Strobist - SUNPAK 120J PROFESSIONAL

[wahgongzai]

hi all, lets continue with our low key setup.

For the low key, we decided to used a smaller hood with honey comb grid so we can get a narrower and concentrated light source.

This is what we got. No adjusting of anything to the photo except resizing.

Continuous Fluorescent Light (Technical), Photography with Continuous Fluorescent Lights

 

[wahgongzai]

Another similar Low Key setup that we did two days ago. The model is YaoYao, a bit shy but hardworking young model. Thanks for coming to our shoot .

Simple setup, two light stands + a boom for the background. One 120J fitted with a honey comb grid.

Lighting diagram, the model is sitting on a chair.

Continuous Fluorescent Light (Technical), Photography with Continuous Fluorescent Lights

 

[wahgongzai]

hi all, recently did a photo-shoot. Thus decided to share with you all one lighting setup I particular liked and often used.

Model is Kristen, a beautiful model with a dedicated attitude towards her work. This is the first time I work with an experience model and I am very very impressed. Thanks Kristen

Basically 2 light sources have been used. 120J was placed on the left behind the model @ 3m+ to add as separate, the 2 Minolta 5400HS on the right infront @ 2m+ to act as main. Some of you may noticed the left wall have a bit of a visible stray light. This came from the beauty dish which have a wide light spread. We did try to moved the beauty dish a bit closer and tilted the angle a bit towards the grass slope. Problem solved, however in some picture we noticed some flare hitting the lens (a flag will solved this). Anyway personally I really like the feel to it.

Continuous Fluorescent Light (Technical), Photography with Continuous Fluorescent Lights

 

[wahgongzai]

Another photo I really like, same setup as above

Continuous Fluorescent Light (Technical), Photography with Continuous Fluorescent Lights

 

[nightwolf75]

nice! unfortunately, i've yet to see this bare-bulb flash available in SG...

 

[haqeel]

this 120J is so tempting. but its so hard to get in SG. :cry:

 

[madflurry]

Just wondering.. how much would the 120J cost??

 

[wahgongzai]

nightwolf75
nice! unfortunately, i've yet to see this bare-bulb flash available in SG...

Thanks nightwolf75 , just hope TOCAD (Sunpak) will consider to revive this great classic flash

madflurry
Just wondering.. how much would the 120J cost??

Brand new is near impossible to get... so far never heard anyone manage to get a brand new 120J locally. For used ones cost between US$130-350+ depend on conditions and accessories, you can consider checking out ebay.

 

[george671]

Why don't you try the Norman 200b or 200c portable flash system...You can usually get a used one for $200 to $300 usd on ebay...The flashtube is similiar (200ws barebulb) The head is smaller than the ij120 but the pack is bigger than the battery packs that you guys are using...good thing is that you can use either internal batteries or just about any 12v source! The one shown here is hooked up to a 12v car battery...with a Y connector you can hook up 2 heads for symetrical output...(100ws/100ws) or less if switched down. power output is selectable 200/100/50ws. chk my blog for a pic of one or just google it.
http://snakephoto.blogspot.com/2009/11/norman-200b-on-12v-car-battery.html

Cheers

 

[wahgongzai]

Why don't you try the Norman 200b or 200c portable flash system...

Actually George, I also own two set of Norman 200B . I agree with you that the Norman flash heads are lighter and smaller than the 120J. I bought the 200B for more ws power for my commercial shoot. However if I am on a "one man show" shoot, the 2x200B is a bit too heavy for me to carry around. The 200B battery's weight is more heavier than 2 x 120Js + 2 x TR-PAK II battery packs. However the power it produce is almost equal to 2 x 120Js (220Ws)combined.

So far the 200B perform great for indoor, and I have yet to try it outdoor. hmmm... maybe I will consider starting a new thread on "strobist - barebulb flashes and strobe" which we can share our experience/tips on using SUNPAK (120j), Quantum (Q-Flash), Norman (200B,C and 400B), lumedyne, litelight and etc... :think:

 

[george671]

Sounds like a good idea! I have been thinking of selling off my six sets of 200b's and one 200c and purchasing an Elinchrom quadra...but again its a separate pwr pack and the weight is still there ...just a lot more expensive...plus I'm not sure that I need all the bells and whistles...Sure is a sexy unit though! By the way, where are you located? Singapore?

cheers!

 

[wahgongzai]

I have been thinking of selling off my six sets of 200b's and one 200c and purchasing an Elinchrom quadra...where are you located? Singapore?

yes, I am a local (Singaporean)

Quadra is a very good lighting equipment to investment in. But the pricing is a bit too steep for me :sweat:. Do you own 400B? I actually wanted the 400B but decided to try out the slightly lighter 200B first before making any decision.

Will be planing to do a outdoor shoot with the 200Bs and 120Js somewhere in late April/May. Will post my experience and some photos after the shoot. Do drop by to visit this thread and share your views/experience.

 

[george671]

Thanks, I just picked up a 400b with one head recently very cheap with dead batteries...Not even sure if the unit works but I got it for $60 usd, so I will try to get it working...Its sitting in Guam and I am still in Honolulu right now so it will have to wait for a couple more months...I plan to drop in to Singapore on my next trip to Bangkok so maybe we can swap some stories...

My e-mail is snakephoto@yahoo.com

cheers,
George

 

[wahgongzai]

Hi all, came across these two very interesting and cool blogs talking about the 120J. Do check it out

SUNPAK 120J reviews by SWISS Strobist Blog
Interesting and informative read as the writer gave his views on why he choose 120J, pros and cons and etc.

SUNPAK 120J & frozen forever photography
Is like reading from Joe Mcnally Blog, very detail setup diagram, cool :thumbsup:

 

[wahgongzai]

Decide to share one small tip in using the TR-PAK II. I always used the TR-PAK II and IIa with the SUNPAK 120J regardless it was an indoor or outdoor shoot. It gave me faster recycle time + more pops than average.

Although I like the II very much, one thing do bugged me a lot. Taking out the batteries is a pain in the B*** (beep). I have to dig very hard with my finger/pen/screw driver to get the first two batteries out. This is not a nice sight to let my client see when I am struggling with my own equipment :sweat:

I have think of a better way to tackle this problem. I decided to put an elastic cloth band behind the top two batteries. So when I need to changed batteries, I just gently pull the band and both batteries will pop out easily. The whole process takes less than 1 sec :bsmilie:

So for any TR-PAK II owner who is having this same problem, which I confirmed you will. Do consider this method.

 

[wahgongzai]

Basically 120J have two models, the 120J and 120J TTL. These two flashes are almost identical except the 120J TTL have an interchangeable module. Now come the interesting part, people may also came across 120J flashes with different WS power:

The 120J on the left have a sticker stated 110WS and the 120J TTL on the right indicated that it can produce 125WS. Please note that, this does not meant that only the 120J TTL is 125WS. I own a few sets of 120J, and one of it has the 125WS sticker. Why is it so? I myself have no idea. Some old timers said its because of different batches (year produced)?, US is 110WS and Japan version 125WS?, printing mistake?, its just an average value? Another interesting thing to mention, I have borrowed original SUNPAK 120J/120J TTL manuals from friends. Regardless of US or Japan version, all manuals indicated 115WS? So is the sticker telling the truth? I decided to find out myself:

I am using barebulb mode to do the testing, the light meter is placed 49-50cm in front of the 120J/120J TTL. Both flashes are fired 6 times to take an average reading. The 120J highest average is F22.8 and the 120J TTL is F32. The 120J TTL (125WS) was indeed slightly bit more powerful over the 110WS. Interesting :think:...

 

[wahgongzai]

hi all, decided to update this thread with a photo shoot that I did on August.

Simple low key with just one 120J + grid set high up and the model is sitting down.

Something different, now with 2 lights. One 120J behind acting as hair/separation. And one in front as main. This was actually the very 1st frame/test shot when we did the set up. Thus the accidental flare in the background.

The setup diagram

Continuous Fluorescent Light (Technical), Photography with Continuous Fluorescent Lights

 

[wahgongzai]

its been a long time since I updated the thread. Will share with you all a personal test shoot that we did on 2010 Christmas Eve.

Model is Kristen. This is the second time that we have work with her. Great/pretty model with a 110% dedication toward her work and a gal who is really pleasant and easy to work with. She is our first choice for this shoot and we are happy that we did. We are also fortunate to have WYN as our stylist for this shoot. An experience female photographer who have way way better fashion sense than me and LD. Normally LD and I will let the model choose her own wardrobe and this will take up time. With Wyn around, she have help us shorten the process by more than half. Her suggestions have made this shoot more fruitful and fun. LD and I will like to thank WYN and Kristen for coming to the shoot. Thank you thank you ladies.

Shoot by Tang CW (aka Wee or LD), a great friend and kaki. This was shoot at the beginning when we decide to use something simple and direct. Below is the setup

 

[wahgongzai]

Using just one light, a strip light slightly off center infront of the model. The strip was about 40-50cm apart. Shoot @ F10, 1/500sec to kill off all indoor ambient. 1/500? Yes I shoot it with my new "used" Nikon D70. It rocked my world and I simply loved it :thumbsup::.

Continuous Fluorescent Light (Technical), Photography with Continuous Fluorescent Lights

 

[wahgongzai]

hi all, share another two "one light" set up.

Continuous Fluorescent Light (Technical), Photography with Continuous Fluorescent Lights