Honeywell Strobonar 470 User manual

Welcome to Honeywell's Family of Fine Photography
We hope your new equipment never causes problems. But if something should go
wrong, please let us help. Our national network of Honeywell owned and operated
service centers is staffed by trained technicians who know Honeywell equipment better
than anyone else. You can get in touch with the center nearest you through your Honey-
well photo dealer or by contacting the center directly. They're listed at the back of these
instructions,
 Please write to me directly  if you have comments or suggestions on how we can serve
you even better. We'd really like to hear from you.


                                              Robert M. Spangl{r, Di     Consumer Affairs
                                             Honeywell Photographi
                                          5200 East Evans Avenue
                                                 Denver, Colorado 80222
Open this flap
   Leave this flap open for easY reference while reading through the instruction book.

Parts chart
 1. Mounting foot
 2. Center contact             This manual containing instructions in English, French,
 3. Charger receptacle          German and Spanish languages may be obtained by writing
 4. Automatic                        to the address below.
    selector knob                            Pour obtenir le manuel contenant le mode d'emploi en 5. Automatic range
    symbols                        anglais, en frangais, en allemand et en espagnol, priere
 6. Automatic sensor               d'6crire A I'addresse ci-dessous:
 7. Lens                        Ein Handbuch mit den Anweisungen auf Englisch, Franzo-
 B. Shutter cord                  sisch, Deutsch und Spanisch ist auf Wunsch erhdltlich.
    receptacle                                   Diesbeztigliche Anfragen bitte an folgende Adresse richten:
 9. Open flash button
10. Battery switch             Puede solicitarse un manual de instrucciones en alemdn,
11. Calculator                      espafrol, franc6s e ingl6s escribiendo a la siguiente direc-
12. ASA or DIN index               cion:
13. Rapid charge unit
14. Ready light
                        HONEYWELL INC.
                                    Photographic Products Division
                                Consumer Affairs
                                     P.O. Box 22083
                                     Denver, Colorado 80222 U.S.A.

How your energy saver works
Automatic or computer electronic flash units control exposure by controlling the amount of
time the flashtube is on. At long flash-to-subject distances, the flashtube is on for long periods
of time. As you move closer to your subject, the flashtube is on for shorter periods. But, the
exposure remains the same as long as the flash is within the prescribed shooting range. This
eliminates constant adjustment of your camera lens opening for each different shooting
distance. You use just one lens opening over the automatic distance range you choose.
The period the flashtube is on is controlled by the ftash computer. The computer monitors the
light reflected from the subject, adding it up until a predetermined amount is reached. At this
time, the computer turns off the  f lashtube to control the exposure.
Most computer controlled electronic flash units waste the energy not used for a particular
flash. Thus, whether the flashtube is on for a long or a short time, all the remaining energy is
wasted. Each time the flash unit is fired, it has to start from zero and build up the required
energy level for the next flash, requiring long recycle times and needlessly exhausting bat-
tery energy.
Your Honeywell 470, however, stores the energy not used and uses it for the next flash. This
gives you super-fast recycle time (up to 0.4 seconds between flashes is possible) and more
flashes per battery charge. You may get as many as 500 flashes if all your shots are at
close range.
Here's how. Four different shooting distances are shown in the chart on page 7. Each example
uses f/2.0 as the constant lens opening. Note in the first chart that the flash-to-subject  distance
is 20 feet (6 meters) and 80% of the flash energy is used. The corresponding recycle time is
6 seconds and the number of flashes per battery charge is about 45.
It's all relative! Look at the other charts and note the energy saved, with resulting shorter re-
cycle times, plus increased flashes per battery charge as the shooting distance becomes
shorter.

First - Set charger voltage
Your Honeywell Rapid Charge unit can be used to charge the built-in nickel cadmium battery
on either 115 volt AC (standard U.S.A.) or 230 volt AC (many European and other countries.).
Set the charger voltage selector on the bottom of your rapid charge unit to match the line
voltage you will use. Use a ballpoint pen or similar object positioned in the slot as shown to
                                                   set the voltage selector.
                                   CAUTION: The charger voltage selector must
                                      be set to the voltage you are using to prevent
                                     damage to your charger.
                              A wall outlet AC adapter may be necessary in
                                     some countries to adapt the two-prong plug on
                                           your charger to the AC wall outlet. The adapter
                                  may vary from country to country or within a
                                                   particular country.
Second - Charge battery
Before you use your unit the first time, charge the battery tor at least 3 hours.
TO CHARGE, set the voltage selector as described above. Connect the charger as shown on
page 3 and set the Battery switch (10) to OFF. (See page 9 for more information about the
battery.)
Third - Form the capacitor
After charging form the capacitor.
TO FORM THE CAPACITOR, set the Battery switch (10) to ON and fire the flash about 5 times
by pressing the Open Flash Button (9). Wait about 30 seconds between flashes. (See page 10
for more information about forming the capacitor.)
rNOTE: When operating the charger at g0 to 100 volts AC (Japan), set the voltage selector to 115V. The number
of llashes per minute of charge will be less than shown on page 19.

Battery charging                  www.butkus.us
Before first use
Because of shelf-life discharge, you must charge the battery for at least three hours before
you use your unit the first time. lf time permits, an overnight or 24-hour charge is recom-
mended. See page 19 for average number of flashes per minute of charge.
How often to charge
It's good practice to charge the battery after each use. The battery must be charged when
the recycle time is 30 seconds or longer.
The battery discharges when it is not charged periodically or if it is stored at temperatures
above 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees centigrade). So give it a good charge right after
you've used it. To keep your 470 ready for instant use, charge the battery at least once every
30 days.
lf you forget
 lf you haven't charged the battery for longer than six months or if you forget and leave your
470 turned on, charge the battery for a full 24 hours. lf it does not seem recovered, discharge
and recharge again in this manner. Turn on your 470 and let it idle for about 172 hours. Don't
flash it during this time! Then charge for a second 24-hour period. Discharging and recharging
2 or 3 times should recover the battery.  lf the battery is not recovered after 3 cycles of dis-
charge followed by 24-hour charges, it's time to see one of Honeywell's Service Centers. You
may need a new battery.
ALWAYS DTSCOwTVECT the charger lrom your Auto/Strobonar when you have completed charging. fhis is re-
quired to keep the battery from discharging needlessly through the circuitry in the charger.
AVOID SfORtTVG OR CHARGING your Strobonar at tempetatures  in excess ol 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees
centigrade). To do so will cause the battery to accept a limited charge in the times recommended (see page 19).
To obtain normal battery operation again, charge lor at |east three hours at temperatures below g5 degrces.
WARNING: Do not operale yout Auto/Strobonar  il the ready light takes 30 seconds or more to glow. Charge the
battery and then operate your Auto/Strobonar.

Forming the capacitor
Like all electronic flash units, your 470 has an energy storage capacitor which stores the
electrical energy required by the flashtube. When your flash is new or has not been used for
30 days or more, it's normal for it to lose some of its ability to store electrical energy, or deform.
A deformed capacitor causes longer recycle time for the first few flashes and less flashes per
battery charge. Flashing your unit a few times as described on page 8 will reform the capacitor.


Attaching to camera
 lf your camera has a built-in accessory shoe, mount your Strobonar to the accessory shoe and
tighten the knurled nut on the mounting shoe. Cameras equipped for cordless flash have a
center contact in the accessory shoe. In this case there is no need to connect the shutter cord
included with your 470.
 lf there is no contact in the accessory shoe, just connect the shutter cord by inserting the 100
jack into receptacle (B). Connect the end with the removable tip connector to the X-sync ter-
minal of your camera. Tip connectors are available for a variety of cameras (see your dealer).
A standard PC (DlN) tip is supplied.
lf your camera does not have an accessory shoe, use one of the many Honeywell brackets
available from your dealer.

www.butkus.usSetting shutter speed
Use X-synchronization (zero delay).  lf your camera has a between-the-lens  shutter it will syn-
chronize at all speeds.  lf it has a focal plane shutter, it will synchronize only at slower speeds,
generally up to 1/60 second. Check your camera instruction manual or see your dealer.



Creative control
The 470 gives you a choice of 3 f/stops with 3 different shooting ranges when shooting
automatically. This means you can creatively decide on more or less depth of field (area of
sharp focus) by using a larger or smaller f/stop while shooting automatically. Your 470 has
manual (non-automatic) operation, too. Use manual for such techniques as fill-in flash (page
17), bounce flash, etc., or for pictures beyond the auto flash range.

                                     Continued on page 12.

Creative control (cont.)
             The selector knob (4) has four positions.

               This position is for non-automatic operation only.

   MANUALH
              This automatic position lets you use a small lens opening to increase depth
               of field while shooting at a close flash-to-subject range of 2 to 10 feet (.6 to
             3 meters). Set the selector knob (4) to this I  position. On the exposure calcu-
                  lator (11), read the f/stop setting opposite the orange symbol I and set your
              camera lens accordingly.
  ORANGEH
              This is the middle position.  lt lets you use a larger lens opening for medium
              depth of field at a medium shooting range of 4 to 16 feet (1.2 to 5 meters).
              Set the selector knob (4) to this O position. On the exposure calculator (11),
              read the f/stop setting opposite the green symbol O and set your camera
   GREEN       lens accordingly.H

              This automatic position lets you use a very large lens opening to decrease
              depth of field at extended shooting range of 5 to 28 feet (1.5 to 8.5 meters).
               Set the selector knob (4) to A. On the exposure calculator (11), read the f/stop
                 setting opposite yellow symbol A and set your camera lens accordingly.
  YELLOWH

Taking pictures automatically www.butkus.us

1. Turn calculator dial (11) until the ASA or DIN number of film is opposite the ASA or DIN
index (12).
2. On the calculator dial (11), choose the f/stop that gives you depth of field andlor range
you want opposite one of the three colored symbols (1, O, A). You have a choice of three
f/stops for each different film speed. The maximum shooting range for each f/stop appears
opposite the symbol.
EXAMPLE:  lf you are using a film speed of ASA 25 (DlN 15) you can shoot at either afl5.6
(2 to 10 feet or.6 to 3 meters), O f/3.5 (4 to 16 feet or 1.2 to 5 meters), or Ll/2.0 (5 to 28 feet
or 1.5 to 8.5 meters).
3. Turn selector (4) between its stops until the symbol opposite your selected stop on calcu-
lator appears in the lower window of the selector. BE CAREFUL NOT TO FORCE SELECTOR
AGAINST STOPS. THE TRIANGLE ( ) IS THE LIMIT WHEN ROTATED CLOCKWISE. THE
MANUAL (M) tS THE LrMrT WHEN ROTATED COUNTERCLOCKWTSE.  rF YOU ARE AGATNST
THE STOP, JUST FIND THE SYMBOL YOU WANT BY TURNING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.
4. Set your camera lens to the selected f/stop.
5. Set Battery switch (10) to ON.
6. Shoot your picture after the ready light (14) comes on. Within the range of your selected
f/stop, your subject will receive correct exposure automatically- with no bothersome adjust-
ments or calculations.

Taking pictures non-automatically
using calculator
 1. Turn the automatic selector (4) counterclockwise  until Manual (M) appears in the lower
window of the selector.
 2. Turn calculator (1 1) until ASA or DIN film speed is opposite index (12).
 3. Check the distance from the flash to your subject, using the distance scale on your camera
 lens or some other convenient method. Remember  it is flash-to-subject distance that counts,
 not camera-to-su bject distance.
4. On your camera set the f/stop that appears opposite the flash-to-subject distance on the
calculator (1 1).
5. Switch the Battery switch (10) to ON and take your picture after the ready light (14) comes on.
EXAMPLE:  lf you are using a film speed of ASA 25 (DlN 15) with a flash-to-subject distance
 of 10 feet (3 meters), the proper   f /stop to set on your camera is f/5.6.
 NOTE: The calculator scale and the guide number are based on averages calculated lor average size rooms with
 light walls. lf you are taking pictures in a very large room or out ol doors at night, you may need to increase the
exposure by one l/stop or more.

Accessory lens kit
The accessorylens  kit (Cat. No.4301) adapts your Strobonar for various picture-taking situa-
 tions. This kit has regular and wide-angle UV and neutral density lenses. lt has a clear wide-
 angle lens that increases the angle of coverage of the 470 to include the field of view of a
35mm wide-angle lens for use on 35mm cameras. The kit also has filters for use with photo
 flood balanced film. The lenses can be fitted and removed in seconds.

Taking pictures non-automaticallywww.butkus.us
using guide numbers
1. Turn the automatic selector (4) counterclockwise  until Manual (M) appears in the lower
window of the selector.
2. Find the guide number for the film speed you are using in the table below.
3. Determine the  f lash-to-subject distance.
4. Divide the guide number by the flash-to-subject distance to find your f/stop setting for
average exposure and set this f/stop on your camera lens.
5. Switch the Battery switch (10) to ON and take your picture after the ready light (14) comes on.
EXAMPLE:  lf you are using a film speed of ASA 25 (DlN 15) at a flash-to-subject distance of
10 feet (3 meters) the proper f/stop to set on your camera is f/5.6 (56 divided by 10 or 17.'l
divided by 3). The nearest click stop on your camera is close enough for practical work.

 ASA              25   32    40    50    o4    BO   100  125  160   200  250  320  400   800    1 600

 DIN               15    16    17    18    19    20    21    22   23   24    25   26   27   30     33
 GUIDE NO.                   56   62    70   80    VU   100  112  126  140   160  180  200  224  316    448 FEET
 GUIDE NO.                      17.1  19.2  21.3  24.1   27.1  30.5  34.1   38.4   43  48.2  54.6    61  68.3  96.3  136.6 METERS
EXAMPLE: Your camera is loaded with fast film (assume ASA 400 or DIN 27). You desire to
shoot at a flash-to-subject distance of 7 feet (2.1 meters) and the smallest lens opening on
your camera is f/16. Using the guide number method, compute an f/stop of  f /32 (224 divided
by   7 or 68.3 dividedby 2.1). Then set your camera atf /16; install the ND ff2tilter (see page'14)   and the effective exposure becomes f/32. Thus, the ND ff2 tilter reduces the intensity ofyour Strobonar by 2 f/stops.

Tips for using your Auto/Strobonar





                                                                                  www.butkus.us

Move in close for tight shots or back away for long shots. You can do this without changing
setting when operating automatically.
Try to line up a group so that everyone is about the same distance from your Auto/Strobonar.
Try to keep your subject a few feet (about 1.5 meters) from the wall. This will keep the harsh
shadows out of your pictures.
For more pleasing results, try to have a light bright color a few feet from your subject.
Avoid shooting through doorways or against windows where objects close to your field of
view may reflect light into the sensor causing incorrect exposure.
Bounce flash - Use non-automatic operation for bounce flash. Remove flash from camera andallow about two full f/stops more exposure to compensate for the light absorbed by the ceiling
or wall under average conditions.

Outdoor use for fill-in light    www.butkus.us
Your Auto/Strobonar 470 may be used quite simply in manual mode as fill-in light when sun-
light causes heavy side or front shadows. Just enough fill light should be used to soften the
shadows so more detail can be seen in the shadow areas. Of course, too much fill light will
overpower the reflected sunlight and completely cancel the shadows. The amount of fill light
to use depends upon your personal preference.
The techniques of fill flash, although not complicated, are beyond the scope of this owner's
manual.  lf you would like to explore this technique, write to Consumer Affairs.





           Sublecf in bright sunlight with-                       Strobonar till-in sottens shad-            out lill-in flash.                         ows and gives crisp detail.
                                                                 Meter reading was taken on sun-
                                                                              light side ol subiect.
For further information. write to: HONEYWELL INC.
                            Photographic Products Division
                        Consumer Affairs
                             P.O. Box 22083
                             Denver, Colorado 80222 U.S.A.

Stop action





The high speed of your Auto/Strobonar  ('1 /20,000 to 1/500 second) is excellent for such
stop-action pictures as breaking a light bulb, hitting a golf ball and bursting a balloon.
Creative pictures of this type require special techniques. Usually the camera shutter is set to
"8" and a simple switch (made of aluminum foil, paper clip or a piece of wire) is used to
fire the flash at the moment you desire to make the exposure. Be sure to photograph your
subject in a dark area and fire the flash unit by closing the simple switch after the shutter has
been opened on the "B" setting. For further information write Consumer Affairs.