BUTKUS 280SG Electronic Flash Owner’s Manual
- June 5, 2024
- BUTKUS
Table of Contents
BUTKUS 280SG Electronic FlashTECHNICAL DATA
Guide Number:
64 (ASA 25 in feet); 28 (DIN 18 in meters)
Light Output:
3000 B.C.P.S.
Coverage Angle:
65 degrees horizontal; 55 degrees vertical Color Temperature: Daylight
balanced
Flash Duration:
1/1,500 sec.Power Source Four rechar geable 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 Time:
14 hours 7X5-3/8×3-5/8 (187 x86 x 92.5mm)1.2 lb (560 grams)
Dimensions:
7X5-3/8×3-5/8 (187 x86 x 92.5mm)1.2 lb (560 grams)
Weight:
1.2 lb (560 grams)
Others:
Built- in battery charger, exclusive AC125V/Charge switch, extensi on socket ,one-action bracket lock.
DESCRIPTION OF PARTS
- Exposure Computer Dial
- Battery Compartment Lid
- Neon Ready Lamp
- AC Socket
- AC 125V/ Charge Switch
- AC/Battery Switch
- Pilot Lamp
- PC Cord Socket
- Extension Socket
- Open Flash Button (Circuit Tester)
- Bracket Lock Button
- PC Cord
- AC Cord
- Bracket
- Camera Thumbscrew
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HOW TO MOUNT YOUR SUPER ELITE
- Press the Bracket Lock Button and insert the forked end of the Bracket into the slot on the bottom end of the grip section.
- Set the camera on the Bracket and fix it securely by screwing the Camera Thumbscrew into its tripod socket.
- Plug one end of the PC Cord (12) into the PC Cord Socket of your Super Elite and the other into the “X flash contact of your camera.
- If your camera features a syne selector, make sure the lever is adjusted to “X” position.
- When connected to flash contacts other than “X, the unit will be triggered when the shutter release button is depressed but protect synchronization will not be obtained.
BATTERY CHARGING
-
The batteries must be charged to full capacity before using your KAK0 Super Elite on battery power for the first timeor after leaving it unused over any length of time.
-
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.
-
Adjust the AC/Battery Switch (6) to “AC ” and the AC 125V/Charge Switch (5) to “CH”
-
Plug one end of the AC Cord (13) into the AC Socket (4) of your Super Elite and the other into a wall outlet.
-
Leave the unit in this state for 14 hours. The Pilot Lamp (7) will turn on over this duration to indicate that battery charging is taking place properly.
-
Battery charging in excess of the required charging will not provide extra power time.
-
Your unit will not be available for flash operation on both AC and batteries over the duration the batteries are being charged.
-
Plug one erd of the PC Cord (12) into the PC Cord Socket of your unit and ihe other into the *X° flash contact of your camera.
-
Set the AC/Battery Switch (6) to “BAT” A faint whine will then be heard and, in a few seconds, the Neon Ready Lamp will turn on to indicate that the unit is ready for firing.
-
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. -
If the Ne on Ready Lamp (3) takes more than 30 seconds to alight, charge the batteries.
-
Reset the AC/Battery Switch (6) to “AC” each time after using your unit on battery power to prevent excessive drain of battery power.
-
Test-fire several fla shes on AC when using your unit for the first time or after long storage. This will enable you to conserve battery power.
AC OPERATION
- Adjust the AC/Battery Switch (6) to “AC”
- Set the AC 125V/Charge Switch (5) to “AC125”
- Plug one end of the AC Cord (13) into the AC Socket (4) of your unit and the other into a wall outlet.
- Within a matter of a few seconds, the Neon Ready Lamp will turn on to indicate that the unit is ready for flashing.
- Set the lens aperture and shutter speed of your camera 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 to turn on.
- This, however,does not indicate a malfunct ion. Just keep the unit connected to the wall outlet and wait until the ready lamp alights.
Setting the Shutter Speed
-
Leaf-type hutter Cameras the shutter featured in this type of cameras consists of an arrangement of couple to several thin leaf-shaped metal blades that converge
at the center -
When the shutter relea se button is depressed, these metal blades swing open to admit light to the film plane and close again by spring ciion. This process usually takes place within a matter of a small fraction of a second.
-
The “X” contact of the se cameras is made so as to trigger the flash the moment the shutter blades open fully.
-
Since the flash duration of your Super Elite is 1/1,500 sec., the entire volume of light reflected by the subject is transmitted through the lens and onto the film plane dur ing the fraction of a second the shutter blades remain fully open.
-
With this type of shutter, therefore, any shutter speed can be selected to obtain perfect synchronization.
-
Focal-plane Shutter Cameras the shutter incorporated in this type of camera consists of two rubberized cloth or metal screens, one closely following the other in operation.
-
The film is exposed through the slot between these two screens that traverse over the film plane. Usually at 1/25 to 1/60 sec., this slot is wide enough to cover the entire picture area.
-
The “X” contact is arranged so that the flash is triggered the moment the entire picture area is exposed.
-
Generally speaking, therefore, the adequate shutter speed for perfect synchronization with an electronic flash unit ranges from 1/25 to 1/60 sec.
-
For details, however, refer to the instruction book let which comes with your camera.
-
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 with the camera.
-
Align the figure corresponding to the ASA (or DIN) speed rating of the film loaded in your camera with the index mark on the Exposure Computer Dial.
-
Locate the figure equivalent to the ilash-to-subject distance on the outer scale and read off the correct aperture setting for that range on the inner scale.
-
I, for example, you are photographing a sUbject at a range of 10 feet on an ASA 25 color film Kodachrome, the Exposure Computer Dial of your Super Elite will give a reading of f/6.4 as the correct aperture setting.
-
When photographing in a spacy room or outdoors at night where there are no effective reflecting surfaces near the subject, it is advisable to open the lens aperture one
or two stops larger than the setting indicated by the exposure Computer Dial.
EFFECTIVE USES OF THE FLASH UNIT
Effective Method of Lighting for Portraiture
- To avoid a flat effect in portraiture, detach the electronic flash unit from your camera and hold it so that your subject receives the light from an angle.
- This method of setting the flash unit away from your 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 NOT the camera-to-subject range.
Daylight Synchro-Flash (Sun-sync)
- ideal results can be obtained when the flash is used as “fill” light in broad daylight, particularly when photographing subjects 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.
Bounce Flash
- Jo avoid extremely dark shadows or flat effect in indoor photography, bounce flash can be employed to good advantage.
- The 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 affect the overall color rendition.
- The general rule consists of opening the lens aperture about two stops larger than the standard setting.
Multi-Flash Photography
- Your Super Elite features provision enabling àpplication of multi-flash technique.
- Resort to multi-flash photography in case an extra-powerful light is required or if a lighting effect that can hardly 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.
CIRCUIT TEST
- The circuit of your KAKO Super Elite can be tested readily by depressing the red Open Flash Button (Circuit Tester) on the base of the flash head.
- If your unit is in order,the flash will be triggered immediately upon the depression of this button.
- Another simple method consists of shortcircuiting the plug of the PC Cord with the tip of a screwdriver or some other tapered metal object.
- In case your unit fails to offer normal function, do not under any Circumstance attempt to repair it yourself.
- Take it to your dealer and have it sent out for repair to Kako’s accredited service station.
CAUTION
Your Super Elite is designed exclusively for operation on nickel-cadmium batteries or 100-125V AChousehold current. Do not attempt to operate it on AA size man gane se or alkaline batteries.
KAKO SERVICE NETWORK
KAKO STROBE AMERICA INC.
307 Fifth Avenue,New York, N.Y. 10016U.S.A.
KAKO HONG KONG LIAISON OFFICE
1407, Takshing House, 14 Floor,20, Des Voeux Road, Central,HONG KONG
KAKO HAMBURG LIAISON OFFICE
c/o Messrs. KANEMATSU-GOSHO G.m.b.H.2000 Hamburg 1,Schmiede Strasse 2,WEST
GERM ANY
KAKO INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Shimbashi-Ekimae Bldg.211, Shimbashi 2-chome,Minato, Tokyo,JAPAN
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