Wake Up Systems
Alpa, Phase One backs and Wake Up Options.
by Paul Slotboom Summer 2010
Due to the design of Phase One digital backs with their “sleeping architecture” it is important for users of technical cameras such as the Alpa to be aware of how this system works and understand the available options for synchronizing Phase One backs to Alpa or other technical cameras.
The term, wake up, is frequently used when discussing the use of Alpa cameras in conjunction with Phase One backs. There is often considerable confusion in understanding this idea especially for those new to technical cameras. The aim of this article to explain and illustrate with pictures this important topic.
The design of Phase One digital backs is such that the CCDs are in a sleep mode until just precisely prior to the picture activation. This has always been the case with all phase one single capture backs (excluding the new P40+ and P65+) no matter what camera system they are used with . On all medium format camera systems this wake happens automatically within the camera system via either electronic or mechanical switching depending on what camera is being used. On these medium format cameras the system will wake the back up and expose the sensor all nearly instantaneously with the single push of the camera shutter button without the user ever knowing what was happening within the system behind the scenes.
But when you use a Phase One back on a camera that has no built in method to electronically or mechanically wake up the back, such as an Alpa or any other technical camera, you must deal with this wake up step in other ways. Essentially what has to happen in order for an image to be successfully captured is for the user to wake up the back with one action and then make the actual exposure with a second action.
There are several ways to achieve this two step process and I will explain them all in the following sections of this article. The solutions range from simple to quite sophisticated and I have experience using them all so I will offer my personal observations on each method with the goal of helping the reader find the best solution for his or her own needs.
Method 1. Fire the camera two times.
This is a fairly impractical method but it does work and only requires the purchase of an inexpensive simple cable. In this method you simply fire the camera shutter two times in succession. The first shot simply wakes up the back, then you quickly re-cock the shutter and fire a second time for the actual exposure to the CCD. You will have about four seconds of opportunity between your first and second shot. this method is not recommended for general use but I mention it mostly for an better understanding of the system and it is very useful to know about as a back up method in the event that you have a malfunction with a wake up cable or forget to pack your wake up cable. This is the least expensive solution and will cost either $35.00 or $60.00 depending on your particular Phase One back. I recommend having one of these in your case at all times just for the purpose of back up. Please contact me if you don’t know exactly which cable you need for your back.
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Method 2. The Phase One wake up cable assembly.
This solution is very likely the most commonly used to wake a back for exposure. It consists of a two part cable that couples the digital back to the pc port of the lens and contains a simple button in the middle of it. The work flow is quite simple and efficient. You cock the shutter of the lens, then when ready you push the button on the wake up cable. This action wakes the back and leaves it in a ready state to receive the actual exposure. The actual exposure comes from simply firing the cameras shutter button. As in method one above, you have about a four second gate between the wake signal and when the actual picture must be made. This is a very reliable and relatively inexpensive system that suits the needs of very many photographers. This is an ideal solution when using the camera on tripod and trying to keep the size and weight of the system to the minimum. My only personal complaint regarding this particular set up is that the cable is too long for Alpa cameras and the hanging cable tends to get in the way. This is not a good method for handheld photography. I strongly recommend having two of these wake up assemblies on hand as these are the weakest link in the system. The total cost of this two part cable is $208.00.
Method 3. The Alpa wake up assembly. Nearly identical to the Phase One wake assembly above except that it is more refined and of considerably better quality. It has a bigger and nicer button to activate the wake signal and Alpa offers a very nice means to attach their assembly to the side of an Alpa body making it an integral part of the camera. Alpa has also made their cable a more appropriate length than the Phase One solution above thus eliminating the problems associated with cable length. This solution along with the camera body attachment make it an attractive method for both handheld and tripod work. This solution can be purchased in parts or in full. The wake up cable assembly costs $250.00 and can be used all by itself. for all required components to mount this to the side of an Alpa body, including the cable, costs $550.00.
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Method 4. Alpa grips with wake up assembly built in.
Alpa produces a variety of grips with the wake up assembly built in as an integrated part of the handle. This is clearly the most elegant solution to the wake up situation and is a particularly effective solution for handheld photography. The button is very conveniently located so that it is very easily activated with no fumbling around while looking for a button on a cable. This is the best method available in my opinion for capturing the decisive moment within the obvious limitations of the wake up system. Prices and styles vary widely please contact me for information and pricing.
Method 5. The Kapture Group one shot cable. This cable, manufactured by Kapture Group in Missouri, is capable of synchronizing the back to the camera and allowing the user to fire the system with the single press of a cable release. This is a reliable and popular solution for those that must have one shot activation which is particularly important for stop motion flash photography or for those that aren’t interested in dealing with a secondary wake up step. This cable is a bit of a contraption and creates a small tangle of cabling around the lens and digital back, but it does work reliably and is the only “one shot” method to fire a Phase One back on a technical camera that I am aware of. $395.00
This article pertains to all phase one p and p+ series digital backs excluding the new p40+ and p65+ backs. They have different wake up options and settings that will be covered in an upcoming article. In the mean time if you would like information on how wake up pertains to the new P40+ and P65+ please feel free to email me.
