Photogenic Professional Lighting AKC320 User's Manual
Contents
1. 101 onal toscnic lighting Daylight Corrected Constant Color StudioMax III Operator s Manual Studio Maxe III AKC320 Studio Maxo III AKC320B Studio Maxe III AKC160 Studio Maxe IIT AKC160B OPERATOR MANUAL FOR MONOLIGHTS StudioMaxe II AKC320 StudioMaxe II AKC320B StudioMaxe II AKC160 StudioMaxe II AKC160B Thank you for selecting the Photogenic Professional StudioMax Illl AKC series The StudioMax Illl series incorporates state of the art electronic components providing economical lighting control power setting repeatability and corrected constant color These products are built for the operational needs of the semi professional and amateur photographer and it is our expectation that your StudioMax III and StudioMax III accessories will provide you with years of dependable service With this new StudioMax III series optional accessories include all Photogenic Quick Change reflectors and their attachments gels grids etc and soft boxes INTRODUCTION The StudioMax Ills are self contained light units and power supplies They have a professional plug in color corrected flashtube a 100 watt ON OFF modeling light and bare bulb capability both vertically and horizontally The StudioMax Ill s are fitted with Photogenic s unique quick change system for holding accessories made by Photogenic Professional Before using your new StudioMax III for the first time please read this manual carefully and acquaint2. unit with an extension cable be sure the cable has an equivalent or greater rating and is a properly connected 3 wire grounded cable Do not attempt to use this appliance if it has been dropped or damaged until a qualified service person has serviced it Do not operate the unit with a damaged or broken flashtube or modeling lamp To prevent damage always use Photogenic specified replacements for the flashtubes and modeling lamps Perform no internal service work on this unit Refer all such service to a qualified service person or return to the factory This will provide you safety and continuation of your warranty Do not operate when water is present including ocean salt spray and from extreme temperature shifts If the unit is stored in hot or below freezing temperatures allow at least one hour at room temperatures before using 3 PREPARATION AND BASICS Unpacking and Setup Unpack all units carefully to remove all parts from the carton s Do not discard or destroy the packing material until the equipment has been inspected assembled and all parts accounted for After unpacking all parts should be examined for any damage which may have been caused by rough handling during shipment If any damage is detected contact the delivering carrier at once Claim for damage should be made to the delivering carrier before destroying packing cartons To set up the unit first mount and secure it on a suitable stand The StudioMax Il
3. yourself with the controls and features In this way you can quickly get the greatest benefit from your new unit and maintain an efficient and safe operation Note battery capable models AKC160B amp AKC320B require the separate purchase of a battery pack to operate in DC mode SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Despite the measures that have been taken to make electronic flash equipment safe it must be recognized that high voltages and high temperatures do exist within the power supply lighting unit Certain precautions must be observed in handling the unit Contact with internal high voltage may result in severe injury or death 1 Before installing or removing the flashtube and modeling lamp be sure this appliance is turned off cooled and unplugged from AC power source Do not touch the glass tubes with bare hands as normal body oils will shorten the bulb s life Always use a clean cloth or wear gloves to protect your hand from glass breakage and heat Do not defeat the purpose to the three wire line cord by disconnecting the ground Connect to properly functioning and grounded 3 pin receptacles only If you are using an extension cord be sure the cord has an equivalent or greater rating and has a ground Do not insert a screwdriver or other metal objects into the flashtube socket area or vents Contact with high voltage may result Do not operate this appliance with a frayed or damaged line cord When replacing or using the
4. 5 25 Hx 7 L Flashtubes and Modeling Lamps Flashtube iiiniasis lie ian Plug in style use only Photogenic s Standard C4 12 Modeling Lamp 100 Watt 120 VAC ESR NO LARGER WATTAGE FUSO tes eevee dt especie i Wes noia 3AG type 8 Amp SLO BLO 11 Color Temperature Consistent and Constant The problem With the rare exception of units costing many thousands of dollars flash lighting packs up to now do not control the color temperature of the light The color temperature typically decreases by over 100 degrees Kelvin for every f stop of power reduction Over a 6 stop adjustment range this results in a color temperature decrease of over 600K Even units that have a small 3 stop range can produce significant color shifts of over 300 degrees This can result in much larger shifts between two light sources than film can correct Kodak recommends less than 200 degrees shift between light sources for their 5500 degree daylight film The solution Photogenic has created an affordable solution to this problem The new StudioMax Ill s provides consistent and constant color temperature across their 6 stop range Be wary of claims of consistent color temperature at only one power level This is not the same as constant color temperature over all power levels Both are necessary to provide the perfect exposure we all strive for The light produced by the new AKC s is consistent amp constant Every time you set a des
5. ckaging stash wea ni aati Molded high impact plastic case Weight irin e AA a ae Nia 2 pounds 8 ounces Dimensions housing ONlY 5 25 W x 5 25 Hx 7 L Flashtubes and Modeling Lamps Flashtubec su ci ini iii Plug in style use only Photogenic s Standard C4 12C Modeling Lamp nnn 100 Watt 120 VAC ESR NO LARGER WATTAGE FUSE siria a ae 3AG type 8 Amp SLO BLO 10 SPECIFICATIONS AKC160 amp AKC160B General Flasi POVE a sele ia iaia lie 5 to 160 watt seconds 6 f stops Elash Duration i pafa ia alain 1 175 second at Full 1 700 second at 1 2 1 1300 second at 4 1 2400 second at 1 8 1 4100 second at 1 16 1 7400 second at 1 32 Recycling time in 0 01 to 1 5 seconds Power CONTFOl ii Full to 1 32 range 6 f stops 0 1 f stop resolution Flash Gol r ae iaia 5400 200 Kelvin Modeling Light Power 100 Watt 120 VAC S3629 Modeling Light Control n ON or OFF IG QOTING zii AAA AAA LIA RALE Built in Photoslave Push to Test button Synchronization Jack Main Supply i 105 125 VAC 50 60 Hz 3 amp CONSUmMPtioni lt iiicaia iaia 1 amps idling 5 amps charge Overload Protection nee Fuse 3AG type 8 Amp SLO BLO Packagingr s cranio Molded high impact plastic case Weight as oie ee ee 2 pounds 2 ounces Dimensions housing ONlY 5 25 W x
6. color shift See the manufacturers data tables for your specific film to determine what exposure adjustment and filter may be necessary SHORT EXPOSURE EFFECTS Extremely short exposures produce essentially the same effect as long exposures speed loss There is also an increased scattering of exposed silver halide grains the formation of smaller latent image centers and a lower rate of development at the latent image centers The short exposure effect appears as lower contrast or reduced density in the negative Exposures of 1 10 000 second or shorter can cause this problem 13 SERVICE The photographer should not attempt to make repairs Consult a dealer for an authorized Photogenic Professional Lighting service agent This will provide you safety insure proper operational functions and provide continuation of your warranty Before removing the old tubes or installing new tubes always unplug your StudioMax and discharge the stored energy by switching the POWER switch to OFF Wait approximately two hours for the main capacitors to deplete any residual stored wattage If the StudioMax does not flash when turned OFF flash tube may be defective the unit must remain OFF for four hours to discharge the main capacitors Never place your fingers or any metal objects into the flash or modeling sockets Contact with high voltage may result Limited StudioMax Ill Warranty Photogenic warranties the standard line products are free f
7. ing OFF the POWER switch will turn OFF both the AC line power and the battery pack power connection The POWER switch must be ON for either power source The battery pack will also have a POWER switch which must be turned ON and OFF The StudioMax III POWER OFF position will dump the stored power in the flash capacitors by flashing the unit This is for safety and reliability Synchronization and Triggering Triggering is accomplished by using a camera flash or a trigger cable from one StudioMax Ill to the camera shutter contacts of X or zero delay Other units in the system are then triggered by built in photoslave operation or a daisy chain connection of all SYNC jacks It is best to connect the fill light directly to the camera since it will be positioned furthest back in the studio and will usually provide sufficient illumination to trigger the other units It is suggested that all walls and ceiling be painted either in white or light neutral colors for most reliable photoslave operation After the trigger cord is properly connected check the synchronization with the camera Adjust the lighting unit to same height as the camera lens and face the lights into the lens The lens aperture should be open to its fullest extent and set on X or zero delay Remove the camera back It is best to perform this test with the modeling lamps turned off While looking at the lens through the back of the camera operate
8. ired power level you will receive the same amount of light as you obtained previously and at the same color temperature The light produced by the new StudioMax III is constant color No matter what power setting you select the light will be the same color temperature Using the standard color corrected flash lamp every subject will be exposed to approximately 5400 degree Kelvin light regardless of power setting This solves forever the problem of unbalanced power settings in your studio resulting in color temperature shifts in your pictures Reciprocity Explained Excerpts taken from Kodak TECHNICAL PUBLICATION DATA I FILM E31 July 2002 The reciprocity law states that the intensity of light falling on a photographic film multiplied by the exposure time equals the total amount of exposure Intensity x Time Exposure This means for example that an exposure of f16 at 1 60 second is equivalent to an exposure of f 11 at 1 125 second In either combination of settings the same total amount of light reaches the 12 film The reciprocity law applies to commonly available black and white and color films at exposure times from approximately 1 10 second to 1 1 000 second This means that no adjustments are necessary for exposure or color in this shutter range Most modern films however have increased this range to the point that no adjustments are necessary from approximately 1 second to 1 10 000 second It should be pointed out that al
9. l photographic emulsions are subject to an effect often called reciprocity law failure At exposure times at the edges of the above ranges you will begin to see underexposure loss of effective film speed at the normally calculated exposure setting a change in contrast a color shift or a combination of these effects The word failure in this context does not imply a short coming of the film flash equipment or the camera but merely that the reciprocity law does not hold for very long or very short exposures times We also sometimes refer to these changes in film response to particular illumination levels as long exposure effects and short exposure effects LONG EXPOSURE EFFECTS Under low light conditions you may have to extend your exposure times to a point of significant speed loss With black and white films the effect of this speed loss is partially offset by wide exposure latitude Most color films require more than the normally calculated exposure when the lighting is unusually low Also the sensitivity differences between the many layers of color films can cause a color balance shift which means that you will sometimes need to use color compensating filters to achieve an acceptable color balance When you must increase the indicated exposure to compensate for long exposure effects use a larger lens opening if possible Extending the exposure time will result in more speed loss contrast change and
10. l stand adapter allows the unit to be mounted on a stand with a 3 8 to 5 8 post Be sure to use a stand that is stable and will not tip easily The unit may be shipped with the modeling lamp and flashtube not installed While installing the modeling lamp and flashtube with glove or clean cloth to protect the hand be sure they are properly inserted and tight to avoid arcing and failure of the socket contacts during operation Do not touch the glass tubes with bare hands as normal body oils will shorten the bulb s life Always use a clean cloth or wear gloves to protect your hand from glass breakage and heat If flashtube and modeling lamp are installed when received there will be spacers between the glass to prevent damage during shipping REMOVE THE SPACERS The 7 4 inch reflector is attached by the quick change mechanism A solid tab and a thumb screw on the unit grip the ring on the reflector To mount the reflector loosen the thumbscrew so it does not show inside the circle and tilt the reflector past the stationary top tab then past the thumbscrew Tighten the thumbscrew securing the reflector see illustration below All accessory reflectors and soft boxes are designed for use with this quick change system or onto this 7 1 inch reflector After mounting the light on your stand and with power switch OFF attach the line AC line cord to the power input connector located on the bottom of the StudioMax III and then c
11. lighting 40 degree coverage PL16R 16 Parabolic for portraits feathering flood and fill lighting 60 degree coverage PL20R 20 Parabolic for portraits feathering flood and fill lighting 65 degree coverage PL24R 24 Parabolic with deflector for soft illumination and flood lighting 145 degree coverage Please contact your dealer for the above reflectors and additional Photogenic light shaping accessories Soft Boxes Barndoors Scrims Grids Diffusers Snoots amp Gel holders OPERATION StudioMax Ill All Models Flashing Rate The unit recharges quickly as indicated by the READY light on the control panel A quick series of flashes can be obtained within the limits of the recharge time Continuous rapid flashing however can overheat and damage the flashtube and internal parts The maximum recommended rate of flashing depends upon the power level being used and the amount of operation time Use the following chart to serve as a guide for the maximum rate to use in your situation Power Level Operating Time Sec Between Number of Flashes Flashes Full Continuous 15 Continuous 30 minutes 10 180 1 minutes 4 15 1 4 Continuous 10 Continuous 30 minutes 6 300 3 minutes 4 45 1 32 1 5 Continuous Exposure Information The following charts give the BCPS output for various umbrellas and reflectors Coverage angle is given in degrees Divide numbers in half for 160 watt seco
12. nd units Umbrella 32 inch 45 inch 60 inch Coverage 120 degree 120 degree 120 degree Full Power 1658 1683 1683 1 2 829 841 841 1 4 414 421 421 1 8 207 210 210 1 16 104 105 105 Reflectors None 7 14 16 20 24 Coverage 360 35 40 60 65 145 Full 703 7534 5274 7032 4922 1266 1 2 352 3767 2637 3516 2461 633 1 4 176 1884 1318 1758 1230 316 1 8 88 942 659 879 615 158 1 16 44 471 330 439 308 79 1 32 22 235 165 220 154 39 GN 33 110 92 105 89 45 ASA 100 SPECIFICATIONS AKC320 amp AKC320B General Elash Poweti enegenane ida nil 10 to 320 watt seconds 6 f stops Elash Durations i fagiioaa lai 1 120 second at Full 1 400 second at 1 2 1 840 second at 4 1 1660 second at 1 8 1 2900 second at 1 16 1 4800 second at 1 32 Recycling time iii 0 02 to 3 seconds Power ContrOl ieeereeereerrerrrrrrereenrrsrrenressennae Full to 1 32 range 6 f stops 0 1 f stop resolution FlashiGoOl ri ala Airis 5400 200 Kelvin Modeling Light Power 100 Watt 120 VAC ESR Modeling Light Control ON or OFF triggering ke ea adalia Built in Photoslave Push to Test button Synchronization Jack Main Supply 105 125 VAC 50 60 Hz 3 amp CONSUMP ION ii 1 amps idling 5 amps charge Overload Protection Fuse 3AG type 8 Amp SLO BLO Pa
13. onnect the other end of the cable to a grounded wall outlet Turn the power switch ON The READY light will light only when the unit has charged to the selected setting Reflector soft box bare bulb or other quick change Umbrella holder shaft passes through knock out in reflector Thumb screw for umbrella shaft CONTROL PANEL AND BASIC OPERATION amp FLASH POWER StudioMex INI Power Input The power required to operate the StudioMax III is 105 to 125 volts AC 50 60 Hz 4 Amp and or for a B battery model an approved DC battery power pack not included The power cord has a 125V 10 Amp rating Replacement cords or extension cords rated for less amperage may overheat and should not be used with StudioMax III 5 Circuit Protection Circuit protection fuse automatically protects this appliance from excessive damage due to circuit or component failure Operation exceeding the rated cycle of the appliance may cause the fuse to open Always replace fuse with same rating of fuse To replace a blown fuse power cord must be disconnected simply unscrew the fuse holder cap side front of unit and replace the exposed fuse with a new fuse If fuses continue to blow contact your dealer or qualified service person See specification section for fuses replacements Power Switch The three position power switch controls the AC power to both the modeling and flash circuits The lower p
14. osition is OFF Center position is flash only Top position is flash and modeling light If using a battery model B with a battery pack turn ON the AKC unit before turning the battery pack power ON Flash Power All settings and controls of the StudioMax III are extremely stable and repeatable due to the use of an internal microcomputer The AK320 and AK320B are adjustable from 10 watt seconds to 320 watt seconds The AK160 and AK160B are adjustable from 5 watt seconds to 160 watt seconds To adjust the StudioMax Ill to its lowest flash power setting 5 or 10 watt seconds rotate the FLASH POWER control knob fully counter clock wise To adjust the StudioMax III to its greatest flash power setting 160 or 320 watt seconds rotate the FLASH POWER control knob fully clock wise Ready Light The StudioMax III is charged when the READY lamp is on Lowest power 10 ws charge time is a maximum of 1 seconds and at full power charge 320 ws time is a maximum of 3 seconds The unit may be flashed before fully charged Modeling Light The modeling light has two modes of operation 1 With POWER switch in MODEL FLASH upper position the modeling lamp is ON 2 With POWER switch in FLASH or center position the modeling lamp is OFF Note With battery models the modeling lamp is disabled to conserve the available battery power Test Function The TEST button is pressed to fire the flashtube for test purposes Power Off Turn
15. rom defects in material and workmanship of the AK series of StudioMaxIll Lights for a period of ONE year At our choice we will repair or replace any AKC series light that is deemed to be defective This warranty does not cover damages caused by shipping product abuse or use other than the intended photographic applications Any product modifications will render this warranty void Use of other manufacture s accessories which restrict normal or intended operation especially venting airflow may cause damage and will void this warranty 14 General Trouble Shooting COMMON PROBLEMS AND CAUSES Unit does not charge Probable causes a Fuse blown Unplug and discharge the unit Replace fuse b No line power to unit Check line cord and outlet c Defective unit Return for repair Modeling light does not turn on Probable causes a Lamp turned off Press FULL ON OFF button until LED lights b Lamp burned out Inspect and replace when cool Replace with same part number Light flashes by itself without apparent reason Probable causes Defective trigger cord or trigger cord incorrectly polarized Bright light falling on photoslave Poor connection in line cord Reverse connection on trigger cord connection at camera Some radio slaves will cause interference Consult slave manufacturer Danno Trigger cord will not flash unit but charge indicator shows that the system has charged Probable causes a Defecti
16. the shutter A few sheets of white paper in front of the lens will cut down the brilliance of the flash and aid in making the observation The flash of the light should then appear as a circle the same size as the aperture If the circle is flattened on the sides or if no light appears through the lens the shutter is not synchronized If the shutter appears not to be synchronized a reputable camera repair shop should check the shutter contacts Photocell Slave The built in photoslave is operational when the unit is ON If you wish to disable the photoslave plug in your SYNC cord AKC160 and AKC320 Accessories A large assortment of Photogenic standard Quick Change reflectors umbrellas grids softboxes snoots barndoors and cases are available AKC160B and AKC320B A battery pack power source AKB 1 is available as well as a large assortment of Photogenic standard Quick Change reflectors umbrellas grids softboxes snoots barndoors and cases The AKB 1 uses a spill proof 12 volt battery to generate the 300 volts required to power the AKC160B for over 320 flashes and the ADC320B for over 160 flashes at FULL power QUICK CHANGE ACCESSORIES Reflectors PL3R Shallow Background reflector PL3RV Background veil cutout reflector PL5AR 5 Deep Conical Background reflector PL7R 7 Ye Standard high gain reflector 35 degree coverage PL14R 14 Parabolic for portraits feathering flood and fill
17. ve trigger cord b Defective flashtube Turn unit off Wait until discharged 4 hours and cool then replace flashtube See SERVICE section of this manual Photoslave is not triggering the flash Note The photoslave requires another flash to trigger the unit Probable causes a Ambient light may be flooding the photocell b Another light in the studio may be flooding the photocell c The sync jack is being used d Defective unit Return for repair 15 lotosenic Photogenic Professional Lighting 1268 Humbracht Circle Bartlett Illinois 60103 1631 USA Phone 630 830 2500 Fax 630 830 2525 Manual 016338 00 Revision 01 6 2005
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search