Jon,
To have TTL flash with an OM-2n you would either need a T series flash,
or a third-party flash unit with a dedicated Olympus module. I don't
know if such a beast is available for your Vivitar - sorry!
You will need a Bounce Grip 2 to get the flash off-camera. The Bounce
Grip 1 was for the earlier Olympus 310 flash, and will not work with a T
series flash.
You could use TTL flash off-camera if you replaced the Shoe 4 with a TTL
Autoconnector 4, and used the appropriate cable. At the "flash end" you
would either need a T32 (built-in TTL cable socket) or a T20 with a TTL
Autoconnector T20 (or the BG2 with either flash).
You should be able to use the Vivitar flash on the BG2, but not with TTL
capabilities. You would use the cable built in to the BG2, and connect
it to the X-synch terminal. The name of the flash implies that it
should have an "automatic" mode, which would be better than doing a
full-power manual dump each time.
Please visit the fantastic Unofficial Sales Information File for more
and better information on all things Olympus at:
http://www.taiga.ca/~esif/om-sif.htm
Hope that helps!
Bill Stanke
Jon Mitchell wrote:
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> Some advice needed before I make my next purchase (or at least, before I put
> it on my Christmas List !!)
>
> A little background ...
>
> I used to own an OM-10 (still do, but it's knackered !). For that, I had a
> "dedicated" flash. Never was really sure what that meant as such, other
> than the fact that it seemed to talk with the camera and they seemed to
> pretty much decide for themselves what to do !! I never properly understood
> it, I think, and never really got that much use out of it. The flash in
> question is a "Vivitar Auto Thyristor 4600 system" - or at least that's what
> it says on it.
>
> Having upgraded my OM-10 (note, whoever was asking, it is DEFINITELY an
> upgrade !!) to an OM-2n, I am contemplating trying some more flash stuff. I
> have tried the Vivitar flash with the Hot Shoe 4 on the OM-2n, and it works
> fine in "Manual" mode (both camera and flash on manual). Tried a little
> portrait type shots of my girlfriend, and they came out extremely well. I
> took the flash and OM-2n to a Christmas party last week, with the intention
> of taking a number of photos. In this sort of environment, however, a flash
> of that size (it is huge, and probably as heavy as the camera !!) simply is
> not practical - and it is EXTREMELY unstable on the hot shoe. That shoe is
> very, very delicate. Already has a couple of cracks in it (usual places) so
> will be trying the resin trick soon.
>
> So first question - anyone got any experience / advice on the best way to
> resin the Hot Shoe 4 ? I'd like to try and save the one I have if I can
> rather than buying one (leaves more OMoney for other purchases !)
>
> Next, has anyone got any experience of this flash ? Is there any way of
> getting it's full "automatic" functionality with the OM-2n (the flash
> instruction suggests not).
>
> Given that I am not using this flash to it's full potential, and it is HUGE,
> I am considering investing in a T20 or T32 flash. These seem much smaller
> and less likely to break the Hot Shoe or prism !! If I understand it
> correctly, I should be able to make much better use of the cameras OTF
> functions using an Olympus flash ? Is this true ?
>
> To avoid making the Vivitar flash an unnecessary item, and for those
> occasions when a big, much more powerful flash (and one that can keep up
> with a 2fps auto winder if necessary) is needed, I have considered the
> "handle" option. I think this is what you have been refering to as a Bounce
> Grip ? Could someone confirm this ? The thing I mean has a plate which you
> screw into the bottom of the camera, then an arm vertically with a hand grip
> on. There is also a flash mount on the top of this handle, meaning I could
> mount the flash seperately from the camera.
>
> Assuming the "Bounce Grip" is what I am thinking of, does such a thing have
> a "Hot Shoe" contact on it ? or something I can plug into the Flash
> connector on the OM-2n ? The vivitar flash has only a Hot Shoe contact - no
> cable socket !
>
> Well, I hope that isn't too much to be asking in one go !! Basically, I
> want a flash which I can use for general, everyday use without breaking the
> camera or needing a tow-truck to carry, or indeed the worlds largest battery
> supply. I also would like to be able to use the larger flash, as and when
> necessary, possibly using a "Bounce Grip" or whatever else that thing I
> described is called. Of course, you may well convince me that this large
> flash will never be needed once I have a T20 / T32 !!
>
> Right, thanks for any help / advice you can give.
>
> Jon Mitchell
>
> PS: With all this talk of Shift Lenses, I am left wondering, somewhat
> ignorantly, exactly what they are ! Anyone got an idiot-proof description /
> explanation ?
>
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