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Flash for E-1 ?

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DaveP E1

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Wife's retirement party coming up so its time to get a flash unit for my recently purchased E-1 w/ 14-54mm. I'm an amatuer just coming off of film (Nikon FM3A - Sunpack Bounce flash) who appreciates the film-like characteristics of the E-1 , ruggedness and its relative compactness. I have no aspirations to do wedding photography although people usaually depend on me to supply backup photos at most events. My natural choice is the FL-36 but the threads seem to inidcate that its flimsy, especially in the hot shoe connection. I wouldn't be opposed to spending the extra bucks $450 for the FL-50 vs $180 for the FL-36 if there is noticble difference in build quality. I know the performance of the FL-50 is also much better, but thats not the main issue as the FL-36 performance is sufficient.

Advice?
--
Dave P E1
 
Sorry I can't really answer your question. However I have two FL-50 that I use for wedding photo and they are pretty rugged. I'm pretty ginger with my equipment and have had no problems with them yet.

Also, you may just want to use your Sunpak flash? Read you manual and make sure the voltage output on the flash isn't way up there. It will require you to put the E-1 in manual mode but will take some great pics for you.

Try E-1 with Sunpak flash
Manual
f/5.6 or less
shutter 1/30 to 1/125
ISO 100-400

Play around with that and see how things look with your current flash!
--
Jeff McNeeley
 
I have both. I don't know that I would consider the FL-36 flimsy. It IS smaller and lighter (particularly helpful with the E-xx0 cameras), but as you note is less powerful. I would say its two-AA battery power source is its biggest limitation, not its build quality.

The FL-36's focus assist light is about the same brightness as the E-1's built in light. The FL-50's is significantly brighter.
 
I would call the FL-36 petite but not flimsy. My reason for upgrading was due to the power and recycling differences. I think the FL-50 is worth every penny. I had to use iso 400 to get comparable exposure and then clean up noise.

You may want to look into a used FL-40. I find that it is closer to the 50 and you can get them for a steal, they originally retailed for about $450, on the used market they are about $200. I bought one used and sold it two years later for approximately what I paid.
--
Theresa K
 
Theresa K said:
You may want to look into a used FL-40.
Click to expand...
While the FL-40 was supposedly supported on the E-1 (as opposed to the E-xx0's, where it isn't), it really doesn't work very reliably (at least, that's what some of us early E-1 owners found when we tried to avoid buying the FL-50 at first).

Undeniably, the FL-40 does NOT have FP-TTL mode (useful for fill flash) and does NOT have a focus assist lamp that functions with the E-1 (or E-10 or E-20, for that matter).

Avoid the FL-40.
 
Denny Colvin said:
Theresa K said:
You may want to look into a used FL-40.
Click to expand...
While the FL-40 was supposedly supported on the E-1 (as opposed to
the E-xx0's, where it isn't), it really doesn't work very reliably
(at least, that's what some of us early E-1 owners found when we
tried to avoid buying the FL-50 at first).

Undeniably, the FL-40 does NOT have FP-TTL mode (useful for fill
flash) and does NOT have a focus assist lamp that functions with
the E-1 (or E-10 or E-20, for that matter).

Avoid the FL-40.
Click to expand...
It worked flawlessly with my C-5060. I used it manually with my Panny for a year and that was a pain, when it wasn't compatible with my E-300, I decided it was tiime for it to go.
--
Theresa K
 
and the focus assist lamp works as well.

The auto-TTL works flawlessly with the E-10/E-20, too.

It wasn't so flawless on the E-1. (Now, it's entirely possible Oly snuck in a firmware fix on the E-1 that made the FL-40 work better after I bought the FL-50, but the lack of FP-TTL and focus assist makes the FL-40 a poor buy for the E-1 in any event)
 
Promaster has the 5750DX and now with modules for E1, E300 & E500

I think with module and flash is 200$ but does not have the zoom feature as the FL50.
• Guide Number: 130 (100 ISO)
• TTL Auto Range: 3-80' (100 ISO)
• Normal Auto Range: 3-56' (100 ISO)
• Power Source: 4 AA Alkaline Batteries
• Recycling Time: 0.3-10 Seconds
• Angle of Coverage: Wide Panel-70°H 45°V
Normal-46°H 34°V
Tele-31°H 23°V
• Bounce Angle: 0° to 90°
• Swivel Angle: 0° to 180°
• Full TTL DedicationCode
• Front mounted ready light
• Auto Power-Off

• Uses PROMASTER DX series modules for digital cameras and standard 5000 series modules for traditional cameras

I have an FL50 and a couple of Metz 402's (that have had the batteries replaced several times). The FL50 is powerful and the Metz402 have to use a wein hot shoe voltage adapter. The E1 or E500 have to be used in manual for the 402's; not a problem for me as I have used them previously on a Mamyia C330 & Nikon FM.
If money is the deciding factor the Promaster may be a better chioce.

Ciao,
Lou Cioccio
 
In all the time I've been using my E-10s, I never missed Focus Assist. As a matter of fact, I turned off the IR focus assist on the camera itself.
I doubt that I'd ever use FP-TTL even with an FL-50.

As I have two FL-40s and an FL-36 I find myself relying on the FL-40 more often than not.

Perhaps, as suggested, Oly slipped in a firmware upgrade somewhere along the line.

The best power supply I've found for the FL-36 is the Duracel CR-V3 (non-rechargeable). It, unscientifically, speeds it up a tad.
--
Regards,
(afka Wile E. Coyote)
Bill
PSAA
Equipment in profile.
Eschew obfuscation.

 
I don't know anything about the FL-36 since I'm using the FL-50. I love the flash and use it mostly as fill. If you can afford it, go for it.



--
Andre Knudsen

 
Bill_Turner said:
In all the time I've been using my E-10s, I never missed Focus
Assist. As a matter of fact, I turned off the IR focus assist on
the camera itself.
Click to expand...
The E-10's AF was at best "quirky," and at worst ineffective. No flash's focus assist functions with the E-10. Just because you compensated for the E-10's inadequacies doesn't mean AF assist isn't important.
Bill_Turner said:
I doubt that I'd ever use FP-TTL even with an FL-50.
Click to expand...
You never do outdoor fill flash?
Bill_Turner said:
As I have two FL-40s and an FL-36 I find myself relying on the
FL-40 more often than not.
Perhaps, as suggested, Oly slipped in a firmware upgrade somewhere
along the line.
The best power supply I've found for the FL-36 is the Duracel CR-V3
(non-rechargeable). It, unscientifically, speeds it up a tad.
Click to expand...
The best reason not to invest in an FL-40 is...

none of the new E-system cameras support it... so presumably the E-1 follow-on will not, either. It's dead end technology. But for the cameras it was designed for, it works exceptionally well.
 
You might have a look at the Metz 44AF-4 O(lympus). It is a dedicated flash and it provides FP-TTL. It takes 4 AAs and recycles within 5 seconds after full blast. It works well with my E1 and doesn't feel flimsy at all. I also believe it has more power than the Oly 36.

J.A.
 
DaveP E1 said:
Wife's retirement party coming up so its time to get a flash unit
for my recently purchased E-1 w/ 14-54mm. I'm an amatuer just
coming off of film (Nikon FM3A - Sunpack Bounce flash) who
appreciates the film-like characteristics of the E-1 , ruggedness
and its relative compactness. I have no aspirations to do wedding
photography although people usaually depend on me to supply backup
photos at most events. My natural choice is the FL-36 but the
threads seem to inidcate that its flimsy, especially in the hot
shoe connection. I wouldn't be opposed to spending the extra
bucks $450 for the FL-50 vs $180 for the FL-36 if there is noticble
difference in build quality.
Click to expand...
ephotocraft.com sells the FL-50 for $363 (when they have them in stock), B&H for $375 (add to cart price) (again when they have them in stock), so the price difference is not as large as you imagine.
DaveP E1 said:
I know the performance of the FL-50
is also much better, but thats not the main issue as the FL-36
performance is sufficient.
Click to expand...
In an event type situation you can never recycle too fast, or have too much power.
DaveP E1 said:
Advice?
Click to expand...
Get the FL-50.

Regards,
Scott

--
As we celebrate mediocrity all the boys upstairs want to see
How much you'll pay for what you used to get for free
  • Tom Petty
 
Since I'm very happy with the E-1 I think I should go with the flash that best compliments the camera, the FL-50.

The Nikon Sunpak's hotshoe contacts are incompatible with the Olympus, so that leaves that option out...but I did notice that the tighteneing ring and all the critical parts are also plastic, but it served me well for 30+ years.

B&H lists the FL-50 at $450 but its out of stock. 17th St. Photo has it for $365.

But the clincher was Andre Knudsen's recommendation and sample photo.
--
Dave P E1
 
Brian H Kelly said:
433D is ok for the E-1? E-500 too, then, I suppose.
That would be great. I've had one sitting in my closet for ten yrs
since my Canon A-1 days!
--
Brian

Click to expand...
I have two Sunpack 433 Ds both with an OM foot, which will work perfecly with the E series cameras, though I suppose the Canon one might fit, you will just have to try it.

Patrick
 
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