Firefly 3 Slave Unit Instructions

Firefly 2 Slave Unit Instructions
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Operation | Infra-Red Triggering I Battery Replacement | Rewiring a Hotshoe Adaptor
Repair & Maintenance

Operation
Connect the Firefly 2 slave unit to the flash gun (strobe) using the hot shoe adaptor (or PC synch lead or 6.25/0.25" jack).

  1. Attach the Firefly 2 slave unit to the flash gun using the self-adhesive hook & loop fastener provided. Do not fix it adjacent to the flash gun's battery compartment as this can be a source of interference which could cause spurious triggering.
  2. Switch the flash gun on and test using another flash gun or TV remote control at close range. Note that range is reduced in high ambient light levels! The unit should not be used in fluorescent lighting as this will cause it to trigger continuously.

For caving or outdoor use it is strongly recommended that all seams and particularly the cable grommet are protected with waterproof cloth "gaffer" tape or silicone bath sealant before use. However, do not cover the central 25mm of the infra-red window as this is where the sensor is located. In addition, covering the screw holes will prevent the screws from rusting. To protect both Firefly 2 and flash gun, sealing both in a clear plastic bag keeps the worst of the mud and damp away and will prolong the life of the equipment. SAFETY WARNING! Wet flash guns can be extremely dangerous when wet due to the high voltages used.

If you have not yet acquired a flash gun (strobe) for use with the Firefly 2 we recommend the use of a "non dedicated" flash gun. These usually have a single contact on the square section of the plastic moulding that comes into contact with the hot shoe. Conversely "dedicated" units usually have more than one contact (often three). A flash gun of guide number 25-30m (100ft) @ 100ASA would be a good choice.

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Infra-Red Triggering
Infra-red triggering is desirable in many circumstances because direct light from a flash gun at the camera would be detrimental to the picture being taken. This is particularly true when using the unit for cave photography as infra-red triggering prevents light from the trigger flash gun being reflected off water vapour from the photographer and spoiling the picture. An infra-red filter for turning any flash gun into an infra-red trigger is now included with the Firefly 2 (after July 2000). It is an unexposed but processed piece of slide film. To construct an infra-red trigger:
  1. Place the infra-red filter provided over the front of the lens of the trigger flash gun (the one connected to the camera) and cut it with scissors so that it is just larger than the transparent area of the lens.
  2. Tape it on with as small an overlap with the lens as possible using cloth or insulation tape.
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Battery Replacement (After June 2009)
Replace the batteries using the following procedure:
  1. Obtain a spare coin cell from your dealer (see sales) or a CR2032 lithium coin cell (or equivalent) from a photographic or chemist's shop (drug store, pharmacy).
  2. Undo the three screws and separate the lid and base.
  3. Locate the coin cell holder and gently pop the old cell out noting its orientation. Dispose responsibly according to local recycling regulations. DO NOT THROW IN FIRE. 
  4. Wearing gloves or using a piece of dry cloth, pop the fresh coin cell out of its protective packaging.
  5. Push the fresh coin cell gently into the coin cell holder. It can only be inserted the correct way up.
  6. Reassemble the case and tighten the screws taking care not to overtighten.
Battery Replacement (Prior to June 2009)
Replace the batteries using the following procedure:
  1. Obtain a spare battery kit from your dealer (see sales) or three AG12/LR43/SR43/186/386/RW84/V12GA (or equivalent) batteries (button cells) from a photographic or chemist's shop (drug store, pharmacy).
  2. Undo the three screws and separate the lid and base.
  3. Locate the three batteries which are located directly below the terminal block. Note their orientation and pop them out.
  4. Wearing gloves or using a piece of dry cloth, pop the fresh batteries out of their protective packaging.
  5. Place two of the three batteries facing the same way so that the positive + , which is clearly marked on one face of each battery, faces to the spring clip on the right.
  6. Push the third battery, facing the same way, in between the other two. A little force should be required to do this.
  7. If the batteries are not a tight fit then they should be popped out and the spring clip bent out slightly with a pair of pliers. Repeat steps 4-6.
  8. Finally, replace the rubber foam so that it is above the batteries, ensuring that they cannot come loose.
  9. Reassemble the case and tighten the screws taking care not to overtighten.

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Rewiring a Hot-Shoe Adaptor or Synch Lead
  1. Obtain a replacement hotshoe adaptor or PC synch socket
  2. Undo the three screws and separate the lid and base.
  3. Unscrew the terminal block screws and remove the wires from the terminal block.
  4. Thread the new lead through the case grommet, allowing about 10mm (1/2") of slack between the terminal block and the grommet. If a cable tie is not available to use as a strain relief a loose figure 8 knot should be tied in the lead allowing 10mm (1/2") of slack.
  5. Bare the two wires at the end of the lead and push one into each terminal block receptacle. It does not matter which way round the leads are.
  6. Tighten the terminal block screws.
  7. Replace the silica-gel bag above the batteries.
  8. Reassemble the case and tighten the screws.
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Repair & Maintenance
If your Firefly 2 and flash gun combination is not working try the following:
  1. Check that the hot shoe adaptor is connected to the flash gun the correct way around - some flash guns allow the hot shoe adaptor to slide on from both directions.
  2. Check contact between the hot shoe adaptor and the flash gun. Wipe the connections
  3. If this is the first time that you have used the Firefly 2 try a different flash gun. Occasionally, a flash gun may be encountered that is not compatible with the Firefly - particularly "dedicated" units. These usually have more than one contact on the square section of the plastic moulding that comes into contact with the hot shoe.
  4. Change the batteries.
  5. Check the battery connections - bend clip in to hold the batteries firmly. Clean the contacts.

If your Firefly 2 gets wet:

  1. Open the unit up as soon as possible by removing the three screws.
  2. Remove the silica-gel bag and batteries and dry everything out using a hot air blower, fan heater or hair drier.
  3. Replace the silica-gel bag so that one end is at the top left and one end is above the batteries. In this way it prevents the batteries from moving about.
  4. Reassemble the case and tighten the screws.
  5. Reseal the unit as described previously.


Firefly 3 Slave Unit Instructions
pdf file of the new Firefly 3 instructions (after June 2009)
pdf file of the new Firefly 3 instructions for cave use (after June 2009)
pdf file of the new Firefly 3 instructions in French (after June 2009)
pdf file of the new Firefly 3 instructions in French for cave use (after June 2009)

pdf file of the old Firefly 3 instructions (prior to June 2009)

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