FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the difference between Brown Line and Black Line?
Are Brown Line and Black
Line interchangeable?
I have an older Speedotron model system that is at least twenty years old. What can I do to make it compatible with my modern digital camera and not fry the electronics?
What is the difference
between clear and color corrected flashtubes?
I always use color negative
film; will color corrected flashtubes help me?
Does Speedotron
equipment work with digital cameras?
My camera does not
have a PC inlet, and the camera manufacturer recommends low voltage triggers
on all lighting systems. Is Speedotron safe to use with my camera?
How can I hook up the camera to a Speedotron lighting system?
Will I see a difference
in my portraits if two of my light units have color corrected flashtubes
and one has a clear flashtube?
I will be traveling to Europe
on a photo assignment in the near future. I know that Speedotron runs
on 110-120v. In Europe 220-240v is the norm. What should I do, buy a transformer
or have my Brown Line pack converted to 220v?
Should I keep a spare
flashtube around?
Does Speedotron
have a book on lighting?
How long will it take to
repair my Speedotron equipment?
Where do I send it?
Can I buy directly from
Speedotron?
I would like to purchase
a Speedotron system via mail order because the prices are really good.
However, I hear that mail orders can be a real headache at times. Can
you tell me what the advantages or the disadvantages of mail orders?
Does Speedotron
have a trade in program?
What is the difference between Brown Line and Black Line?
The two lines were designed for photographers with different needs. The
Brown Line is often considered a “Portrait system” and Black
Line is a “Commercial system.” This is an arbitrary designation,
since the requirements of photographers are varied. Both have the same
quality, reliability and longevity when used normally. The Brown Line is a greater value for those who do not need to use motor drive cameras
at fast rates and very high power.
For those who need the speed and power, Black Line is the choice.
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Are Brown Line and Black Line interchangeable?
No!!! Brown Line light units cannot be used on Black Line power supplies
and Black Line lights cannot be used on Brown Line packs. Many accessories,
such as some reflectors (If you don’t mind the brown-black color
clash), grids, snoots, umbrellas, etc. can be interchanged between the
lines.
I have an older Speedotron model system that is at least twenty years old. What can I do to make it compatible with my modern digital camera and not fry the electronics?
You have three choices:
1. The Low Voltage Sync Adapter #35248. Fits into the sync socket on the power pack(double bladed). Cable from the adapter on the power pack to the digital camera.
2. The Safe Sync to Hot Shoe Adapter #23508 has a built-in PC Sync. Fits on to the hot shoe of your digital camera and cables directly to your power pack.
3. The Wireless Radio Trigger #23503, transmitter and receiver kit. Eliminates the use of cables entirely.
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What is the difference
between clear and color corrected flashtubes?
Clear flashtubes are slightly higher in color temperature (bluer) than
5500Ük and color corrected flashtubes have a slightly golden tint to correct
for this blue. Clear flashtubes can be used for all black and white photographs
as well as color negative photos. Color corrected tubes are most useful
for a warming the subject when transparency film is used, since any excess
blue will not be eliminated by the photo lab during printing.
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I always use color
negative film; will color corrected flashtubes help me?
There are occasions when color corrected tubes can be indispensable even
with color negative film. This is when certain clothing or fabrics with
synthetic whiteners are photographed. These subjects can fluoresce under
the added UV light of uncorrected flashtubes and produce unexpected color
shifts. These shifts can be reduced or eliminated by the use of color
corrected flashtubes.
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Does Speedotron equipment work with digital cameras?
Yes, most digital cameras work with Speedotron equipment. Older power
supplies must be used with low voltage sync adapters, catalog #35248.
Speedotron power supplies that are marked “LOW VOLTAGE” or “LV” work great with digital cameras.
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My camera does not have a PC inlet, and the camera manufacturer recommends
low voltage triggers on all lighting systems. Is Speedotron safe to use
with my camera? How can I hook up the camera to a Speedotron lighting
system?
If your camera has a hot shoe mount we highly recommend the Safe Sync
Hot Shoe Adapter, catalog #23508. This will allow you to connect the
PC cord from the power supply to your camera.
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Will I see a difference in my portraits if two of my light units have
color corrected flashtubes and one has a clear flashtube?
Yes. You will see a difference. Photographers normally use the same kind
of flashtubes throughout the lighting setup. There are however some photographers
that will intentionally use color corrected flashtubes to warm up the
skin tones of the subject and use clear flashtubes to cool down the color
of the background.
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I will be traveling to Europe on a photo assignment in the near future.
I know that Speedotron runs on 110-120v. In Europe 220-240v is the norm.
What should I do? Buy a transformer or have my Brown Line pack converted
to 220v?
There are several possibilities:
For all Brown Line systems and Black
Line systems up to 1200ws, we have a GSD 1000 transformer. Catalog #34132,
priced at $150.00, weight for this unit is 17 lb.
For Black Line systems up to 4800ws, we have a GSD 1500 transformer. Catalog
#34133, priced at $170.00, weight for this unit is 20 lb.
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Should I keep a spare flashtube around?
If you are traveling on location or are in a situation where your flashtubes
may readily be broken, we would definitely recommend that you carry a
spare. If you are working in a studio that seldom uses all light units,
and a new flashtube can be shipped to you within a day, it is not quite
as important to keep a spare. Flashtubes have a one year warranty from
their original manufacturers, so keeping many spares around may be costly
in the rare instance that one of them should be defective when you finally
put it into service. Consider however, the cost of a lost photo opportunity
for the lack of a spare.
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Does Speedotron have a book on lighting?
We do not have a book on lighting. Look in the photography section of
your neighborhood library, book store or the camera store near you.
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How long will it take to repair my Speedotron equipment?
Once we get the equipment here for repair, on average it takes about 2
to 5 working days. During busy periods it takes about 5 to 7 working days.
For better service please do the following:
1) Describe the problem that each item has.
2) Do not send any power cables.
3) Do not send any modeling lamps.
4) If possible send light units with protective tube covers.
5) Use a strong box. Wrap light units in bubble wrap and use plenty of
newspaper for additional protection.
6) Consider using Mail Boxes Etc. or a similar company for packing.
Where do I send it?
Send repairs to:
Speedotron Corp
310 South Racine Ave
Chicago, IL 60607
Attn: Repair Dept
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Can I buy directly from Speedotron?
Yes, in some cases we can help you with hard to find items but we cannot
give you the kind of discount a dealer can offer. Please look at -
WHERE TO PURCHASE - on our web site, www.speedotron.com; e-mail
us your questions at info@speedotron.com or give us a call at: (312)421-4050
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I would like to purchase a Speedotron system via mail order because the
prices are great. However, I hear that mail orders can be a real headache
at times. Can you tell me what the advantages or the disadvantages of
mail orders?
Most of our dealers, whether local or mail-order, will provide good service
and the prices are usually about the same. The bottom
line is service. Your local Speedotron dealer can provide
you with services that mail order dealers cannot. For instance, they can
help you confidently set up your Speedotron equipment before you take
it home or to your studio. Your local dealer can also advise you on your
choice of the best films for your photo shoots. Most local dealers can
also provide additional photographic education with seminars and other
training.
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Does Speedotron have a trade in program?
Unfortunately, we do not have a trade in program. We suggest that you
see the nearest Speedotron dealer in your area.
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Last revised: 04/05
