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3600HS D flash on 5D

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cyclingchef

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Hello folks,

This is my first post although I have spent a fair bit of time reading. This has helped me tremendously since purchasing my 5D. I have just purchased a 3600 flash. What function (if any) does the AUTO light on this flash serve. When pressing the on/off button for 3 secs AUTO illuminates when you can change a couple of flash settings, auto power off etc. I have never senn this AUTO light function at any other time. Maybe it has a use on other Minolta cameras. Can anyone advise please ?
 
I believe that Auto allows the flash to be switched on and off by the camera. Doesn't apply to the 5D/7D which don't support this.
 
It has its function when you set your camera in Green "P" mode.

It then acts as automatic flash, when the camera decides whether to fire flash or not (automatically) - something similar to those entry level cameras with pop-up flashes.
It is mentioned in the flash manual.
 
Thanks,

I flash is new (I have a manual) I have confirmed that in Green Auto and 'P' mode the flash fires automatically when required. The manual states (page E14)

"P mode flash The indicator lamps {AUTO} and {ON} glow with automatic flash)"

At NO point does this AUTO lamp glow in any mode when using the flash. My concern is that there may be a fault on the flash. jstartin in his reply suggests this AUTO position may not be relevant to the 7D/5D can anyone else confirm this ?
 
cyclingchef said:
Thanks,
I flash is new (I have a manual) I have confirmed that in Green
Auto and 'P' mode the flash fires automatically when required. The
manual states (page E14)

"P mode flash The indicator lamps {AUTO} and {ON} glow with
automatic flash)"

At NO point does this AUTO lamp glow in any mode when using the
flash. My concern is that there may be a fault on the flash.
jstartin in his reply suggests this AUTO position may not be
relevant to the 7D/5D can anyone else confirm this ?
Click to expand...
I will have to check mine tonight. Will post my findings here.
 
If it is a fault, mine does it too. I suspect it is a feature not supported on the 5D, though that might mean the 5D is doing something else just as good. I have never seen the Auto light past a power on sequence of some kind.

However for the bucks the 3600hs has been lots of fun.
--
Ken H. FIVE DEE Kit 18-70 SG 70-300 APO
 
ah2610 said:
It has its function when you set your camera in Green "P" mode.
It then acts as automatic flash, when the camera decides whether to
fire flash or not (automatically) - something similar to those
entry level cameras with pop-up flashes.
It is mentioned in the flash manual.
Click to expand...
I know that is what is described in the film 7 manual, for both built-in and accessory flash. I'm not sure if it works this way on the 7D, but it certainly does not on the 5D. With the built in flash, the 5D fires it if it is up (and obviously not if it is down); no automatic. The 3600 is driven in the same way.
 
Thanks Ken,

Yea I never really thought it was faulty, but it was bugging me as it is only a few days old. I suppose it is difficult to write a user manual for the flash that covers every question on every camera it can be used on. 1st impressions are a great flash for the money.
 
jstartin said:
ah2610 said:
It has its function when you set your camera in Green "P" mode.
It then acts as automatic flash, when the camera decides whether to
fire flash or not (automatically) - something similar to those
entry level cameras with pop-up flashes.
It is mentioned in the flash manual.
Click to expand...
I know that is what is described in the film 7 manual, for both
built-in and accessory flash. I'm not sure if it works this way on
the 7D, but it certainly does not on the 5D. With the built in
flash, the 5D fires it if it is up (and obviously not if it is
down); no automatic. The 3600 is driven in the same way.
Click to expand...
I'll give it a quick test tonight (have Maxx 7 film and Maxx 5D). Will post findings here.
 
I tend to almost always use it off camera in wireless mode, a feature I have never had. That gives me some great lighting options.

We have the world's largest bead store nearby and while my wife shopped I looked for images.

I used the 3600HS wireless to create unusual lighting of some of the bead displays

http://www.sendpix.com/albums/06030310/xvyz1rxhma/
[album may not be available after March 06]

--
Ken H. FIVE DEE Kit 18-70 SG 70-300 APO
 
Hi ctransj, re the exposure. I'm not the best person to answer as I'm still on the learning curve with the camera and 3600 flash. So far I have found the 3600 exposure pretty accurate, while the internal flash is a decent performer the 3600 gives so many more options with the extra power, bounce and wireless mode of course. I find it makes me think more and I'm now using flash compensation where when using internal flash I tended to lift it and fire away. Certainly when shooting backlit subjects outside when the internal flash was totally inadequate fill flash on the 3600 is a shot saver.
Hope this helps?
 
ah2610 said:
cyclingchef said:
Thanks,
I flash is new (I have a manual) I have confirmed that in Green
Auto and 'P' mode the flash fires automatically when required. The
manual states (page E14)

"P mode flash The indicator lamps {AUTO} and {ON} glow with
automatic flash)"

At NO point does this AUTO lamp glow in any mode when using the
flash. My concern is that there may be a fault on the flash.
jstartin in his reply suggests this AUTO position may not be
relevant to the 7D/5D can anyone else confirm this ?
Click to expand...
I will have to check mine tonight. Will post my findings here.
Click to expand...
I checked it and here are my finding:
1. On Maxx 7 film body it works as advertised (light is ON in green "P" mode)
2. On Maxx 5D id does not go ON in any of the modes.

So, I guess the "feature" is not supported on 5D (or 7D).
 
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