Paul C. Buff, Inc. Technical Forum

Been playing around with my Einstein's and my new L-478dr light meter. I do mostly location outdoor shoots with vagabond power.

I can adjust power with my meter without any problems but every time I do, the model light goes on. That's a problem when using battery power.

I have the latest firmware in both my meter and my mc2's (as of yesterday). I can't find any menu item in the computer software or the meter firmware that disables the model light from the meter. If I turn off the model light from the light and do a meter, the light stays off but as soon as I make an adjustment, the model light comes back on.

I know I'm talking about mostly non-PCB equipment but I'm hoping someone out there with the same equipment can help me overcome this. I can't be the first person to run into this problem.

Thanks in advance...

Forgot to mention, I also have the latest V30 firmware in my Einstein's.

There is a setting in the menu for the wizards to turn off the modeling lamps, sorry I don't know exactly where in the menu, but it is there.
Because i'v been there ... done that!

Thanks Carl, but I can't find it. I know what your talking about with the Mini TT1 setup. That has an advanced setting check box but with the MC2 plugged in the computer I don't have that option.

Every time I make an adjustment that affects the flash with my L-478dr, the model lamp comes on. Not a good thing on battery power (99% of my work is location shoots). I tried both checking and unchecking the model light sleep check box, no change. The sleep time only goes down to something like 375 seconds so that won't help me. There has to be a better way other than pulling the lamp out of the flash...

I again checked my firmware for the latest with Sekonic, Pocket Wizard and PCB. It's all good. I can't be the first guy to notice/fight this... Anyone?

Until you get a solution, and since so much of your work requires battery power, you can remove the model lamp. Unfortunately, we cannot help in this matter. You may wish to try Pocket Wizard directly:
802-658-0038 x572

I am using the MiniTT1, the software for Pocket Wizard when you plug this in has a tab titled "modeling" the top left box, "modeling light control" I have unchecked, If memory serves me correct, that is checked by default.
Hope this helps!