Compatibility: C-700 to Vivitar ring flash?

Just purchased the C-700UZ along with +7/+10 macro lenses and the 5-pin Oly-to-pc adapter cable. We have an existing Vivitar MacroFlash 5000 ring flash. I have everything electrically hooked up, and put camera in M mode with Mode dail set to A/S/M. I can't get the ring flash to trigger off the camera.

(BTW - the flash works using its test button and/or when shorting the cable contacts).

Are the camera and the flash signals not compatible, or is there something I'm overlooking?

TIA

Hi Bill,

I'm afraid I'm not very familiar with this flash. Right now, I use a Vivitar 283 on my C700. I use the Oly FL-BK01 and FL-CB01 cable and it works fine with the camera in manual mode. How does the ring flash normally connect to the camera? Does it use a synch chord rather than a hotshoe connection? If it does, you'll need the CB-04 cable.

Bill

Have you have already enabled the external flash in the camera's setup menu system? BTW, I don't have this camera but just thought I'd try to help.

Bill Putney said:

Just purchased the C-700UZ along with +7/+10 macro lenses and the
5-pin Oly-to-pc adapter cable. We have an existing Vivitar
MacroFlash 5000 ring flash. I have everything electrically hooked
up, and put camera in M mode with Mode dail set to A/S/M. I can't
get the ring flash to trigger off the camera.

(BTW - the flash works using its test button and/or when shorting
the cable contacts).

Are the camera and the flash signals not compatible, or is there
something I'm overlooking?

TIA

Click to expand...

I don't believe there is such a menu option with the C700. I know I did not have to change any menu settings when using my 283.

Thanks Bill (Yuey) & Terry. Yeah - the CB-04 cable is precisely the one I'm using. I think Bill is right - there do not appear to be any settings necessary to enable the external flash. Also, there is an External Flash section in the on-line manual that came with the camera. It makes no mention of having to enable the external trigger - it's a matter of connecting it and making the mode setting.

Thanks much - I'll keep watching for a solution here. I may give Vivitar & Oly a call or e-mail their tech support - won't hold my breath for a definitive answer from them, but maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

Bill Putney said:

...We have an existing Vivitar
MacroFlash 5000 ring flash. I have everything electrically hooked
up, and put camera in M mode with Mode dail set to A/S/M. I can't
get the ring flash to trigger off the camera...
Are the camera and the flash signals not compatible, or is there
something I'm overlooking?

Click to expand...

Do you have another flash unit to try with the C700 and CB-04?

Bill Putney said:

Thanks much - I'll keep watching for a solution here. I may give
Vivitar & Oly a call or e-mail their tech support - won't hold my
breath for a definitive answer from them, but maybe I'll be
pleasantly surprised.

Bill Putney said:

...We have an existing Vivitar
MacroFlash 5000 ring flash. I have everything electrically hooked
up, and put camera in M mode with Mode dail set to A/S/M. I can't
get the ring flash to trigger off the camera...
Are the camera and the flash signals not compatible, or is there
something I'm overlooking?

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Yeah Terry, that's a good idea (try another flash). Maybe one of his cables is bad?

Bill, it should fire the way you've got it hooked up.

Bill

Yes - we have other flashes that we will try - don't know if they all have hot shoes or what - we were talking about doing that yesterday. I'll have to sneak a few minutes away from my primary tasks in the next coupla days to try that - we're working 10 hrs. day 7 days/wk. right now and have to prioritize. I guess many people these days wish they had that problem.

Bill Yuey said:

Yeah Terry, that's a good idea (try another flash). Maybe one of
his cables is bad?

Bill, it should fire the way you've got it hooked up.

Bill

Click to expand...