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Re: [OM] Flash guns for OM4T

Subject: Re: [OM] Flash guns for OM4T
From: "Paul Farrar" <farrar@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 2000 09:56:32 -0500 (CDT)
> 
>  chling@xxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> 
> <<  On the other hand I found using fresh alkaline batteries with
>  longer charging time, the power is 0.2-0.3 stops higher than using Ni-cd,
>  may be due to higher battery voltage. 
> >>
> Charles,
>         Some flash guns have a voltage control loop so the final flash 
> voltage (after some time) is more tightly controlled and largely independent 
> of battery condition. The Sunpak handle mount 522/544's are examples. As far 
> as I remember the T32 does not use a feedback loop but the BG2 definitely 
> does. So if you want more consistent flash output the BG2 should be your 
> power source.  The intermittent whine of the BG2 is as a result of the 
> control loop stopping and starting the invertor. The control loop in the BG2 
> uses a neon tube to start and stop the invertor based on breakdown voltage ( 
> a bit primitive). A redundant neon tube is used for safety.  The Sunpaks use 
> a zenner diode  detector with a loop filter that causes similar hunting in 
> the invertor sound.  The Metz CT45 has no feedback but uses a different 
> transformer tap for Alkalines and NiCd's. The battery chamber has an extra 
> contact for the rechargeable NiCd pack which is different.

My T flashes whine by themselves. I thought it was a chopper for the stepup
circuit. The bounce grip is a lot louder.
> 
> >>
> Does anyone have a flash meter want to join the test?
> <<
> 
>  I posted a very long rant about GN's (with measurements )
> a very long time ago to this list so it should be in the archives.
> 
> Here are some of those old results repeated:
> Measured at 6ft (184cm) with Quantum Calcuflash meter 
>                                                           Ratio
>             (EV) GNmeas (ft)  GN spec   spec/meas
> T20                    8*6  = 48     65         1.35
> Viv4600            13*6 = 78    100         1.28
> T32                    13*6 = 78    104         1.33

This is exactly the value I got - for 2m. However, when I moved back
to 3m, the GN rose to the spec. because I started picking up bounce
from the room surfaces. For better or worse, all manufacturers use
room assisted values. Since I mainly use flashes in rooms, this doesn't
bother me. I'll just have to remember to downrate the flash by 2/3 stop
at 6' or less (or big spaces). I haven't really noticed the problem even
when using GN calculation because I use flash mainly for family snaps on
print film which has a large latitude. A worse practice in my view is to 
boost the GN spec by making the flash have a narrow beam. Then you get
a flashlight effect, which is far worse than slight underexposure. You 
also don't get softening bounce from the off-axis rays. The T32 is very
good on coverage, which is one reason its GN looks low compared to 3rd
party flashes. Even so, I use the wide diffusor.

> Sun522               13*6 = 78  120?        1.53?
> Sun544                7*6 = 102 140         1.34
> Sun5000/611     20*6 = 120  160         1.33
> 
> So here the specified GN's were reasonably consistently 
> 1.33 times larger than when actually measured in a dark 
> walled, dark ceilinged room, and across 3 different vendor's flashes.
> 
>       Tim Hughes
>       >>Hi100@xxxxxxx<<

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