Monolight – 3D Cinema System Manufacturer – China GLOBAL Customers Projects
Composition
A simple monolight at a minimum consists of a power supply, power connector, and flash tube. Most monolights have a fairly common set of features, described below.
Common Features
Most monolights have several features in common:
Flashtube/strobe bulb The bulb that creates the flash.
Modeling light A constant light that illuminates the subject and aids the photographer in composing the picture.
Power connector The receptacle for the power cord.
Power switch A switch to turn the monolight on and off.
Slave sensor A sensor that detects the flashes of other strobes and triggers the strobe of which it is a part.
Reflector A device which modifies the light, allowing it to bounce off of a shiny surface.
Stand socket A device on the bottom of the unit that allows it to be mounted on a standard light stand.
Umbrella socket A receptacle into which is inserted a light-modifying umbrella.
Additional Features
In addition to those features listed above, monolights may also have the following features:
Output control – Allows the intentity of the flash to be adjusted down or up to the maximum power output of the flash unit.
Model light tracking – Allows the modeling light to increase and decrease with the strobe when the strobe fires.
Auto dumping the ability to partially discharge the light capacitors when the output power is reduced. Without this feature, when the light’s output is turned down, it has to be fired to fully discharge the capacitors, then the capacitors recharged up to the new lower level.
Power recycle indicator – A light or sound emitter or both which tell the photographer that the flash has fired, and the is currently charging.
Considerations of a Good Monolight
Monolights are photographic flashes and therefore carry some of the same considerations as a standard flash unit. A primary concern is guide number. Each monolight has a guide number specifying its range at certain film speeds. A common misconception is that the watt-second measurement is an indication of power. It is not; it is merely a measure of how much power is supplied to the monolight. It is therefore possible for a 300Ws monolight to be as good as a 1200Ws monolight provided that the 300Ws monolight has a higher guide number.
In addition to power output, monolights have other, special considerations as they are meant to be used for large-scale, studio work. Portability, consistency, feature set, parts availability and cost are prime considerations in monolights.
Portability
Monolights are larger than most on-camera strobes. As such certain portability issues must be considered:
Size and Weight Monolights are sometimes referred to as monoblocks due to the containment of all power and controls in each individual flash unit. Consequently monolights usually weigh more than on-camera flashes. As monolights need to be placed on light stands, the size and weight of each light stand must also be considered. This size and weight must also be weighed against a pack and head system, which typically have a much weightier generator box.
Power Requirements Monolights are independently powered and therefore require individual power connections. Monolights become less practical in situations where power outlets are scarce.
Consistency
Monolight consistency refers to the power output of the strobe from flash to flash. Good monolights will vary little from one flash to another. Monolights that vary greatly (more than 1/5 of an f-stop) are said to be inconsistent. Inconsistent monolights makes computing the appropriate aperture next to impossible due to the variable light output.
Features
A monolight’s features make it more versatile, but it also makes a monolight more expensive. A good monolight generally has all the features listed above in the Common Features section.
Availability of Accessories and Parts
Procuring replacement parts and accessories for monolights is also a consideration. Monolights made by mainstream companies generally have a higher parts availability in more places than off-brand products. This is a strong consideration when using monolights on a location shoot. Accessories tend to be more readily available for on-brand monolights.
References
^ StudioLighting.net
^ Intro To Flashes: Monolights And Hot Shoe Flashes – Tutorials
^ http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=008u2X
^ Guided Tour of a Monolight
^ a b Hi-Tech Studio: Monolights | Digital Photo Pro Magazine
^ Studio Lighting and Strobes
^ Studio Lighting Considerations
Categories: Flash photography | Photographic lighting
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