Dynalite Baja Series Electronic Flash USER MANUAL. dynamic lighting

Transcription

1 Dynalite Baja Series Electronic Flash USER MANUAL dynamic lighting

2 Introduction... 3 Safety Guidelines... 4 Dynalite Legacy... 5 Using Dynalite Baja Portable Electronic Flash... 6 Getting Started... 8 Flash Modes... 8 Adding/Removing Modifiers In the Box Accessories Specs BRT ~ The Baja s Remote Control Setting up the BRR-616 receiver Setting up the BRT-616 transmitter High Speed Sync Focal Plane Shutters & Sync What is High Speed Sync? Using Dynalite Baja HSS... 15

3 Introduction Hi. I m Kevin Ames and I don t work for Dynalite. I am a working commercial photographer with a studio in Atlanta, Georgia. I am a Dynalite user and have been for many years. This is the part of the normal instruction booklet where you are congratulated for choosing (insert what you bought here,) the finest blah-blah-blah and so on. I am not going there. Ever. Rather than take that path, let me welcome you instead. If you are a first time Dynalite customer, thank you. You have joined a community of hard working pros and advanced amateurs that understand how important dependable lighting gear is to their careers and hobbies yes to their passion--photography. A lot of us have decades of experience shooting photographs lit with Dynalite. Thanks to you too, if you are one of the established Dynalite users and have added this gear to expand your lighting capabilities. User s guides have all of the personality of a box of bricks. I d like to break out of that with this one. I want it to be readable, understandable, conversational and even fun. All of the information is here. In plain English. If I spoke Spanish it would be in plain Spanish as well. I don t. It isn t. Continuing to step out of the technospeak I ll explain the terms of each part and what those terms mean. Personally I really hate having to search the web for what a fluxcapacitor is when the directions tell me to install it into socket B. What is socket B anyway? I want this guide to be clear and complete. Turn the page and get started using your new Dynalite Baja... 3

4 Safety There are only a few important things to know about handling any electronic flash systems when it comes to doing it safely. This section is hyper-important for you to be safe and stay well while using your Dynalite Baja. Most of this is common sense. Which we all know isn t common at all. So, please read them anyway. 1. Water and electricity don t mix well. When Dynalite Baja s are operating they have a lot of high voltage electricity in them. Using a Dynalite Baja that s wet or standing in water can cause very serious injuries like death. Really. 2. The Baja flashtube gets outrageously hot while it is being used. Avoid betting burned. Don t touch the pyrex cover over the flashtube. Don t look directly at the flashtube close up when you fire it to avoid possible damage to your eyes. 3. Never fire a Baja with the protective plastic cover over the flashtube. 4. Don t fire a Baja near flammable liquids like gasoline or gases like propane or natural gas. 5. Baja electronic flash units are lousy basketballs. It is a really bad idea to use one if it has been dropped. Send it back to Dynalite to be checked instead. 6. Baja B-4 & B-6: Only use the battery charger that comes with your Baja to recharge the battery. Once the battery is fully charged disconnect the charging cord. Overcharging the Baja s battery can damage the cells. Don t overcharge the battery. It s never a good idea to leave batteries charging indefinitely. 7. Excessive heat can cause the battery to explode. Don t leave your Baja in direct sun for long periods of time. Let the unit cool before using it. 8. Dynalite Baja electronic flash units have a lot of electrical energy inside the case even when they are turned off. Leave opening them to a qualified Dynalite technician or send them back to Dynalite. There are no user fixable parts inside, just a lot of current waiting to shock those (like me and I m guessing, you) who don t know what they are doing. Seriously. 9. Always remove the modeling lamp from the Baja A-6 before shipping it to avoid damaging the flashtube. Never touch the modeling lamp with your fingers. Use a soft cloth, paper towel or even a dollar bill. 4

5 The Dynalite Legacy dynamic lighting Dynalite began in 1971 when Paul Schwartz, an electronic engineer, teamed with photographer Ed Lambert and silent investor John Poremba to create a rugged, dependable and portable electronic flash power pack and heads. Paul designed the original electronics including the non-arching connectors that allow heads to be added or removed from a powered up pack safely. That circuit was so robust that, while it has been updated with modern technology, it remains the basis for every pack Dynalite makes today. While the insides of Dynalite packs and heads have evolved, the control layout has been mostly the same for over three decades. A photographer buying a new pack today knows it will work the same way one that has been in the studio for twenty years or more. Dynalite was instantly popular with location photographers. Whether the subject was a celebrity or politician destined to grace a magazine cover or an ocean side beach resort showcasing its architectural interior elegance, Dynalite was likely on the scene. Photographers across the country adopted the super light packs that easily stood up to the rigors of the road. Whether piled in the back of a van or checked as luggage on airlines, Dynalite gear stood up to the abuse travel wreaks on equipment that can be delicate. Realizing that photographers want powerful, lightweight electronic flash systems Dynalite is proud to continue its legacy of innovation with the new, completely awesome Baja Series flash units. 5

6 The Dynalite Baja Portable Electronic Flash The Dynalite Baja is available in two flavors: an A/C powered 600 watt / second Baja A-6 and a pair self contained 400 watt / second (B-4) or 600 watt / second (B-6) portable monolight flashs that are powered by an internal Li-Ion rechargeable battery. The A-6, B-4 & B-6 are controlled with the optional BRT616, BRT616c or n radio transmitters, there are no cords or cables to clutter a set in the studio or at a location. The c designation is for Canon cameras, n is for Nikon cameras. The Baja is light in weight while remaining strong in features including adjustments in one tenth of a stop increments over a six f/stop range (A-6 & B-4) or a seven f/ stop range (B-6), high speed sync, short duration flash and stroboscopic flash modes. 1. Flash Power Control Dial Turn it clockwise to increase the power output. Moving the dial counter clockwise lowers the power. 2. Modeling Light Power Control Dial 3. RPT /HSS Button engages C or HSS modes. Press and release for C mode. It also cycles the C mode for five, ten or fifteen stroboscopic flashes. Press and Hold for HSS (High Speed Sync.) 4. Mode controls the flash duration. This button switches between Normal mode and T mode-- short duration flashes 5. Cell Button switches the flash tripping sensor on or off. 6. Sound Button toggles an audible tone when the Dynalite Baja is fully charged. 7. Test Button fires the flash without having to take photograph with the camera. 8. Power Switch turns the Baja unit on or off. 9. 1/4 inch sync cord socket for wired or PocketWizard sync with a camera. 10. Charging Socket (Baja B-4 & B-6) 11. Battery Power Level Indicator (Baja B-4 & B-6) 12. Battery Status Bottom Amber = Charging, Middle Amber = Empty, Top Amber = Battery Fully Charged (Baja B-4 & B-6) 13. Main Display shows Power Output Setting, Short Duration Setting, Stroboscopic Mode selected. Red LED lights show (top to bottom) RPT, Mode, Cell, Sound and Test 14. BRR616 (or n) 6 group 16 channel receiver included with the Dynalite Baja. 15. Remote Trigger Sensor detects the flash from another Dynalite Baja, head or speedlite to fire the unit s flash. 16. Easy Carry Handle 17. Battery Cover Release (Baja B-4 & B-6) 18. Accessory Release 19. Umbrella Socket Push the umbrella s shaft into the socket. No tightening knob required! 20. Modeling Light 21. A/C Power Socket (A-6 only) 6

7 Easy Carry Handle Battery Cover Release 16 Accessory Release Remote Trigger Sensor Accessory Release 3. RPT / HSS Button 4. Mode Button 5. Cell Button 6. Sound Button 7. Test Button HSS Receiver Main Display Modeling Light Battery Power Level Indicator Flash Power Control Dial 7 2 Modeling Light Power Control Dial Power Switch 19 Umbrella Socket Battery Status 1/4 Inch Sync Cord Socket Charging Socket 7

8 Main Display High Speed Mode Button Getting Started Baja A-6 Flash Control Dial Dynalite Baja Portable Electronic Flash units ship with a hard plastic cover that protects the flashtube. Press the Accessory Release (18) at the top front of the unit then twist the flashtube cover counterclockwise. When it stops after about an eighth of a turn, pull the cover away from the unit. 2 Charging the Baja B Series Flashes 7 Modeling Light Power Control Dial Connect the charger s output cord to the Charging Socket (10.) Plug its AC cord to 110 / 240 volt outlet. Turn the Power Switch ( 8 ) Off Test Button The indicator light on the charger glows Red while the Baja is charging. It turns to Green when the battery is full. Fully charge the battery before using your Dynalite Baja. This takes about four to five hours. When the battery is fully charged; the Battery Status (12) will show Power Switch A/C Power Socket Full. The Dynalite Baja s battery can be augmented by connecting the charger to the Charging Socket (10) while the unit is being used increasing the number of full power flashes. Flash Modes The Dynalite Baja offers four flash modes: Normal, High Speed Sync (HSS) Short Baja B-4 Baja B-6 Main Display High Speed Mode Button Flash Control Dial Duration and Stroboscopic. Here s a detailed explanation of each one Normal Normal is the mode used most often. It provides a wide range of power in one tenth of a stop increments from 1.0 (lowest power) to 7.0 (six f/stops brighter for the B-4 & A-6) or 8.0 (seven f/stops brighter with the B-6.) The charts on page Modeling Light Power Control Dial shows the power ratings on the Main Display (13) (top row) with the watt / second (w/s) output for each setting (middle row) and the color temperature Test Button Battery Status Power Switch Charging Socket 8

9 High Speed Sync (HSS) Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras have focal plane shutters. These allow for amazingly fast shutter speeds up to 1/8000th of a second in most modern cameras. The high speed is achieved by using a thin slit formed by the rear shutter starting to close before the first curtain is fully open. This limited the fastest shutter speed to between 1/160 & 1/250th of a second depending on the camera model. Both Canon & Nikon offer speedlites that can synchronize with those thin slits. Good news! The Baja can too! The optional BRT616c transmitter enables High Speed Sync with most Canon DSLR cameras. Nikon photographers must use the BRT616n transmitter and BRR616n receiver. A Nikon HSS kit with a BRT616n transmitter and two BRR616n receivers can be purchased separately. Learn how to use the Baja s HSS feature beginning on page 14. Short Duration The t mode shortens the flash duration to stop motion. Use this mode for freezing action like a drop hitting a saucer full of milk or for pouring liquids. Enter this mode by pressing the Mode button. The Main Display now shows a digital t followed by a number. t.1 is the fastest duration and lowest power output while t.6 is the longest duration and the highest power output. Each step in t mode is one full stop. Change the duration by turning the Flash Control Dial. The chart on page 11 shows the settings (top row) the speeds (middle row) and the color temperature (bottom row.) The Dynalite Baja stores extra power in the Short Duration mode. After switching back to Normal mode, discharge the Baja two or three times with the Test button. Stroboscopic (C-Mode) Stroboscopic Mode offers three preset flash rates five, ten and fifteen flashes in one second. Begin by setting the Flash Power Control Dial (1) to one of these Normal mode settings: 1.0 to 1.9 or 2.0 to 2.9 In the t-modes use t-1 or t-2 then press the rpt button (3) for Stroboscopic 8 mode. The Main Display (13) will show C.1 or C.2 The first press is five flashes in one second, the second press is ten flashes in one second and the third press is fifteen flashes in one second. C.1 is a lower power setting than C.2. The flash duration and color temperature for C.1 or C.2 are similar to those of t.1 and t.2 in the chart on page 11. 9

10 Adding / Removing Modifiers The Dynalite Baja uses the very popular Bowens style accessory mount. Reflectors, speed rings, snoots and many other modifiers are available either directly from Dynalite or from other manufacturers. Press the Accessory Release (18) at the front of the Dynalite Baja back toward the Easy Carry Handle (16), twist the cover clockwise an eighth of a turn to remove it. Mount a modifier by twisting it counter clockwise until the tab locks it in place. In the box... Here are all the goodies that come installed in or with your new Dynalite Baja Flash. Protective Flashtube Cover Pyrex Flashtube Protector (installed) Lithium Ion Battery (B-4, B-6) Power Cord Battery Charger (B-4, B-6) BRR616 Radio Receiver Sync cord RST-165 reflector Easy Carry Handle Accessory Release Umbrella Socket Accessories... BRT616 Radio Transmitter controls up to 6 groups Dynalite Baja flashes on one of 16 channels. HSS Radio Transmitters: BRT616c or BRT616n ~ HSS Receivers: BRR616 (Canon) or BRR616n (Nikon) BRT616kn: Nikon HSS Kit with 1 BRT616n transmitter and 2 BRR616n receivers 10 Li-Ion Battery & Charging Cable The Dynalite Baja delivers hundreds of full power flashes on a single charge. An extra battery doubles that. Spare batteries are good! BRT616c HSS Transmitter for Canon

11 Specs ` Short Duration Chart for Baja A-6, B-4 & B-6 setting t.1 t.2 t.3 t.4 t.5 t.6 speed 1/12,800s 1/6,400s 1/4,000s 1/2,500s 1/1,250s 1/640s color temp 7500ºk 6300ºk 5800ºk 5600ºk 5500ºk 5400ºk Watt / Seconds & Color Temperature Baja A-6 & B-4 f/stop range watt/seconds A-6 9 w/s 19 w/s 38 w/s 75 w/s 150 w/s 300 w/s 600 w/s watt/seconds B-4 6 w/s 12 w/s 25 w/s 50 w/s 100 w/s 200 w/s 400 w/s color temp 5420ºk 5480ºk 5560ºk 5600ºk 5590ºk 5500ºk 5500ºk Watt / Seconds & Color Temperature Baja B-6 f/stop range watt/seconds 4.5 w/s 9 w/s 18 w/s 36 w/s 75 w/s 150 w/s 300 w/s 600w/s color temp. 5420ºk 5480ºk 5560ºk 5600ºk 5590ºk 5500ºk 5500ºk 5500ºk Model A-6 B-6 B-4 Flash Power (w/s) 600 w/s 600 w/s 400 w/s ƒ/stop (Max) (ISO 100, RST 165H, m) Variable Range of Flash 6.0 ƒ/stops in 1/10 stop steps 7.0 ƒ/stops in 1/10 stop steps 6.0 ƒ/stops in 1/10 stop steps Color Temperature 5500ºk (±200ºk) 5500ºk (±200ºk) 5500ºk (±200ºk) Flash Duration min : max 1/12800 : 1/500 1/12800 : 1/500 1/12800 : 1/500 Recycling Time 1.4 seconds 4.3 seconds 2.9 seconds Modeling Lamp 300W Halogen 5W LED 5W LED Flash Count (Full Max Power) Not Applicable * (*while charging) * (*while charging) Weight 6.6 pounds 7.6 lbs 6.1 lbs Dimensions (L x W x H, inches) x 4.75 x x 4.75 x X 4.75 X Power 110 volts A/C Rechargeable 11.1V 8.8 Li-Ion Rechargeable 11.1V 8.8 Li-Ion 11

12 BRT ~ The Baja System s Remote Control Dynalite s BRT (Baja Radio Transmitter) system has two components. The BRR-616 receiver is included with every Baja. The BRT-616 transmitter for normal sync speeds comes with Baja B-Series kits. It works with most cameras that have a standard hot shoe. HSS requires the optional BRT-616c or BRT-616n transmitters for both normal and high speed sync operation with Canon or Nikon DSLR cameras respectively. Nikon users will also need the BRR616n receiver. All of these are available separately. See the accessories section on page 10 for more details. The BRT system can control six groups of Baja flashes on any one of sixteen channels. Let s explore how to use this versatile remote control. Groups Choose the group of a Baja flash by pressing the Flash Group Selector button (B) on its BRR-616 (n) receiver until the Flash Group Display (A) shows the desired group. I use group 1 for the main source of illumination, 2 for the fill, 3 for a hair light and 4 for the background light. The BRT system controls up to six groups of Dynalite Baja flash units. A group can have one or several Bajas in it. Each group s power output can be set individually. When two or more Bajas are in the same group their power increases or decreases identically. Changing the power of individual lights--a main light and a hair light Flash Group Selectors for example--requires them to be in separate groups. Lights in a group can be set manually to different power settings. The power on each one can be raised or lowered proportionally in one tenth of a stop increments. Channels: The BRR-616 receiver s channel selector (R) and the BRT-616 (c or n) Baja Unit On / Off transmitter s channel selector (T) must be on the same channel (1 through 16.) Sometimes other photographers are working with their Bajas in the same place as another photographer. The BRT system provides sixteen different Flash Power Buttons channels so several photographers can work together without interference. Multiple channels also means that a photographer can have multiple setups each on their own channel. A Power Indicator Channel Selector D R B Flash Group Selector Flash Group Display Flash Fire Indicator J Flash Fire Button I Channel Selector T E G F 12

13 Setting up the BRR-616 (n) Step one: Insert a BRR-616 (n) receiver into the slot at the top of the Dynalite Baja (14.) Step two: Choose a channel by rotating the Channel Selector (R) a number 1 to 16. Step three: Press the Flash Group Selector button (B) until the Flash Group Display (A) shows the desired group number 1 through 6. Step four: Turn the Baja s Flash Power Control Dial (1) to the desired flash output. 13 Step five: Repeat steps one through four to set up additional Bajas. Remember that assigning a light to a group allows its power to be adjusted separately from Bajas in other groups. Using the BRT-616 (c or n) Step one: Mount the transmitter in the camera s flash shoe. Turn the Baja s Power Switch (8) to the On position. The Baja s group shows in the BRR-616 (or n) Flash Group Display (A). Its Power Indicator (D) glows blue with a pulsing red light. Step two: Match the channel on each of the BRR-616 (n) by turning the Channel Selector (T) to that number. That s it. You re ready to shoot. Using groups Step one: Choose the group by pushing its number on the Flash Group Selectors (E). Step two: Press the BRT-616 s (c or n) On button until its Flash Group Selector (E) LED lights. While it s lit, adjust the power up or down with the + or - Flash Power Buttons (F). Each press increases or decreases the power by one tenth of a stop. NOTE: A constant press of the + button puts the transmitter into HSS mode. Press the - to cancel HSS. Step three: Power up other groups by pushing the Flash Group Selector (E) until that group s LED lights. Taking a break: The ON OFF button (G) controls the power of all of the Bajas. To pause during a shoot, press the OFF button. To start back up, use ON. The Baja s physical power switch (8) must be in the on position to use these remote features. BIG FAT IMPORTANT NOTE: If the Baja s are turned off using the transmitter they must be turned on by it. If your Baja won t turn power up with the physical power switch (8,) press the transmitter s ON button. 1/4000th of a second at f/4.0 ISO: 160 Canon 1Dx / Sigma f/2.8 Dynalite Baja B-4 in HSS mode 13

14 High Speed Sync Focal Plane Shutters & Flash Sync Modern DSLR cameras use focal plane shutters to achieve speeds up to 1/8000th of a second. These shutters work fine with electronic flash at or below their sync speed. Sync settings range from 1/160th to 1/250th of a second depending on make and model. For shutter speeds above the sync speed, the secondary curtain starts closing the shutter before the front curtain is fully open. The resulting slit or space between the two curtains paints the sensor with light allowing very fast shutter speeds. Higher speeds have narrower spaces between the two curtains. At these high speeds, the frame is never fully open. Photographing with electronic flash at shutter speeds faster than sync results in a partially exposed frame. The remainder is black. The higher the shutter speed, the wider the black bar and the thinner the portion of the frame that receives flash will be. This is a representation of the cutting effect made by focal plane shutters at speeds higher than sync with flash. What is High Speed Sync (HSS)? High Speed Sync allows flash to expose the entire sensor at shutter speeds faster than the camera s sync speed even up to 1/8000th of a second. Higher speeds control ambient light in a photograph. The higher the shutter setting the darker the ambient becomes. HSS is great for darkening backgrounds even on sunny days. 14

15 Dynalite Baja System s HSS 3. RPT Button HSS Receiver Dynalite s Baja has High Speed Sync for Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras using the BRT616c or BRT616n transmitter. Both are available from a Dynalite Baja dealer. The receiver that came with your Baja is HSS ready for Canon cameras. A new receiver, BRR616n is required for Nikon users. Follow this step-by-step guide to use the Baja s HSS. Step one: Turn the Baja s Power Switch (8) to the on position. The 13 HSS Receiver (14) will display a number from 1 through 6. If the Main Display (13) does not light up and a number on the BRT616c (n) does, the Baja was powered off from the transmitter. Press the ON button on the BRT616c (n) to light the Main Display (13.) Step two: Press the On button on the BRT616c (n). The Baja s Main Display, indicator Main Display lights and modeling lamp will light. Step three: Hold down the RPT / HSS (3) button on the back of the Baja until the flash fires. The Main Display (13) shows H.1. This setting is for full frame Canon cameras. Press the RPT / HSS button again to move into the h.1 mode for Canon cropped sensor cameras and all Nikon DSLR cameras. Step four: Press and hold the + button on the BRT616c (n) until the indicator flashes amber. Mount the BRT616c (n) on the camera. Press the Test button. If the Baja does not fire it is in HSS mode. The Dynalite Baja is ready to light a scene at shutter speeds above the camera s normal sync speeds. Note: The Baja will not fire if the shutter is set at sync or a longer shutter speed. On most cameras when the Baja is in HSS mode it will only fire when the camera is set to shutter speeds faster than the camera s sync speed. Power: HSS mode pulses the flash using the higher range of the power band to illuminate the scene at above sync shutter speeds. Bajas will provide fewer flashes per charge at a lower brightness than when photographing in the standard mode. Exposure compensation: As the shutter speed gets faster, the light needed to properly expose an HSS photograph increases. An exposure that is correct at H.1 for 1/500th of a second, will require a setting of H.3 for a 1/1000th shutter setting. A 1/2000th would use H.5 and so on. Note: Flashmeters will most likely not work is HSS photography. My suggestion is to include an X-Rite ColorChecker Passport in the first photo to use as an exposure reference for optimizing exposure in your RAW converter. As always, practice with HSS before trusting the monitor on the back of your camera Use H.1 with full frame Canon DSLR cameras and h.1 for cropped sensor Canon and all Nikon DSLRs. BRT616c (n) Power Switch 15

16 1050 Commerce Avenue, Union, NJ dynalite.com All photographs: Kevin Ames kevinamesphotography.com dynamic lighting