Long flash-duration strobes [REVISED]: t=0.5 values

<p><strong>Longest duration t=0.5 value flash units [REVISED]:</strong></p>

<p>1. Metz Mecablitz series: Full-power = 1/250th*<br /> 2. Quantum Qflash: Full-power = 1/300th<br /> 3. Calumet Travelite 750R: Full-power = 1/650th††<br />4. Dynalite Uni400JR: Full-power = 1/675th<br /> 5. Speedotron Force 10: Full-power = 1/850th [constant at all power levels]<br /> 6. Bowens Gemini Classic 500C: Full-power = 1/900th<br /> 7. Elinchrom Quadra-S: Full-power = 1/1,200th ['A' outlet]</p>

<p>*The t=0.5 specification for the Metz units is unconfirmed. While Metz' published t=0.1 specification is 1/125th at full power, Metz' does not publish a t=0.5 specification. See sources below for more information:<br /> <br /> http://pttl.mattdm.org/timing:flash-duration:metz<br /> http://speedlights.net/2010/11/10/metz-48-af-1-flash-review/</p>

<p>††The Calumet Travelite 750 t=0.5 specifications can be seen here on the Calumet site:</p>

<p>http://www.calumetphoto.com/eng/product/calumet_travelite_750r_radio_enabled_monolight/ce1106</p>

<p>Though both the Calumet Travelite 750 and Bowens 750 appear to be similar products, the Bowens 750 Pro has a published t=0.5 value of 1/2,300th:</p>

<p>http://www.bowensdirect.com/index.php/compact-flash/geminipro/gemini-750pro.html</p>

<p>However, the published Bowens figure raises another question. Even though the Bowens site states that the t=0.5 flash duration is 1/2,300th, based on this product description, <em>"The Gemini 750Pro monolight feature all of the benefits of the Gemini r units, including Travelpak battery and Pulsar Trigger Card compatibility, but also offers more power and flash-durations <strong>as fast as 1/2300 sec. </strong>[emphasis added],"</em> implying that a slower duration exists.</p>

<p>[Note: this thread contains revised data, and supercedes the information in the list posted an older thread, posted here: http://www.photo.net/photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00b8JH]</p>

<p><strong>Correction--Metz Mecablitz:</strong></p>

<p>Since t=0.5 values are typically 1/3 the speed of t=0.1 values, we can estimate the Metz' flash duration at approximately 1/375th, given the manufacturer's stated t=0.1 value of 1/125th:</p>

<p>Metz Mecablitz series: Full-power = 1/375th, estimate [t.1 = 1/125th]</p>

<p><strong>Longest duration t=0.5 value flash units v2.1 [CORRECTED]:</strong></p>

<p>1. Quantum Qflash: Full-power = 1/300th<br /> 2. Metz Mecablitz series: Full-power = 1/375th†<br /> 3. Lumedyne (various models): Full-power = 1/400th w/400Ws Signature-series power supply<br />4. Calumet Travelite 750R: Full-power = 1/650th<br /> 5. Dynalite Uni400JR: Full-power = 1/675th<br /> 6. Lumedyne (various models): Full-power = 1/800th w/200Ws Signature-series power supply<br />7. Speedotron Force 10: Full-power = 1/850th [constant at all power levels]<br />8. Bowens Gemini 500C/500R/Calumet Travelite 375R: Full-power = 1/900th<br />9. Elinchrom Quadra-S: Full-power = 1/1,200th ['A' outlet]**<br /> <br /> †This value is only an estimate, derived by multiplying the published t=0.1 value by three, and has not been confirmed by the manufacturer.<br /> <br /> **Note that there are other monolights with t=0.5 values lower than the Quadra-S head (e.g., 1/950th-1/1,100th), but this is the longest-duration strobe in a major-brand product in common professional use).</p>

<p><strong>Nikon Speedlights:</strong></p>

<p>Another site has published the specifications for all recent Nikon Speedlights in a conveninet table. To my surprise, Nikon Speedlights' durations are fairly long at full-power:</p>

<p>Flash durations at full power ['t' value used is unspecified]:</p>

<p>Nikon SB-400 = 1/300th<br /> Nikon SB-600 = 1/900th<br /> Nikon SB-700 = 1/1,042th<br /> Nikon SB-800 = 1/1,050th<br /> Nikon SB-900 = 1/880th<br /> Nikon SB-910 = 1/880th</p>

<p>Source: http://photographylife.com/nikon-flash-comparison</p>

<p>Listed in order of longest-to-shortest flash duration:</p>

<p>1. Nikon SB-400 = 1/300th<br /> 2. Nikon SB-900/910 = 1/880th<br /> 3. Nikon SB-600 = 1/900th<br /> 4. Nikon SB-700 = 1/1,042th<br /> 5. Nikon SB-800 = 1/1,050th</p>

<p><strong>Combined list: Nikon Speedlights + monolights</strong><br /> <br /> Listed in order of longest-to-shortest flash duration:<br /> <br /> 1. Nikon SB-400 = 1/300th/Quantum Qflash: Full-power = 1/300th<br /> 2. Metz Mecablitz series: Full-power = 1/375th [estimated]<br />3. Lumedyne (various models): Full-power = 1/400th w/400Ws Signature-series power supply<br />4. Calumet Travelite 750R: Full-power = 1/650th<br />5. Dynalite Uni400JR: Full-power = 1/675th<br />6. Lumedyne (various models): Full-power = 1/800th w/200Ws Signature-series power supply<br /> 7. Speedotron Force 10: Full-power = 1/850th [constant at all power levels]<br /> 8. Nikon SB-900/910 = 1/880th<br /> 9. Nikon SB-600 = 1/900th/Bowens Gemini 500C/500R/Calumet Travelite 375R: Full-power = 1/900th<br /> 10. Nikon SB-700 = 1/1,042th<br /> 11. Nikon SB-800 = 1/1,050th<br /> 12. Elinchrom Quadra-S: Full-power = 1/1,200th ['A' outlet]<br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>

<p>You must have taken the t=0.5 value of the Quantum T series at 1/300. The X series are 1/250. (or so I'm told).</p>

<p>Ian said:</p>

<blockquote>

<p>You must have taken the t=0.5 value of the Quantum T series at 1/300. The X series are 1/250. (or so I'm told)</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Yes, I did. That's the spec for the T-series, which you actually provided me in the old thread:</p>

<p>http://www.photo.net/photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00YrJV?start=60</p>

<p>Referring back to that Quantum table you posted, you're right! The 400Ws Qflash X/X2-series' t=0.5 value is 1/250th at full-power (the 200Ws Qflash X/X2-series is 1/400th). I'll have to amend the list. Thanks for catching that!</p>

<p><strong>Longest duration t=0.5 value flash units v2.2 [includes Nikon Speedlights]:</strong></p>

<p>Listed in order of longest-to-shortest flash duration:</p>

<p>1. Quantum Qflash X/X2-series, 400Ws: Full-power = 1/250th<br />2. Nikon SB-400 = 1/300th/Quantum Qflash T/T2-series, 150Ws: Full-power = 1/300th<br />3. Metz Mecablitz series: Full-power = 1/375th [estimated]<br /> 4. Quantum Qflash X/X2-series, 200Ws = 1/400th/Lumedyne (various models): Full-power = 1/400th w/400Ws Signature-series<br />5. Calumet Travelite 750R: Full-power = 1/650th<br />6. Dynalite Uni400JR: Full-power = 1/675th<br />7. Lumedyne (various models): Full-power = 1/800th w/200Ws Signature-series power supply<br />8. Speedotron Force 10: Full-power = 1/850th [constant at all power levels]<br />9. Nikon SB-900/910 = 1/880th<br />10. Nikon SB-600 = 1/900th/Bowens Gemini 500C/500R/Calumet Travelite 375R: Full-power = 1/900th<br />11. Nikon SB-700 = 1/1,042th**<br />12. Nikon SB-800 = 1/1,050th**<br />13. Elinchrom Quadra-S: Full-power = 1/1,200th ['A' outlet]**</p>

<p>**[Note: There are a handful of additional strobes with t=0.5 values lower than these two specific Nikon Speedlights, and Quadra-S head (e.g., Bowens, etc., from 1/950th-1/1,100th), but both the Nikon Speedlights and the Quadra head, have the largest t=0.5 values of strobes in such widespread use.]</p>

<p><strong>[revising]</strong></p>

<p><strong><em>CORRECTION:</em></strong></p>

<blockquote>

<p><em>Nikon SB-400 = <strong>1/300th [iNCORRECT]</strong></em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>According to Nikon USA's current spec sheet for the product, its actual duration at full power is <strong><em>1/1,300th</em></strong>. This must've been a typo from the orginal (non-Nikon) source.</p>