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Profoto D4 – Generators
D4D4
Profoto D4 – Generators
Profoto 30 The Light Shaping Company The Light Shaping Company
31 Profoto
Automatic Safety Functions
D4 generators are equipped with an effective cooling and safety system. The integrated fan
starts when working in hot surroundings or continuously at higher power levels; the speed of
the fan increases automatically if necessary. If the generator overheats because of external
reasons, a protective system will automatically start up. The generator’s recharging
intervals will slow down and eventually the recharging will stop completely. After a while,
when the temperature has decreased sufficiently, the generator will start recharging at a
normal pace. This automatic protection will only start up under extreme conditions such as
when the air vents are blocked.
If a defective flash head – for example with a broken or misfiring flash tube – is used, after
releasing the flash a long beep signal and “- - - -” in the corresponding
Power Display [10]
will indicate a malfunction/underexposure.
PLEASE NOTE: The air vents of the generator must never be blocked or covered
in any way. Never store your flash equipment in a car on a hot and sunny day.
Never use a D4 generator that is placed inside a case or transport box. Avoid
storing the generator close or below the freezing point, which can lead to loss
of capacity (flash output) and risk of condensation when used in a warmer
surrounding immediately. Do not expose any flash equipment to wet or humid
environments or extreme electro-magnetic fields.
Computer Connection
From one to 127 D4 generators can be connected to one computer using USB cables and
HUB’s.The generator has a
USB 1 socket [15]. Profoto offers an assortment
of recommended USB cables for best results. Other USB cables can be used – but in this case
Profoto can’t guarantee correct functionality. See pages 35-40 for detailed information
how to install and use the “Profoto Studio” software.
Additional Information
Colour Temperature
The D4’s colour temperature is calibrated for daylight type films and, because of the
“Hybrid Flash Technology”, remains perfectly constant and reliable from flash to flash and
over the entire power range, regardless of the power output chosen with the
Power Dials
[13] and the number of flash heads used. This makes the D4 generators perfectly suited for
all kinds of critical assignments, even with high-resolution digital cameras and backs. In
combination with all actual Profoto flash heads and light shaping tools the D4 generators
give neutral and extremely stable colour. Please note that other factors, like reflections from
the surrounding and lenses with different colour characteristic, may also affect the colour of
the picture.
Combining flash tubes and/or glass covers with different coatings can make distinctive
colour temperature adjustments if needed.
f-stop Stability
Profoto’s “Hybrid Flash Technology” offers constant power output from flash to flash; this
ensures stable and repeatable results – essential when D4’s are used in combination with
Multi Shot backs. In fact, the power stability of D4 generators is better than the repeat
accuracy of flash meters.
Flash Duration
The flash duration can be shortened by reducing the power output with the
PPoowweerr DDiiaallss
[13].
The shortest flash duration using a AcuteHead and a D4 1200 generator at lowest energy
is1/7500 sec. To shorten the flash duration at a given setting, use an AcuteTwin head.
In example: If you connect the two plugs of an AcuteTwin to the
LLaammpp HHeeaadd SSoocckkeettss
A
and B [9] of a D4 1200 generator and use both outlets at 600Ws, the flash duration is just
1/1600s. instead of 1/1000s. at max. power with one AcuteHead.
Petrol-Electric Generators
All petrol-electric generators can produce voltage peaks that may damage electronic devices.
If you power a D4 flash generator with a petrol-electric generator distributing 190-240V,
you have to use one separate Profoto ProGas2 (protective device against dangerous high
voltage) for each flash generator connected. To power one D4 one 3000Wpetrol-electric
generator is recommended, for two D4’s one 6000Wpetrol-electric generator etc.
PLEASE NOTE! Voltage peaks of petrol-electric generators can also shorten
the lifetime of the modelling lamps; we recommend using the modelling light in
the 1/2 PROPmode.