Film cameras
Sunpak 400 / Auto 401 User manual
User manual for Sunpak 400 / Auto 401. 29 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
29 pagesEnglish1.4 MB PDF

Loading your manual…Open PDF directly
Document details
- Brand
- Sunpak
- Model / document
- Sunpak 400 / Auto 401
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 29
- File size
- 1.4 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
Search available document text
Find a term, then jump to its page in the original PDF. Image-only pages may not be searchable; check the PDF for exact wording and diagrams.
Page 3 · Read text
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
When using your. photo-graphic equipment, basic safety pre_
cautions should always be followed, including the following,
1. Read and understand all instructions.
2. close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used
by or near children. Do not reave unattended
while in use. "ppli"r.e
3' Do not operate appliance if the appliance. has been
dropped or damaged - until it has been examined bv a
qualified serviceman.
www.butkus.usView original page 3Page 4 · Read text
4. To protect against electrical shock hazards, do not
immerse this appliance in water or other liquids.
To avoid electric shock hezard, do not disassemble this d '-4q appliance, but take it to a qualified serviceman when some 1; service or repair work is required. Incorrect reassembly
can cause electric shock hazard when the appliance is used
subsequently.
Do not operate appliance with a damaged cord.
{View original page 4Page 6 · Read text
Welcometo the world-widefamily of Sunpakowners! More
than six million Sunpakelectronicflash systemshave been
chosen by photographersthroughout the world for their
ruggedconstruction,innovativedesign,and fast, easy opera-
tion. To insurethat you get the most out of your electronic
flash, pleasetake the few minutesrequiredto check through
this owner'smanualwith your Sunpakflash in front of you.
j
;::,;i- .!J..,-,,,...-. . :t&:;-l,tallil;.*L"-"dJdd*View original page 6Page 8 · Read text
2. Insert four AA-size batteries (Alkaline or 3. Presscover until it snaps into place.
Nickel-Cadmium)as shown. *For information on using Nickel-Cadmium
batteries, *e page 22.
*. rlii*-d,- :.i |;lr&";;'..,';er*;l&i;,':,i:.View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
ll) Mounton Camera
'Hot1. Slide Sunpak into camera's accessory 2. For cameras with Shoe' (cordless)
shoe (or shoe of flash bracket if one is flash contact, no further connection is
required). Turn the knurled lock ing screw necessary.(Note: leave PC Cord plugged
counter-clockwiseto insure rigid mount- into retaining pin on Sunpak side; if
ing to your camera'sshoe. unplugged, flash will not fire through
hot shoe.)
'Hot lf camera does not have Shoe', pull
out Sunpak's PC Cord (illustrated) and
plug into camera flash outlet as shown.
www.butkus.usView original page 9Page 11 · Read text
I I l) Determine Lens Opening: Sunpak400 i:f
1. Check ASA rating (speed)of film in use. lilt?,ii.-j;itr (Example: ASA 50) Line up the Triangle
(illustrated) on your Sunpak's Exposure iq
Guide to this number. "*- (by2. Focus looking through the finder or
by estimating distance and setting it). -3
Now, read the indicated distance (in feet)
shown on your camera's focusing ring. il..ig,tt
(Example: ASA 50 film and subject at
9 feet.)
3. The correct lens opening is shown by
your Sunpak's Exposure Guide below
this same distance. (Example: ASA 50
f ilm-subject at I feet; correct lens
opening is f/8.)
4. Set camera lens to this opening (in this
example, f/B).
www.butkus.usView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
i f+Effifl
lV) DetermineCorrectLens
Opening:SunpakAuto 401
1 . Check ASA rating (speed)of film in use.
(Example: ASA 50.) Line up the triangle
at the bottom of your Sunpak's Exposure
Calculator (illustrated)so it's pointing to
For SunpakAuto 401 only this number.
2. To shoot at greatest distancesas well as
close-ups,follow the curved blue line at
the top of your Exposure Calculator,
The lens opening shown where this line
sfops is the correct lens opening f or
photographsfrom 19 inches to 18 feet.
(With ASA 50 film, the blue line stops at
fi4.) Set your lens to this opening.View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
ffiI'i:iitljl'.# Lii
i:,;i!f!*,f:{til,"trrii,! , irffS,i'Fji4jd;FiEiei]i;iiflirlf;p","1.pgryfgffiffi
For Sunpak Auto 401 only For Sunpak Auto 401 only
3. Move the switch on the front of your 4. No furtheradjustment is needed . . . your
flash to the left, so it's under the blue pictures will automatically receive the
ind icator. correct volume of light at all distances
between 19 inchesand 1B feet.
Alternatively, your Sunpak. Auto 401
perm its you to use a smaller lens opening:
this gives you the advantage of greater
www.butkus.usView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
depth-of-field, so that more objects in Bl Move the switch on the front of your
front of and behind the subject will ff ash to the right, so it's under the red
appear in sharp focus. (Extra depth-of- indicator.
field is also helpful when you're shooting C) No further adjustment is needed . . .
a moving object - children at play, for your pictures will automatically re-
example - and it's difficult to focus ceive the correct volume of light at all
precisely.)Here's how: d istances between 19 inches and 9
feet.
Al After having set the ASA speed along-
side the triangle (illustrated)on your
exposure calculator, f ollow the cu rved Note: lf the range selector switch (on the
red line near the top of the calculator. front) is in the middle position, your
The lens opening shown where this f lash will operate in manual mode.
line stops is the correct lens opening Generally, it's desirable to use this only
for photographs from 1 9 inches to 9 when you wish to shoot at distances
feet. (With ASA 50 film, the red line greaterthan 18 feet. (See instructions for
stops at f/8.) Set your lens to this determining correct lens opening manu-
opening. ally. page 7.)View original page 14Page 16 · Read text
t
Vll Shoot
1 . Press On/Off Switch (at back) to the
right (so red is visible). You'll hear a faint
hum (that's the unit warming up) and in
a couple of secondsthe indicator light on check distance(if you're closer or further
the back will start to glow: that means away, re-set the lens opening as indicated
your flash is ready to fire. on the Exposure Guide) and
continue shooting, picture after picture, Take the picture!
with no further adjustments. (Of course,
For succeedingpictures, just wait until when you're done shooting remember to
the indicator light glows (usually after turn the On/Off switch 'Off '. The indica-
G9 seconds following the last shot wjth tor light may continue to glow for
model400); severalminutes;that's O. K. )LView original page 16Page 17 · Read text
'FLASHMATIC' USEWITH
CAMERAS
Some cameras (and interchangeable lenses) (Example: For ASA 50 film, correct opening
't/7.5; have built-in devices that calculate and set at ten feet is the number is 75.) Set
the correct lens opening for you, as you this "Guide Number" on the control ring
focus. To do this, they have to know the around your lens and shoot. (Check
"Guide Number" for your flash/film combi- camera instruction manual for exact opera-
nation. To find this, take the correct lens t i o n . )
opening (see page 7l tor your.f ilm type at a IMPORTANT: With'Flashmatic' cameras,
distance of ten feet, and multiply by ten. use Model Auto 401 in manual mode (with
range selector switch in middle position).
1 3 www.butkus.usView original page 17Page 20 · Read text
HELPFULHINTS
You'll get more enjoyment out of your
Sunpakif you follow thesehandy tips:
1. Use Alkaline Batteries. All brands are
good. and all give you a lot more f lashes
than ordinary (zinc-carbon type)
batteries. Alkalines hold their power Alkaline Battery Numbers
longer, and are more stable (in warm or Eveready E-91 BurgessAL-9
cold weather) than ordinary batteries. M a l l o r y M N - 1 5 0 0 N E D A 1 5 A
While Alkalines are somewhat more ex- Ray-O-Vac815
pensive, they pay for themselves in
greater number of f lashesand greaterde-
pendability. (Use of other battery types
won't hurt your f lash in any way, but it
will mean you'llget fanuerf lashesper set.)
1 6View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
2. Check Camera Controls. With cameras 3. Use the Fastest Possible Shutter Speed. lf
'hot' which do not have shoe, make sure your camera'synchs' with electronic
'X' the flash cord is plugged into the flash up to 1l125th second, shoot at
outlet, or that the synch switch ("M-X") 1l125th (instead of a slower speed).The
'X'. is set at Of course, make certain the faster the speed, the less likely that the
cord is firmly plugged in. And, remember existing (ambient) light will cause an
to adjust the lens opening when you image to register on the film (this is
move closer to or further away from c a l l e d a ' g h o s t ' i m a g e , a n d i t ' s q u i t e
your subject when using Model40O, ex- annoying). Use the fastest speed possible
cept with'Flashmatic' camera models. for best results.
www.butkus.usView original page 21Page 22 · Read text
4. Use Test Flash' to Check Lighting Ef-
fects. Your Sunpak can be fired without
actually exposingf ilm, to let you preview
a lighting effect. (The feature is handyF for a final check before taking important
pictures, too.) How to do: Just pressthe
'Ready Light' window. This trips the
flash without exposingany film.
1 8 fiView original page 22Page 23 · Read text
CAREOF YOUR ELECTRONIC
FLASH
Your Sunpak electronic flash has been appearance:sometimes, even the best of ,
'main-engineered to require almost no batteriesdischargeor leak some chemical I
tenance' in the normal senseof the word. materialthrough the jacket...and leaves
Still, to insure best performance year-in and a whitish-powder on the battery, which
year-out, follow these basic pointers; passesonto your Sunpak's electricalcon-
tacts. (lf this has happened,replacethe I
batteries after cleaning the Sunpak's
1. Inspect Batteries Frequently.'lnspect' internal battery contacts with a pen- ,
meansfor reasonablerecyclingtime (the knife.) Finally, it's a good idea to remove
length of time it takes the indicator light the batteries once in a while and wipe
to come on between flashes): if it's more them with a handkerchief - the cleaner
'than 10 or 15 seconds, a fresh pair of thebattery surface,the easierit is for the
alkaline batteriesshould be obtained. lt's energy to pass through your flashgun's
also wise to check your batteries for electricalsystem.
www.butkus.usView original page 23Page 24 · Read text
2. Remove Batteries. lf for some reason 3. Service. In the unlikely event that your
you do not intend to use your flash for a Sunpak electronic flash requires service,
period of several weeks or more, remove return it to your dealer or the sole U.S.
the batteries and store them separately Distributor at the address shown on
(inside a plastic bag is a good way). page 24. Do not, under any conditions,
attempt to disassemble and/or adjust it
yourself: electronic flash operates on
pretty high voltage, and should not be
taken apart. However, keep in mind that
flash failure is more likely to result from
weak batteries than any other single
cause: if it doesn't fire, check batteries
and contacts carefu lly.View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
CHOOSINGBATTERYTYPE
Your Sunpak electronic flash accepts both Alkaline batteries provide the greatest
AA-size Alkaline batteries and rechargeable number of continuous flashes: approximate-
nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad) cells. Each type ly 225 per set, enough for several rolls of
offers practical advantages. film. The interval between flashes (recycling
time) averages 6 seconds. When recycling
time becomes much longer, the batteries
should be replaced with a fresh set. Thus,
Alkaline batteries represent an excellent
choice for occasional use, use where several
rolls of film are to be shot at one time, or
'spare' simply as a dependable energy source
that's always ready.
2 1 www.butkus.usView original page 25Page 26 · Read text
USINGRECHARGEABLE
NICKELCADMIUM
BATTERIES
Your Sunpak electronic flash unit accepts but you'll accumulateenough energy within
standard AA-size nickel-cadmium batteries one hour to permit 20 flashes or more -
(4). These let you take approximately 125 enough to expose an entire roll of 35mm
flash pictures; then, simply remove the film! Many photographersfind it convenient
hatteries and recharge them in the Sunpak to work with fwo sets of nickel-cadmium
Nickel-Cadmium Battery Charger. A full batteries, keeping one set in their flash while
chargeis obtained overnight n4 - 16 hours), the other set is being recharged.
*
Battery Type. Your Sunpak dealer can Gharger. The Sunpak Nickel-Cadmium
supply you with General Electric GC-1, Battery Charger is exclusively designed for
Eveready CH-500, Bright Star 8O00, Sanyo use with AA-size nickel-cadmium batteries.
N-500-AA, or equivalent 1.25v AA-size It features a unique selector switch which
n ickel-cadmium batteries. lets you charge either two or four batteries
22View original page 26Page 27 · Read text
at one time, and a convenient indicator Performance. Nickel-cadmium batteries re-
lamp which lights up to strow that batteries present the most dependable power source
are correctly positioned. Another practical for your electronic flash. In general. they
feature of this compact charger is a slot provide faster recycling times than other
allowing you to wall-mount it if desired. battery types. The initial investment for
You'll find it a welcome addition to your nickel-cadmium batteries and charger is soon
Sunpak q/stem . . . and probably find lots of repaid by the ability to recharge the batteries
other applications for using your nickel- literally hundreds of times . . . enough for a
cadmium batteries in radios, tape recorders, lifetime of flash photography.
movie cameras, and other instruments using
this popular battery type.
www.butkus.usView original page 27Page 29 · Read text
Flash Duration .. ..1/1o00th sec. -1l50.000th sec. (model Auto 401);
1/10o0th sec. (model 40O)
Angle of lllumination . . . . bso Horizontal x 600 Vertical;allows use of 35mm
lenseson 35mm cameras,75mm lenseson 2% x 2%"
cameras, 90mm lenseson 2% x 2-3/4" cameras
Color Temperature . 55000 kelvin, balanced for standard daylight color
f i l m s
Synchronization Contacts . . . . . . Built-in PC Cord and Hot Shoe Contact
Dimensions . 1.4" x 3.5" x 3.6" (exclusiveof mounting shoe)
Weight 7.9 oz. (lessbatteries;model Auto 401);
7.4 oz. (lessbatteries: model 4OO)
S u p p l i e d W i t h . . . . . D u a l - V o l t a g e A C A d a p t e r
Optional Accessories Sunpak Nicad Charger and Nickel-Cadmium
Batteries;Sunpak Auto Slave Unit
* Applies To Model 401 Exclusively
Notice: Features and specifications are subject to change with out prior notice.
www.butkus.usView original page 29From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.