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jason naguit

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ok can someone explain to me the various differences between these cables? it gets confusing because most online places that sell these only say that they're TTL-TTL, or TTL-PC, or PC-TTL, etc. and that doesn't tell me much about which end is which.

basically, what i want to do is try to find a way to adapt (if possible) my canon speedlight 380ex from my EOS SLR gear for my new olympus c-2040 zoom so i don't have to dish out the cash for a new dedicated flash like the pricey FL-40.

of course adapting the canon speedlight is a whole other can of worms since my canon doesn't have a PC socket on board so i need to see if there's a canon hotshoe adapter to solve that problem. :(

i don't really want an external flash to replace the internal. i just want to be able to do bounce and diffusion capabilites so you don't get that classic, flat, over-exposed "deer in the headlights" look for subjects and accompanying harsh shadows.

i dunno, maybe one of those smarter slaves from srelectronics might be an easier answer here? is it worth it to try to adapt my canon or any other non-olympus flash to work with the 2040 via cable sync or should i just go with a wireless slave?--thanks,
jason
 
Here's the setup I have: an Olympus CB04 cable ($40 online) and a hotshoe-to-PC adapter ($12 at a local camera store) (I believe the 2040 and 2100 have similar flash connection). You won't be able to use the 380ex TTL capability though.


jason naguit said:
ok can someone explain to me the various differences between these
cables? it gets confusing because most online places that sell
these only say that they're TTL-TTL, or TTL-PC, or PC-TTL, etc. and
that doesn't tell me much about which end is which.

basically, what i want to do is try to find a way to adapt (if
possible) my canon speedlight 380ex from my EOS SLR gear for my new
olympus c-2040 zoom so i don't have to dish out the cash for a new
dedicated flash like the pricey FL-40.

of course adapting the canon speedlight is a whole other can of
worms since my canon doesn't have a PC socket on board so i need to
see if there's a canon hotshoe adapter to solve that problem. :(

i don't really want an external flash to replace the internal. i
just want to be able to do bounce and diffusion capabilites so you
don't get that classic, flat, over-exposed "deer in the headlights"
look for subjects and accompanying harsh shadows.

i dunno, maybe one of those smarter slaves from srelectronics might
be an easier answer here? is it worth it to try to adapt my canon
or any other non-olympus flash to work with the 2040 via cable sync
or should i just go with a wireless slave?
--
thanks,
jason
Click to expand...
 
I agree, the least expensive way is the cb04 cable and a hotshoe adapter. Don't go the "smart" slave route, too difficult to get the exposure correct. Much better if you want to use a slave is to use a standard slave and a single flash from your external flash (turn off the on camera flash).

Holland
jason naguit said:
ok can someone explain to me the various differences between these
cables? it gets confusing because most online places that sell
these only say that they're TTL-TTL, or TTL-PC, or PC-TTL, etc. and
that doesn't tell me much about which end is which.

basically, what i want to do is try to find a way to adapt (if
possible) my canon speedlight 380ex from my EOS SLR gear for my new
olympus c-2040 zoom so i don't have to dish out the cash for a new
dedicated flash like the pricey FL-40.

of course adapting the canon speedlight is a whole other can of
worms since my canon doesn't have a PC socket on board so i need to
see if there's a canon hotshoe adapter to solve that problem. :(

i don't really want an external flash to replace the internal. i
just want to be able to do bounce and diffusion capabilites so you
don't get that classic, flat, over-exposed "deer in the headlights"
look for subjects and accompanying harsh shadows.

i dunno, maybe one of those smarter slaves from srelectronics might
be an easier answer here? is it worth it to try to adapt my canon
or any other non-olympus flash to work with the 2040 via cable sync
or should i just go with a wireless slave?
--
thanks,
jason
Click to expand...
 
ok so the CB04 is the cable i need to worry about if i want to connect a non-olympus flash with a PC socket to the proprietary 5 pin connector on the c-2040? ok thanks guys that really helps a lot.

of course, i also just realized from your responses that i'll need a flash capable of fully manual control to tune the output so that doesn't wash out the picture. aside from the on/off switch, the 380ex is a flash that is totally controlled (output, high speed sync, zoom head, etc.) by an EOS body so of course it wouldn't be a good flash to use in this application.

this may seem like common sense to you guys but unfortunately i don't have any experience with using PC-sync flashes. "usually" i buy flash guns made by the camera body manufacturer so you just mount them and go without even thinking about it. but i think olympus just wants WAY too much for the FL-40.

i'm on B&H's website now exploring my options but the cable info certainly clears up a lot. thanks again!
 
Is the FC CB02 the hotshoe adapter that would work with the CB04 cable on a non-proprietary flash unit like the nikon speedlight SB28. This flash is awesome it can go full manual as full automatic. Sets its on Fstop as well as detects the lens opening. I would imagine this flash would work any opinions?
misha said:
Here's the setup I have: an Olympus CB04 cable ($40 online) and a
hotshoe-to-PC adapter ($12 at a local camera store) (I believe the
2040 and 2100 have similar flash connection). You won't be able to
use the 380ex TTL capability though.

Click to expand...
 
Misha,

I want to do something similar with my C-700. I have an old Vivitar 283 with the higher voltage output. The C-700 doesn't have a hotshoe, so I have to buy a bracket. So, can I use the same cable CB04 with the hotshoe adapter with the flash mounted on a bracket? I've heard that the old flashes (like my 283) have a voltage output that's too high for today's digital cameras and would 'fry' them if connected directly. My understanding is that if I connect the flash through a cable, I'm safe. Is that true?

Thanks,
Bill
misha said:

jason naguit said:
ok can someone explain to me the various differences between these
cables? it gets confusing because most online places that sell
these only say that they're TTL-TTL, or TTL-PC, or PC-TTL, etc. and
that doesn't tell me much about which end is which.

basically, what i want to do is try to find a way to adapt (if
possible) my canon speedlight 380ex from my EOS SLR gear for my new
olympus c-2040 zoom so i don't have to dish out the cash for a new
dedicated flash like the pricey FL-40.

of course adapting the canon speedlight is a whole other can of
worms since my canon doesn't have a PC socket on board so i need to
see if there's a canon hotshoe adapter to solve that problem. :(

i don't really want an external flash to replace the internal. i
just want to be able to do bounce and diffusion capabilites so you
don't get that classic, flat, over-exposed "deer in the headlights"
look for subjects and accompanying harsh shadows.

i dunno, maybe one of those smarter slaves from srelectronics might
be an easier answer here? is it worth it to try to adapt my canon
or any other non-olympus flash to work with the 2040 via cable sync
or should i just go with a wireless slave?
--
thanks,
jason
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Bill said:
Misha,

I want to do something similar with my C-700. I have an old
Vivitar 283 with the higher voltage output. The C-700 doesn't have
a hotshoe, so I have to buy a bracket. So, can I use the same
cable CB04 with the hotshoe adapter with the flash mounted on a
bracket? I've heard that the old flashes (like my 283) have a
voltage output that's too high for today's digital cameras and
would 'fry' them if connected directly. My understanding is that
if I connect the flash through a cable, I'm safe. Is that true?
Click to expand...
You can attach this (or similar) hotshoe adapter to a bracket with a CB04 cable and it will work. Can't vouch for the safety of the 283 - my opinion is that the fears of 'frying' electronics with a higher flash voltage are exaggerated - I haven't heard of anyone damaging their digital camera by using the wrong flash. My Sunpack has a somewhat higher voltage than is conventionally considered safe, and so far no problems at all - but again, I can't be 100% sure.

Misha
 
Tony Carro said:
Is the FC CB02 the hotshoe adapter that would work with the CB04
cable on a non-proprietary flash unit like the nikon speedlight
SB28. This flash is awesome it can go full manual as full
automatic. Sets its on Fstop as well as detects the lens opening.
I would imagine this flash would work any opinions?
Click to expand...
If the SB28 does not have a PC cable/input, a hotshoe adapter should work - I don't know specifically about the CB02 - I actually think it is the reverse - hotshoe to PC - adaptor for Olympus 2500 to allow it to use the FL40 flash with the Olympus bracket. The adapter I have is not camera-specific.

Misha
 
Thanks, Misha. I sent an email to Olympus asking the same question - I'll let you know what they say.

Actually, I mis-typed in my original post. I don't need the hotshoe adapter. I asked Olympus if I could use the FL-CB01 (not the CB04) with the FL-BK01 bracket and the Vivitar 283. I'm sure they'll tell me to just buy the FL-40, but we'll see. I would like to get the FL-40 one day, but it has to come down in price at least by 50%! If I buy the bracket, cable, and FL-40, that comes out to almost $400 - almost as much as I paid for the C-700 ($500). That's truly ridiculous. Olympus needs to come up with a true consumer external flash solution. Hope they're reading this.

Bill
Misha said:
Bill said:
Misha,

I want to do something similar with my C-700. I have an old
Vivitar 283 with the higher voltage output. The C-700 doesn't have
a hotshoe, so I have to buy a bracket. So, can I use the same
cable CB04 with the hotshoe adapter with the flash mounted on a
bracket? I've heard that the old flashes (like my 283) have a
voltage output that's too high for today's digital cameras and
would 'fry' them if connected directly. My understanding is that
if I connect the flash through a cable, I'm safe. Is that true?
Click to expand...
You can attach this (or similar) hotshoe adapter to a bracket with
a CB04 cable and it will work. Can't vouch for the safety of the
283 - my opinion is that the fears of 'frying' electronics with a
higher flash voltage are exaggerated - I haven't heard of anyone
damaging their digital camera by using the wrong flash. My Sunpack
has a somewhat higher voltage than is conventionally considered
safe, and so far no problems at all - but again, I can't be 100%
sure.

Misha
Click to expand...
 
Misha,

the sb28 has a rubber grommet that conceals two slots one slot has 3 pins in it and the other looks like a very small jack. Don't know if that is a pc cable/input or not... just don't know what the other end of the cb04 cable looks like..

Tony
Misha said:
Tony Carro said:
Is the FC CB02 the hotshoe adapter that would work with the CB04
cable on a non-proprietary flash unit like the nikon speedlight
SB28. This flash is awesome it can go full manual as full
automatic. Sets its on Fstop as well as detects the lens opening.
I would imagine this flash would work any opinions?
Click to expand...
If the SB28 does not have a PC cable/input, a hotshoe adapter
should work - I don't know specifically about the CB02 - I actually
think it is the reverse - hotshoe to PC - adaptor for Olympus 2500
to allow it to use the FL40 flash with the Olympus bracket. The
adapter I have is not camera-specific.

Misha
Click to expand...
 
Tony Carro said:
Misha,
the sb28 has a rubber grommet that conceals two slots one slot has
3 pins in it and the other looks like a very small jack. Don't
know if that is a pc cable/input or not... just don't know what the
other end of the cb04 cable looks like..
Click to expand...
That small jack should be a PC connector - you need a PC sync cable; if you don't have one, you might take your flash to a camera store and pick an appropriate cable or check with a major online store like BHPhoto. The CB04 cable connects to that cable rather than directly to the flash.

Misha
 
I heard back from Olympus and just as I thought, their response was:

"Only flash systems designed for digital cameras will work with the C-700
camera."

So basically, they want me to spend the money of the FL-40! Hmmm. Wonder if they have a finance plan ...
Bill said:
  • I'll let you know what they say.
Actually, I mis-typed in my original post. I don't need the
hotshoe adapter. I asked Olympus if I could use the FL-CB01 (not
the CB04) with the FL-BK01 bracket and the Vivitar 283. I'm sure
they'll tell me to just buy the FL-40, but we'll see. I would like
to get the FL-40 one day, but it has to come down in price at least
by 50%! If I buy the bracket, cable, and FL-40, that comes out to
almost $400 - almost as much as I paid for the C-700 ($500).
That's truly ridiculous. Olympus needs to come up with a true
consumer external flash solution. Hope they're reading this.

Bill
Misha said:
Bill said:
Misha,

I want to do something similar with my C-700. I have an old
Vivitar 283 with the higher voltage output. The C-700 doesn't have
a hotshoe, so I have to buy a bracket. So, can I use the same
cable CB04 with the hotshoe adapter with the flash mounted on a
bracket? I've heard that the old flashes (like my 283) have a
voltage output that's too high for today's digital cameras and
would 'fry' them if connected directly. My understanding is that
if I connect the flash through a cable, I'm safe. Is that true?
Click to expand...
You can attach this (or similar) hotshoe adapter to a bracket with
a CB04 cable and it will work. Can't vouch for the safety of the
283 - my opinion is that the fears of 'frying' electronics with a
higher flash voltage are exaggerated - I haven't heard of anyone
damaging their digital camera by using the wrong flash. My Sunpack
has a somewhat higher voltage than is conventionally considered
safe, and so far no problems at all - but again, I can't be 100%
sure.

Misha
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Misha,

Took your advice and went to Lawrence Photo and we pulled out the cb03 cable and hooked it up to the strobe and the camera and it fired when the shutter was depressed. I have to manually set the fstop and the zoom setting on the strobe unit for it to be effective (not overexpose the pic). I will have to pick up the bracket now. Thanks for your help..

Tony
 
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