White Lightning Technical Specifications
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specifications
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X800
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X1600
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X3200
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||
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full
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1/4
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full
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1/4
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||
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true wattseconds
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330 Ws
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660 Ws
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165 Ws
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1320 Ws
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330 Ws
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effective wattseconds
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800 Ws
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1600 Ws
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400 Ws
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3200 Ws
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800 Ws
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lumenseconds
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14,000 Ls
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28,000 Ls
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7,000 Ls
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56,000 Ls
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14,000 Ls
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power range
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5 f-stops (full to 1/32)
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7 f-stops (full to 1/32, 1/4 to 1/128)
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7 f-stops (full to 1/32, 1/4 to 1/128)
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recycle to 100%
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1 second
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2 seconds
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1/2 second
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4 seconds
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1 second
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sync / trigger voltage
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less than 6 volts
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less than 6 volts
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less than 6 volts
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less than 6 volts
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less than 6 volts
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power requirements
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120 Vac, 50-60 HZ
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120 Vac, 50-60 HZ
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120 Vac, 50-60 HZ
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120 Vac, 50-60 HZ
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120 Vac, 50-60 HZ
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internal cooling fan
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yes
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yes
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yes
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yes
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yes
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warning alarms
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yes
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yes
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yes
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yes
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yes
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modeling lamp
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250 watt max
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250 watt max
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250 watt max
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250 watt max
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250 watt max
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flashtube
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14mm single-ring
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14mm single-ring
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14mm single-ring
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14mm single-ring
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14mm single-ring
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stand mount
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fits stands up to 5/8"
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fits stands up to 5/8"
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fits stands up to 5/8"
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fits stands up to 5/8"
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fits stands up to 5/8"
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umbrella mount
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2 x 3/8'' diameter
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2 x 3/8'' diameter
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2 x 3/8'' diameter
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2 x 3/8'' diameter
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2 x 3/8'' diameter
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standard reflector
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7-inch silver, 80º spread
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7-inch silver, 80º spread
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7-inch silver, 80º spread
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7-inch silver, 80º spread
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7-inch silver, 80º spread
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Quantity of electrical energy is measured in Wattseconds, also known as Joules. This rating defines the amount of electrical power discharged with each flash. While the actual amount of light produced for a given number of wattseconds varies, depending on the unit's design, the term provides a reasonable guide to comparative light output, as long as real/true wattseconds are specified. In the conversion of Watts to Lumens, or Wattseconds to Lumenseconds, the efficacy of the system determines how much light will result from a given number of wattseconds. The poor efficiency in this conversion by manufactures has given rise to the term Effective Wattseconds. If one flash system converts 400 Wattseconds of energy into 16,000 Lumenseconds of light, and another flash system converts 800 Wattseconds of energy into 16,000 Lumenseconds of light, then the first system could claim to have "800 Effective Wattseconds" as it is effectively producing the same amount of light as a system starting with 800 True Wattseconds. The Effective Wattseconds rating, however, is rather arbitrary and cannot be easily proven true or untrue, as it is merely used as a basis for inflated comparison of different flash systems.
Power Range Increase
Flash Duration
 When a flash system fires, although it may appear so to humans, the light emitted does not come on and go off instantaneously. In reality, the flash tube 'turns on' very quickly and then dims gradually as the flash capacitors discharge. Short flash durations are important to prevent blurring when the subject is in rapid motion such as a pirouetting ballerina or a Michael Jordan slam-dunk. Flash manufacturers do not rate flash duration as the entire time the flash tube is emitting light however, because the end of the slowly dimming 'tail' does not contribute much to the overall exposure (or to blur). t.1 is defined as the time during which the flash lamp output is above 0.1 (or 1/10) it's peak intensity. t.3 you may guess is the time the output is greater than 0.3 (about 1/3) peak, and t.5 is how long it's above 0.5 (half) the peak value. Sync/Trigger Voltage When using digital cameras, it is best to check on the maximum sync voltage allowed for your specific camera. Most other brands of flash units have sync voltages much higher than ours, some as high as 50-60V, but the sync voltage on all of our X-Series and UltraZAP flash units is under 6 volts, safe for use with digital cameras. Average Current AlienBees and White Lightning lights draw an average current of 6 Amps during the recycle period. Thus, if a light were fired every time it recycled, the average current draw would be 6 Amps. At the beginning of each recycle, the lights draw a peak current of about 18A for about 200 milliseconds. This is well tolerated by household circuits and breakers. A typical circuit breaker will tolerate three AB or WL units in normal use. When the lights are idle and not being fired the current draw is essentially that of the modeling lamp - one to two amps per unit. |
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output
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X800
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X1600
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X3200
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||
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full
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1/4
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full
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1/4
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Standard
7-inch Reflector |
f16 2/10
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f22 2/10
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f11 2/10
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f32 2/10
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f16 2/10
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11-inch Reflector
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f32
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f45
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f22
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f64
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f32
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48" Silver Bounce Umbrella
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f11 -f16
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f16 - f22
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f8 - f11
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f22 - f32
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f11 - f16
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48" Shoot-Thru Umbrella |
f8 - f11
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f11 -f16
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f5.6 - f8
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f16 - f22
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f8 - f11
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Medium Softbox
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f16 – f22
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f22 – f32
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f11 – f16
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f32 – f45
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f16 – f22
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The following accessories were used for these measurements: The output readings have been measured with a Gossen Ultra Pro flashmeter |
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guide numbers
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X800 | X1600 | X3200 | ||
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full
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1/4
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full
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1/4
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Standard 7-inch Reflector
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#172
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#236
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#118
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#343
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#172
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11-inch Reflector
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#320
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#450
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#220
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#640
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#320
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The Guide Number (GN) is a standard measurement serving to indicate a flash unit's output by calculating the distance times the f-stop, with respect to the film speed. The guide number relates the film speed to the actual flash output. A Guide Number is determined by placing the flash unit at a desired distance from the subject (usually 10-feet), and metering with an accurate flash meter. The guide number can be calculated from the distance and the f/stop (GN = f/number x flash-to-subject distance).
We get a lot of questions asking, what is the "guide number" of your flash unit? This term is not wholly reliable because it relates more to the angle of the reflector than to the actual amount of light produced. For example, a flash unit with a given amount of light output will register a much higher guide number (f-stop at 10') if it has a narrow angle reflector (for telephoto lens) than if it has a wide angle reflector. But the actual amount of light is the same in both cases…it just covers more area with the wide angle reflector (at a lower guide number). In comparing flash units, the max GN of a flash unit is usually given for ISO 100 film. When it comes to choosing a flash unit, you have to be careful, as these measurements can be altered. It is common practice within the flash unit industry (for marketing reasons) to provide the max GN at the smallest coverage, as this will provide the longest focal length. Such a focused flash unit is more powerful, which produces a higher Guide Number, implying a more powerful output. Therefore, the max GNs of different flash units are usually not directly comparable. Studio flash units are designed to be used in many different configurations, with different accessories. The angle of coverage will be different in each case as will be the achieved guide number for a given amount of emitted light. As merely an indication of output, we publish the max guide numbers, noting that they are not true measurements of what you can do with our lights, as the real output will be determined by how you choose to modify the light. These output readings have been measured with a Gossen Ultra Pro Flashmeter (ISO 100), placed 10-feet from the flashtube for direct reflector specs. The readings represent the output of each unit at its full power setting. For the White Lightning X-Series X3200 and X1600 units, there are readings at both full power and quarter power. Readings were taken in the center of a 20-foot x 27-foot white room, with 20-foot ceilings. Please note that readings may vary when taken in other environments and with other meters, as different brands of flashmeters can vary in their interpretation of correct values. The stated maximum Guide Numbers (GN) were calculated by multiplying the distance (10 feet) times the measured output in f-stops. |