Viltrox Vintage Z1 Flash Guide

Master retro-style lighting with precision – from mounting to troubleshooting.

By Viltrox Team | April 29, 2025

🔧 Align & Lock (Critical!)

•  Step 1: Locate the central contact pin on your camera’s hot shoe (round metal contact). 

•  Step 2: Match the flash’s hot shoe groove to the pin. 

•  Step 3: Slide forward until you hear a click. 

•  Step 4: Rotate locking dial clockwise until resistance is felt. 

⚠️ Warning:

•  An improperly locked flash may fall and break! Test stability with a gentle pull after locking.  

•  Canon R50 users must use the AD-E1 adapter: Install adapter first → then attach flash.  

🕒 15S usage tutorial
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🔇 Camera Mute Tutorial:
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📸 Compatibility: What Works & What Doesn't

Supported Systems

Brand 

Sample Models

Notes
Title

Sony

a7 III/IV, a6400, ZV-1

Disable electronic shutter
Title

Fujifilm

X-T4/X-T5, X-Pro3

Fully compatible
Title

Nikon

 Z6/Z7, D850  

Ready to use
Title

Film

Olympus OM-1, Canon AE-1

No restrictions

Unsupported Systems

Issue

Models

Solution
Title

No Central Pin

Canon 200D II, Panasonic S9

Will not trigger
Title

Non-Standard Shoe

Canon R50

Requires AD-E1 adapter
Title

No Contacts

Sigma fp, some CCD cameras

Not usable
Title

⚡ Power Dial & Recycling System

7-Stop Power Control (Practical Example)

○ Scenario: Shooting distance 1.5m, ISO100, aperture f/4

•  1/1: Strong fill light (stage effects) → 3.5s recycle 

•  1/16: Natural skin tones (ideal for portraits) → 1.2s recycle 

•  1/64: Subtle enhancement (still life/street) → 0.2s recycle 

LED Status Light Decoder

Light

Status

Action
Title

Solid Red

Recycling

Wait for green
Title

Solid Green

Ready

Shoot
Title

Blinking Green

Overheating

Pause for 5 minutes
Title

Blinking Red

Low battery

Charge immediately
Title

Shoot-While-Charging Tips

•  Using a PD fast charger improves recycle time by 15% 

•  Avoid bending the Type-C cable during use (may cause poor contact) 

🎯 Advanced: S1/S2 Mode Deep Dive

Optical Slave Mode Comparison

Mode

Trigger Mechanism

 Best For 
Title

S1

Responds to first flash

 Single-light fill/backlit silhouettes
Title

S2

Ignores pre-flash, responds to second flash

Red-eye-free portraits/multi-light setups D 
Title

Setup:

1. Locate the Optical Slave Switch on the side 

2. Gently slide to desired mode (S1/S2/OFF) 

3. Recommended master flash distance: ≤2m (night)/≤1m (day) 

🚨 Top Issues & Solutions

Issue 1: Overexposure

○ Troubleshooting flowchart: 

Camera not in M mode → Switch to M 

↓ 

Flash power too high → Reduce to 1/64 

↓ 

ISO/aperture too large → Lower to ISO50/f/8 

↓ 

Shutter too fast → Ensure ≤1/200s 

Issue 2: Bottom Shadow

○ Cause: Lens/hood too long (>15cm) 

○ Solutions: 

• Option A: Increase shooting distance 

• Option B: Remove lens hood 

• Option C: Tilt camera angle 

Issue 3: Persistent Red-Eye

○ Triple defense: 

1. S2 mode + camera red-eye reduction 

2. Shooting distance ≥1.2m 

3. Diffuser + 30° upward angle