Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I don't know if this is something really simple as in the bulb needs to be fully seated or not. I am using the MC2 units with Pocketwizards Mini & Flex radios. On one of my 640's the modeling flickers like crazy. As near as I can tell the strobe functions normally when triggered. I love the units!

Thanks
Bruce C.

Does the problem persist when the MC2 is removed (and the model lamp power is the same)?

Are you running the model lamp from a wall outlet, or a portable power supply, like a Vagabond?

Well, as par for the course, when testing the problem fails to show up. Test 1) Strobe connected to wall outlet. MC2 #1 plugged into strobe. Modeling light turned off. Fired via Mini w/AC3 controller trigger button. Radio off the camera. Fire strobe three times. Repeat for each of four strobes. Result - performed as expected, modeling light stays off and strobe fires.

Test 2) Using strobe #4, test MC2 radios #1-#4. Setup same as above. Results - are as expected.

Test 3) Same as test 1) except the strobes are plugged into a VML.#1. VML is freshly charged. Results as expected. Repeat with VML #2. Results as expected.

Test 4) Using MC#1, cycle through all four strobes plugged into VML #1. Mini/AC3 combo are in a camera hotshoe. On first shutter release the modeling light turns on. On strobe #1 I think I see a the slightest of flickers. Nothing like what I say before, if before was a 10 this was 1. Turn off modeling light. Release shutter 3 more times, performs as expected. Modeling light stays off.

Will continue to monitor the situation whenever I use the strobes. Ideas?

thx

Just went through my config file for the Mini TT radio and found the Modeling light control box was checked. Evidently I turned it on for a test or something and forgot to uncheck it, hence the light coming on in the first place. Still curious about the flickering though.

I've had these strobes for nearly 3 years and have 4 of them. I've had many replacements over the first couple of years and everyone of them have a flicker with the modelling lights. I just fire mine with the Buff triggers.

I have the older W.L. Ultra's and the modeling lights flicker with the Vagabond, sometimes even when the modeling lamp switch is set to off too which seems odd. Some voltage irregularity no doubt.

I just unscrew the modeling lights and all is well when on Vagabond/battery. On AC wall socket they work fine.

Mack