Some of these old Sunpak models with interchangeable feet (like the
422D) can be had with an OM TTL foot (labeled OT-1D). I think the 433
and or the 444 may be fixed TTL feet but can still be found in OM TTL
models. If you have no intention of using the flash with OMs it doesn't
matter whether it has a TTL foot or not or even what model of camera its
for.
For an inexpensive tripod/PC adapter shoe I recommend this one. They
used to be common on ebay but now harder to find there due to hundreds
of auctions for other types which may or may not have a tripod socket on
the bottom. But they can be found here:
<http://www.camerafilters.com/detail.aspx?id=1265>
I should note that, after having stated that the T-32 wasn't desirable
from a standpoint of only having two power levels, I do use T-32s but in
pairs as here. In pairs I can get five power levels: 1/4, 1/2, 1, 1-1/4
and 2X. If they're mounted behind an umbrella as shown here the
additional power may be welcome.
<http://www.chucknorcutt.com/gear/Umbrella%20adapter%20mounted%20on%20tripod%20%232.jpg>
You should use diffusers such as an umbrella if doing portrait work but
is shooting candids in a house you can just bounce off ceilings and
walls for even better diffusion.
Dr. Flash
Rickard Nilsson wrote:
> Thanks for your comprehensive information! I'm very postitive to
> the idea of using several cheap non-TTL flashes, and I appreciate
> your recommendations on models with good manual settings. I will
> base further investigations on your tips.
>
> / Rickard
>
> Quoting Chuck Norcutt <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:
>
>> If you're going to go with manual controls then you can use very cheap,
>> used flash heads. Film based TTL flash units like the T-32 go very
>> cheaply because they don't work on digital. But the T-32 isn't a
>> particularly good choice for manual control since it only offers two
>> power levels. The Canon 540EZ which has 8 levels can be had for as low
>> as $60 from KEH (BGN if they have one). They tend to sell for a lot
>> more than that on ebay. I think they're being sold to Canon DSLR
>> newbies who don't know the flash won't work in TTL mode. :-) Other
>> good choices are the Sunpak 422/433/444 or 383 (5 power levels). The
>> 400 series are discontinued film TTL models, the 383 was (until
>> recently) a current production manual flash. All are basically the
>> same flash unit with the same power. Some of the 400 series have
>> interchangeable TTL feet for various camera models or also the "STD"
>> foot which has no TTL control and turns them into the equivalent of a
>> 383. Also available used are Sunpak 5xx and 6xx models but these are
>> rather large and bulky handle mount flashes similar to the T-45 in
>> size. Also still available new for under $90 is the Vivitar 285HV which
>> has 4 manual power levels.
>>
>> If you're going to be working in manual flash mode then take part of
>> the considerable savings from not buying multiple TTL flash units and
>> invest in a good flash meter. I recommend the Sekonic L-358. It's the
>> lowest cost Sekonic meter that provides a readout on ambient to flash
>> lighting ratios. That's critical to painlessly getting the right flash
>> level for daylight fill flash. When the meter says 20-30% flash the
>> fill ratio is just right. If you attach one of your radio transmitters
>> to the light meter with a short PC cable you can fire the lights from
>> the meter.
>> <http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/221078-REG/Sekonic_401_358_L_358_Flash_Master_Meter.html>
>>
>> If you can work with a maximum of 30 feet to fire your lights by radio
>> then the ebay slaves might work for you. I have at least one that can
>> reach to 150 feet if it's angled correctly (they tend to be very
>> directional relative to power) but that's an exception. They need to
>> be tested immediateley after receipt since some won't even make 30
>> feet. There are many sellers on ebay selling this "RD616" pair.
>> <http://cgi.ebay.com/RD616-Wireless-Radio-Slave-Flash-Trigger-16-Channel-New_W0QQitemZ260324532378QQihZ016QQcategoryZ30086QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting>
>> An advantage of the RD616 compared to some others (and there are only a
>> few) is that it has a PC connector on the back of the receiver. That
>> will make it much easier to connect to a hot shoe flash. But most hot
>> shoe flashes (except the Vivitar 285HV and Sunpak 383 and 4xx series
>> with "STD" foot) don't have provision for a PC cable connection and
>> need to be attached to the lightstand with a PC cable adapter. While
>> the Vivitar and some of the Sunpaks do have provision to plug a PC
>> cable they require their own proprietary connector on the flash end of
>> the cable.
>>
>> The Alien Bees Cyber Syncs are probably the best deal going for
>> reliable work up to 400 feet. Not the 1/4 mile claimed for
>> PocketWizards but probably plenty far enough for 99% of all other uses.
>>
>> Dr. Flash
>>
>>
>> Rickard Nilsson wrote:
>>> Ok, I have never investigated it closer, I just sort of assumed
>>> "RC" meant radio control. Oh well, I'll have to look for some
>>> transmitters/receivers then.
>>>
>>> Thanks for the info!
>>>
>>> / Rickard
>>>
>>> Quoting Chuck Norcutt <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:
>>>
>>>> Sorry, but "RC" in the Olympus literature means "Remote Control" and not
>>>> "Radio Control". All of the camera branded remote flash controls from
>>>> Olympus and others use infrared signaling rather than radio. That's why
>>>> you have a line of sight restriction as well as a fairly narrow angle of
>>>> reception as measured from the camera.
>>>>
>>>> If you want to use radio control you'll have to use any of several
>>>> transmitter/receiver sets available but you won't get TTL control except
>>>> on extremely high end units such as the Quantum FreeXWire
>>>> <http://www.qtm.com/FreeXwire/> Price is about $370/pair but then you
>>>> need Quantum Qflash flash heads to go with them which can cost
>>>> $1,000/head or more.
>>>>
>>>> Non-TTL flash control can be had fairly inexpensively. Cheap Chinese
>>>> made transmitter/receiver pairs from ebay for about $20. Short range,
>>>> not very reliable. Alien Bees CyberSyncs for $60 (transmitter) and $70
>>>> (receiver) <http://alienbees.com/remotes.html> and several other brands
>>>> on up from there to PocketWizard at the top price wise.
>>>>
>>>> Dr. Flash
>>>> who always says manual control is always more reliable and much cheaper
>>>> than TTL. Invest in a good meter instead.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Rickard Nilsson wrote:
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>> The recent talk about using flashes on E-cameras made me think of the
>>>>> possibility of using a radio receiver for triggering any external
>>>>> flash directly from the E-520 (with its built-in radio transmitter
>>>>> that can control FL-36R/FL-50R), without any need for a dedicated
>>>>> radio transmitter. Is that even possible? Does there exist any radio
>>>>> receiver that is compatible with the E-420/E-520/E-3 on the market?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> / Rickard Nilsson
>>>>>
>>>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>> This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
>>>>> Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.14/1829 - Release Date:
>>>>> 12/4/2008 2:59 PM
>>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> _________________________________________________________________
>>>> Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
>>>> Archives: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/private/olympus/
>>>> Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>>> This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program.
>>>
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>>
>>> No virus found in this incoming message.
>>> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.176 / Virus
>>> Database: 270.9.14/1829 - Release Date: 12/4/2008 2:59 PM
>>>
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
> Version: 8.0.176 / Virus Database: 270.9.14/1832 - Release Date: 12/5/2008
> 9:57 AM
>
--
_________________________________________________________________
Options: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/listinfo/olympus
Archives: http://lists.thomasclausen.net/mailman/private/olympus/
Themed Olympus Photo Exhibition: http://www.tope.nl/
|
