dynamic lightingDynalite Baja Portable Electronic FlashUSER MANUAL

Introduction ......................................................................... 3

Safety Guidelines ................................................................ 4

Dynalite Legacy ................................................................... 5

Using Dynalite Baja Portable Electronic Flash ................. 6

Getting Started .................................................................... 8

Flash Modes ......................................................................... 8

Adding/Removing Modifiers ............................................ 10

In the Box ........................................................................... 10

Accessories ........................................................................ 10

Specs ................................................................................. 11

BRT ~ The Baja B-4’s Remote Control ............................. 12

Setting up the BRR-616 receiver ..................................... 13

Setting up the BRT-616 transmitter ................................ 13

High Speed Sync –Focal Plane Shutters & Sync ............ 14

What is High Speed Sync? ................................................ 14

Using Dynalite Baja B-4 HSS ............................................ 15

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IntroductionHi. I’m Kevin Ames and I don’t work for Dynalite. I am a working commercial photographer with a studio in Atlanta, Georgia. I am a Dynalite user and have been for many years.

This is the part of the “normal” instruction booklet where you are congratulated for choosing (insert what you bought here,) the finest blah-blah-blah and so on. I am not going there. Ever.Rather than take that path, let me welcome you instead. If you are a first time Dynalite customer, thank you. You have joined a community of hard working pros and advanced amateurs that understand how important dependable lighting gear is to their careers and hobbies—yes to their passion--photography. A lot of us have decades of experience shooting photographs lit with Dynalite.

Thanks to you too, if you are one of the established Dynalite users and have added this gear to expand your lighting capabilities.

User’s guides have all of the personality of a box of bricks. I’d like to break out of that with this one. I want it to be readable, understandable, conversational and even fun. All of the information is here. In plain English. If I spoke Spanish it would be in plain Spanish as well. I don’t. It isn’t. Continuing to step out of the technospeak I’ll explain the terms of each part and what those terms mean. Personally I really hate having to search the web for what a flux-capacitor is when the directions tell me to install it into socket B. What is socket B anyway? I want this guide to be clear and complete. Turn the page and get started using your new Dynalite B-4...

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There are only a few important things to know about handling any electronic flash systems when it comes to doing it safely. This section is hyper-important for you to be safe and stay well while using your Dynalite Baja B-4. Most of this is common sense. Which we all know isn’t common at all. So, please read them anyway.

1. Water and electricity don’t mix well. When power packs, heads, and their cables are operating they have a lot of high voltage electricity in them. Using a Dynalite Baja B-4 that’s wet or standing in water can cause very serious injuries like death. Really.

2. The Baja flashtube gets outrageously hot while it is being used. Avoid betting burned. Don’t touch the pyrex cover over the flashtube. After shooting ten full power flashes in fast succession, let the flashtube cool down for a couple of minutes. Don’t look directly at the flashtube close up when you fire it to avoid possible damage to your eyes.

3. Never fire the Baja B-4 with the protective cover over the flashtube.

4. Don’t fire the Baja B-4 near flammable liquids like gasoline or gases like propane or natural gas.

5. Baja B-4 portable electronic flash units are lousy basketballs. It is a really bad idea to use one if it has been dropped. Send it back to Dynalite to be checked instead.

6. Only use the battery charger that comes with your Baja B-4 to recharge the battery. Once the battery is fully charged disconnect the charging cord from the Dynalite Baja B-4. It’s never a good idea to leave batteries charging indefinitely.

Overcharging the Baja B-4’s battery can damage the cells; possibly leading to an explosion. Don’t overcharge the battery.

7. Excessive heat can cause the battery to explode. Don’t leave your Baja B-4 in direct sun for long periods of time. Let the unit cool before using it.

8. Dynalite Baja B-4 portable electronic flash units have a lot of electrical energy inside the case even when they are turned off. Leave opening them to a qualified Dynalite technician or send them back to Dynalite. There are no user fixable parts inside, just a lot of current waiting to shock those (like me and I’m guessing, you) who don’t know what they are doing. Seriously.

Safety

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The Dynalite LegacyDynalite began in 1971 when Paul Schwartz, an electronic engineer, teamed with photographer Ed Lambert and silent investor John Poremba to create a rugged, dependable and portable electronic flash power pack and heads. Paul designed the original electronics including the non-arching connectors that allow heads to be added or removed from a powered up pack safely. That circuit was so robust that, while it has been updated with modern technology, it remains the basis for every pack Dynalite makes today. While the insides of Dynalite packs and heads have evolved, the control layout has been mostly the same for over three decades. A photographer buying a new pack today knows it will work the same way one that has been in the studio for twenty years or more.

Dynalite was instantly popular with location photographers. Whether the subject was a celebrity or politician destined to grace a magazine cover or an ocean side beach resort showcasing its architectural interior elegance, Dynalite was likely on the scene. Photographers across the country adopted the super light packs that easily stood up to the rigors of the road. Whether piled in the back of a van or checked as luggage on airlines, Dynalite gear stood up to the abuse travel wreaks on equipment that can be delicate.

Realizing that photographers want powerful, lightweight electronic flash systems Dynalite is proud to continue its legacy of innovation with the new Baja B-4.

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The Dynalite Baja Portable Electronic Flash1. Flash Power Control Dial — Turn it clockwise to increase the power output. Moving the dial

counter clockwise lowers the power.

2. Modeling Light Power Control Dial 3. RPT Button engages C or HSS modes. Press and release for C mode. It also cycles the C

mode for five, ten or fifteen stroboscopic flashes. Press and Hold for HSS (High Speed Sync.)

4. Mode controls the flash duration. This button switches between Normal mode and T mode--short duration flashes

5. Cell Button switches the flash tripping sensor on or off.

6. Sound Button toggles an audible tone when the Dynalite Baja B-4 is fully charged.

7. Test Button fires the flash without having to take photograph with the camera.

8. Power Switch turns the Baja unit on or off.

9. 1/4 inch sync cord socket for wired or Pocket Wizard sync with a camera.

10. Charging Socket

11. Battery Power Level Indicator12. Battery Status — Bottom Amber = Charging, Middle Amber = Empty, Top Amber = Battery

Fully Charged

13. Main Display shows Power Output Setting, Short Duration Setting, Stroboscopic Mode selected. Red LED lights show (top to bottom) RPT, Mode, Cell, Sound and Test

14. BRR616 — 6 group 16 channel receiver included with the Dynalite Baja B-4

15. Remote Trigger Sensor detects the flash from another Dynalite Baja, head or speedlite to fire the unit’s flash.

16. Easy Carry Handle17. Battery Cover Release

18. Accessory Release19. Umbrella Socket — Push the umbrella’s shaft into the socket. No tightening knob needed.

20. L.E.D Modeling Light — Note that the light is always on when Baja is powered up.

The Dynalite Baja B-4 is a self contained 400 watt / second portable monolight flash. Powered by an internal Lithium Ion rechargeable battery and controlled with the optional BRT616 or BRT616c radio transmitters, there are no cords or cables to clutter a set in the studio or at a location.

The Baja B-4 is light in weight while remaining strong in features including adjustments in one tenth of a stop increments over a six f/stop range, high speed sync, short duration flash and stroboscopic flash modes.

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Flash Power Control Dial

Remote Trigger Sensor

Easy Carry Handle

Accessory Release

Modeling Light Power Control Dial

Power Switch

1/4 Inch Sync Cord Socket

Charging Socket

Battery PowerLevel Indicator

Main Display

HSS Receiver

Battery Status

3. RPT Button4. Mode Button5. Cell Button6. Sound Button7. Test Button

3

1

2

89

1012

13

14

4

56

7

Battery Cover Release

17

1816

15

11

18Accessory Release

19Umbrella Socket

L.E.D. Modeling Light

20

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Getting StartedDynalite Baja Portable Electronic Flash units ship with a hard plastic cover that protects the flashtube. Press the Accessory Release (18) at the top front of the unit then twist the flashtube cover counterclockwise. When it stops after about an eighth of a turn, pull the cover away from the unit.

Charging the BajaConnect the charger’s output cord to the Charging Socket (10.) Plug its AC cord to 110 / 240 volt outlet. Turn the Power Switch ( 8 ) Off.The indicator light on the charger glows Red while the Baja is charging. It turns to Green when the battery is full.Fully charge the battery before using your Dynalite Baja B-4. This takes about three and a half hours. When the battery is fully charged; the Battery Status (12) will show Full. The Dynalite Baja’s battery can be augmented by connecting the charger to the Charging Socket (10) while the unit is being used increasing the number of full power flashes to 800.

Flash ModesThe Dynalite Baja B-4 offers four flash modes: Normal, High Speed Sync (HSS) Short Duration and Stroboscopic. Here’s a detailed explanation of each one.

Normal Normal is the mode used most often. It provides a six f/stop range of power in one tenth of a stop increments from 1.0 (lowest power) to 7.0 (six f/stops brighter.) The chart below shows the power ratings on the Main Display (13) (top row) with the watt / second (w/s) output for each setting (middle row) and the color temperature.

f/stop range of power 1.0 2.0 30. 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0

watt/sec output 6 w/s 12 w/s 25 w/s 50 w/s 100 w/s 200 w/s 400 w/s

color temperature 5420ºk 5480ºk 5560ºk 5600ºk 5590ºk 5500ºk 5500ºk

Main DisplayHigh SpeedMode Button

Flash Control Dial

Test Button

134

7

1

Power Switch

8

Charging Socket

10

Battery Status

12

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High Speed Sync (HSS)Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras have focal plane shutters. These allow for amazingly fast shutter speeds – up to 1/8000th of a second in most modern cameras. The high speed is achieved by using a thin slit formed by the rear shutter starting to close before the first curtain is fully open. This limited the fastest shutter speed to between 1/160 & 1/250th of a second depending on the camera model. Both Canon & Nikon offer speedlites that can synchronize with those thin slits. Good news! The Baja can too with its optional BRT616c transmitter that enables high speed sync with most Canon DSLR cameras. Nikon will be added soon. Learn how to use the Baja B-4’s HSS feature beginning on page 14.

Short DurationShort Duration or t mode shortens the flash duration to stop motion. Use this mode for freezing action like a drop hitting a saucer full of milk or for pouring liquids. Enter this mode by pressing the Mode button. The Main Display now shows a digital t followed by a number. t.1 is the fastest duration and lowest power output while t.7 is the longest duration and the highest power output. Change the duration by turning the Flash Control Dial. The chart below shows the settings (top row) the speeds (middle row) and the color temperature (bottom row.)setting t.1 t.2 t.3 t.4 t.5 t.6 t.7speed 1/12,800s 1/6,400s 1/4,000s 1/2,500s 1/1,s250 1/640s 1/500scolor temperature 6200ºk 5700ºk 5500ºk 5450ºk 5450ºk 5300ºk 5300ºk

The Dynalite Baja stores extra power in the Short Duration mode. After switching back to Normal mode, discharge the Baja two or three times with the Test button.

Stroboscopic (C-Mode) Stroboscopic Mode offers three preset flash rates five, ten and fifteen flashes in one second. Begin by setting the Flash Power Control Dial (1) to one of these Normal mode settings: 1.0 to 1.9 or 2.0 to 2.9 In the t-modes use t-1 or t-2 then press the rpt button (3) for Stroboscopic mode. The Main Display (13) will show C.1 or C.2 The first press is five flashes in one second, the second press is ten flashes in one second and the third press is fifteen flashes in one second. C.1 is a lower power setting than C.2. The flash duration and color temperature for C.1 or C.2 are similar to those of t.1 and t.2 in the chart above.

High SpeedMode Button

Test Button

Power Switch

8

Charging Socket

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Adding / Removing ModifiersThe Dynalite Baja B-4 uses the very popular Bowens style accessory mount. Reflectors, speed rings, snoots and many other modifiers are available either directly from Dynalite or from other manufacturers.Press the Accessory Release (18) at the front of the Dynalite Baja B-4 back toward the Easy Carry Handle (16), twist the cover clockwise an eighth of a turn to remove it. Mount a modifier by twisting it counter clockwise until the tab locks it in place.

In the box...Here are all the goodies that come installed in or with your new Dynalite Baja B-4 Battery Powered Flash.

• Protective Flashtube Cover

• Pyrex Flashtube Protector (installed)

• Lithium Ion Battery

• AC Battery Charger with Power Cord• BRR616 Radio Receiver• External Battery Charging Cable

18Accessory Release

Easy Carry Handle

16

Accessories...• BRT616 Radio Transmitter controls up to 6 groups Dynalite Baja B-4 flashes on one of 16 channels.

• BRT616c Canon HSS Radio Transmitter adds High Speed Sync for Canon DSLRs. Nikon version coming soon.

• B4-Li Battery The Dynalite Baja B-4 delivers five hundred full power flashes on a single charge. An extra battery doubles that. Spare batteries are good!

BRT616cHSS Transmitter

for Canon

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Model Baja B4Flash Power (w/s) 400 w/sƒ-Stop (Max) (ISO 100, RSH 165H, m) 32Variable Range of Flash 6.0 ƒ-stops in 1/10 stop incrementsColor Temperature 5500(±200)Flash Duration (0.5ft) @ min:max 1/12800 : 1/500Recycling Time 3.7 secModeling Lamp 5W LEDFlash Count (Full Battery @ Max Power) 550-800* (*while charging)Weight 6.1lbsDimensions (L x W x H, inches) 13.5” x 4.75” x 8.625”Battery Power Rechargeable 11.1V 8.8 Li-ion

*800 flashes with A/C charger plugged into the Baja

Specs• 400 w/s of Portable Strobe Power• 550-800* Shots @ Full Power• 6 ƒ-stop Range• 1/10 ƒ-stop adjustment• 3.7 Recycle Time• High Speed Sync• Fast Flash Duration Mode• Stroboscopic Mode• Digital Display Screen• 16 Channel Wireless Control• AC/DC Power Options

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BRT ~ The Baja B-4’s Remote Control Dynalite’s BRT (Baja Radio Transmitter) system has two components. The BRR-616 receiver is

included with every Baja B-4. The BRT-616 transmitter for normal sync speeds that comes with Baja B-4 kits and the optional BRT-616c or BRT-616n transmitters for both normal and high speed sync operation with Canon or Nikon DSLR cameras respectively. The BRT system can control six groups of Baja B-4 flashes on any one of sixteen

channels. Let’s explore how to use this versatile remote control. Groups Choose the group of a Baja B-4 flash by pressing the Flash Group Selector button

(B) on its BRR-616 receiver until the Flash Group Display (A) shows the desired group. I use group 1 for the main source of illumination, 2 for the fill, 3 for a hair light and 4 for the background light. The BRT system controls six sets or fewer of Dynalite Baja B-4 flash units. A group can have

one or several Baja B-4s in it. Each group’s power output can be set individually. When two or more Baja B-4s are in the same group their power increases or decreases identically. Changing the power of individual lights--a main light and a hair light for example--requires them to be in separate groups. Lights in a group can be set manually to different power settings. The power on each one can be raised or lowered proportionally in one tenth of a stop increments.Channels The BRR-616 receiver’s channel selector (C) and the BRT-616 (c or n)

transmitter’s channel selector (H) must be on the same channel (1 through 16.) Sometimes other photographers are working with their Baja’s in the same place

as another photographer. The BRT system provides sixteen different channels so several photographers can work together without interference. Multiple channels also means that a photographer can have multiple setups each on their own channel.

Flash Group Display

Power Indicator Channel Selector

Channel Selector

Flash Fire Button

Flash Fire Indicator

Flash Group Selectors

Flash Group Selector

Baja Unit On / Off

Flash Power Buttons

A

C

D

B

J

I

H

G

F

E

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Setting up the BRR-616 Step one: Insert a BRR-616 receiver into the slot at the top of the Dynalite Baja B-4

(14.)Step two: Choose a channel by rotating the Channel Selector (C) a number 1 to 16.Step three: Press the Flash Group Selector button (B) until the Flash Group Display (A)

shows the desired group number 1 through 6.Step four: Turn the Baja B-4’s Flash Power Control Dial (1) to the desired flash output.

The range is six stops in one tenth of a stop steps. 1.0 is the lowest power. 7.0 is the maximum power,Step five: Repeat steps one through four to set up additional Baja B-4s. Remember

that assigning a light to a group allow its power to be adjusted separately from Baja B-4s in other groups.

Using the BRT-616 Step one: Turn the Baja B-4’s Power Switch (8) to the “On” position. The Baja B-4’s

group shows in the BRR-616 Flash Group Display (A). Its Power Indicator (D) glows blue with a pulsing red light.Step two: Match the channel on the BRR-616(s) by turning the Channel Selector (H) to

that number.Step three: Choose the group by pushing its number on the Flash Group Selectors (E).Step four: Press the BRT-616’s “On” button. The Baja B-4(s) in the selected group, have

their indicator LEDs, Main Display (13) and modeling lamp, light up. Step five: Adjust the group’s power setting by pressing the + or - Flash Power Buttons

(F). Each press increases or decreases the power by one tenth of a stop.Step six: Power up other groups by first pushing the Flash Group Selector number (E)

then press the “On” button (G). Set each group’s power as described in step five.Step seven: If you haven’t already, mount the BRT-616 on the DSLR camera’s hot shoe.

Set the camera’s shutter speed to it’s sync speed or slower setting. Canon and soon Nikon photographers can work at shutter speeds faster than sync by using HSS (High Speed Sync) with their Baja B-4s. Details on how are on the next page.

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1/4000th of a second at f/4.0 ISO: 160Canon 1Dx / Sigma 120-300 f/2.8

Dynalite Baja B-4 in HSS mode

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High Speed Sync Focal Plane Shutters & Flash Sync

Modern DSLR cameras use focal plane shutters to achieve speeds up to 1/8000th of a second. These shutters work fine with electronic flash at or below their sync speed. Sync settings range from 1/160th to 1/250th of a second depending on make and model. For shutter speeds above the sync speed, the secondary curtain starts closing the shutter before the front curtain is fully open. The resulting slit or space between the two curtains paints the sensor with light allowing very fast shutter speeds. Higher speeds have narrower spaces between the two curtains. At these high speeds, the frame is never fully open. Photographing with electronic flash at shutter speeds faster than sync results in a partially exposed frame. The remainder is black. The higher the shutter speed, the wider the black bar and the thinner the portion of the frame that receives flash will be.

What is High Speed Sync (HSS)?High Speed Sync allows flash to expose the entire sensor at shutter speeds faster than the camera’s

sync speed—even up to 1/8000th of a second. Higher speeds control ambient light in a photograph. The higher the shutter setting the darker the ambient becomes. HSS is great for darkening backgrounds even on sunny days.

This is a representation of the cutting effect made by focal plane shutters at speeds higher than sync with flash.

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Dynalite Baja B-4 HSSDynalite’s Baja B-4 currently has High Speed Sync for Canon DSLR cameras using the

BRT616c transmitter available from a Dynalite Baja dealer. The BRT616n for Nikon will be available soon. The receiver that came with the Baja B-4 is HSS ready. Follow this step-by-step guide to use the Baja B-4’s HSS.Step one: Turn the Baja B-4’s Power Switch (8) to the on position. The HSS Receiver (14)

will display the number 1.Step two: Press the On button on the BRT616c (n). The Baja B-4’s Main Display,

indicator lights and modeling lamp will light. Step three: Hold down the RPT (3) button on the back of the Baja until the flash fires.

The Main Display (13) shows H.1. This setting is for most full frame cameras. Press the RPT button again to move into the h.1 mode for most cropped sensor cameras. If you’re unsure which sensor your camera has, start with one H mode. If it doesn’t work use the other one.*Step four: Press and hold the + button on the BRT616c (n)

until the indicator flashes amber. Mount the BRT616c (n) on the camera. Press the Test button. If the Baja B-4 does not fire it is in HSS mode. The Dynalite Baja B-4 is ready to light a scene at above sync shutter speeds.Note: The Baja B-4 will not fire if the shutter is set at sync or

a longer shutter speed. On most cameras when the Baja B-4 is in HSS mode it will only fire when the camera is set to shutter speeds faster than the camera’s sync speed.Metering: When the Baja B-4 and BRT616c (n) transmitter

are in HSS mode, flashmeters must be set in non-cord mode. The Baja B-4 can only be test fired by releasing the camera’s shutter. The BRT616c (n)’s test button will not fire the Baja B-4 when they are in HSS mode.Power: HSS mode requires that the flash duration be longer

than the shutter speed. The Baja B-4 will provide fewer flashes per charge at a lower brightness than when photographing in the standard mode. Exposure compensation: As the shutter speed gets faster, the light needed to

properly expose an HSS photograph increases. Adjust the Baja B-4’s Flash output by two numbers per full stop faster shutter speed. For example, if the exposure is correct at H.1 for 1/500th of a second, at 1/1000th the power must be upped to H.3.*If HSS doesn’t work with speeds above sync, switch to the other H mode.

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3. RPT ButtonHSS Receiver

14

Main Display

13

13

Use H.1 with most full frame DSLR cameras

The h.1 setting is for most cropped sensors.

Power Switch

8

BRT616c (n)

1050 Commerce Avenue, Union, NJ 07083 • 800.722.6638 • 908.687.8800 • flash@dynalite.com • dynalite.com All photographs: ©2014Kevin Ames • kevin@amesphoto.com • kevinamesphotography.com

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