Film cameras
Starblitz 3800-DFS / 3800-DEF User manual
User manual for Starblitz 3800-DFS / 3800-DEF. 29 pages. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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- Brand
- Starblitz
- Model / document
- Starblitz 3800-DFS / 3800-DEF
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- Check the original document
- Pages
- 29
- File size
- 1.4 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 7 · Read text
PARTS DESCRIPTION www.orphancameras.com 1. Main FlashWindow 21'.Main/PowerRatioSelectorSwitch (3800DEF) 2. AdjustableSwivelBase 22. Switch ON Indicator(OrangeLED) (3800DFS) 3. Slot for ReflectorPanel 221Switch ON Indicator/PushButtonlor Switch 4. AuxiliaryFlashWindow oN (3800DEF) 5. Auto Sensor Eye 23. Shoe Module ReleaseButton 6. Zooming Head 24. Shoe Module (optional- selectfor your 7. Windowfor Zooming Position camera) l 8. BounceAngle Indicator 25. Shoe LockingWheel 9. AdjustableBounce Head 26. Test Button (onlyfor Standardshoe-module) 10. Over ExposureWarningLED (Red) 27. SynchroCord Socket(only for Standard 11. ApertureWindow shoe-module) 12. DistanceScale 28. BatteryChamberCover 13. Under ExposureWarningLED (Red) 29. Auto LED Light 14. PresetableAperturein Auto Mode Indicator 30. ReflectorPanel 15. LED Alley (Green)for FlashMeter 16. GuideScaleKnob 17. FilmSoeedWindow 18. Mode SelectorSwitch(AutoapertureSet Switch) 19. Twin FlashSwitch 20. Test Button/ReadyLamP 21. Main Switch (3800DFS) :View original page 7
Page 8 · Read text
SPECIFICATIONS www.orphancameras.com
GuideNumber 1) Main flash only - See TableA
(rso/ASA 100) 2) Twin Flash(at Zooming head positionW1)
a) Main flash 29 in meters/96in feet
b) Auxiliaryflash 9 in meter/3Oin feet
Auto CoverageRange See Table B
Angle of Coverage 1) Main Flashonly - See TableA
2) AuxiliaryFlash V 40., H 60o
ColourTemperature Daylight(5,700"K)
Flash Duration 1/1000sec. at manualsetting
1/1000- 1/50000sec. at auto setting
3800DEF (Manual) 1/1000sec.at'FULL'
1/3000sec. at'-2'
1/13000sec.at'-4'
ChargingTime 11 sec.at manualsettingby Alkalinebattery and o.2 - 11 sec.at auto setting
ChargingInhibit Time 1.5- 2 seconds
Power Source 4 x 1.5VAA-size(LR-6)Atkatinebattery
Ni-Cad rechargeablebattery may be used.
Number of Flshes Approx. 100 flashesat manualsettingby Alkalinebattery
Approx. 100 - 2,000flashesat auto settingby Alkalinebattery.
Dimensionsr'Weight 136 x 79 x 88 mm with Standardshoe 3800 DEF -370 gr.
(w/std. shoe but w/o battery) DFS - 360 gr'
AccessoryIncluded Reftectorpanerfor Soft rwin pno,ogr"pfilo
Optional Accessory SD-Systemdedicationshoes,/Standardshoe with synchrocord.
Wide adaptor(equivalentto 20mm),/ Colour FilterKit.View original page 8Page 10 · Read text
2. Built-inFlashMeter www.orphancameras.com
Both model havea built-in tlash meter which can be used in manualand auto oDerations
The buill-in flash meter circuit measuresthe amount of li ght when the flash unit fires and displaysthe
amount ot light fired with LED alley @ in apertureof 0.5 steps.Therefore,the circuit not only servesas
aulo check function in ordinal units but also displayshow much light has over/underexposed,and the
correct lensaperturesetting can ben obtained.
Also in manualflash operation,you can see the correct aperturesetting with the test tiring.
The followings are some examples of how the circuit works.
Note: Auto apenure set switch position. (at ISO/ASA 100 ) is as per sketch
o Auto mode, f5.6 preset aperture oAuto mode, f5.6 preset aperture
Green LEDs light on up to 5.6, and this means the Green LEDs light ojr up to 5.6 +1/2, and this means
correct exposure is obtained over-exposure by '/z aperture. This is within the
latitutde of film and correct exposure At the same time, green 'AUTO' LED lights on. may be 'AUTO' green obtained. LED lights on.View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
aPerture oAuto mode, prese t aPertureo f5.6 15.6 Preset Auto mode, 'UNDER' www.orphancameras.com'AUTO' lights on and this menas auto LED Red LED to 4 and green light on up LEDs Green
does not light on. mode shooting is not Possible.
This means the preset aperture of f5.6 is not Take shorter flash-to-subject distance or open the
enough to cover the flash-to-subject distance aperture to t2 in manual mode. Testing once may
Either set the aperture att4 or take shorter flash-to- be recommended.
subject distance
o Manual mode
Green LEDs light on up to 4, and this means an
aperture setting of t4 will give you the correct
exposure.View original page 11Page 13 · Read text
Flat-tracking Circuil www.orphancameras.com This new circuit enables to use the flash unit in rather short distance at automatic flash operation. By now, the minimum auto f lash-to-sublect distance at f2.8 has been around 1.5 meters or 5 feet, and at the shorter distance than this, the pictures tend to be over-exposed. This unit enables to have correct exposure up to at about 0.7 meters or 2 teet in auto mode. The minimum distance, however, is restricted because ol the parallax between angle of coverage of lens and that of the f lash unit. This f lat-tracking circuit operates in TTL-auto f lash mode, as the circuit accurately responds to the signal (TTL measuring signal), and correct exposure can be obtained. However, the operation of the circuit depends f ully on the camera's signal, and if the camera's signal is that of over exposure, the picture will become over-exposeo. please refer to your camera's instruction manual and follow its instruction. Solt Twin The auxiliary flash head in the f ront also bounces up to 90 degrees and the unit provides slot for ref lector panel (supplied with the unit as a standard accessory) for the auxiliary flash head. The effects of the ordinal twin llash (where the auxiliary flash head lixed to fire straight forward only) in bounce photography, are in taking portraits: 1) To fill in the shadows under the nose and eyes. 2) To eliminate colourings of the bounced light. 3) To provide a catch light in the eyes' By using a reflector panel with tilting auxiliary flash, the light from the auxiliary flash becomes softer and this makes the picture more natural' Fig. 1 Also the main and auxiliary f lashes are interconnected in one circuit and the combined light is measured simultaneously by the unii sensor in case of automatic flash operation. Therefore, the correct exposure can be obtained even at close distance.View original page 13
Page 14 · Read text
5. E.S.T.(Energy Saving Test) Circutt - 3800 DEF model www.orphancameras.com TheStarblitz3800DEFflashunit incorporatesthis circuit.In ordinalflashunits,when makingtestfiring,
in manualmode or auto mode in long flash-to-subjectdistance,f ull power is fired and it takes long unt-il
fully recharged,and some time lose the shutterchance.
This-circuitpreventsthis situation.Whentest fired,onlyl/a of f ull power is fired and the computor in
the flash unit converts it to f ull for flash meter. Therefore,'this circuit enables to shoi-tenthe
time of recycling and loss of proper shutter chance can be avoided.
6. VariablePower - 3800 DEF model
The Starblitz3800DEF modelhas variablepowerratiocontrolmechanism.The mainswitch 'OFF','FULL','-2' hasfour positionsof and'-4'.
Whensettingthe switchto'FULL' position,full powerwill be fired in manualmode and auto
mode in long flash-to-subjectdistance.
Whensetting.theswitchlo'-2' position,onlyl/t of f ull poweris fired.This means,in manual 'f mode, if the flash-tq is 5.7m (1gft.),the correct aperture is f5.6 in ULL;UV ^syQ1e_c!distance '-2' using f ilm of speedISO/4SA 100,and the zooming'head position position, bt Wt, but in
the correct apertureis f2.8, opening the apertuie by- two steps.Also in auto mbde, the maximumauto coveragedistancewill be 2.gm (9ft.).
When settingthe switch lo'-4', only_%oof_full powerwill be fired.This meansit is necessary to open the. aperturein four steps(f8 to f2, for example)and the maximumauto coverage distance is 1/a.View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
www.orphancameras.com PREPARATIONS
1. Attachlng the Interchangeablemodule
To attachthe module,slide the modulealong the shoe guide of the flash unit. Fig. 2 . Be sure to check if
the moduleis correctly attached.
To detachthe module, pull the modulewhile liftingshoe-modulereleasebutton @ fig. S
2. Baltery Loadlng
This flash unit is powered by four AA-size 1.5V batteries.When loading the battery, be sure to switch off
the ON/OFFswitch@ and @'. Slideand open the batterychambercorer @ and insertfour batteriesFig.
4 , taking care the positiveand negativeterminalsof batteriesare correctlyaligned as indicated in the' batterychamber Fig. 5
N.B. Cleanthe batteryand chambercontactsat regularintervals.Removethe battery,if the unit is likely to
be out of use for a long period. When the unit is new or after it has not been used for a time, the
capacitorwill take longerto charge. \
Always change battery in four-pieceset. Ni-Cad rechargeablebattery may be used with this flash
unit.
3. Tesl Flash
The test button @ is locatedat the bottom centreof back panelservingthe readylamp as well. Push the
buttonfor test firing and for using built-inflash meter.p;g. 6
For flash meter,pleasereferto'Built-in FlashMeter'article.
o Some camerahas the mechanismwhich synchronizethe shutteronly afier the film counter comes to
the first frame.
. Flash-stopmechanism- Daylightshooting without flash operationis possiblewithout detachingthe
flash unit from the camera.Simplyturn otf the-mainswitch (@ and @').View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
4. Attachlng the unlt to camera www.orphancameras.com 'hot-shoe' This flash unit employs contact system.Just slide the shoe into the accessoryshoe on the camera and tighten the locking wheel @ Fig. 7. When attachingthe unit to the camera not having 'hot-shoe' contact, use standard module with attachedsvnchro cord. 5. Shutler rpeed eettlng 1) Leaf-typelens shutter camera The flash unit will synchronizeat any shutter speed but in ordinal case, the shutter speed of 1/125sec. may be recommended. 2) Focal-planeshutter camera The focal-planeshutter cameras have 'X'synchro shutter speed appropriatefor each camera.Set the shutterspeed in accordancewith the instructionmanual of the camera. 3) Dedicatedcamera Select the camera'smode appropriateto dedicatedflash, and refer to your camerasmanual for proper mode setting. When the capacitoris fully charged,the shutter speed is automaticallyset at the proper shutterspeedfor the camera in use. Some camera has the feature of slow shutter speed synchronizationand in the event the shutter is set 'X' slower than synchro Speed,the flash operation is made at the set shutter speed slower than 'X' synchro speed. Pleaseconsult with your camera'smanual as well as the tiableon the last page of this manual.View original page 16
Page 17 · Read text
6. Zooming www.orphancameras.com
The zooming head allows the selection of four preset lighting angles by just pulling out the main f lash
head. The guide number changes in relation to this head position. Fig. I
It is not neceSsaryto select the zooming head position equal to the camera lens'focal length. The better
results may be obtained by using the wider coverage angle of flash head than that of the lens. For
example, suppose using the 50mm lens, W1 or W2 head position will be quite all right, when considering
the parallax between flash and lens coverage angle. When taking picture at long llash-to-sub;ect
distance, however, the maximum auto coverage distance will be suitable with the zooming head position
equal to the focal length of the camera lens.
Guide Number and Angle of Coverage Table (TABLE A) (For Maln Flash onlY)
ZoomingHead Position GuideNumber Angle of Coverage
-2 Vertical 53"
w2 (28) Compatiblew/28mm lens and longer 27/89 13.5/45 7/23 Horizontal 70"
Vertical 45"
w1 (35) Compatiblew/35mm lens and longer 32/105 16/53 8/26 Horizontal 600
Vertical U"
N (50) Compatible w/50mm lens and longer 38/125 19/63 9.5/31 Horizontal 46"
Vertical 23"
r (85) Compatiblew/85mm lens and longer 44/145 22/73 11/36 Horizontal 31"
69" Vertical (at W2 + Wide W2 Position) 16/53 8/26 4/13 87" Horizontal lens and longer w/20mm Compatible AdaPtorView original page 17Page 18 · Read text
guideThere is a scaleon the back of the flash unit. The combination of distance and aperture in the window www.orphancameras.comis based position on the zooming head of W1 compatible with 35mm lens, whichequals to the guide number
of 32 (lSO/ASA100 in meters)or 105 (tSO/ASA100 in feet).Fig. 9
As the guide number changesin relationto the zooming head positionas above,and care should be taken
when shiftingthe zooming headfrom W1 position.
OPERATINGINSTRUCTION
Slidethe switch@and@'to ON position('FULL','-2' or '-4' positionas desiredin caseof 3800DEF model).
and the red LED@ and @' lightson indicatingthe flashunit is ON. Aftera few seconds,readylamp@ ligniiup for READYindication.Fig. 10
After about 90 seconds of last operation or power on, the red LED @ and @' goes out, as the unit
incorporatedAuto-Shut-Offcircuit for energysaving.During the time while the readylamp is on, the flash is
in operativecondition.But when not fire for long time, say more than ten minutes,it may be betterto make
this red LED lighton. This can be madeby switchingthe mainswitchto OFF and then to ON. In caseof the
3800DEF model,just push the cover of red LED.
Afterflash operation,the unit automaticallyrecyclesand red LED lights up again.
Whenf ully discharged,the unit stopschargingfor about two secondsand afterthis inhibittime,the flash unit
startsto recharge.
Also sometime the red LED remains lighting on after switching the main switch to OFF position for a few
seconds. This is because the main condenser in the flash unit should always be partially charged to have
longer life. So charging sould be made during this time.
i r.*.1View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
1. Manual Operatlon www.orphancameras.com
1) Set the film speed by slidingthe guide scaleknob @, so that the film speedusingshouldbe shown in
the window@. Fig.9
2) Set the mode selectorswitch@to'M. TTL'position.Fig.11 'Aux. Auto/M' position (Refer to the instruction with 3) Set the mode selector switch ol module to
module).Fig.12
4) Estimatethe camera-to-flashdistance(betterto measure)and read the lensaperturein the window @
just below the nearestdistance.Set the apertureof camera lens.
Be sure that the guide scaleis for the zooming head positionof W1,and when you set the zoominghead
other positionthan W1, the maximum coveragedistancewill change as follows:
Zooming Head Position Maximum Coverage Distance
W2(28mm) by 20o/oshorter than indicated Erample: At the zooming head position 'N', the maximum coveragedistance at N (50mm) by 2Oo/olonger than indicated F4 is about9m (ISO/ASA10O),while the
T (85mm) By 4Oo/olonger than indicated panel indicates7.5m.
2. Automatlc Operatlon (Uslng lhe computor In the llash unlt)
1) Set the film speed by sliding the guide scale knob @, so that the f ilm speed using should be shown in
the window rig. S @. 'A' positions Fig. 13 When f ullf charged,your mode selector the 2) Set switch @ to either one of f ive
preset aperturewill be illuminatedwith red LED. lf the apertureis not suitablefor flash-to-subject
distance,set the switch to other'A' position.Set the apertureof the cameraaccordingly.View original page 19Page 21 · Read text
.1 The above distances are the one withwww.orphancameras.comMain Flash only, and when taking photo with twin-flash, the
maximum distance will be shorter by about'l 00/o'
.2 Besure to note that just after the ready lamp is on, the maximum distance may be shorter and you have
better to wait for a while to have good results'
.3 The maximum auto coverage distance will change by shifting the zooming head as follows:
Head Position MaximumAuto Distance
m
m
m switch@; positionot'-2' or'-4', the maximumcoverage r with the main model,.4 3800 DEF fn case of 1/a ' ll respectively' will bel/z and the table on distance
.Exampte Main switch al'-2'position, Film speed ISO/ASA 100 with the-zooming head
position W1, the mdximum auto coverage distance is 4m (13ft) for the lens c
aperture of f4.
3. TTL Auto Flash OPeration
1) Setthe film speedby stidingthe guidescaleknob@, so that the film speedusingshouldbe shown in the
window@.Fig.9 'M'TTL' position'Fig' 15 2) Set the m;de selectorof the flash unit @to 'TTL' position.Fig' 16 3) Set the mode selectorof the module to
4) Set the lens apertureas you like by consultingthe maximum coveragedistance.The correct exposure
can be obtainedat any f-stop, providedthe flash-to-subjectdistance is shorter than the maximum
coveragedistancetable.
5) Set the camera in TTL mode. For the detail camera operation,pleaserefer to the camera'sinstruction
manual.View original page 21Page 23 · Read text
NOTET . When shootingat the flash-to-subjectwww.orphancameras.comdistanceshorter than 1 meter or 3.3 feet, use W2 zooming
head position.
. The minimum distanceon the table depends on the camera'smechanism,and the table is just
only for referencepurpose.
. Coveragerange changes in accordancewith the film speeds and the following compensation
should be made to have better result:
The minimum distance,however,will not be
shorter than 0.5 meter or 1.6 feet, becauseof the
parallax between the angle of coverage of lens and
that of flash unit.
Hlntr for TTL Auto-fhsh and Non-TTL Aulo-flash Operatlon
In case of TTL auto-flashoperation,the exposure is calculatedwith the reflectivelight lrom the film
surfaceby camera'scomputor and it depends on the films used on the camera.Particularly,the over-
exposuremay be resultedwhen using reversalfilms and it is better to have some compensationafter
testing.In this case,operatethe flash in Non-TTL auto-flashoperationby using the computor in the flash
unit.
Also at close flash-to-subjectdistance,TTL auto-flash operation tends to be over-exposed.
When shooting at longer distancewith the lens of medium telephoto,TTL auto-flashoperationmay be
advantageous.View original page 23Page 24 · Read text
4. Operallon wlth motor drlven camerewww.orphancameras.com
This-f lash unit is designedto be synchronizedwith motor drivencamera.By followingthe stepsas under,
the flash unit will synchronizewith camera up to four to five framesper seconct.
1) Setthemodeselectorswitchoftheflashunitat'A'(tz.}forlSo/ASA100orf5.6fortso/ASA40ofitm
2) Set the cameralens aperturein accordancewith the above.
3) Use 4 FRESHALKALTNEBATTERTES.
4) Keep the flash-to-subjectdistance around 2 meters or 6.5 feet.
5) In caseof 3800DEF model,it is possibleto use the flash unit with motor-drivencameraby settingthe
main switchto'-4'position. In this case,the guide numberof the unit is 8 (zoominghead position
W1 and ISO/ASA100film speed).
5. Bounce/SwlvelPhotography Fig. 17
The main flash head bouncesand swivels.The bounce flash operationin auto mode is same as normal
automaticoperation.Test by pushingthe test button for betterresutt.
In case of manual bounce flash operation,the total flash-to-subjectdistance (f lash-to-reflectivesurface*
reflectivesurface-to-subject)should be calculatedand appropiiatelens apertureshould be setected.*
Nole: when using color f ilms, betterto bounce the light otf white surfaceonly, since the reflectivelight will take on the colour of reflectiveisurface.
il
*litView original page 24Page 25 · Read text
6. Twln Flash www.orphancameras.com
'TWIN' position.Pleaserefer to 'Soft Twin' articleof When using twin flash, slide twin-flashswitch @ to
this manual.Fig.18
7. Off-camera Flash Photography
It is possibleto use the flash unit away from camera by means of attachingthe standardmodule and
suppliedsynchrocord. When employedin this way, alwaysensurethat the total flash-to-subjectdistance
should be taken into account, or under-exposurewill result. Also ensure that the flash unit is held 'SQUARE' to the camera,i.e.do not allow the flash to face away from a reflectingsurface.
8. Daylight Synchronization with Auto Mode
The daylightfill-inf lashoperationwith auto mode is possibleif the ambientlightingconditionis within
the range of auto preset aperture.That is, if the exposure meter of the camera indicatesthe proper
exposureis 1/125sec.with f 11, set the auto presetapertureat f 11. In th is casethe sensorof the f lash unit
should be faceddirectlyto the subject.
JView original page 25Page 26 · Read text
PRECAUTIONS www.orphancameras.com
1 . Shouldthe unit fail to operatefor any reasonother than weak batteries,pleaserefer to qualifiedservice
personnel.A high voltagecapacitoris incorporatedin the unit.
2. Removethe batteriesif the unit is not in use for any period exceedingsay two or three weeks.
3. Keepthe unit dry and store in a moisture-freeenvironment.
4. When photographingoutdoorsor in a large room or hall with no etfectivereflectingsurfacesnearby,it is
necessaryto set the cameralens at a wider aperturethan that indicated(1 or 2 stops).
When using this flash unit, please make sure that the rectangularflash reflector correspondsto the
rectangularpictureformat,otherwiseyou will not obtain an evenly illuminatedpicture.
Close-upphotography.With extensiontubes or bellows,the extra exposure for close working is best
determinedby referenceto the factors provided with the extensiontubes or the approximatescale of
reproductionwith bellows.
The exposurefactor: ('1+ scale)2.Thus,at a scaleof 1 :1, for example,the exposurefactoris 4x and the
lensapertureshould be openedtwo stops.
In this case,off cameraphotographyusingthe synchrocord is recommended.Also use the flashunit in Manualmode.View original page 26From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.