Hasselblad Ring Flash

[romanf]

Did you figure out how you wired the cables from the 402 to the ringflash? Which wires to which wires? Did you also do the same with the 60 powerpack? That is the one I need to figure out.

 

[polypal]

Ring flash and Metz 402

The cable from my Metz 402 only had two wires.
That made the job to fit a different connector easy.

I used XLR connectors often used for audio applications.
Better not put the cable from the Metz generator into a mike.
The result of such an action will be easy to predict.

Surprise how good these old Metz unitz are after all these years.
I was thinking of setting up two 60 CT4 units as slaves with soft boxes for a small table top setting.
The 402 units will do just fine. A new application for them in stead of gathering dust.





I did not use the 60 generator for this job.
Connecting the 60 generator is quite easy though.
Cut the extra cable you will need for this job near the connector that normaly fits into the CT1/2/4 head.
Remove some of the black outer rubber from the cable at that end.
Remove a small part of the isolation that covers the wires.
Spread those wire, connect the other side of the cable to the 60 generator, switch on.
Use a multi meter to check which of the three wire pairs carry 250-300 volt.
The other wire that will give a much lower reading against one of the two other wires is the one not to use.
The remaining two are the ones that need to be connected to the ring flash.

Paul

 

[wbulte]

I did not use the 60 generator for this job.
Connecting the 60 generator is quite easy though.
Cut the extra cable you will need for this job near the connector that normaly fits into the CT1/2/4 head.
Remove some of the black outer rubber from the cable at that end.
Remove a small part of the isolation that covers the wires.
Spread those wire, connect the other side of the cable to the 60 generator, switch on.
Use a multi meter to check which of the three wire pairs carry 250-300 volt.
The other wire that will give a much lower reading against one of the two other wires is the one not to use.
The remaining two are the ones that need to be connected to the ring flash.

Paul

I'd measure the voltages before cutting the plug off the cable. Makes the job a lot safer because you can just insert the testleads of the meter into the female connector on the cable.

Anyway, to save everyone the potential grief I just measured things on my 60CT4. The two outside pins of the 3-pin connector carry the high voltage. In my case the unloaded voltage was around 360V.

More than enough power present on this connector to feed your ring flash, also more than enough to induce immediate and permanent cardiac arrest(!). Caveat emptor.

Wilko

 

[polypal]

More than enough power present on this connector to feed your ring flash, also more than enough to induce immediate and permanent cardiac arrest(!). Caveat emptor.

Wilko

Well given advice from somebody who is more used to doing repair jobs than I am.
My training stems from the days of vacuum tubes.
A measily 360 V does not scare me at all.
The tube amps I designed 30 years ago are still going strong.
Their power supply only gives 660 Volts fully loaded.


It all depends on the condition of your heart of course.
I sustained the test with flying colours several times.
But that was many years ago.........


Paul

 

[wbulte]

Well given advice from somebody who is more used to doing repair jobs than I am.
My training stems from the days of vacuum tubes.
A measily 360 V does not scare me at all.
The tube amps I designed 30 years ago are still going strong.
Their power supply only gives 660 Volts fully loaded.


It all depends on the condition of your heart of course.
I sustained the test with flying colours several times.
But that was many years ago.........

Paul

The bonus of the 60CT generator is of course its nice fat electrolytic capacitor. Makes for impressive sparcs, fries heart muscles without blinking an eye.

Wilko

 

[polypal]

GN for Hasselblad ringflash

I had a chance to check the instructions supplied with the Hasselblad ringflash.
According to a table in that booklet the GN is about 60 for a generatior output of 180 Ws.
Of course 20 is for metric. That gives 60 for imperial standard.

 

[PaulM]

Replacement Tubes

Hi, I have one of these ringflashes wired up for a Multiblitz profilite which is 200w and can be fired at half power and run off the mains or a car battery. I also rewired one for a Metz but it only had the 2 wires. My problem is it is so good I have worn out the tube and am finding it impossible to fid a replacement, has anyone come across one?

 

[blowupster]

Perhaps a supid question:
How to know the tube is worn ?
(I've one, and I don't know why I do not succed to fire)

 

[PaulM]

Worn Tube

If the flash starts to misfire when used for a while it's likely that the tube is on the way out. But the guy who does my repairs tested it and confirmed mine is on it's last legs.

 

[PaulM]

If it's not fireing at all but there is a tinny sound when triggered it is the tube trying to fire and hence tube problems. if there is no sound it COULD be something else.

 

[polypal]

The unit was made in Germany by P+K.
It is uncertain whether this factory still exists.

I do have some contacts with suppliers of flash tubes.
The one from my Hasselblad ringflash can be used as sample.

 

[PaulM]

I'd really appreciate a supplier and if possible a tube reference as my unit is with the guy who does my repairs and he can't get hold of one?

 

[polypal]

Hello Paul,

Can't promise anything but I am working on it.

Watch this section for new developments.

Paul

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

Hello! My first post.

Hi All, I'm new here.

I have a working Hasselblad Ringflash. Five years ago, after buying it on ebay, I sent it to New York City Flash Clinic. They replaced the original blackened and broken flashtube, and adapted it to my Norman 200B powerpacks. So now I get 50WS, 100WS, or a full 200WS through the tube.

-Dan, need to dust it off and start using it again!

 

[polypal]

Hello Dan,

Welcome to Hasselbladinfo forum.
Maybe New York City Flash Clinic can still supply those tubes?
It is worth asking them about it.


Paul

 

[rickp]

hello all
my first post here (membership due to newly acquired xpan), and it's a request for info from all the flash experts on this thread.
do you think the flash clinic could help me with my braun f800? is there perhaps a similar service shop in europe?
i replaced the batteries, and have the original (working) head; a second flash head with dead capacitors, and a third head not yet tested. i'd like to get a working 2 lamp flash (wall power) out of the three pieces.
BTW, i think there was a connecting cord from hasselblad or braun to the ring flash described by the original poster?
greetings from hamburg
rick

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

Hello Dan,

Maybe New York City Flash Clinic can still supply those tubes?

I would ask them. http://www.flashclinic.com/

I remember they wanted to see my two 200b Norman packs, they said they would adjust the circuitry in them, if necessary. The ready-light would "after-glow" incessently without the pack adjustment. They obviously were quite familar with the Hasselblad Ringlight, it was a favorite for Fashion Photography, back in the '80s. Gave the "red-eye" look, that was so prevelant, and somewhat overused technique.

I want to photograph my Son, up tight facial shot, with my new 120mm F5.6 Planar-S, and the ringlight. Should be quite good, for that.

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

I did some quick tests of my Hasselblad Ringlight, on my 500c/m with 120mm F5.6 Planar-S, HC-3/70 prism, and Polaroid 100 Instant Film Back. Using 200ws through my Norman 200b pack, at 3.5 feet distance setting, using 1/125 @ F11, exposures look great on color EI100 Fuji Instant Film FP100c. I see nice detail in black-colored objects, light is shadowless, soft and beautiful. No wonder fashion guys use this unit for high-fashion beauty-light shooting.

Tests look very cool, so now I am ready to burn some real EI100 film, I'll use a mix of B&W and color. Another advantage of the Hasselblad; I can load 3 or 4 A12 magazines with different brands of B&W/color film, then try a few frames of each. Often one or two will stand out for a particular type of use and subject, and I've given myself a nice choice of negatives, as well as covering myself very well, in case a particular combination is not to my liking, when I see the results. Great to see side-by-side how the different materials react, too.

I want some tight face shots of my older son.
For this upcoming shoot, I will try Efke100, J&C Classic 100, Fuji NPC EI100, and more Fuji Instant FP100c (instant proofs no digital required). To cover myself, I'll also open-up a stop or two, and try my favorite film; Ilford Pan F. And maybe rack-off a few frames of 70mm Plus-X Aero 2402, just for fun. 70mm film is outdated and will probably require some extra exposure, as well.

 

[polypal]

Hello Rick,

Sorry I missed your first post.
A bit late but a warm welcome to hasselbladinfo forum.

Flash clinic may well be able to serve you but I would prefer to stay a little closer with that gear. I am sure there are companies in Holland or Germany that will be able to sought out the problems you have.
That saves you and Flash Clinic a lot of red tape with customs etc.

Please contact me if you need help to find a specialist for your kit.


Paul

 

[rickp]

hello paul, and thanks to all for an interesting thread.

if you have a possible source for the big electrolytic capacitors (no markings whatsoever) in the braun f800 aux. flash head, i'd appreciate it very much. i don't have a ringflash (yet), but do have a working f800 and aux flash and the third dead aux flash head. good fun and puzzle for a rainy day.

greetings from hamburg

rick