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Olympus STF-8 Macro Twin Light Flash

Started 9 months ago | Questions
photojoe55 Contributing Member • Posts: 749
Olympus STF-8 Macro Twin Light Flash

I’m having an issue with this Flash unit discharging fresh batteries, while unused in my bag. It has an Auto Off feature, so that’s not the issue. I bought it used, but in Like New condition from mpb.com and it arrived with dead batteries, but only weeks later this has occurred three times with brand new batteries completely drained. I keep it mounted to a GX85 with 60mm Macro lens, with batteries ready to use (stored short term). I’ve been having trouble reaching mpb.com but was wondering if this is a known issue. This Flash is in stock at many retailers, but I have heard it is being discontinued. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, …Joe

 photojoe55's gear list:photojoe55's gear list
Nikon D700 Nikon D810 Olympus PEN-F Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Panasonic G85 +22 more
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85
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Mario Giannini Senior Member • Posts: 2,868
Re: Olympus STF-8 Macro Twin Light Flash
1

So many devices that offer auto-off unctionality are never really off.  They turn off the LCD, the charging of the light, and so on.  But, they stay on looking for that button tap that will light them back on.

Keep a set of fully charged batteries inside, and out, and see if their discharge rate is even.

Also consider it's possible that some batteries will simply discharge faster than others, even with non-use.  Personally, I see this when I use 3rd party batteries in my camera more often: they just don't hold the charge as long.

I rarely keep batteries in devices unless I know I'm going to be using it weekly.  My camera is the rare device I keep them in.

I have a small pounch on my strap that holds batteries.  This way they are always on hand, and I have spares if needed.

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 Mario Giannini's gear list:Mario Giannini's gear list
Nikon Z6 II Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm F1.8G Nikon 85mm F1.8G Tokina AT-X 17-35mm f/4 Pro FX +2 more
Sdlv Regular Member • Posts: 357
Re: Olympus STF-8 Macro Twin Light Flash

photojoe55 wrote:

I’m having an issue with this Flash unit discharging fresh batteries, while unused in my bag. It has an Auto Off feature, so that’s not the issue. I bought it used, but in Like New condition from mpb.com and it arrived with dead batteries, but only weeks later this has occurred three times with brand new batteries completely drained. I keep it mounted to a GX85 with 60mm Macro lens, with batteries ready to use (stored short term). I’ve been having trouble reaching mpb.com but was wondering if this is a known issue. This Flash is in stock at many retailers, but I have heard it is being discontinued. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, …Joe

In the STF-8 that I own, the batteries in it seem to last forever despite its heavy use.  The behavior you describe is clearly abnormal.  I would start by physically turning off the unit for storage rather than relying on Auto-off.  If that doesn't work, the unit itself has a problem and I would contact OMDS.

. . . Steven

OP photojoe55 Contributing Member • Posts: 749
Re: Olympus STF-8 Macro Twin Light Flash

Sdlv wrote:

photojoe55 wrote:

I’m having an issue with this Flash unit discharging fresh batteries, while unused in my bag. It has an Auto Off feature, so that’s not the issue. I bought it used, but in Like New condition from mpb.com and it arrived with dead batteries, but only weeks later this has occurred three times with brand new batteries completely drained. I keep it mounted to a GX85 with 60mm Macro lens, with batteries ready to use (stored short term). I’ve been having trouble reaching mpb.com but was wondering if this is a known issue. This Flash is in stock at many retailers, but I have heard it is being discontinued. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, …Joe

In the STF-8 that I own, the batteries in it seem to last forever despite its heavy use. The behavior you describe is clearly abnormal. I would start by physically turning off the unit for storage rather than relying on Auto-off. If that doesn't work, the unit itself has a problem and I would contact OMDS.

. . . Steven

Oh, I turn it off. It’s just left with fresh batteries for 7-10 days with fresh batteries installed, when it drains them. Different brand batteries don’t matter, something is drawing power while it is off. I need it to be ready at a moments notice. I only mentioned the “Auto Off” feature because mpb sent it with batteries that were doa. The only thing I find odd, is that after powering off the flash, then the camera (GX85), I get a message on the LCD to turn off the flash. This is a new body, I have others I can try it on. Thanks Steven.

 photojoe55's gear list:photojoe55's gear list
Nikon D700 Nikon D810 Olympus PEN-F Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Panasonic G85 +22 more
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