Olympus compatible off camera flash for street work?

Reaper wrote:

Have you looked at this one yet?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1236471-REG/nissin_nd60a_s_i60a_flash_for_sony.html

My fav would be the good old fashioned t32 unless you really do need ttl but these are so cheap used, about 20 quid.

Hmm, that's low GN?  ...short answer is you will need to experiment with the daylight.  No problem with using small diffusers on standard stobes, very portable, used hand-held for your application, works great for fill-in especially outdoors.

First issue (outdoors) will be shutter speeds required and the second will be the trigger method, and the third will be whether you wish for TTL or Manual control.  I do use an FL-LM3 to optically trigger various flashes (mainly Nissin's) because i can turn down the optical trigger power and articulate the LM3 head towards the main flash.  However i am perfecting that method for indoors work and it still means using some on-camera flash whether i want it or not ...but i have not yet tried this method in outdoors daylight.

True radio triggers might be the better answer as long as you are ok with Manual?  The tiny little Cube radio triggers (simple TX & RX) are likely to be more reliable outdoors than Optical.  For this method i use Captur, and they are proving to be very reliable.  (btw the Captur doubles-up in the other direction for a true-radio, remote shutter release)

However, when i do get around to moving outdoors, i imagine i will also want to experiment with HSS in-order to balance the ambient light.  Hence i am watching Godox (from afar) for a true radio solution but for-now that still means a 'two-box' solution, albeit their flashes are very good value.  Hence until true radio is developed for an MFT camera body, i may just end-up purchasing a pair of Godox.

Meanwhile i am enjoying the challenge of trying to perfect off-camera manual control over my Captur's radio link.

Deekie wrote:

Hmm, that's low GN? ...short answer is you will need to experiment with the daylight. No problem with using small diffusers on standard stobes, very portable, used hand-held for your application, works great for fill-in especially outdoors.

First issue (outdoors) will be shutter speeds required and the second will be the trigger method, and the third will be whether you wish for TTL or Manual control. I do use an FL-LM3 to optically trigger various flashes (mainly Nissin's) because i can turn down the optical trigger power and articulate the LM3 head towards the main flash. However i am perfecting that method for indoors work and it still means using some on-camera flash whether i want it or not ...but i have not yet tried this method in outdoors daylight.

True radio triggers might be the better answer as long as you are ok with Manual? The tiny little Cube radio triggers (simple TX & RX) are likely to be more reliable outdoors than Optical. For this method i use Captur, and they are proving to be very reliable. (btw the Captur doubles-up in the other direction for a true-radio, remote shutter release)

However, when i do get around to moving outdoors, i imagine i will also want to experiment with HSS in-order to balance the ambient light. Hence i am watching Godox (from afar) for a true radio solution but for-now that still means a 'two-box' solution, albeit their flashes are very good value. Hence until true radio is developed for an MFT camera body, i may just end-up purchasing a pair of Godox.

Meanwhile i am enjoying the challenge of trying to perfect off-camera manual control over my Captur's radio link.

The YN and the godox are within budget. I thought that with the distance being so short (flash in hand), I might be able to use a cheap Amazon or Neewer flash. I might just borrow a flash and see how the optical method responds before I order an RC trigger/flash.

Thanks to all!

M_digicapt wrote:

Deekie wrote:

Hmm, that's low GN? ...short answer is you will need to experiment with the daylight. No problem with using small diffusers on standard stobes, very portable, used hand-held for your application, works great for fill-in especially outdoors.

First issue (outdoors) will be shutter speeds required and the second will be the trigger method, and the third will be whether you wish for TTL or Manual control. I do use an FL-LM3 to optically trigger various flashes (mainly Nissin's) because i can turn down the optical trigger power and articulate the LM3 head towards the main flash. However i am perfecting that method for indoors work and it still means using some on-camera flash whether i want it or not ...but i have not yet tried this method in outdoors daylight.

True radio triggers might be the better answer as long as you are ok with Manual? The tiny little Cube radio triggers (simple TX & RX) are likely to be more reliable outdoors than Optical. For this method i use Captur, and they are proving to be very reliable. (btw the Captur doubles-up in the other direction for a true-radio, remote shutter release)

However, when i do get around to moving outdoors, i imagine i will also want to experiment with HSS in-order to balance the ambient light. Hence i am watching Godox (from afar) for a true radio solution but for-now that still means a 'two-box' solution, albeit their flashes are very good value. Hence until true radio is developed for an MFT camera body, i may just end-up purchasing a pair of Godox.

Meanwhile i am enjoying the challenge of trying to perfect off-camera manual control over my Captur's radio link.

The YN and the godox are within budget. I thought that with the distance being so short (flash in hand), I might be able to use a cheap Amazon or Neewer flash. I might just borrow a flash and see how the optical method responds before I order an RC trigger/flash.

Thanks to all!

You don`t need very much for this kind of stuff, pretty much any flash will do.

Your not going to be needing optical or wireless either just a lead from your flash shoe to your flash unit.

The simplest of stuff works well, nothing flashy or expensive needed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx9LgBMkm48&t=184s

The simplest of stuff works well, nothing flashy or expensive needed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx9LgBMkm48&t=184s

Wow! - now that is the kind of pictures i would like to perfect - shoot & run!  I also love the idea of those caught in their cabrio's are just passive/helpless subjects <lol>.

I do have a long TTL-C cable but never thought to take it outside with me

Paulmorgan wrote:

M_digicapt wrote:

Deekie wrote:

Hmm, that's low GN? ...short answer is you will need to experiment with the daylight. No problem with using small diffusers on standard stobes, very portable, used hand-held for your application, works great for fill-in especially outdoors.

First issue (outdoors) will be shutter speeds required and the second will be the trigger method, and the third will be whether you wish for TTL or Manual control. I do use an FL-LM3 to optically trigger various flashes (mainly Nissin's) because i can turn down the optical trigger power and articulate the LM3 head towards the main flash. However i am perfecting that method for indoors work and it still means using some on-camera flash whether i want it or not ...but i have not yet tried this method in outdoors daylight.

True radio triggers might be the better answer as long as you are ok with Manual? The tiny little Cube radio triggers (simple TX & RX) are likely to be more reliable outdoors than Optical. For this method i use Captur, and they are proving to be very reliable. (btw the Captur doubles-up in the other direction for a true-radio, remote shutter release)

However, when i do get around to moving outdoors, i imagine i will also want to experiment with HSS in-order to balance the ambient light. Hence i am watching Godox (from afar) for a true radio solution but for-now that still means a 'two-box' solution, albeit their flashes are very good value. Hence until true radio is developed for an MFT camera body, i may just end-up purchasing a pair of Godox.

Meanwhile i am enjoying the challenge of trying to perfect off-camera manual control over my Captur's radio link.

The YN and the godox are within budget. I thought that with the distance being so short (flash in hand), I might be able to use a cheap Amazon or Neewer flash. I might just borrow a flash and see how the optical method responds before I order an RC trigger/flash.

Thanks to all!

You don`t need very much for this kind of stuff, pretty much any flash will do.

Your not going to be needing optical or wireless either just a lead from your flash shoe to your flash unit.

The simplest of stuff works well, nothing flashy or expensive needed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx9LgBMkm48&t=184s

Thanks, very interesting video... What I'm doing is not nearly as intrusive, but techwise is very close. I want to be able to move the flash around, though.

Just use a small speedlight like a Nissin i40 on a TTL cord. You can put it a pocket when you don’t need it.

If you really want a diffuser to do any good, you’ll need a fairly large one.

How hard or soft your light is depends on the size of the light source and the distance.

Anything smaller that 30 x 30 cm won’t make much difference.

I would drop the diffuser and just go for the hard light if you want small and unintimidating.

Seedeich wrote:

Just use a small speedlight like a Nissin i40 on a TTL cord. You can put it a pocket when you don’t need it.

If you really want a diffuser to do any good, you’ll need a fairly large one.

How hard or soft your light is depends on the size of the light source and the distance.

Anything smaller that 30 x 30 cm won’t make much difference.

I would drop the diffuser and just go for the hard light if you want small and unintimidating.

Thanks. You are probably right and I don't need the diffuser. Or maybe just one of those small puffer ones will be enough.

M_digicapt wrote:

Paulmorgan wrote:

M_digicapt wrote:

Deekie wrote:

Hmm, that's low GN? ...short answer is you will need to experiment with the daylight. No problem with using small diffusers on standard stobes, very portable, used hand-held for your application, works great for fill-in especially outdoors.

First issue (outdoors) will be shutter speeds required and the second will be the trigger method, and the third will be whether you wish for TTL or Manual control. I do use an FL-LM3 to optically trigger various flashes (mainly Nissin's) because i can turn down the optical trigger power and articulate the LM3 head towards the main flash. However i am perfecting that method for indoors work and it still means using some on-camera flash whether i want it or not ...but i have not yet tried this method in outdoors daylight.

True radio triggers might be the better answer as long as you are ok with Manual? The tiny little Cube radio triggers (simple TX & RX) are likely to be more reliable outdoors than Optical. For this method i use Captur, and they are proving to be very reliable. (btw the Captur doubles-up in the other direction for a true-radio, remote shutter release)

However, when i do get around to moving outdoors, i imagine i will also want to experiment with HSS in-order to balance the ambient light. Hence i am watching Godox (from afar) for a true radio solution but for-now that still means a 'two-box' solution, albeit their flashes are very good value. Hence until true radio is developed for an MFT camera body, i may just end-up purchasing a pair of Godox.

Meanwhile i am enjoying the challenge of trying to perfect off-camera manual control over my Captur's radio link.

The YN and the godox are within budget. I thought that with the distance being so short (flash in hand), I might be able to use a cheap Amazon or Neewer flash. I might just borrow a flash and see how the optical method responds before I order an RC trigger/flash.

Thanks to all!

You don`t need very much for this kind of stuff, pretty much any flash will do.

Your not going to be needing optical or wireless either just a lead from your flash shoe to your flash unit.

The simplest of stuff works well, nothing flashy or expensive needed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx9LgBMkm48&t=184s

Thanks, very interesting video... What I'm doing is not nearly as intrusive, but techwise is very close. I want to be able to move the flash around, though.

No problem just use a long enough flash lead, a have a few that range from about 18" to 3m, even the 3m is usable bundled up with an elastic band.

These forums go on a bit about always needing the latest tech, RC/radio control etc but really any flash will do provided it has a lower sync voltage and has enough power for your needs although really you don`t nee a lot, just enough to light the subject or lift the shadows in an interesting way.

I`ve got plenty from FL50r`s down to the basic T20`s, T32`s from the 1980`s, even an old Canon 133a speedlite that is very small and basic but a great little simple flash for street photography, its small enough to hold in the palm of a hand and only cost £1 from a thrift store/charity shop

(this is one of my go to units for quick simple light weight street, nothing flashy)

As with most thing its less about the gear and more about how it is used.

Here`s Mark Cohen from way back, little as really changed even today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qcgEnC3bLY&t=186s

Flash diffusers, don`t concern yourself too much with them, there only effective if there large and are used very close to the subject, bare flash will be enough.

M_digicapt wrote:

Seedeich wrote:

Just use a small speedlight like a Nissin i40 on a TTL cord. You can put it a pocket when you don’t need it.

If you really want a diffuser to do any good, you’ll need a fairly large one.

How hard or soft your light is depends on the size of the light source and the distance.

Anything smaller that 30 x 30 cm won’t make much difference.

I would drop the diffuser and just go for the hard light if you want small and unintimidating.

Thanks. You are probably right and I don't need the diffuser. Or maybe just one of those small puffer ones will be enough.

You mean those small white plastic thingies, that often come with the flash?

The only thing they do is, they spread the light all the way round. That might work in a small room, where the light can be reflected from the walls and ceiling back to the subject. In large rooms or outdoors, where there is nothing close enough to bounce the light back, you only waste battery power. And anyway, the main part of the light, that reaches the subject, comes from the tiny diffuser and is hard.

There are lots of devices, like small softboxes and bounce cards, but I haven’t seen anything yet, that is easy enough to employ for street photography and makes a real difference for softening the light.

Paulmorgan wrote:

M_digicapt wrote:

Paulmorgan wrote:

M_digicapt wrote:

Deekie wrote:

Hmm, that's low GN? ...short answer is you will need to experiment with the daylight. No problem with using small diffusers on standard stobes, very portable, used hand-held for your application, works great for fill-in especially outdoors.

First issue (outdoors) will be shutter speeds required and the second will be the trigger method, and the third will be whether you wish for TTL or Manual control. I do use an FL-LM3 to optically trigger various flashes (mainly Nissin's) because i can turn down the optical trigger power and articulate the LM3 head towards the main flash. However i am perfecting that method for indoors work and it still means using some on-camera flash whether i want it or not ...but i have not yet tried this method in outdoors daylight.

True radio triggers might be the better answer as long as you are ok with Manual? The tiny little Cube radio triggers (simple TX & RX) are likely to be more reliable outdoors than Optical. For this method i use Captur, and they are proving to be very reliable. (btw the Captur doubles-up in the other direction for a true-radio, remote shutter release)

However, when i do get around to moving outdoors, i imagine i will also want to experiment with HSS in-order to balance the ambient light. Hence i am watching Godox (from afar) for a true radio solution but for-now that still means a 'two-box' solution, albeit their flashes are very good value. Hence until true radio is developed for an MFT camera body, i may just end-up purchasing a pair of Godox.

Meanwhile i am enjoying the challenge of trying to perfect off-camera manual control over my Captur's radio link.

The YN and the godox are within budget. I thought that with the distance being so short (flash in hand), I might be able to use a cheap Amazon or Neewer flash. I might just borrow a flash and see how the optical method responds before I order an RC trigger/flash.

Thanks to all!

You don`t need very much for this kind of stuff, pretty much any flash will do.

Your not going to be needing optical or wireless either just a lead from your flash shoe to your flash unit.

The simplest of stuff works well, nothing flashy or expensive needed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx9LgBMkm48&t=184s

Thanks, very interesting video... What I'm doing is not nearly as intrusive, but techwise is very close. I want to be able to move the flash around, though.

No problem just use a long enough flash lead, a have a few that range from about 18" to 3m, even the 3m is usable bundled up with an elastic band.

These forums go on a bit about always needing the latest tech, RC/radio control etc but really any flash will do provided it has a lower sync voltage and has enough power for your needs although really you don`t nee a lot, just enough to light the subject or lift the shadows in an interesting way.

I`ve got plenty from FL50r`s down to the basic T20`s, T32`s from the 1980`s, even an old Canon 133a speedlite that is very small and basic but a great little simple flash for street photography, its small enough to hold in the palm of a hand and only cost £1 from a thrift store/charity shop

(this is one of my go to units for quick simple light weight street, nothing flashy)

As with most thing its less about the gear and more about how it is used.

Here`s Mark Cohen from way back, little as really changed even today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qcgEnC3bLY&t=186s

Flash diffusers, don`t concern yourself too much with them, there only effective if there large and are used very close to the subject, bare flash will be enough.

Thanks! Good info...

Seedeich wrote:

M_digicapt wrote:

Seedeich wrote:

Just use a small speedlight like a Nissin i40 on a TTL cord. You can put it a pocket when you don’t need it.

If you really want a diffuser to do any good, you’ll need a fairly large one.

How hard or soft your light is depends on the size of the light source and the distance.

Anything smaller that 30 x 30 cm won’t make much difference.

I would drop the diffuser and just go for the hard light if you want small and unintimidating.

Thanks. You are probably right and I don't need the diffuser. Or maybe just one of those small puffer ones will be enough.

You mean those small white plastic thingies, that often come with the flash?

The only thing they do is, they spread the light all the way round. That might work in a small room, where the light can be reflected from the walls and ceiling back to the subject. In large rooms or outdoors, where there is nothing close enough to bounce the light back, you only waste battery power. And anyway, the main part of the light, that reaches the subject, comes from the tiny diffuser and is hard.

There are lots of devices, like small softboxes and bounce cards, but I haven’t seen anything yet, that is easy enough to employ for street photography and makes a real difference for softening the light.

Thanks, good to know. One less thing to worry about!

rsmithgi wrote:

Seedeich wrote:

M_digicapt wrote:

Seedeich wrote:

Just use a small speedlight like a Nissin i40 on a TTL cord. You can put it a pocket when you don’t need it.

If you really want a diffuser to do any good, you’ll need a fairly large one.

How hard or soft your light is depends on the size of the light source and the distance.

Anything smaller that 30 x 30 cm won’t make much difference.

I would drop the diffuser and just go for the hard light if you want small and unintimidating.

Thanks. You are probably right and I don't need the diffuser. Or maybe just one of those small puffer ones will be enough.

You mean those small white plastic thingies, that often come with the flash?

The only thing they do is, they spread the light all the way round. That might work in a small room, where the light can be reflected from the walls and ceiling back to the subject. In large rooms or outdoors, where there is nothing close enough to bounce the light back, you only waste battery power. And anyway, the main part of the light, that reaches the subject, comes from the tiny diffuser and is hard.

There are lots of devices, like small softboxes and bounce cards, but I haven’t seen anything yet, that is easy enough to employ for street photography and makes a real difference for softening the light.

This one is a possibility. It is very light weight, would work on a flash being hand held, and folds up small enough to stuff in a pocket or bag.

https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Portable-Shooting-Diffuser-SoftBox/dp/B00UIT24ZM/ref=pd_sim_421_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SNV5XFQEXKK0B3YF9ABZ

Thanks. I'll check it out...