Flashes & lighting
Kako Super Elite electronic flash User manual
User manual for Kako Super Elite electronic flash. 16 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
16 pagesEnglish1.1 MB PDF
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Document details
- Brand
- Kako
- Model / document
- Kako Super Elite electronic flash
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 16
- File size
- 1.1 MB
- Category
- Flashes & lighting
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 2 · Read text
TECHIIICAI DATA
Guide Number: 64 (ASA 25 in feet);28 (DlN 18 in meters) ,
Light 0utput: 3000 B.C.P.S.
Coverage Angle: 65 degrees horizontal; 55 degrees vertical
Color Temperature: Daylight balanced
Flash Duration: l/1.500 sec.
Power Source: Four rechargeable 1.25V nickel-cadmium batteries or 100-125V AC household
current
Recycling Time: 5-8 sec. on batteries and AC
Number of Flashes: Up to 50 flashes per full charge
Recharging Iime: l4 hours J
Dimensions: 7"x5-3/8" x 3-5/8' (187 x 86 x 92.5mm)
Weight: 1.2 lb (560 grams) l
0thers: Built-in battery charger, exclusive ACl25V/Charge switch, extension socket,
one-action bracket lock.View original page 2Page 5 · Read text
HOW TO MOU]IT YOUR SUPER ETITE
l. Press the Bracket Lock Button (11) and insert the forked
end of the Bracket (tq) into the slot on the bottom end
of the grip section. Set the camera on the Bracket (14)
and fix it securely by screwing the Camera Thumbscrew
(15) into its tripod socket,
2. Plug one end of the PC Cord (12) into the pC Cord SocketI (8) of your Super Elite and the other into the "X" flash
contact of your camera. lf your camera features a sync
selector, make sure the lever is adjusted to "X"position.
When connected to flash contacts otherthan "Xl' the unit
will be triggered when the shutter release button is de-
pressed but perfect synchronization will not be obtained.View original page 5Page 6 · Read text
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BATIERY CHARGIilG
The batteries must be chargcd to full capacity before using
your KAK0 Super ilite on battery power for the first timeor
after leaving it unused 0ver any length of time. Kr l.Open the Battery Compartment Lid (2) and install four 1.25 V
nickel-cadmium batteries, matching their polarity with the
diagram imprinted inside the battery compartment,
2. Adjust the AC/Battery Switch (6) to "AC " and the AC IZSU /
Charge Switch (5) to "CHl'% 3.Plug one end of the AC Cord (13) into the AC Socket(4) of
your Super Elite and the other into a wall outlet.
4. Leave the unit in this state for l4 hours. The Pilot Lamp \'r (7) will turn on over this duration to indicate that battery
charging is taking place properly. .l
{< Battery charging in excess of the required charging time Ff.
will not provide extra power.
* Your unit will not be available for f lash ooeration on both
AC and batteries over the.duration the batteries are being lll lll m charged.
T*:rView original page 6Page 7 · Read text
BATTERY OPERATIO]I
1. Plug one end of the FC Cord (12) into the PC Cord Socket
(8) of your unit and the other into the "X" flash contact
of your camera.
2.Set the AC/Battery Switch (6) to "BATI' A faint whine
will then be heard and, in a few seconds, the Neon Ready
Lamp (3) will turn on to indicate that the unit is ready for
liring. Wait a couple of more seconds until the capacitor
is charged fully and then, trip the shutter after ascertaining
that the shutter speed and lens aperture are set according
to instructions.
* lf the Neon Ready Lamp (3) takes more than 30 seconds
to alight, charge the batteries.
*< Reset the AC/Battery Switch (6) to "AC' each time af,ter
using your unit on battery power to prevent excessive
drain of battery power.
* Test.fire several flashes on AC when using your unit for
the first time or after long storage. This will enable you
to conserve battery power.View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
AC OPERATIOI{ www.butkus.us
L Adjust the AC/Battery Switch (6) to "ACl'
2. Set the AC l25VlCharge Switch (5) to 'AC125."
3. Plug one end of the AC Cord (13) into the AC Socket (4) of
your unit and the other into a wall outlet.
4. Within a matter of a few seconds, the Neon Ready Lamp
(3) will turn on to indicate that the unit is ready for flash.
ing. Set the lens aperture and shutter speed of y0ur ca.
mera according to instructions and trip the shutter.
* In case your unit has been left unused for some length of
time, it may require greatly more than the specified
time for the Neon Ready Lamp (3) to turn on. This, however,
does not indicate a malfunction. Just keep the unit con-
nected to the wall outlet and wait until the ready lamp
a light s.View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
EXPOSURE SETTIilG
l.Setting the Shutter Speed
(1) Leaf-type Shutter Cameras
The shutter featured in this type of cameras consists of an arrange.
ment of couple to several thin leaf.shaped metal blades that conveige
at the center.
When the shutter release button is depressed, these metal blades
swing open to admit light to the f ilm plane and close again by spring t
ac iion. This process usually takes place within a matter of a sma ll II fraction of a second. i The "X" contact of these cameras is made so as to trigger the flash ,l
Y the moment the shutter blades open fully.
Since the flash duration of your Super Elite is l/1,500 sec., the
entire volume of light reflected by the sublect is transmitted through
the lens and onto the fiim plane during the fraction of a second the
shutter blades remain fully open.
With this type of shutter, therefore,. any shutter speed can be sele-
. cted to obtain perfect synchronization.
7 $$$View original page 9Page 10 · Read text
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(2) Focal-plane Shutter Cameras
The shutter incorporated in this type of cameras consists
of two rubberized cloth or metal screens, one closely follow.
ing the other in operation. The film is exposed through the
slot between these two screens that traverse over the film
plane. Usually at l/25 to l/60 sec., this slot is wide enough
to cover the entire picture area. The "X" contact is arrang.
Pl ed so that the flash is triggered the moment the entire
I picture area is exposed.
Generally speaking, therefore, the adequate shutter speed
for perfect synchronization with an electronic flash unit
ranges trom l/25 to l/60 sec. For details, however, refer
to the instruction booklet which comes with your camera.
(3) Programmed Shutter Cameras
The procedure for flash synchronization differs with the
type of programmed shutter, and, therefore, it is advisable
to refer to the instruction booklet supplied wiih the camera.View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
2.Setting the lens Aperture
(1) Align the figure corresponding to the ASA (or DIN)
speed rating of the film loaded in y0ur camera with
the index mark on the Exposure Computer Dial (1).
(2) Locate the figure equivalent to the flash'to'subiect dis-
tance on the outer scale and r:ead off the correct aperture
setting for that range 0n the inner scale.
a lf, for example, you are photographing a subiect at
range of 10 feet on an ASA 25 color f ilm(Kodachrome ll),
the Exposure Computer Dial (1)of your Super Elite will
give a reading of f/6.4 as the correct aperture setting.
When photographing in a spacy r00m or outdoors at night
where there are no effective reflecting surfaces near the
subject, it is advisable to open the lens aperture 0ne
or two stops larger than the setting rndicated by the
Exposure Computer Dial.
9View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
www.butkus.usEFFECTIVE USES OF THE FTASH UilIT
I.Effective Method of Lighting for Portraiture
To avoid a flat effect in portraiture, detach the electronic ..R (( b) flash unit from your camera and hold it so that your subject wt' receives the light from an angle. This method of setting the
flash unit away from y0ur camera often assures a better
overall effect, In this case, see that the lens aperture is set
according to the flash-to-subject distance and N0T the camera- [V\'/ . to-subject range. \= 2. Daylight Synchro-Flosh r.Sun-syn6,
ldeal results can be obtained when the flash is used as "fill"
light in broad daylight, particularly when photographing sub-
jects against light or in the shade.
With leaf -type shutter cameras, use a meter and take shutter
speed reading on the basis of the lens aperture selected
according to the flash-to-subject range.
In case of focal.plane shutter cameras, the range of daylight
synchro-flash is greatly more limited as only the X setting
or slower shutter speeds can be used.View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
3 . Bounce Flash To avoid extremely dark shadows or f lat ef f ect in indoor photography, bounce flash can be employed to good advan. tage. Ihe light bounced on a wall or ceiling produces a soft, natural effect simulating shots taken under natural light. In case of color photography, give due attention to the color of the wall or ceiling because it may af fect the overall color rendition. The general rule consists of opening the lens aperture about two stops larger than the standard setting.View original page 13
Page 14 · Read text
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4. Multi-Flash Photography
Your Super Elite features provision enabling bpplication of multi.flash technique. Resort to multi-
flash photography in case an extra'powerful light is required or if a lightingeffect that can hardlv
be produced with a single unit is desired.
The proper method of linking the "slave" units is shown in the illustration. Just plug the extension
cord into the Extension Socket (9).
;lView original page 14Page 15 · Read text
CIRGUIT TEST
The circuit of four KAKO Super Elite can be tested readily
by depressing the red Open Flash Button (Circuit Tester).
(10) on the base of the flash head. lf your unit is in order,
the flash will be triggered immediately upon depression of
this button.
Another simple method consists of shortcircuiting the plug
of the PC Cord with the tip of a screw'driver or some other
tapered metal obiect.
In case your unit fails to offer normal function, do not un'
I der any circumstance attempt to repair it yourself' Take it
Kako's ,IiI to your dealer and have it sent out for repair to
accredited service station. J-i
GAUTIOI{
your Super Elite is designed exclusively for operation on nickel-cadmium batteries or 100'125V AC
household current. Do not attempt to operate it on AA-size manganese or alkaline batteries.View original page 15Related documents and language editions
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PDF verified 2026-10-10.