Reading mode: Light Dark

7hi and flash units.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eugene Powers
  • Start date Start date
Go to last post
E

Eugene Powers

Guest
Hello all,
Just ordered 7hi.
Are anyone using flash units other than 3600hs or 5600hs?
Anything off brand with better results?

TIA

Eugene
 
It's a dedicated shoe of course (on camera) so I haven't yet found anything else to fit but I'm waiting delivery of a mini HAMA wireless slave cube with standard hotshoe on top to take directly a 'normal' flash (off-camera) and although this isn't for the 7Hi I'm just wondering if it will in fact enable me to work such as the litle Metz 32 that I've got - using it in manual mode with the 7Hi set in 'A' mode to suit the shot conditions. Anybody got any comments good or bad on that ?

EJN
Eugene Powers said:
Hello all,
Just ordered 7hi.
Are anyone using flash units other than 3600hs or 5600hs?
Anything off brand with better results?

TIA

Eugene
Click to expand...
--
EJN
 
I use Vivitar 285HV strobes with the D7Hi using a Stroboframe "flip" bracket for the on camera flash. But I already had all my flash gear from use with previous camera and wouldn't recommend it for someone looking for a general use flash.

Sunpak is reportedly going to sell some D7Hi hotshoe compatible flashes, but for under $200 the 3600hs would be the one I'd recommend because it is integrated with the camera functions and can operate in wireless mode conjuction with the in-camera flash giving one an inexpensive two-strobe lighting kit. It would certainly be on my short list for Santa.

Chuck Gardner
Eugene Powers said:
Hello all,
Just ordered 7hi.
Are anyone using flash units other than 3600hs or 5600hs?
Anything off brand with better results?

TIA

Eugene
Click to expand...
--
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
http://super.nova.org/PhotoGallery
http://super.nova.org/PhotoClass
http://super.nova.org
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
Chuck Gardner wrote:
for under $200 the 3600hs would be the one I'd
Chuck Gardner said:
recommend because it is integrated with the camera functions and
can operate in wireless mode conjuction with the in-camera flash
giving one an inexpensive two-strobe lighting kit. It would
certainly be on my short list for Santa.> >
Click to expand...
I have been using the 3600HD without any problems, but users should note that not all of its functions can mesh with the Digicam ... IR illuminator... and I'm not too certain about it's autozooming accuracy. Anyone...?

John.
 
Hi John,
john farrar said:
I have been using the 3600HD without any problems, but users should
note that not all of its functions can mesh with the Digicam ... IR
illuminator... and I'm not too certain about it's autozooming
accuracy. Anyone...?
Click to expand...
The AF illuminator is not supported by the DiMAGE models, but it is absolutely not needed. At first I thought that would be a drawback, but in fact it's a big advantage. You don't have that annoying red light when focussing.

The zoom works perfect with my 5600HS(D). There is a tiny note in the manual (page 154) saying that the zoom setting on the flash has to be wider than the setting on the camera to provide proper illumination. You even have to use the 17mm diffuser to get the corners illuminated properly with 28mm. I was really happy that I read the whole manual before complaining about the "wrong" zoom settings.

I don't want to be rude, but I feel a little bit like in the movie "Groundhog Day" because there are similar flash questions every few hours. I think I will start writing a flash FAQ during the christmas holidays.

Hans-Jürgen
 
Hans-Jürgen,
Good reply there!

"Groundhog Day" is endemic to forums of this nature. But just like having to eat and having s** I think it is good that it keeps coming around ;-)

Besides, there are always new angles to using these cameras, and it is good when a newbie question gets them taking better photos.

Now, how to get birds to stay at a bird feeder in a snowstorm... that's what I'd like to know right now (and I am not going to fake the snow in PS)
John.
 
Hans-Jürgen Reggel said:
The AF illuminator is not supported by the DiMAGE models, but it is
absolutely not needed. At first I thought that would be a drawback,
but in fact it's a big advantage. You don't have that annoying red
light when focussing.

The zoom works perfect with my 5600HS(D). There is a tiny note in
the manual (page 154) saying that the zoom setting on the flash has
to be wider than the setting on the camera to provide proper
illumination. You even have to use the 17mm diffuser to get the
corners illuminated properly with 28mm. I was really happy that I
read the whole manual before complaining about the "wrong" zoom
settings.

I don't want to be rude, but I feel a little bit like in the movie
"Groundhog Day" because there are similar flash questions every few
hours. I think I will start writing a flash FAQ during the
christmas holidays.

Hans-Jürgen
Click to expand...
I look forward to your flash FAQ as I just bought the 5600hsd which I find to be fantasic except for the weight... it feels heavy than the 7hi + a DPS9000 external battery !
 
Member said:
Are anyone using flash units other than 3600hs or 5600hs?
Anything off brand with better results?
Click to expand...
Since I am not willing to make my 5400HS absolete, I use it with my D7Hi - all in manual, everything's fine. First I analyze the subject (colour, distance), then I set the zoom range 1 stop lower then my zoom setting on the camera, make 1 or two shoots (I usually get the right light output in the second try).

Well, it sounds complicated, but when you get used to, it's quite simple. Plus you have the benefit of prepering yourself for the shooting condition, you warm your gray cells in advance. It's not the best solution and for all occasions, I know, but it provides great illumination.

Shine
 
Hello ALL,

After reading the posts on this subject matter, I would appreciate your answer to two questions:

(1) If money is not an issue, then is the 5600HSD "THE" best flash unit to go with D7hi ?

(2) If manual mode is the only way to get ride of pre-flash, then am I better off by having a Sunpak PZ-5000AF instead ?

Sam
Eugene Powers said:
Hello all,
Just ordered 7hi.
Are anyone using flash units other than 3600hs or 5600hs?
Anything off brand with better results?

TIA

Eugene
Click to expand...
 
Eugene Powers said:
Hello all,
Just ordered 7hi.
Are anyone using flash units other than 3600hs or 5600hs?
Anything off brand with better results?

TIA

Eugene
Click to expand...
I'm using a Vivitar 285HV ...it can be a pain to get correct exposure range at first but A) I rarely use it and B) it's a digital camera so I can just fire away with different settings...

Main reason I'm using it is because I don't feel like forking more money over for a propietary flash while this one works just fine! Has a 70ft range too ;)
 
Sam.SHC said:
Hello ALL,

After reading the posts on this subject matter, I would appreciate
your answer to two questions:

(1) If money is not an issue, then is the 5600HSD "THE" best flash
unit to go with D7hi ?
Click to expand...
Hi Sam:

The Metz 54MZ3 is a very good flash for the 7i (I've not tested it on a 7Hi). The Metz costs about the same as the 5600 flash. However, if you change cameras, for about $40 to $45, you can get a Metz adapter for the "other" camera and use the same flash.

Based on my tests, the Metz works as advertised - supports the ADI and TTL capabilities of my camera. I've been pretty fortunate to get nearly flawless exposures with my camera/flash system. I've tried to fool the flash exposure system by flipping between black and white foregrounds - I really couldn't fool the system (well, maybe a little). All I can say is the camera's flash exposure system works VERY well with the Metz flash.

IMO, you can't go wrong with either the 5600 or the Metz. I don't recall anyone being unhappy with their 5600 flash. Interesting - I can hardly believe it - to my knowledge, there have been no reports of problems with the 5600 flash. Well, you can do a search on this subject to see if I'm wrong (I always reserve the right to be wrong), or you can post a new message yourself and just ask the question to the forum members. Since I don't own a 5600, I don't normally get involved in 5600 related questions and therefore, may have missed a complaint or two.

Hope this helps answer your question.

Regards,

Joe Kurkjian, Pbase Supporter

http://www.pbase.com/jkurkjia
 
Hello,
Sam.SHC said:
After reading the posts on this subject matter, I would appreciate
your answer to two questions:

(1) If money is not an issue, then is the 5600HSD "THE" best flash
unit to go with D7hi ?
Click to expand...
IHMO that's completely correct. The two make a perfect couple as long as you don't want to use manual mode (except for very special situations like stroboscopic flash).

For all of you who think money would be an issue: Hey, you just bought THE most expensive 5MP camera.
Sam.SHC said:
(2) If manual mode is the only way to get ride of pre-flash, then
am I better off by having a Sunpak PZ-5000AF instead ?
Click to expand...
Why do you want to get rid of the pre-flash? Because you don't want the delay it causes and you don't want to miss the right moment. But manual mode needs proper adjustment which certainly takes more time than the pre-flash. Some people suggest you can try several times. That contradicts.

The only problem I see is that people tend to blink after the pre-flash so that you catch them with closed or partially closed eyes.

Hans-Jürgen
 
Hello Joe,

You are always so good and generous in sharing your knowledge and experience with us. Many thanks. In fact, Metz 54MZ3 was my first choice of flash unit for D7hi until I read about the different versions of SCA adaptor and people (including shopkeepers) have had problems in correctly identifying the right one to get. I have been searching for Metz adaptor's catalogue or part number so that I can take it to shops to check before I buy, but so far no luck with finding the information.

Sam
J A K said:
Sam.SHC said:
Hello ALL,

After reading the posts on this subject matter, I would appreciate
your answer to two questions:

(1) If money is not an issue, then is the 5600HSD "THE" best flash
unit to go with D7hi ?
Click to expand...
Hi Sam:

The Metz 54MZ3 is a very good flash for the 7i (I've not tested it
on a 7Hi). The Metz costs about the same as the 5600 flash.
However, if you change cameras, for about $40 to $45, you can get a
Metz adapter for the "other" camera and use the same flash.

Based on my tests, the Metz works as advertised - supports the ADI
and TTL capabilities of my camera. I've been pretty fortunate to
get nearly flawless exposures with my camera/flash system. I've
tried to fool the flash exposure system by flipping between black
and white foregrounds - I really couldn't fool the system (well,
maybe a little). All I can say is the camera's flash exposure
system works VERY well with the Metz flash.

IMO, you can't go wrong with either the 5600 or the Metz. I don't
recall anyone being unhappy with their 5600 flash. Interesting - I
can hardly believe it - to my knowledge, there have been no reports
of problems with the 5600 flash. Well, you can do a search on this
subject to see if I'm wrong (I always reserve the right to be
wrong), or you can post a new message yourself and just ask the
question to the forum members. Since I don't own a 5600, I don't
normally get involved in 5600 related questions and therefore, may
have missed a complaint or two.

Hope this helps answer your question.

Regards,

Joe Kurkjian, Pbase Supporter

http://www.pbase.com/jkurkjia
Click to expand...
 
Hello Hans-Jürgen,

My first assignment to use the flash unit will be an once-in-a-lifetime family gathering and I am worried about the possible effect of pre-flash on the subjects to be photographed. Manual mode is really not an option in this case because a re-take is never the same as the first photo taken.

Sam
Hans-Jürgen Reggel said:
Hans-Jürgen Reggel said:
After reading the posts on this subject matter, I would appreciate
your answer to two questions:

(1) If money is not an issue, then is the 5600HSD "THE" best flash
unit to go with D7hi ?
Click to expand...
IHMO that's completely correct. The two make a perfect couple as
long as you don't want to use manual mode (except for very special
situations like stroboscopic flash).
For all of you who think money would be an issue: Hey, you just
bought THE most expensive 5MP camera.
Hans-Jürgen Reggel said:
(2) If manual mode is the only way to get ride of pre-flash, then
am I better off by having a Sunpak PZ-5000AF instead ?
Click to expand...
Why do you want to get rid of the pre-flash? Because you don't want
the delay it causes and you don't want to miss the right moment.
But manual mode needs proper adjustment which certainly takes more
time than the pre-flash. Some people suggest you can try several
times. That contradicts.
The only problem I see is that people tend to blink after the
pre-flash so that you catch them with closed or partially closed
eyes.

Hans-Jürgen
Click to expand...
 
I've been researching and I see the metz has a rear curtain synch mode and I see no mention of it on the 5600. Does the flash have to have a dedicated rear synch mode or will my 7i just time the firing on a 5600 if I set flash to rear synch. Could somebody with a 5600 check this for me PLEASE - I really like rear synched photos of movement and don't want to lose it with my external flash.

(yeh - i posted this before but got no answers except guesses and it is important to my choice of flash)
Sam.SHC said:
You are always so good and generous in sharing your knowledge and
experience with us. Many thanks. In fact, Metz 54MZ3 was my first
choice of flash unit for D7hi until I read about the different
versions of SCA adaptor and people (including shopkeepers) have had
problems in correctly identifying the right one to get. I have
been searching for Metz adaptor's catalogue or part number so that
I can take it to shops to check before I buy, but so far no luck
with finding the information.

Sam
J A K said:
Sam.SHC said:
Hello ALL,

After reading the posts on this subject matter, I would appreciate
your answer to two questions:

(1) If money is not an issue, then is the 5600HSD "THE" best flash
unit to go with D7hi ?
Click to expand...
Hi Sam:

The Metz 54MZ3 is a very good flash for the 7i (I've not tested it
on a 7Hi). The Metz costs about the same as the 5600 flash.
However, if you change cameras, for about $40 to $45, you can get a
Metz adapter for the "other" camera and use the same flash.

Based on my tests, the Metz works as advertised - supports the ADI
and TTL capabilities of my camera. I've been pretty fortunate to
get nearly flawless exposures with my camera/flash system. I've
tried to fool the flash exposure system by flipping between black
and white foregrounds - I really couldn't fool the system (well,
maybe a little). All I can say is the camera's flash exposure
system works VERY well with the Metz flash.

IMO, you can't go wrong with either the 5600 or the Metz. I don't
recall anyone being unhappy with their 5600 flash. Interesting - I
can hardly believe it - to my knowledge, there have been no reports
of problems with the 5600 flash. Well, you can do a search on this
subject to see if I'm wrong (I always reserve the right to be
wrong), or you can post a new message yourself and just ask the
question to the forum members. Since I don't own a 5600, I don't
normally get involved in 5600 related questions and therefore, may
have missed a complaint or two.

Hope this helps answer your question.

Regards,

Joe Kurkjian, Pbase Supporter

http://www.pbase.com/jkurkjia
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
--
Minolta D7i
http://www.pbase.com/ukbuckeye
http://www.nickyandjeff.dsl.pipex.com/weather/weather.htm
 
Hi Sam,
Jeff/UK said:
Sam
if it is once in a lifetime, I would personally risk closed eyes
with preflash to get fast and repeatable exposures under constantly
changing conditions.

if you go manual, you will slow everything down and I think run a
much higher risk of improperly exposed shots.
Click to expand...
If it's like that I agree with Jeff, just take more shots. If you shoot a group of 10 people, it's hard to get them all with properly open eyes, so the pre-flash will not be the only cause for closed eyes.

Do you know about foucssing problems and ADI? You should really check the focus by activating the direct manual focus (DMF) to check the distance by slightly moving the focus ring and/or deactivate ADI and use plain TTL instead.

With moving subjects and/or camera shake the AF system often confirms focus, but is some meters off. If you use ADI and the distance is too short, the flash will fire less and you get underexposed images. Most of the time the AF is so much off, that these images are unsharp, too, but if you keep the aperture at 4-5.6 there's more room for depth of field. Memorize the guide numbers and check the distance to see which aperture is possible at the current zoom setting of the flash to maximize depth of field if you are dealing with a group of persons at different distances (e.g. sitting round a table).

You should also check out my report on heavy use:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1024&message=3931927

Hans-Jürgen
 
Does your built-in flash work correctly when camera is set to Rear Flash Sync? If yes, do you have any reason to believe Minolta would provide a feature in a built-in flash, but not provide the same feature in their high-end flash units?

Rear Flash Sync seems to work okay with my Sunpak PZ5000AF flash, but I have not actually tried it using slow shutter speed with moving object.

William
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top