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The AlienBees Flash Units Operating Instructions (AlienBees Models B400, B800 and B1600) Thank you for purchasing an AlienBees Flash Unit! This manual will provide you with assistance as you learn the features and operation of the unit. It is important that you read this manual carefully, to ensure safe and proper use of your AlienBees units. If you have any additional questions or need further assistance, please call us on our Toll Free Customer Service Line at 1-877-714-3381. We are available to help you with your questions Monday through Friday, from 9:00am until 5:00pm, Central Standard Time.
Your AlienBees Absolute Satisfaction Guarantee and Factory WarrantyAt the AlienBees Intergalactic Headquarters, our highest priority is our customers...each individual customer. We have invaded this planet to guide you to a higher level of intelligence, and we take great pride in our Customer Service. We want you to rest assured that we will assist you in every way possible when you are making your decision to purchase, and we will stand behind you after the sale. In order for you to bee happy, and certain that what you've purchased is what you want and need, we offer a 60 Day Absolute Satisfaction Guarantee. We are that convinced that you will be completely satisfied with our products. This guarantee gives you the option to try out our equipment, and make changes if necessary, or return it if it does not serve you as you'd hoped. We are confident that when you get your equipment, you will see just what a great decision you have made in purchasing our products. However, if for any reason you are not satisfied, you may return your equipment within 60 days for a complete refund, minus the cost of shipping. Furthermore, all AlienBees Flash Units carry a 2 Year Factory Warranty. The warranty does apply to a unit's original flashtube, but not to the modeling lamp, as these are standard bulbs that may be exhausted based on use. The warranty obligation of Paul C. Buff, Inc. is limited to the repair or the replacement of products which have become defective under normal use, as outlined in this manual. Should you experience any difficulties, please call us, and we will assess your predicament as best we can, and let you know if we need to bring your unit in for repair or replacement. At this time, we will also let you know how to package and ship your product back to us, if necessary. Equipment must be returned to Paul C. Buff, Inc. or an authorized international repair center for warranty or out of warranty repairs.
Warning!This unit contains high voltages and internal components that can store dangerous voltages even when the unit is unplugged. The unit contains no user-serviceable parts and should not be disassembled except by a qualified technician. The flashtube and the modeling lamp can get extremely hot. To change lamps, turn the unit off, then unplug the power cord from the AC outlet. Allow the unit to cool, and use insulating gloves to remove or replace lamps. Do not allow your finger oils to contact the lamps as this can cause excess heating and premature lamp failure. Before attempting to operate the unit, make sure that the unit is securely mounted to a light stand. Do not allow unattended children around studio flash equipment as potentially dangerous conditions may result. These dangers may include burns and electrical shock hazards as well as the possibility of falling equipment if cords are tripped over. The unit may only be connected to a 3-wire grounded outlet to avoid shock hazard. Do not connect the unit to ungrounded outlets, or to two-wire extension cords or adapters that eliminate the ground prong. Product DescriptionThe AlienBees Professional Photographic Flash Units are powerful and compact monolights, designed for the most demanding professional use, yet are equally at home in the hands of the enthusiastic beginner. Available in models B400, B800 and B1600, the AlienBees units are self-contained AC-powered studio flash units, offering consistent performance and versatility for a wide range of subjects.
Power RequirementsAs the units require an AC power source, each unit comes with a 15-foot power cord. This cord connects to the flash unit on the back control panel with a standard IEC connector, and then must be connected to a 120VAC, 50-60Hz power outlet. The units are rated at 6 amps average current, and may briefly peak at nearly 18 amps input current at the very beginning of the recycle period. The AlienBees units will draw less average current if the flashpower is set for lower output and the modeling lamp is off. Depending on the model lamp rating and the model lamp power setting, the AlienBees require approximately 1 to 2 amperes to illuminate the model lamp and maintain the flash.
When shooting in an environment where an AC power source is not available, we recommend the exclusive use of the Vagabond Portable Power System (see specific product for details). The Vagabond is designed specifically for Paul C. Buff, Inc. flash units, to provide a convenient, lightweight, self-contained portable power source at a very low cost. In addition, the Vagabond's internal battery can be recharged from any source of commercial AC power nearly anywhere in the world. Multiple Vagabond units may be purchased for the price of a single generator or high power true sine wave inverter system. Should you decide not to use the Vagabond Portable Power System, please contact our Technical Department for information about using generators, inverters or transformers to power your AlienBees units.
What comes with each unitEach Alienbees Flash Unit comes with our standard 100 watt modeling lamp, a 5600ºK daylight-balanced flashtube, our 7-inch silver field reflector, 15-foot power and sync cords, a black polycarbonate shipping cover, small nylon clips (for attaching gels and filters), and your Owner’s Operation Manual.
Flash CapacitorsUsing precision voltage regulation and well-designed internal thermodynamics, the AlienBees Flash Units produce consistent and correct output levels based on the output settings that you assign. The regulator circuit inside the flash unit controls the electrical energy from the AC power source by continuously monitoring the back panel control settings, the status of the back panel switches, and the remote control input (when you are using either our Wired or Radio Remotes) to determine the correct amount of energy to be applied to the high voltage converter circuit. The high voltage is then used to charge the flash capacitor(s) to the appropriate level, thus storing a precise amount of electrical energy proportional to the prescribed settings. The flash capacitors hold this energy, then release the energy as a short, controlled burst of light (a “flash”) when the signal to fire is received. The advanced durability flash capacitors in AlienBees flash units are designed to provide consistent output levels, shorter flash duration, decreased heat build-up, and higher capability.
Flash DurationAs discharging the capacitor’s stored energy produces a flash, the amount of time that the flash is present will vary based on the amount of energy to be discharged. A higher power model flash unit, with more capacitors storing more energy, will have a longer flash duration, as there is more energy to discharge. For example, the B400 unit at full power has a shorter flash duration than the B800 unit at full power. However, when you lower the flashpower of that B800, the flash duration does not get shorter. This is because of the voltage applied by the unit's capacitors. The flash duration is a measurement of the time that it takes for the capacitor(s) to release their charge and produce a flash. When the flashpower is lowered, the amount of voltage applied to the capacitor(s) is lowered. So, even though the same flashpower output can be achieved by a B400 and a lowered B800, the B400 has only one capacitor to discharge, whereas the B800 has two to discharge, taking slightly more time. When you reduce the flashpower on a unit, the flash duration actually increases. The duration gets longer by roughly 1/4 to 1/2 as you lower the power from full down to 1/32 power.
OutputThe output of each unit is continuously variable over a stepless 5 f-stop range from Full down to 1/32nd of the total power, in whole f-stop increments, and everywhere in between. The flashpower is adjusted on the back control panel of the unit, with a slide fader that shows marked f-stop increments. This convenient slider allows you to adjust the output of your unit simply and quickly, changing the quantity and intensity of the light produced without having to physically move the light source back and forth.
FiringEach AlienBees unit comes with a 15-foot sync cord, having a 1/8-inch miniplug on one end, and a standard PC-connection on the other. This sync cord connects your camera to the flash unit, so that when you press your camera’s shutter to take a picture, the flash unit will fire simultaneously. The miniplug on one end of this cord will plug in to the Sync Jack on the back panel of the unit, and the other end of the cord will connect to your camera with its PC connection. If your specific camera does not have an input for this PC connection, you can still connect the sync cord to your camera by using a Hot Shoe Adaptor. We offer a durable and inexpensive hot shoe adaptor (item HSA, $14.95) that will slide directly into your camera’s hot shoe, providing an input for your sync cord.
The sync/trigger voltage is rated at 6 volts, safe for both film and digital cameras. Most other brands of flash units have sync voltages much higher than these, some as high as 50-60 volts. When using a digital camera with any flash unit, it is best to check on the maximum sync voltage allowed for your specific camera.
As each AlienBees unit has a built-in slave tripper, when using a multi-light setup you will only need to connect one unit in the setup to your camera. With one unit connected, the other units will reliably fire at the same time via their built-in slave trippers. The slave tripper is activated by the Slave Cell, located on the back control panel. This slave cell is disengaged whenever a miniplug is inserted into the Sync Jack. When a sync cord is inserted, the unit will only take its cue to fire from this cord, whether the signal is sent from your camera, from a flash meter, or from the remote control. When there is no sync cord present, however, the Slave Cell will serve to fire the unit whenever it “sees” the light from another flash. This cell will fire the unit when tripped by a flash 50+ feet away. This slave tripper allows you to connect one light in your setup, leaving the other lights to fire with this slave cell. The slave tripper will fire the individual unit, at its prescribed settings, simultaneously with the connected unit.
RecycleAfter the unit fires (releasing the stored energy from the flash capacitors), the unit will begin recycling, to recharge the capacitors. The red DUMP LED will light as the unit recycles, then the green OK LED will light to indicate that the recycle is complete, and the unit is again ready to fire at the same settings. The AlienBees units boast fast recycle times, recycling quickly for time-constrained work. The recycle time is at its longest when the unit is set to full power, and shortens as the flashpower settings are lowered.
The red DUMP LED will also light whenever the unit is adjusted from a higher power to a lower power setting. As there is more power stored in the capacitors from the previous higher setting, this power must be “dumped,” so that the capacitors hold the correct amount of energy for the new, lower power setting. The unit will automatically dump this excess charge quickly, and the green OK light will indicate that this excess charge has been dumped. If you do not wish to wait for the unit to automatically dump this charge, you can push the red TEST button, to immediately dump the charge. When the green OK light comes on, the unit holds the correct amount of energy for the settings, and is ready to fire based on those settings.
FlashtubesThe flash capacitor’s terminals are connected to electrodes inside the flashtube, which is a hollow, circular glass envelope containing xenon gas. When the signal to fire the light is received, a high voltage pulse is created by the control circuitry, and is applied to a “trigger electrode” attached to the flashtube. This high voltage pulse causes the xenon gas inside to ionize. The ionization process makes the xenon gas highly conductive, and the energy stored in the flash capacitor(s) is discharged through the xenon gas. The energy flowing through the ionized xenon gas is dissipated as heat, and as a brilliant pulse of light. The initial burst of brilliant light fades as the energy stored in the flash capacitor(s) is depleted, until finally the pulse of light is extinguished. This entire process occurs very quickly, typically in fractions of a millisecond!
The spectral content, or color balance, of light emitted by a light source is stated in terms of “color temperature,” and is measured in degrees on the Kelvin scale. The Kelvin scale relates to energy emitted by an object, and starts at absolute zero, or -273º Celsius. Direct sunlight is usually stated as having a color temperature of about 5500-5700ºK.
The flashtubes used in AlienBees units are daylight-balanced at 5600ºK, providing accurate color rendition. Each AlienBees unit comes with a standard 5600ºK 10mm or 12mm flashtube (10mm tubes are used in the B400 and B800 models, with 12mm tubes used in the B1600 models). Optional UV tubes are available, having a coating that reduces their output color temperature to about 5200ºK. The life expectancy of a flashtube is stated as the number of flashes it will produce before needing replacement due to decreased output. The flashtubes used in AlienBees units have a life expectancy of well over 100,000 flashes, and depending on use they will typically provide over 250,000 flashes. The flashtubes for all AlienBees units are user-replaceable, with replacements sold inexpensively.
Modeling With precision voltage-regulated circuits supplying consistent output, the AlienBees boast true “what-you-see-is-what-you-get” modeling lamp accuracy. Each unit comes with a 100 watt modeling lamp, which is essentially a light bulb, having a standard Edison type screw-in. This lamp provides accurate modeling, with simple and inexpensive replacement. It is normal for modeling lamps to become exhausted by use, and replacements can be purchased through AlienBees, or from any local hardware store carrying comparable bulbs. As the unit contains a 100 watt bulb, if brighter modeling is required, you can replace this bulb with a bulb rated up to 150 watts. Any incandescent light bulb can be used, as long as it is rated under 150 watts. Bulbs with wattages higher than 150 watts, and fluorescent bulbs may not be used, as these can produce excessive heat or electrical noise. Please call our Technical Services Department if you have questions about using different bulbs.
The modeling lamp can be set to full brightness, turned completely off, or set to track the power changes by pushing in the grey TRACK button. When set to tracking mode, the modeling lamp will brighten and dim as you adjust the flashpower, matching the output from Full down to 1/32nd of the brightness. This allows you a true preview, and is especially beneficial in multi-light setups. When using multiple flash units, if you set the modeling lamp in each unit to track the changes made in power, you will have an accurate preview of the brightness and specularity of each light in exact ratios, regardless of the individual settings for each light.
For multi-light setups, we strongly recommend that you use multiple lights in the same model (for example, three B800 units) to maintain the accuracy of this preview. When using multiple light setups where different power models are present, you may want to replace the modeling lamp(s) in the lower power model(s), to get an accurate preview with matched ratios. For example, if you have a three-light setup with two B1600 units and one B800 unit, you can keep the 100 watt bulbs in the B1600 models, and replace the lamp in the B800 model with a 75 watt bulb. This way, the preview will not only reflect the power settings, it will additionally maintain the accurate ratios of power in your setup.
The modeling lamp in each unit may also be used as a recycle indicator, turning itself off when the unit is recycling, and coming back on to let you know when the unit is fully recycled and you are ready to shoot again. To utilize this feature, simply push in the white CYCLE button.
Internal Fan CoolingAlienBees flash units, like any electronic device, produce heat during normal operation. We incorporate axial-flow thermodynamics to reduce heat build-up, and offer a built-in cooling fan that allows extended, all day shooting sessions, and prevents overheating when using accessories such as softboxes and honeycomb grids which enclose the flashtube and modeling lamp, containing the heat.
HousingThe AlienBees units are housed in high-impact Lexan polycarbonate (the same material used for bullet-proof glass). This material makes the unit both indestructible and lightweight. The housing additionally has a built-in hole for umbrellas, located on the top of the unit, with a small black screw to hold the umbrella in place.
On the front of the unit is a silver, quick-release faceplate. This faceplate has a hole for the modeling lamp and flashtube, with four small holding fingers around it. These fingers expand and contract to hold accessories, including the black protective shipping cover and the standard 7-inch field reflector, as well as our other light modifiers, reflectors, and softbox speedrings.
As the flash unit must be securely attached to a light stand before being operated, each unit has a swivel bracket stand mount already attached to the housing. This stand mount will fit all of our light stands, and almost any stand with a connection up to 5/8-inch. The black knob turns to securely fasten the stand mount to a light stand. The black arm is then used to adjust the angle of the flash unit, tightening to hold the unit in the desired position. Accessories |
