Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi,

I have a set of 3 AB 1600s.
I have a Sports Photo shoot assignment and wanted to know how to setup the three heads to freeze action. (i.e., power levels that will stop the action, etc...)

I tried reading the specs, but the t .5 and t 1 values are not very clear to me. (i.e., what per second values do I need and which power setting that I need to use to stop the action)

I am shooting with a Hasselblad H5D-40. I use Pocket Wizards to trigger the heads.

Please let me know your recommendations.

Thank you and best regards...

OK, the fastest flash duration with these flash units will be at full power. As you dial them down, the durations get longer. At minimum power (-5f) the flash duration will be about twice as long as it was at full.

As for t.1 and t.5 times, these are just two measurements at different times in the same flash pulse, just like 0-60 mph and 0-100 mph can be measured in the same run of a race car. The t.1 time will most closely correlate to an equivalent shutter speed. What flash duration value will you need will depend the action you are shooting. Typically, faster is better.

Considering you are using a Hasselblad camera, you may actually get faster shutter speeds than the flash duration of these lights. You can use this function to achieve better action stopping. Just keep in mind the effective power of the flash units will be reduced.