promaster PL400 Digital LCD Control Studio Flash Instruction Manual
- June 6, 2024
- promaster
Table of Contents
Thank you for your purchase of the ProMaster PL400 advanced LCD
control studio monolight. The PL400 is designed for the photographic
enthusiast who is looking for a portable, reliable, powerful studio lighting
solution with advanced features. Standard features include color-temperature
corrected circular flash tube (5600k), Bowens compatible reflector mount
allowing for a wide range of accessories, continuous power level adjustment,
multiple anti-red-eye sync options, remote optical slave sensor, audible flash
ready signal, built-in umbrella holder, and adjustable locking flash mount.
Light Controls and Operation
A. FLASH CHARGE INDICATOR – Shows the status of flash charging.
B. MODELING LAMP CONTROL – The MODELING LAMP CONTROL is used to
select the modeling lamp Pressing the MODE button (M) until the indicators
for the MODELING LAMP CONTROL are flashing. Press the ENTER BUTTON (G)
until the mode you wish to choose is flashing. After a couple of moments, the
selected mode will stop flashing and will display the mode you have selected.
If you select Free, the modeling lamp output is adjusted independently of
the flash output If you select Prop(optional), the modeling light output will
adjust in synch with the flash output. To adjust the modeling light output in
this mode, press the ENTER switch until the MODELING LAMP POWER INDICATOR
(K) is flashing and then rotate the MODE button (M) until you have selected
the desired modeling lamp power. Pressing the ENTER button again will
return the MODE control to the FLASH POWER INDICATOR (L). If the
control is set to OFF, the modeling light is off.
C. AUDIO SIGNAL SWITCH – If you would like to have an audio signal to
indicate that the flash is fully charged and ready to fire, select
Buzz/ON. If you prefer to not have the audio signal, select Buzz/OFF.
D. OPTICAL SLAVE MODE – The flash offers 3 synchronization modes for
the built-in optical slave trigger. These modes allow the flash to properly
synchronize with another flash which is triggering the PL400. Selecting a Cell
without one of the numerical choices deactivates the optical slave.
Modes:
- Standard Sync Mode – When this mode is selected, the PL400 will flash instantly when another flash fires.
- Trigger On Second Flash — In this mode, the PL400 will ignore the first triggering flash and trigger instantly with the second flash from the triggering flash.
- Trigger On Third Flash – In this mode, the PL400 will ignore the first and second triggering flash and trigger instantly with the third flash from the triggering flash.
Different cameras use a variety of flash schemes to reduce red-eye from a
single pre-flash to a burst of flashes. Choosing the mode which best matches
the pre-flash mode on your camera will help you to get the best results.
E. COUNTER – Counts the number of times which the flash has been fired.
This cannot be reset by the user.
F. TEST BUTTON – Press the TEST BUTTON to manually fire the flash and
check its operation.
G. ENTER BUTTON – Used to toggle between mode selections.
H. POWER BUTTON – Turns the flash on and off. The red indicator light
will blink when the flash is plugged in and not turned on. It will glow solid
when the power is on and the fan is operating.
I. SYNCH PORT – Plug a synch cord or radio trigger into this port to
trigger the flash.
J. POWER INPUT
K. MODELING LIGHT POWER INDICATOR – Indicates the power level of the
modeling light from 2.0 to 6.0 in increments of .1.
L. FLASH POWER INDICATOR – Indicates the power level of the modeling
light from 2.0 to 6.0 in increments of .1.
M. MODE BUTTON – Press this button to toggle through menu choices. Rotate
the button to change the flash power level or the modeling light power level.
N. HANDLE – Use the flash handle to conveniently adjust the position of
the flash head.
Safety Precautions
- Before using the flash, make sure that your lighting equipment is plugged into a 110 volt AC power source.
- Do not expose your lighting equipment to sunlight, moisture, dust, dirt, rain, or water.
- Any exposure to chemical solutions, gasoline, grease, oil, paint, or detergents can result in permanent damage to your equipment.
- Do not insert any metal objects into your lighting equipment.
- Do not touch or handle equipment with wet hands or allow your equipment to be in contact with water.
- Be sure to disconnect from the power supply when the light is not in use.
- Do not attempt to repair your lighting equipment yourself.
- Avoid rapid continuous firing of your flash. Continued rapid-firing may cause excessive heat build-up and potential damage to your unit.
OVER-TEMPERATURE PROTECTION
The PL400 flash features an OVER TEMPERATURE PROTECTION CIRCUIT. It is
normal for the flash to become warm during operation. If the temperature
exceeds the working limit due to excessive rapid firing, the OVER
TEMPERATURE PROTECTION circuit will power off the flash to avoid damage.
The red light above the power button will be off. Allow the PL400 to cool. It
can be powered on again by pressing the power button.
Specifications
- Power: 400 watt second (joule) at full power
- Color Temperature: 5600k ± 100k
- Guide Number: 223′ /68m @ 100 ISO
- Modeling Lamp: 150 watt / 120 volt — FJDD E27 Lamp
- Modeling Lamp Control: 2.0-6.0 stepless adjustment/auto adjustment/ independent adjustment/off/auto off during charging
- Power Control: Continuous 2.0 — 6.0, 1/32 stepless adjustment
- Optical Slave: Built-in, effective up to 35′ / 10m depending on conditions; 3 synch delay options
- Recycling Time:.2 to 2.2 seconds
- Over Temperature Protection: Yes with a built-in cooling fan
- Power Input: AC110 – 130 volts, 60Hz
- Fuse: 6.3 Amp — F6.3L 250V
- Weight: 4 lb. 3 oz. approx.
- Size: 9 1/2″ L x 5 1/4″ Ø x 7 1/2″ H (approx. With bracket collapsed)
ONE YEAR UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE
If for any reason, this ProMaster product fails within ONE YEAR of the date of
purchase, return this product to your ProMaster dealer and it will be
exchanged for you at no charge. ProMaster products are guaranteed for ONE FULL
YEAR against defects in workmanship and materials. If at any time after one
year, your ProMaster product fails under normal use, we invite you to return
it to ProMaster for evaluation.
Code 9469
Made in China
www.promaster.com
Fairfield, CT 06825