F505 and slave flash

[Ronald E. Chambers]

I need some help in understanding how I might use some flash other than the one built into the camera.

What kind of flash?
How does it sync with camera?
Can I mount on a bar - portraits?
What about behind a subject - portraits?

I'm sure a number of others will be interested with the answers. I've always used flashes attached to camera by hot-shoe.

RON C

 

[Robert MacLellan]

A slave trigger, such as a peanut, is mounted in front of the in-camera flash and connected to a standard strobe unit through a cable. The flash is held on a standard camera flash bracket. They have been doing that with Sony Mavicas for years and is a well established and working method.

You are not limited to specific manufacturers flash units. I have seen many examples where Mavicas (that have no hot shoe or PC Cable) use well established flash units like the Vivitar 283. It works great and allows you to bounce and use softbox...anything.

I need some help in understanding how I might use some flash other than
the one built into the camera.

What kind of flash?
How does it sync with camera?
Can I mount on a bar - portraits?
What about behind a subject - portraits?

I'm sure a number of others will be interested with the answers. I've
always used flashes attached to camera by hot-shoe.

RON C

 

[Ronald E. Chambers]

Charles,

Who sells the peanut used with the fd91? Counldn't find in ads I looked at. Probably don't know really waht to look for. I have a 283 flash and bar.
Thanks for help.
RON C

PS What about light synced flashes? Will they work also? Seems distance from flash to slave would introduce a delay.

I need some help in understanding how I might use some flash other than
the one built into the camera.

What kind of flash?
How does it sync with camera?
Can I mount on a bar - portraits?
What about behind a subject - portraits?

I'm sure a number of others will be interested with the answers. I've
always used flashes attached to camera by hot-shoe.

RON C

 

[Keith]

I just bought the exact set-up you described below (283 + peanut slave mounted on the side of the flash).

It's great because it doesn't even have to be connected to the camera (or even in the same area!)

It seems to work quite well as fill-in for long distance shots (30 ft or so) when there's a lot of sun from a high angle, but I'm curious how the camera sets the exposure information correctly?

Because otherwise it tends to really blast the area with too much light unless I hold it in my hand and bounce it or aim it waay off to the side, etc.

When I try to use it on a bracket, it's just too powerful!

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Keith

I need some help in understanding how I might use some flash other than
the one built into the camera.

What kind of flash?
How does it sync with camera?
Can I mount on a bar - portraits?
What about behind a subject - portraits?

I'm sure a number of others will be interested with the answers. I've
always used flashes attached to camera by hot-shoe.

RON C

 

[Robert MacLellan]

The Vivitar SL-1 which can be fixed in front of the Mavica flash with a little velcro if necessary works perfectly. The reflection from the SL-1 shuts down the 91's flash and triggers the 283.

PS What about light synced flashes? Will they work also? Seems distance
from flash to slave would introduce a delay.

I need some help in understanding how I might use some flash other than
the one built into the camera.

What kind of flash?
How does it sync with camera?
Can I mount on a bar - portraits?
What about behind a subject - portraits?

I'm sure a number of others will be interested with the answers. I've
always used flashes attached to camera by hot-shoe.

RON C

 

[John Burns]

Yes there would be a delay. 1/1000 of a second if the flash was about 186 miles from the triggering device. Probably nothing to worry about. )

John

PS What about light synced flashes? Will they work also? Seems distance
from flash to slave would introduce a delay.

I need some help in understanding how I might use some flash other than
the one built into the camera.

What kind of flash?
How does it sync with camera?
Can I mount on a bar - portraits?
What about behind a subject - portraits?

I'm sure a number of others will be interested with the answers. I've
always used flashes attached to camera by hot-shoe.

RON C

 

[Ravi]

I bought a DSC F505 about a month ago. Great camera for outdoor but the flash leaves much to be desired. And what's worse it the camera does not support any external flashes. Even the built in flash is good for about 8 to 10 feet.

I need some help in understanding how I might use some flash other than
the one built into the camera.

What kind of flash?
How does it sync with camera?
Can I mount on a bar - portraits?
What about behind a subject - portraits?

I'm sure a number of others will be interested with the answers. I've
always used flashes attached to camera by hot-shoe.

RON C

 

[Robert MacLellan]

What do you have the thyristor set for? You know trhat the camera is ISO100 so if you fine there is a problem with the exposure you can follow the guide on the side of the 283. Red seems to work fine indoors on a bracket.

It seems to work quite well as fill-in for long distance shots (30 ft or
so) when there's a lot of sun from a high angle, but I'm curious how the
camera sets the exposure information correctly?
Because otherwise it tends to really blast the area with too much light
unless I hold it in my hand and bounce it or aim it waay off to the side,
etc.

When I try to use it on a bracket, it's just too powerful!

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Keith

I need some help in understanding how I might use some flash other than
the one built into the camera.

What kind of flash?
How does it sync with camera?
Can I mount on a bar - portraits?
What about behind a subject - portraits?

I'm sure a number of others will be interested with the answers. I've
always used flashes attached to camera by hot-shoe.

RON C

 

[benoit]

I can't find mention of the SL-1 anywhere. I see the SL-2
all over the place, is this the same thing?

Also, you recommend the pistol grip for the 283, or how else
would you mount/hold the flash?

Finally, a really dumb question, will the Sl-1 (or 2) work
with another brand's flash unit? I have a pentax 280T.

PS What about light synced flashes? Will they work also? Seems distance
from flash to slave would introduce a delay.

I need some help in understanding how I might use some flash other than
the one built into the camera.

What kind of flash?
How does it sync with camera?
Can I mount on a bar - portraits?
What about behind a subject - portraits?

I'm sure a number of others will be interested with the answers. I've
always used flashes attached to camera by hot-shoe.

RON C

 

[Robert Maclellan]

If no one else will answer, I will. I think you are right Benoit, I have only heard of an SL-2 too. As far as the other goes, I would expect it could trigger any other unit but you'll probably have to ask Vivitar directly. Could be different trigger voltages or all sorts of stuff.

I can't find mention of the SL-1 anywhere. I see the SL-2
all over the place, is this the same thing?

Also, you recommend the pistol grip for the 283, or how else
would you mount/hold the flash?

Finally, a really dumb question, will the Sl-1 (or 2) work
with another brand's flash unit? I have a pentax 280T.

 

[benoit]

I called vivitar up, they were so friendly and informative it was weird. OK I guess I've had some bad customer service experiences elsewhere lately.

Anyway, the SL-2 works with any flash, including my pentax 280T. What a neat little device. Now I just need to choose a good bracket, like a stroboframe or whatever. I'm pretty ignorant about flash mounting brackets.

I can't find mention of the SL-1 anywhere. I see the SL-2
all over the place, is this the same thing?

Also, you recommend the pistol grip for the 283, or how else
would you mount/hold the flash?

Finally, a really dumb question, will the Sl-1 (or 2) work
with another brand's flash unit? I have a pentax 280T.

 

[Ronald E. Chambers]

Guys,

I will say that this is one thread that I have learned something. Chuck has been very helpful and so have you others.
Thanks,
RON C

PS: I ordered the SL-2 yesterday and already have an old bracket.

I can't find mention of the SL-1 anywhere. I see the SL-2
all over the place, is this the same thing?

Also, you recommend the pistol grip for the 283, or how else
would you mount/hold the flash?

Finally, a really dumb question, will the Sl-1 (or 2) work
with another brand's flash unit? I have a pentax 280T.

 

[benoit]

I'm thinking of one problem with the SL-2.
In order for the SL-2 to trigger, it has to be able to see the internal
flash going off. This works great if you have the flash off on a seperate
tripod somewhere I'm sure, or the bracket in front and to the side of the flash.
The problem with the sony 505 is that the flash is pretty far forward on
the barrel. The tripod thread looks like it is below and behind,

on the lens barrel. So a typical "above the camera" stroboframe flash will mount the flash whereit wouldn't be able to see the SL2.
Right?

Like this:
EXT FLASH
GOES HERE
shoe
SL-2->
(int flash)
=== *** ==
=== ~~ //
=====================
=====================
=====================
=== ===
===

back tripod mount lens barrel

I need some help in understanding how I might use some flash other than
the one built into the camera.

What kind of flash?
How does it sync with camera?
Can I mount on a bar - portraits?
What about behind a subject - portraits?

I'm sure a number of others will be interested with the answers. I've
always used flashes attached to camera by hot-shoe.

RON C

 

[benoit]

I'm thinking of one problem with the SL-2.
In order for the SL-2 to trigger, it has to be able to see the internal
flash going off. This works great if you have the flash off on a seperate
tripod somewhere I'm sure, or the bracket in front and to the side of the flash.
The problem with the sony 505 is that the flash is pretty far forward on
the barrel. The tripod thread looks like it is below and behind,

on the lens barrel. So a typical "above the camera" stroboframe flash will mount the flash whereit wouldn't be able to see the SL2.

Right?

Like this: (hope this looks right on your screens, bear with me)

EXT FLASH
GOES HERE
shoe

SL-2> > (int flash)
=== *** ==
=== ~~ //
=====================
=====================
=====================
=== ===
===

back tripod mount lens barrel

PS: I ordered the SL-2 yesterday and already have an old bracket.

I can't find mention of the SL-1 anywhere. I see the SL-2
all over the place, is this the same thing?

Also, you recommend the pistol grip for the 283, or how else
would you mount/hold the flash?

Finally, a really dumb question, will the Sl-1 (or 2) work
with another brand's flash unit? I have a pentax 280T.

 

[Joe]

Is there anyplace online to see and order the Vivitar flash and peanut?

on the lens barrel. So a typical "above the camera" stroboframe flash
will mount the flash whereit wouldn't be able to see the SL2.

Right?

Like this: (hope this looks right on your screens, bear with me)

EXT FLASH
GOES HERE
shoe

SL-2> > (int flash)
=== *** ==
=== ~~ //
=====================
=====================
=====================
=== ===
===

back tripod mount lens barrel

PS: I ordered the SL-2 yesterday and already have an old bracket.

I can't find mention of the SL-1 anywhere. I see the SL-2
all over the place, is this the same thing?

Also, you recommend the pistol grip for the 283, or how else
would you mount/hold the flash?

Finally, a really dumb question, will the Sl-1 (or 2) work
with another brand's flash unit? I have a pentax 280T.

 

[inga]

Here is the pricing/ product information for SL-2 from Vivitar.

http://www.shopping-today.com/Vivitar/flashes.htm

I can't find mention of the SL-1 anywhere. I see the SL-2
all over the place, is this the same thing?

Also, you recommend the pistol grip for the 283, or how else
would you mount/hold the flash?

Finally, a really dumb question, will the Sl-1 (or 2) work
with another brand's flash unit? I have a pentax 280T.