Sunpak Auto 211 User manual

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650 - 211

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                         I  Aurn2l        EIEGITRONIG FTASH UNIT

               OWNER'S MANUAL

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Battery Compartment Cover





Ready Light/                           Auto Verification
Open Flash Button                            Signal Light


On/Off Switch                            Auto/Manual Switch




                                         Knurled Locking Ring
                                       Hot Shoe Contact

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INTRODUCTION
WELCOME to the world-wide family of Sunpak ln action photography, take pictures every second
owners! Your Sunpak Auto 211 is an advanced or faster-at any distance! Plus exciting special-
electronic f lash unit which gives you . . . effects applications.
* Beautiful Color Pictures. Sunpak's Gold-Toned
J Automatic Computer Operation. Perfectly-ex- Flash-tube and highly polished reflector make
posed flash pictures-automatically-at distances every shot a sure shot . . . and the light is the same
from 19 inches to 17 feet. color as daylight, so no filters are needed with
I EnerEy-Saving Thyristor Circuitry. G ives you daylight color films. v.,1.,t
almost instant recycling and hundreds of extra
flashes by conserving unused energy after each Since this flash is in many ways more versatile than
shot-in automatic or manud Power Ratio opera- conventional electronic flash units, please take the
tion. few minutes required to carefully read this Owner's
I Exclusive Variable Power Ratio Control. In manu- Manual-with your Sunpak Auto 211 in front of you.
al mode, you can vary light output from full You'll be rewarded by superior flash photographs
power Io 1l4Ih power! Result: perfect fill-in flash starling with your first roll of film-and for many,
outdoors. many years to come . . .
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CONDENSED OPE RATI NG INSTRUCTIONS g"i{''"s ' '>
To use your Sunpak Auto 2ll Thyristor f lash, here's The Green arrow at the top of the dial now points
all you have to do. to the (Green) lens f lnumbers for automatic
1l lnstall Batteries (P. 8) The convenient hinged operation. Set your lens to the opening indicated
cover opens to accept 4 AA Alkaline or 4 AA for the Auto Range in use.
Nickel-Cadmium batteries-enouqh for hundreds 4l Take the Picture! (P. 12), Move switch on back of
of flashes. f lash to 'On' position; in a few seconds, the Green
2) Mount on Camera. (P. 8) Slide flash into camera's (Auto) window lights up, confirming that you're
accessory shoe, and lock in place by tu rn ing set for automatic operation, next, the Ready/Test
knurled black screw on flash. For 'Hot Shoe' window lights up. .. and you're ready to take the
p ictu re ! cameras, no other connection is needed. lf your
camera requires a plug-in flash cord, pull out the To verify correct exposure, press the 'Ready/Test'
built-in PC cord of the flash and plug it into the button with your flash aimed at the subject. lf
cambra's 'X' outlet. Set shutter to fastest speed exposure is correct, the green lamp will blink
which is synchronized for electronic f lash. immediately following your 'test' flash. Picture
3l Select Lens Opening for Auto Operation. (P. 10). af ter pictu re-d ifferent subjects, different dis-
Move Auto/Manual switch on back of flash to'A' tances, different surroundings. All perfectlyex-
position. Turn flash Calculator Dial (side) until posed, automatically, with your Sunpak Auto
correct ASA speed is shown by Orange triangle. 211 ...

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5. Set shutter to the fastest speed syn-
chronized with electronic flash. For
non-interchangeable lens cameras, this
is usually the fastest speed- With inter-
changeable lens cameras, the highest
usable speed is generally 1 /60th
second; however, cameras with the
vertical-travel Copal'Square' shutter
2. For cameras with 'Hot Shoe' (cordless) 3. lf camera has separate flash outlets (or similar type) permit electronic flash
flash contact, no further connection is marked 'M' and 'X', attach Sunpak synchronization up to 1l125th second.
necessary. (Note: leave PC Cord cord to 'X' outlet.
plugged into retaining pin on Sunpak Most cameras ind icate the fastest
side; if unplugged, flash will not fire 4. lf camera has switch (usually around 'X'-synch speed either by showing the
through hot shoe.) lens barrel) marked 'M' and 'X', set letter 'X' or '\' mark on the speed
lf camera does not have 'Hot Shoe', switch to'X' position. dial, or by marking the fastest usable
pull out Sunpak's PC Cord (illustrated) speed in a special color. lf in doubt,
and plug into camera flash outlet as check with your camera ddaler (or in
snown. your camera's instruction manual).
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V) MANUAL OPERATION:
At Maximum Power

Using your flash manually at full power is 3. Move (outer) calculator dial to show
generally beneficial only when subjects are correct ASA film speed. (Example: iqmore than 17 feet away and/or use of ASA 100). Lbsmallest possible lens openings is desired. 4. Your flash calculator now shows the
correct lens opening for pictures at distances from 1.6 feet to 40 feet. Find -c\
the flash-to-subject distance by focus-
Here's how: ing in the normal way, and noting1. Move Selector switch on back of flash the d istance shown by your lens. ?zr'* (,ct!'f
to Manual position. ('M'). This dis- (Example: 40 feet). -5$
64\ engages the auto computer circuit S. Set your lens to the lens opening of your flash. You will note that the shown for this distance. (Example: green auto signal light will not glow. with ASA 100 film, correct lens open- rsr &
2. Move Power Ratio dial (on side, in ing at 30 fer-t is f2l.
center of calculator dial) so that the 6. Shoot! All photographs taken at this sprrtt word "Full" is indicated by the white flash-to-subject distance and /stop
mark below the dial. will be correctly exposed.
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\;\
/8 (at full power). Wider lens openinss (f1 .4, f2, f2.81
intermediate lens opening is in- give the least depth-of-field. This effect {o^-} I lf an dicated, simply set your lens aperture makes the background appear out of
ring to the in-between position as focus, while the subject is recorded
shown. However, ALWAYS MOVE sharply.
THE POWER RATIO CONTROL DIAL TO A MARKED POSITION Smafler lens openinSs (f8, f 11, f 16!. l.i;) (such as Full, %, %). DO NOT SET record more background and f ore- ,,'"ly\
POWER RATIO DIAL TO POSITIONS ground objects sharply. Use smaller
IN BETWEEN MARKED NUMBERS. lens openings when you wish to show
(Should this be done, the flash will the surroundings clearly, or when your
operate at Full power and over-ex- subject(example:is childrenhard to atfocusplay).on precisely posure may result.) lsr gffi
5. Shoot! Your Sunpak Auto 211 flash
will automatically deliver the correct
amount of light for a perfectly exposed sprott picture at the distance and lens open-
ing selected.
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VII) MANUAL OPERATION-POWER RATIO CONTROL
Using Your Flash Outdoors in Sunlight Fill-ln Flash

Your Sunpak Auto 21'l electronic flash 1. With your camera's built-in exposure ture of /5.6 is required at a distance of
can be of significant benefit even in meter (or a separate meter), determine 8', a "Power Ratio" of % is indicated
outdoor photography. Example: bright correct lens opening for the brightest for ASA 100 film.
day at the beach . . . much too bright for part of the scene when exposed at the lmportant-always move Power Ratio

Iyour subject to face into the sun. So you fastest speed at which Your camera dial to a click stop position-Full,112,
flash. or 114. Do not set Power Ratio dial to I'tturn her around, and shoot against the synchronizes with electronic
sunlight: a backlit shot. You even care- 2. Focus and read the camera-to-subject in-between positions or f lash will oper-
fully take a close-up meter reading of her distance from your lens' distance scale. ate at Full power and over-exposure
face, to insure that the exposure is based Example: B feet. may result.
on the light on her face (relatively dim) 3. You have now determined the two 4. Shoot! Your picture will be perfectly
as the light of the flash is nowand not the background light (extremely required parameters for correct ex- exposed,
bright). While this technique will produce posure-aperture and distance. Move balanced perfectly with the exposure
a well-exposed image of the subject, the Power Ratio dial so that the required required for the brightest part of the
scene !background will be rendered far too light; distance (8') appears above the re-
the brightness values in the scene are quired aperture (f5.6). Your flash will
beyond the ability of any film to record now operate at the correct Power The technique described above provides
perfectly-balanced equal brilliance on the subject and the .. . Solution:Sunpak Auto2l i . .. and its Ratiowww.butkus.ussetting for
Power Ratio control. fill-in flash. Example: Where an aper- brightest part of the overall scene. This
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effect is called "futl"  fill-in and gives
excellent results with a majority of sub-
jects.
The possibilities are almost endless: sub-
jects partially in sunlight, partially in
shadow; subjects under trees of foliage
which casts hundreds of small shadows
across the subject; a subject indoors,
gazing through a window, part of their
face lit by the daylight and part unlit: in
these and many other situations, your
Sunpak Auto 211 will create strikingly
beautiful daylight/synchro  photographs
for you.


                                         Exposed with Fill-ln Flash                              Exposed by Daylight only

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o Should you prefer a slight fill-in effect
  (less light on subject), move the Power
  Ratio control to the next smallest posi-
  tion: for example % when % is indicated.
  Use this technique when your subject is in
  only slight shadow or is unusually light in
  complexion or appearance.
o Alternatively, you may wish to employ a
 more pronounced   f ill-in flash effect when
  your subject rs either dark in complexion
  or is in extremely heavy shadows and thus
 much less well lit than the brightest part
  of the scehe. This "extra"  f ill-in effect  is
  achieved simply by dialing a Power Ratio
 one step greater than ind icated-for
  example, Full instead of %.
o Experiment when possible, to determine
  the ratio most pleasing to you with subject  representative of your normal pictu re-       www.butkus.us
  tak ing.                             An Example of Full Fill-ln Photography
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J
VII I} MANUAL OPERATION_POWER RATIO CONTROL
Shooting at Controlled Recycling Times

On "Automatic", your Sunpak Auto 211 1. Follow this rule: each one-step reduc- Note: As battery power may diminish
will provide exactly the amount of light tion in operating "Power Ratio" re- in use, it is recommended to choose an
required, then save the remaining energy duces recycling time by approximately even smaller Power Ratio wherever
for subsequent shots. Many photo- 5Oo/o. possible: For example, shoot at %
graphers, however, require the ability to power when it is known that Tz power
shoot shot after shot very rapidly irrespec- 2. Determine recycling time to "Full" will provide the approximate recycling
tive of f lash-to-subject distance. power (manual) with your equipment speed required. This practice will com-
Example: Photography of a sporting event and fresh batteries. pensate for inevitable fluctuations in
with a motor-driven camera. Here the Example: Recycling speed is deter- battery voltage, differences in temper-
Sunpak Power Ratio control again pro- mined to be approximately 4 seconds ature, etc.
vides a practical solution: at full power.
* Individual tests are suggested with your
3. Select Power Ratio accordingly. lf ex- equipment and power sources to deter-
posures every two seconos are re- mine exact recycling speeds under
quired, operate at lz Power. For ex- typical working conditions. These tests
posures every second, a Power Ratio of will accurately reflect usable recycling
% is thus needed. speeds with your "system".

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IX) MANUAL OPERATION-POWER RATIO CONTROL
211 ' Creative Special-Effects Photography with The Sunpak Auto

bill..'5'D
Your Sunpak Auto 211 electronic flash subject distance.) Yet in manual ope- Here's how:
unit opens up a whole new world of ration, the unique power ratio control 1. Set up your camera with flash attached
photographic enjoyment ... with many allows you to control the f lash speed every in a convenient location-preferably,
important industrial and scientif ic benef its time regardless of f lash-to-subject d is- mounted on a sturdy tripod.
lenstoo. Because of this flash unit's unique tance! At "Full" power, flash speed is 2. Determine and set the correct
electronic circuitry. you can actually approximately 1/1500th second; at % opening for an exposure at%tl1 power.
control the duration (speed) of each flash power, about 1 /2000th second . . . and at and set your flash unit's Power Ratio
In Automatic operation, Your flash %th gower, the flash speed shortens to dial to this position.
will light for a brief fraction of a second approximately 1/4500th second-fast 3. Drop the stone (or egg, or whatever;
(from 1 /1 500th second to as fast as enough to virtually "f reeze" most any or, have this done by a friend) and
1/50,0001h second depending on flash-to- moving object! release the shutter as soon as the im-
pact has begun-that is, as soon as the
Motion-Analysis Subject: Perhaps a object reaches the destination. Your
stone being dropped into a bowl of photograph will be exposed at approxi-
water. Or a balloon being burst. Or an matelV 1/4500th second-far faster
egg, dropped on a counter top. than the costliest shutters permit.
Thesewww.butkus.usare things we can never really
see but can now photograPh. You'll be amazed at the results!

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X} MANUAL OPERATION_ POWER RATIO CONTROL
     Choosing Guide Numbers


A "Guide Number" is simply a number        matic flashexoosure controls. With        your film/flash combination must be
expressing the power of a flash unit in        cameras (or lenses) of this type, the          set on the Guide Number Scale of the
relation to the sensitivity (ASA film         flash is set to Manual (Auto/Manual             lens.
speed) of the film in use. In use, the         selector switch to 'M' position) and     2. In Certain highly specialized areas of
photographer divides the flash-to-subject        the lens aperture is automatically         technical photography. the photo-
distance (in feet) into the Guide Number,          selected by the camera as you focus.        grapher may wish to judge the ex-
and the resu lt is the / stop for correct        For correct exoosure with such cam-         posure by means of formulas based on
exposure. Normally, reference to Guide         eras or lenses, the Guide Number for        Guide Numbers.
Numbers is not necessary as the computer                                       Man UA                     ASA FILM SPEED          (andmechanism                 calculator                              dial)                             of your       Power
                                 calculations               make such           211Sunpak      Auto                                         2s ls2  | oo I s0 I 64 | ro llooll2sl160lzoolzsolszol4oolsooloaolaoo
unnecessary. However, there are two                               GUIDE N UMBERS                                                            Ratio+
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              l et I w  I ros  I lz3l1sa lrs+  | rz+l rssinstances in which orecise Guide Number      FULL  34 l3e lool aa I ss I u, I osl zzinformation  is needed:
                                                 112    24  27   31   34  39  44   48   55  62  69   77   87  e7  | 10e  123 138
1. Use with Flash-Coupled Cameras or       114    17   19   22   24   27   31   34  39  44   48   55   62  691 77   87  97
   Lenses. Many 35mm rangefinder-type                  Guide Number
   cameras incorporate Iheir own auto-                      Di..t-r"*   = 'ristoP      Guide Number =flstop x distance

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XI} HELPFUL HINTS

You'll get more enjoyment out of your (this is called a 'ghost' image, and it's
Sunpak if you follow these handy tips: quite annoying). Use the fastest speed
possible for best results.
1. Check Camera Controls. With cameras
which do not have 'hot' shoe, make 3. Use 'Test Flash' to Check Lighting
sure the flash cord is plugged into the EffeEts. You r Sunpak f lash can be
'X' outlet, or that the synch switch test fired without actually exposing
("M-X") is set at'X'. Of course, make film. (This feature is handy as a final
certain the cord is firmly plugged in. check before taking important pic-
And, remember not to exceed the tures). Just press the Ready/Test but-
maximum distance range of your flash ton which fires the flash without ex-
(17') in automatic operation. posing your film.
2. Use the Fastest Possible Shutter Speed. 4. Check Auto Exposure For lmportant
lf your camera 'synchs' with electronic Shots. lt's easy: just aim flash at your
flash up to 1l125th second, shoot at subject and press the'Ready/Test' but-
1l"l25th (instead of a slower speed). tun to fire a 'test' flash. lf the green
The faster the speed, the less likely Auto Signal lamp blinks afterward, ance. lf green light does not blink,
correct, and You can move closer to subject and make that the existing (ambient) light will the exposurewww.butkus.usis
cause an image to register on the film take the picture with complete assur- another test.
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XII) CHOOSING BATTERY XI I I } USING RECHARGEABLE
TYPE NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERI ES

Your Sunpak electronic flash accepts both Your Sunpak electronic flash unit accepts
AA-size Alkaline batteries and re- standard AA-size nickel-cadmium batteries
chargeable nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cad) cells. l4l. These let you take approximately
Each type offers practical advantages. 1 10 - 450 flash pictures; then, simply
Alkaline batteries provide the greatest remove the batteries and recharge them in
number of continuous f lashes: approxi- the Sunpak Nickel-Cadmium Battery
matelv 14O- 750 per set (depending on Charger. A full charge is obtained over-
auto distance of manual.Power Ratio in night ('14 - 16 hours).
use). Many photographers find it convenient to
work with tuzo sets of nickel-cadmium
The interval between f lashes (recycling batteries, keeping one set in their flash
time) ranges from 0.5 seconds to about 7 while the other set is being recharged.
seconds. When recycling time reaches Charger. The Sunpak Nickel-Cadmium
about 30 seconds, the batteries should Battery Type. Your Sunpak dealer can Battery Charger is exclusively designed for
use w ith AA-size nickel-cadmium be replaced. Thus, Alkaline batteries supply you with General Electric GC-1,
selector represent an excellent choice as a de- Eveready CH-500, Bright Star 8000, batteries. lt features a unique
pendable energy source that's always Sanyo N-500-AA, or equivalent 1.25v switch which lets you charge either two or
con- ready. AA-size n ickel-cadmiu m batteries. four batteries at one time, and a
I venientshow thatindicatorbatterieslamparewhichcorrectlylights upposi-to
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XIV} MULTIPLE FLASH OPERATION
WITH SUNPAK AUTO SLAVE UNIT

tioned. Another practical feature of this Using two or more Sunpak electronic flash 3. Determine correct lens opening
compact charger is a slot allowing you to units can produce stunningly-attractive manually (as a starting guide, close
wall-mount it if desired. You'll find it a professional portraits. Equally, using addi- down lens one//number f rom indicated
welcome addition to your Sunpak system tional flash units strategically positioned aperture when using two directly-
. . . and probably finci lots of other appli- can substantially expand photographic aimed flashes).
cations for using your nickel-cadmium capabilities. Here's how: use the compact, 4. Connect main fjash to camera in
batteries in radios, tape recorders, movie solid-state Sunpak Auto Slave Unit, avail- normal manner.
cameras, and other instruments using this able from your Sunpak dealer. This per- 5. Shoot . . . when the light from the
popular battery type. mits wireless synchronization of the Sun- master (camera-connected) flash
pak Auto 211 (or any other Sunpak mo- reaches the Sunpak Slave's sensor, the
Psrformance. Nickel-cadmium batteries dels) at distances up to 100' from the Slave automatically fires the second
represent the most dependable power 'Master' unit. When the master unit (with flash in perfect synchronization with
source for your electronic flash. In shutter cord connected to the camera) is the first! The Sunpak Slave operates at
general, they provide faster recycling times fired, all other slave-equipped units fire distances of up to 100 feet from the
than other battery types. The initial simultaneously. master flash, and is unaffected by even
investment for nickel-cadmium batteries the brightest indoor lighting.
and charger is soon repaid by the ability to 1. Plug Sunpak Slave Unit into flash cord Note: The Sunpak Slave Unit is also sup-
recharge the batteries literally hundreds of of auxiliary (second) flash unit. plied with a small carrying case and a
times .. . enough for a lifetime of flash 2. Adjustwww.butkus.ussensor eye of Slave so that it handy accessory shoe for use when mount-
photography. faces master flash unit. ing on a tripod. f
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XV) CARE OF YOUR ELECTRONIC FLASH

Your Sunpak electronic f lash has been whitish-powder on the battery, which 3. Make Sure Flash is Securely Attached
engineered to require almost no 'mainten- passes onto your Sunpak's electrical con- to accessory shoe (and that accessory
. attached to Your ance' under normal use. Still, to insure tacts. (lf this has happened, replace the shoe is securely
best performance year-in and year-out, batteries after cleaning the Sunpak's camera !)
follow these basic pointers: internal battery contacts with a penknife.)
Finally, it's a good idea to remove the 4. Service. In the unlikely event that your
requires 1. Inspect Batteries Frequently.'lnspect' batteries once in a while and wipe them Sunpak electronic flash
means for reasonable recycling time with a pencil eraser-the cleaner the bat- service, return it to your dealer or Ber-
(the length of time it takes the tery surface, the easier it is for the energy key Marketing Companies, Inc. at the
indicator light to come on between to pass through your flashgun's electrical address shown on page 28. Do not,
flashes): if it's 30 seconds or more, a system. under any conditions, attempt to disas-
fresh set of alkaline batteries should be semble and/or adjust it yourself: elec-
obtained (or if nickel cadmium bat- 2. Remove Batterier. lf for some reason tronic flash operates on high voltage,
use your flash for and should not be taken apart. How- teries are used , t hey shou ld be re- you do not intend to
is charged). a period of several weeks or more, ever, keep in mind that flash failure
remove the batteries and store them more likely to result from weak
It's also wise to check your batteries for separately (inside a plastic bag and in a batteries than any other single cause: if
appearance: sometimes, even the best of cool, dry place). the flash doesn't fire, check batteries
batteries discharge or leak some chemical and contacts careful ly.
material through the jacket . . . and leave a
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