Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

I'm having some output variation issues with my two WL 1600s. On both units, when I move the power slider to roughly -3f or lower I am getting output variation of 1/3 to 1/2 a stop between flashes. This happens regardless of whether the Full/Quarter button is depressed. I can correct this kind of variation in post, but as I'm frequently working at this level of output, it is at the very least annoying. Occasionally it is problematic.

Is this amount of variation within spec?

Thanks,
Michael Meyer

Are you ensuring you are getting a green read light before you trigger the lights? If you fire at too fast of a rate, the charging system is not able to stabilize, and fluctuations can occur. If you ensure the green ready light is on, you should be good.

Yes, I'm getting the green ready light. Whether I pop the strobe immediately after the green ready light comes on or wait ten, twenty or thirty seconds I'm not getting constant output. I'm getting variation of between 1/3 and 1/2 a stop on both strobes when the power slider is below -3f.

My question stands, at lower power settings is 1/3 to 1/2 a stop variation between flashes within spec?

1/3f is in spec, but just barely, at the low end of the slider. 1/2 stop is outside the spec. It appears your units are within warranty, so we can take a look at them if there is excess variation.

To get these values, are you using a meter, and if so, is it set to 1/10 scale, or 1/3 scale? And at what distance are you metering?