Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Hi,

I use 4 Whitelightning x-1600 strobes to photograph indoor sports.

My question is in order to get the shortest flash duration, 1/6000 sec on y units as a t.5 value I must be at 1/4 power.

I can get to 1/4 power in one of two ways,
1. with the FULL POWER button set to FULL and then moving the flash power slider to 1/4 power,
or 2. with the 1/4 POWER button set to 1/4 POWER and leaving the flash power slider set to Full Power.

My question is, is this effectively setting the same light output t/5 value?

Thank you

No. Flash duration is determined by the total number of capacitors and the voltage at which they charge. The higher the voltage, the shorter the flash duration. The X1600 has four capacitors in the FULL range, and if they are charged at 1/4 power, they are not fully charged (i.e. a longer flash duration). In the 1/4 mode, three capacitors are disengaged, leaving only 1/4 of the total capacity. This means the remaining capacitor has to be fully charged to reach the 1/4 power setting. Since there is only one capacitor, and it is operating at the maximum voltage, the 1/4 range, FULL power (on the slider) is the fastet flash duration on an X-1600.

The 1/4 range (blue button), full power slider has a 1/6000 t.5 (1/2000 t.1).
The Full range, 1/4 power slider has a 1/1500 t.5 (1/500 t.1).

Hi TS,

Thank you for the explanation on flash duration.

Leo

Does the same hold true for all X series strobes (1/4 power buttons + full power slider = shortest flash duration)?

I have 2 - x2400's and want to get the shortest duration.

It holds true with all X-series units except the X800, as it does not have the blue 1/4 power button. However, the actual flash duration may be longer or shorter depending on the power of the flash. The X-2400 (1/4) is a little slower with a 1/1550 t.1 flash duration.