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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Questions about Zeus Power Packs and Bi-Tubes..
Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 12:17 AM on 01.04.09 |
->> I know this has been discussed way to much but I am having trouble figuring out the information I need. I will try to be as specific as possible.
I will be ordering this weekend either the 1250, 2500 with bi-tube heads. But I just can not wrap my head around the flash duration discussion that has been going on.
Now if I were to purchase the 2500 pack and use the bi-tube it looks like the T1 (only number I care about as that is what stops the action) is at 1/600th of a second which is the same as the AB1600 I currently own. That is with both plugs plugged into the outlets.
Now if I were to set that to the 1/4th switch would my T1 now be 1/1250th at 625ws (same power as the B1600's)? Or what would that be at?
I know that by lowering power using the slider my T1 would actually get longer and not shorter, but that I need to use the switch that is located next to the plugs in order to quicken the T1 flash duration.
My question is the same with the 1250 pack. If used at the 1/4th switch that would be 312ws (same as a B800) and my T1 would than be 1/1800th? Or what would that be?
The only numbers I really care about are the T1 numbers. Would it be better to just get the single tube heads if I will be using these packs on 1/4th all the time or will using the bi-tube still be quicker on that power setting.
Or what if I had the bi-tube and only one plug plugged in and have it on 3/4ths setting (is that even possible) would my T1 be better?
Sorry for all these questions. I have to have these by Tuesday so I will be overnight them and I just want to make sure I know all of this information before I decide on a power pack.
Thanks
**Wanted to also ask when you use the extension cable how much longer does that make the flash durations? Or does that only affect the recycle time |
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Shawn Cullen, Assistant
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San Diego | CA | | Posted: 11:57 PM on 01.04.09 |
->> If I am not mistaken, using just the 1/4 power reduction switch you will achieve 1/2400th flash duration with the 2500ws pack with the bi tube head. If you reduce to 1/4 power you would multiply the flash duration by 4. 4x600= 2400. The same goes with the 1250ws pack.
If you use the variable power slider, than you will lengthen the flash duration.
Go to this link, http://www.paulcbuff.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=59
Read "Capacitor Switching".
Also, T.1 is equal to 1/3 of T.5.
Hope this helps. |
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 12:50 PM on 01.06.09 |
->> Shawn,
Yeah those numbers sound about right. I will be getting some accurate numbers today I am hoping as what was explained to me by one tech there was not right. Here is an update that I received so far:
Update to the situation...
Ok well I called again this morning. The tech I talked to was very very nice and willing to sit there and listen to me moan and groan a little about what happened. He is also researching some of the questions I had about using different setup's for flash durations.
Let me make this clear for those of you that might think about purchasing this setup. When using the slider to adjust power your flash durations will get LONGER. Again they will get LONGER not shorter.
If you use the switch (full power, 3:1, 1/4th) your flash durations will get SHORTER.
If your like me and purchase the bi-tubes you can purchase a ZYXT converter which will take your A and B plugs and turn them into one socket. That way you can plug your bi-tube head into either the 3:1 or 1/4th area and get faster durations while still using BOTH tubes. So if you use that ZYXT and set the single socket into the 3:1 your going to get around 930 watts (or so) which divided by two tubes is around 450ws of power.
Which will mean a much faster flash duration than 1/900th which you get when using the full 1250 pack of power. I would assume since your seeing around 600ws in each tube on full power and getting 1/900th you will see around 1/1200 or higher when using the ZYXT at 3:1 ratio and getting 400 or so watts.
The person who I talked to said he would get me the numbers here today.
But when using the bi-tube, ZYXT tool and putting it on the 1/4th socket your going to get a t1 over 1/2100 of a second (Around 312ws total which is equal to a B800 strobe) which is extremely fast and double the speed of a B800 strobe at full power!
Anyways when I get the numbers from this very nice tech I will post them.
By the way I will also add that I tested this pack out at full power and like someone posted it sounds like a small 22 rifle going off! lol Not kidding either. |
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 1:03 PM on 01.06.09 |
->> Ok some more information on this in case anyone every wants to know.
Using the 1250 pack and having that Y adaptor (enables both flash tubes to fire from a single socket) with the switch set to 3:1 your T1 will be 1/1250th of a second.
With it plugged into the 1/4th socket your T1 will be around 1/2180 (312ws or a B800 strobe).
Now using the 2500 pack your going to look at around half of whatever the 1250 is showing.
So at 1/4th power on the 2500 pack your looking at a T1 in the ballpark of 1/1000th of a second (612ws or equal to a B1600).
Again these numbers are using a bi-tube with a ZYXT connector.
I would assume on the 2500 pack at 3:1 your looking at around 1/800th for a T1. |
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Kirt Winter, Photographer
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 5:33 PM on 01.06.09 |
->> "With it plugged into the 1/4th socket your T1 will be around 1/2180 (312ws or a B800 strobe). "
Just to be clear, you would get the same power output as a B800, but it's T1 is listed as 1/1100 and its recycle time would be approximately 1 second.
So with the Zeus setup (1250 pack plus bi-tube head) you get 1/2180 T1 plus a recycle time that is listed as .35 seconds. Whether that is worth the extra $800+ might be debateable, but it is an advantage.
My question is what do you lose from that second set of specs if you go with the non-bi-tube head (and no "Y" cable)?
Matthew, thanks for the info, and please keep us (or at least me) posted if you gain further insights. |
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 1:03 AM on 01.07.09 |
->> Kirt,
That would be correct on your first question. You just have to remember that you should only shoot around 24 shots per minute (that would be tough as hell to achieve, but still something to watch for).
Well I think if you really had the money and needed that stopping power you would go for the 2500 pack and use 1/4th which would be equal to the B1600 but with t1 times closer to the B800.
Kirt I will try and find out that information but using the website I believe at that your looking at dividing the t1 of the bi-tube by half in order to get the t1 when using just one tube. |
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