is both a wireless flash trigger and wireless remote control. While it triggers both portable flashes and studio strobe lights, it also supports remote control features with selected flash models. 7.1 Flash & Studio Strobes 7.1.
strobes. For studio flashes to work with high-speed sync, they have to maintain a flash duration of 1/100 second or longer. Caution: Flashes or strobes with reversed polarity connectors DO NOT WORK with the Cactus V6 series. 7.2 Cameras The Cactus V6 IIs works with practically all cameras that come with either (1) a Sony MI hot shoe. To use the V6 II as a wireless shutter release, specific shutter cables are required. For the list of optional accessories, see Section 20. 7.3 Flash Triggers 7.3.
The V6 IIs transceiver comes with a multi-system shoe that supports TTL passthrough. While the V6 IIs does not command slave flashes to fire TTL exposures wirelessly, it is designed to pass TTL signal from camera to flash via the transmitter (TX) and vice versa. The hot shoe supports TTL pass-through of Sony systems. Make sure that camera and flash unit belong to the same TTL system. With TTL pass-through, the TTL flashes behave as they would when directly connected to the camera hot shoe.
9. Getting Started 9.1 Installing the Batteries Open the battery door by pushing it backward. Flip open the latch and insert two AA batteries using the correct polarities. Then close the battery door by pushing it to the front. 9.2 Attaching to and Detaching from the Camera To mount the V6 IIs on a camera’s hot shoe mount: 1. Turn the lock lever of the V6 IIs to the left to unlock the hot shoe (male). 2. Slide the V6 IIs into the camera’s hot shoe. 3.
The selection dial has a built-in push-in button that serves as a quick OK button. You may configure how the dial works to suit your working habit. (see Sections 16.1 – 16.6). Major functions of the V6 IIs listed below are easily accessible by the buttons and dial. Group Control (see Section 9.6) Function Mode LCD Key Select a group (e.g., group A) for adjusting parameters (power level / zoom) RX Main screen, when the group is not selected Hold* Deselect a group (e.g.
Zoom (Cactus) mode (needs configuration in menu beforehand) Main screen Navigating the Menu (see Section 9.7) Function Mode LCD Enter the menu TX/RX Main screen Browse through menu Key Menu items and options Choose a menu item or option Menu Leave the menu Menu TTL Pass-through / Flash Lock (see Sections 8 and 10.
(image) The Cactus V6 IIs is a wireless transceiver that is capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals. Set the V6 IIs transceivers to the correct mode (transmitter to “TX”, receiver to “RX”) by sliding the mode switch to the correct position. This will automatically power on the transceivers. 9.5 Setting the Channel The Cactus V6 IIs transceivers communicate with each other via radio frequency. There are 16 channels available.
9.7 Navigating the Menu There are a number of configurable menu options in the V6 IIs. To change a menu option: 1. Press to bring up the first menu item. 2. Dial right or left to scroll through each menu item. 3. Press or push-in button once to access a menu item. 4. Dial right or left to scroll through each option of a menu item. 5. Press or push-in button once to select the option. The configuration of the menu item will change immediately. 6.
POWER SYNC LEARN HSS START SKIP √ SUB-MENU LCD BACKLIGHT √ √ SLEEP DIAL DIRECTION SWAP CONTROL WORK RANGE FACTORY RESET BACK TO MENU *when available The following configuration items are grouped under the “sub-menu”.
1/180 SEC 1/200 SEC 1/250 SEC WORKING RANGE LONG √ SHORT FACTORY RESET NO YES √ √ 10. Flash Profile: Auto-detect and Customization The V6 IIs transceiver commands flashes to fire at a particular output via flash profiles. There are three ways to obtain the correct flash profiles: 1. Apply the flash profile (see Section 10.1). 2. Choose from the pre-installed flash profiles in the V6 IIs (see Section 10.2). 3.
3. Turn the selection dial until the LCD shows your flash model (e.g., ). Press . 4. Turn the selection dial until the LCD shows your flash model (e.g., ). Press . 5. Connect the flash unit to the V6 IIs. Switch your flash to TTL mode and your flash will be ready for remote control. The chosen flash profile will be applied until you choose another flash profile.
can share this code to friends, or simply enter the code received from others in the SHARE CODE column to generate a new customized profile in a second. 11. Flash Triggering To command the flash units in different groups to fire: 1. Set the V6 IIs transceivers to the correct mode (transmitter to “TX”, receiver to “RX”). This will automatically power on the transceivers (see Section 9.4). 2. Set both TX and RX to the same channel (see Section 9.5). 3.
2. Switch on the flash units in TTL mode. Then switch on the V6 IIs in RX mode. 3. Choose the correct flash profile for each V6 IIs. 4. If you may command the flash to fire above the x-sync speed, turn on the HSS flash on your flash units (see Section 13.1). 12.1 Relative Power Similar to a common flash display, the V6 IIs TX indicates the power level of the remote flashes in proportion to full power in relative power mode, i.e., 1/1 for full power, 1/2 for half power, etc.
12.1.2 Multi-Group Power Adjustment To adjust the power level of ALL active groups, simply turn the selection dial left or right to the desired power level. Note: The power level of the master flash is not affected by the multi-group adjustment. 12.1.3 Quick Power Adjustment Mode By turning the dial left or right one “click,” the power level of the chosen groups will increase or decrease by one step. The EV step in the V6 IIs factory setting is 1/3 EV.
ABSOLUTE LIGHT INTENSITY IN EV GUIDE NUMBERS (IN METERS) +0.0 +0.3 +0.5 +0.7 17 58.0 64.4 69.0 73.9 16 41.0 45.5 48.8 52.3 15 29.0 32.2 34.5 36.9 14 20.5 22.7 24.4 26.1 13 14.5 16.1 17.2 18.5 12 10.3 11.4 12.2 13.0 11 7.2 8.0 8.6 9.2 10 5.1 5.7 6.1 6.6 9 3.6 4.0 4.3 4.6 8 2.6 2.8 3.0 3.2 7 1.8 2.0 2.1 2.3 6 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.
absolute power mode, all flashes will emit the same intensity of light notwithstanding the differences in their own relative power scale. For instance, at 11 EV, Flash A is firing the amount of light equal to its 1/16 power, while Flash C is firing equal to its 1/8 power.. To change the V6 IIs system to the absolute power mode: 1. Switch on the remote V6 IIs in RX mode. Choose the correct flash profiles for each of the V6 IIs RXs. 2. Switch on the V6 IIs that you would like to be the commander in TX mode.
Note: The absolute power set up will not be saved upon switching off the V6 IIs TX. The V6 IIs TX will restart in relative power mode. 12.3 EV Step The control panel of the V6 IIs TX offers three EV step options: 1/10 EV, 1/3 EV, and 1/2 EV. The configuration applies to both relative and absolute power modes. To adjust the EV step, switch on the V6 IIs in TX mode and press selection dial to . Press level (1/10, 1/3, or 1/2). Press . Turn the and turn the dial to the desired increment to confirm.
To this end, the V6 IIs will command the remote flashes to fire either flashes with an extended duration or a full power normal flash to produce even frame illumination at shutter speeds as high as 1/8000 second. Tip: HSS flash is commonly used outdoor, especially in sunlight. The faster shutter speed supported by HSS flash allows you to use a wider aperture to achieve shallower depth of field while maintaining correct exposure. 13.
and press . On the status screen of the LCD screen, the Power Sync icon (ILLUSTRATION OF POWER SYNC ICON) will be shown. 2. Switch the camera shutter beyond its x-sync speed and take a shot. 3. If the frame is not evenly illuminated from top to bottom, go back to the menu (repeat step 1). Press and hold , turn the selection dial simultaneously to offset the sync time.
3. Release on the V6 IIs TX. The camera’s shutter is now in a continuous open state. 4. To close the camera’s shutter, press completely and release on the V6 IIs TX again. The green status LED on both the TX and RX will blink simultaneously. 14.3 Relay Mode: Camera Shutter + Flash (image) The relay mode in the V6 series is an economic solution for coordinating the wireless shutter release with flash trigger systems.
The V6 IIs is equipped with an autofocus assist LED and is capable of supporting the auto-focus assist signal from configured camera system. The power of the LED light could be adjust to best suit your working environment. To configure the AF assist LED: 1. Switch on the V6s in TX or RX mode, press , and turn the selection dial to . Press . 2. Turn the selection dial to , press . You would then be able to turn on and select the power of the AF assist LED.
1. Switch on the V6 IIs in TX or RX mode, press , and turn the selection dial to . Press . 2. To set a delay time in millisecond, turn the dial to and press . Turn the dial to set each digit and press to confirm and move to another digit. 3. To set a delay time in millisecond, turn the dial to and press . Turn the dial to set each digit and press to confirm and move to another digit. 4.
1. Switch on the V6 IIs in TX mode. Press , and turn the selection dial to . Press . 2. Turn the selection dial to A-B-C-D or AB-CD and press . 3. Depending on the group sequence mode you set, one or two cursors will point to the group alphabets on the main screen, indicating which group(s) will be f ired next. 16. Personalizing the V6 IIs You may configure a number of personalized options in the SUB-MENU of the V6 IIs to suit your needs.
unaffected. 16.3 Swap Control In the main screen of the V6 IIs TX, pressing will change it to one of the following modes: or the push-in selection dial once y Quick Power Adjustment Mode : expanding the power y adjustment to 1EV step (see Section 12.1.3). Zoom (Cactus) Mode : controlling the zoom level of the Cactus RF60 (see Section 17.1.1). This can be conf igured in . 16.
The working distance of the V6 IIs can be customized to suit your shooting purpose. In , choose when you need to place the V6 IIs TX units very close to the RX units (e.g., when shooting macro), or choose for normal shots. While the option will reduce the maximum effective distance of the V6 IIs by approximately 70%, it will eliminate the interference caused by placing the V6 IIs TX and RX units in close proximity. 16.
activated groups will be shown on the screen. 3. Adjust the zoom level of each group as you would to adjust the power level (see Section 12.1). The zoom control supports both single group and multi-group adjustments. You may also combine the RF60 series with TTL flashes to form a remote flash control system. For example, assign a RF60x to group A, a Canon 580EX II (with a V6 II RX) to group B, and a Nikon SB-900 (with another V6 II RX) to group C.
Flash triggering Green Shutter triggering Green Half-press auto focusing Orange Power level command received N/A Orange Bulb mode activation Green (for 2 seconds) Bulb mode deactivation Green Red (every 3 seconds) Red (every 0.5 second) Low battery Firmware update mode 19. USB Connection The V6 IIs transceiver comes with a mini-USB port that serves two purposes: providing external USB power and for firmware updates. 19.
The firmware update program will then recognize the connected V6 IIs and start the upgrade. Please visit www.cactus-image.com/v6iis.html for more information. Firmware updates only work on Microsoft Windows platform. Mac OS is not supported. 20. Optional Accessories 1. 2. 3. 4.
RX displays correct power levels 1. The chosen flash profile does not match the flash model 2. The flash is in a wrong operation mode (e.g. M mode) 3. A wrong EV offset has been set in the absolute power mode Choose the correct flash profile or learn a new one Check and set the flash to the TTL mode Check and reset the EV offset of the group concerned 2. Flash Misfire (Unexpected Flash Firing) LED Blinks? TX: No RX: No Possible Causes Poor hot shoe condition TX: No RX: Yes (GREEN) 1.
4. Flash Not Triggered/Shutter Not Released LED Blinks? TX: No RX: No TX: Yes (Green) RX: No Possible Causes 1. Poor battery contact or insufficient battery on TX 2. Poor hot shoe condition 1. Poor battery contact or battery out of power on RX 2. Channel and group mismatch 3. Background radio interference 4. Beyond 100m effective range TX: Yes (Green) RX: Yes (Green) 5. TX and RX transceivers are placed too close to each other 1. Poor hot shoe contact 2.
Shutter Release) 22. Notices Notices for Customers in the U.S.A. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Radio Frequency Interference Statements. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Japan Electrical Safety Approval logo 23. Warranty The limited warranty set forth below is given by Harvest One Limited in the world with respect to the Cactus brand Wireless Flash Transceiver purchased with this limited warranty.
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, APPLIES TO THE WIRELESS FLASH TRANSCEIVER AFTER THE APPLICABLE PERIOD OF THE EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY STATED ABOVE, AND NO OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTY OR GUARANTY, EXCEPT AS MENTIONED ABOVE, GIVEN BY ANY PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO THE WIRELESS FLASH TRANSCEIVER SHALL BIND HARVEST ONE LIMITED.
