Hello everyone, and a big thank-you to everyone who has offered their advice
on this one.
I think I need to get back to basics a little, as I don't think I fully
understand the technicalities of the different systems !! For example, I
hear the terms TTL and OTF used a lot, and know (I think) that they stand
for "Through The Lens" and "Off The Film" respectively. As I understood it,
the OM's had 2 metering systems running side-by-side. One measured light
through the lens to give you the original reading (TTL) and the other took a
reading of the light reflected off the film during exposure (OTF). Is this
correct ? I heard somewhere that one of these (OTF) only applies in Auto
mode ?
These bits I have almost come-to-terms with, but I really don't get quite
how they apply to Flash Photography. Obviously the meter reading before the
shot is taken would tell you how much flash is needed, but does the OTF bit
read the amount of light and tell the flash when to turn off ?
One area of a little confusion to me is the FP / X switch on the side of the
camera. Does this simply switch between the hot-shoe contact and the socket
on the side of the camera, or does it switch between different flash types ?
If so, are both X and FP (whatever they are) available from both the hot
shoe and the socket ?
Well, sorry to ask what must seem like obvious questions, but I feel like
I've jumped in way too deep here !! Lots of info, if only I knew what it
all meant !! Sorry, should have asked the obvious questions first ... !
Thanks for any help you can give,
Jon Mitchell
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Jon Mitchell
Sent: 04 December 2001 21:03
To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [OM] Flash, Bounce Grip, Advice needed !
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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