Initial thoughts on the Promaster 5750DX TTL flash

[Michael Meissner]

Michael -
Thanks for the great review. I currently use Sunpak 383 in Auto
mode with 2100. Have you considered 5550DX which is somewhat
cheaper? What features would it be missing compared with 5750DX
other than a secondary light? Also, do you know is there a less
expensive alternative to the Olympus adapter for $70?

The 5550DX has a guide number of 100 compared to the 130 of the 5750DX, and as you mentioned, it doesn't have the front fill light. There is a $20 adapter that makes the flash into a standard auto flash. I could imagine using it in auto mode (since you already have the FL-CB04 cable) and then upgrading to the Olympus adapter in the future.

Another posting said that Sunpak was planning on coming out with an Olympus flash dedication 'by the end of the year', and Vivitar evidently also had plans in the area. It might be prices will go down if there are more players.

 

[misha]

(part 2, split due to length restrictions)

The Promaster Olympus adapter provides a low light focusing beam to
augment the camera's beam (or provide low light focusing on cameras
that don't have the light). Last night, I took some pictures of my
car license plate in complete darkness, and saw the camera could
focus to about 40 feet or so.

Michael,

Does the red spot from the adapter fall on the same position as the AF light from the camera? I'm trying out the 5550dx, and beyond 20 ft or so they diverge, and the adaptor light does not help in focusing. Does it depend on the bracket you use? Also, regarding the front (small) flash, can you turn it off and on when needed? Thanks.

--
Misha

 

[Michael Meissner]

Michael,
Does the red spot from the adapter fall on the same position as the
AF light from the camera? I'm trying out the 5550dx, and beyond 20
ft or so they diverge, and the adaptor light does not help in
focusing. Does it depend on the bracket you use? Also, regarding
the front (small) flash, can you turn it off and on when needed?
Thanks.

I'm at work right now, so this is all on memory. I may or may not have time tonight to try it out, due to other commitments.

I don't think I've noticed exactly where the light falls. I would imagine it depends on your bracket, and such. When I was doing the tests to determine how far the light helped, I was hand holding the flash, and adjusting it until the red-spot lit up the car license plate that I was photographing. That reminds me, I was doing some spur of the moment macro photos yesterday with the onboard flash, and was frustrated that the camera's focusing beam was not focusing at the center of the flower, but above it.

In terms of the front fill flash option on the 5750DX, yes there is a button to enable/disable it (on the back of the flash), and if you use it, it decreases the power of the main flash. The front fill flash also doesn't have the range of the main flash.

 

[HF Cheung]

I need manual control on the flash so I can get faster recycle time. On both the Sunpak 383 and my previous Pentax AF200T, setting to manual flash and reduced power ratio allow almost instantenous recharge of the flash.

So I would only consider these two if they have the settings. I wish they have closeup pictures of the flashes.

Thanks for the reply. One more question do 5750DX have manual flash
mode and power level control such as 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, etc.?

Not with the Olympus module...

 

[misha]

I need manual control on the flash so I can get faster recycle
time. On both the Sunpak 383 and my previous Pentax AF200T, setting
to manual flash and reduced power ratio allow almost instantenous
recharge of the flash.

So I would only consider these two if they have the settings. I
wish they have closeup pictures of the flashes.

They have no manual controls (at least the 5550dx doesn't). For that a Vivitar 285HV or Sunpak will be good. How instantaneous do you need? Depending on the distance and lighting the 5550 may fire two or three flashes in about 1 second intervals before stopping to recharge, but the Vivitar performs much better in that respect.
--
Misha

 

[HF Cheung]

The time it takes for the camera to record is the limiting factor right now with the Sunpak. I take pictures in ballroom demostrations. In order to capture the 'right' moment, I need to be able to take as many shots as possible within a short time. If the flash can fire for several times in sub one second intervals. That should be fast enough. The distance is probably 15-25 feet.

Doesn't the TTL flash fires off once before each full discharge? That would slow it down. I don't understand why the flash has to fire off twice for TTL flash on digital cameras. For SLR, I believe the flash fires until the camera turns the flash off all in one shot. Unless digital cameras really doesn't have TTL flash.

Regards

They have no manual controls (at least the 5550dx doesn't). For
that a Vivitar 285HV or Sunpak will be good. How instantaneous do
you need? Depending on the distance and lighting the 5550 may fire
two or three flashes in about 1 second intervals before stopping to
recharge, but the Vivitar performs much better in that respect.
--
Misha

 

[misha]

The time it takes for the camera to record is the limiting factor
right now with the Sunpak. I take pictures in ballroom
demostrations. In order to capture the 'right' moment, I need to be
able to take as many shots as possible within a short time. If the
flash can fire for several times in sub one second intervals. That
should be fast enough. The distance is probably 15-25 feet.

I heard that the FL-40 can fire several times a second (someone posted a 5 frames/sec) sequence (with reduced range, of course). I don't know why the 5550dx isn't as fast.

--
Misha

 

[Michael Meissner]

I need manual control on the flash so I can get faster recycle
time. On both the Sunpak 383 and my previous Pentax AF200T, setting
to manual flash and reduced power ratio allow almost instantenous
recharge of the flash.

So I would only consider these two if they have the settings. I
wish they have closeup pictures of the flashes.

I tried it this morning, and if I turn on continious mode, the Promaster will take pictures about once a second for the first 5 pictures (the flash tells the camera when it is ready). The 6th picture the flash doesn't fire, and the 7th picture it does, however I didn't have freshly charged batteries, so it might not have had enough charge. I also tried it with the standard non-TTL adapter (#71177) I just picked up for $20 (I want to experiement with 2 flashes and get a pc-sync y connector), and the UZI fires at its normal rate, and the flash only fires on a few pictures, the rest are dark. The standard adapter does have a 1/16th power mode, the Olympus TTL adapter does not (one of the other TTL adapters has a 1/16 power mode).

 

[R. Slaughter]

OK, you've got me interested!

I found a local New Orleans shop which carries ProMaster and their prices are:
5750DX: 99.00
5550DX: 95.00
1045 adpt: 49.00

9901 adpt: 49.00
Stroboflip bkt:49.00

The 9901 brkt is not stocked, but the others are.

Now I have to look a little further into it...and see who has the best online prices

Thanks,
Ricky

R. Slaughter
Vegetarian: Old Indian word for 'Bad Hunter'
C+54.772256^2Z

http://www.pbase.com/nufsed/galleries

 

[misha]

OK, you've got me interested!

I found a local New Orleans shop which carries ProMaster and their
prices are:
5750DX: 99.00
5550DX: 95.00
1045 adpt: 49.00

9901 adpt: 49.00
Stroboflip bkt:49.00

The 9901 brkt is not stocked, but the others are.
Now I have to look a little further into it...and see who has the
best online prices

Promaster flashes are available mostly through smaller retailers, so finding bargains online is unlikely (at least I haven't). I only saw them listed at Penn Camera and precision-camera at higher prices. Actually, something is quite different here - I bought the 5550dx for $90 (Penn Camera B&M store) plus $70 for the OM adapter, while the 5750dx was $130 - a $40 difference, and in your price quote it's only $5, so the 5750dx seems a bargain.
--
Misha

 

[R. Slaughter]

I have some reservations about the quote as well, but I did talk to one of the bosses at the shop and had him confirm the prices...I even said to him:

"There's only four dollars difference? Is that right?" He said that's right. And he confirmed the module was $49, tho he'd have to order it.

I have spent a very long time online searching every way possible to find other sources and I found three; their prices were all the same: 5750 was $130+ #9901 module for $70!!! this qualifies as a "no-brainer" IF the prices quoted don't somehow change before I get my hands on it.
I'll find out in the morning.

OK, you've got me interested!

I found a local New Orleans shop which carries ProMaster and their
prices are:
5750DX: 99.00
5550DX: 95.00
1045 adpt: 49.00

9901 adpt: 49.00
Stroboflip bkt:49.00

The 9901 brkt is not stocked, but the others are.
Now I have to look a little further into it...and see who has the
best online prices

Promaster flashes are available mostly through smaller retailers,
so finding bargains online is unlikely (at least I haven't). I only
saw them listed at Penn Camera and precision-camera at higher
prices. Actually, something is quite different here - I bought the
5550dx for $90 (Penn Camera B&M store) plus $70 for the OM adapter,
while the 5750dx was $130 - a $40 difference, and in your price
quote it's only $5, so the 5750dx seems a bargain.
--
Misha

--
R. Slaughter
Vegetarian: Old Indian word for 'Bad Hunter'
C+54.772256^2Z

http://www.pbase.com/nufsed/galleries

 

[Michael Meissner]

OK, you've got me interested!

I found a local New Orleans shop which carries ProMaster and their
prices are:
5750DX: 99.00
5550DX: 95.00
1045 adpt: 49.00

9901 adpt: 49.00
Stroboflip bkt:49.00

The 9901 brkt is not stocked, but the others are.
Now I have to look a little further into it...and see who has the
best online prices

As I say in the FAQ, if you buy the 1045 adapter, you need to buy the Oly bracket and cable. As other said, those prices seem low, it looks like a good deal. I paid $200 + tax for the 5750DX and 9901 adapter, and I think the Stoboflip bracket was ~$70.

You might want to try the flash on the bracket before buying it, I tend to go back and forth whether the Stobo bracket is sturdy enough for the flash (I bought the bracket when I had a smaller flash). The one downside of the Stoboflip bracket is it rotates the flash rather than camera, which might mean your camera is off center if you put the bracket on a tripod. On the other hand, the Stoboflip bracket is small enough to fit in the camera bag without having to disassemble it.

 

[R. Slaughter]

I bought one this morning!
5750DX for $99.00
I have it in my furry paws right now.
I ordered the adapter/module/ whatchamacallit...
9901 for $49.00 plus frieght
they verified availability by phone and it should be here tomorrow.

I did make a mistake in the earlier post (actually their mistake) the 5550 is $79.00.

Yes, these are American dollars, and yes, that $50 cheaper than I saw it anywhere on the web. I don't know the reason, and I didn't argue.

I have not bought a bracket yet...

One store with the Promaster stuff (they also have a lot of other Promaster stuff) has a Stratos bracket which is similar to the Stroboframe but appears "heavier-built" and, no doubt, is actually heavier. It is $65.99
The shop right up the road carries the stroboframes: The flash-tilt is $65.99
and the camera-tilt is $83.99.

I'm still looking for alternatives for brackets; All the brackets I've seen seem, well, too tall. At least, taller than needed for either of my Olys.
Any suggestions?

I hope that it comes in as promised as I want to take pics on Bourbon Street on Halloween night...it should be a hoot.

OK, you've got me interested!

I found a local New Orleans shop which carries ProMaster and their
prices are:
5750DX: 99.00
5550DX: 95.00
1045 adpt: 49.00

9901 adpt: 49.00
Stroboflip bkt:49.00

The 9901 brkt is not stocked, but the others are.
Now I have to look a little further into it...and see who has the
best online prices

As I say in the FAQ, if you buy the 1045 adapter, you need to buy
the Oly bracket and cable. As other said, those prices seem low,
it looks like a good deal. I paid $200 + tax for the 5750DX and
9901 adapter, and I think the Stoboflip bracket was ~$70.

You might want to try the flash on the bracket before buying it, I
tend to go back and forth whether the Stobo bracket is sturdy
enough for the flash (I bought the bracket when I had a smaller
flash). The one downside of the Stoboflip bracket is it rotates
the flash rather than camera, which might mean your camera is off
center if you put the bracket on a tripod. On the other hand, the
Stoboflip bracket is small enough to fit in the camera bag without
having to disassemble it.

--
R. Slaughter
Vegetarian: Old Indian word for 'Bad Hunter'
C+54.772256^2Z

http://www.pbase.com/nufsed/galleries

 

[Michael Meissner]

I bought one this morning!
5750DX for $99.00
I have it in my furry paws right now.
I ordered the adapter/module/ whatchamacallit...
9901 for $49.00 plus frieght
they verified availability by phone and it should be here tomorrow.

I did make a mistake in the earlier post (actually their mistake)
the 5550 is $79.00.

Yes, these are American dollars, and yes, that $50 cheaper than I
saw it anywhere on the web. I don't know the reason, and I didn't
argue.

Congrats!

I have not bought a bracket yet...

Well you can always hand hold the flash. Just be careful not to cover up the flash focusing light on the front or the secondary fill flash, which I've done

One store with the Promaster stuff (they also have a lot of other
Promaster stuff) has a Stratos bracket which is similar to the
Stroboframe but appears "heavier-built" and, no doubt, is actually
heavier. It is $65.99
The shop right up the road carries the stroboframes: The flash-tilt
is $65.99
and the camera-tilt is $83.99.
I'm still looking for alternatives for brackets; All the brackets
I've seen seem, well, too tall. At least, taller than needed for
either of my Olys.
Any suggestions?

There are two theories about flash height. One school says to avoid red-eye the flash should 1/12 the distance from the lens as your subject is (ie, if the subject is 10 feet away, the flash should be at least 10" higher than the lens). The other school says that you should have the flash closer and use a bounce card or a diffuser. Stoboframe brackets tend to be in the first camp (other than the Stoboflip), Newton brackets tend to be in the second camp. I find I consistantly get less red-eye if I use a Lumiquest midi-bouncer or bounce off of the ceiling than trying to adjust the flash height.

I hope that it comes in as promised as I want to take pics on
Bourbon Street on Halloween night...it should be a hoot.

Have fun!

 

[R. Slaughter]

Have you done comparisons of this unit to, say, a Vivitar 285 or an FL-40? Or do you know of any comparisons (even if just anecdotal)? I know about the specs, but I'm interested more in the actual results.
Am I gonna feel later that I shoulda waited till I could afford the FL-40?

R. Slaughter
Vegetarian: Old Indian word for 'Bad Hunter'
C+54.772256^2Z

http://www.pbase.com/nufsed/galleries

 

[fotops]

R. Slaughter:
The fl-40 is nice but only for a current olympus camera?
May not work with your next camera.

Promaster has seperate modules for various cameras.
--
? or ! always welcome.
Fotops (D100, C-2100) http://www.fotops.com

 

[Michael Meissner]

Have you done comparisons of this unit to, say, a Vivitar 285 or an
FL-40? Or do you know of any comparisons (even if just anecdotal)?
I know about the specs, but I'm interested more in the actual
results.
Am I gonna feel later that I shoulda waited till I could afford the
FL-40?

I haven't. Every once in awhile, I wish the Promaster flash would auto-zoom the flash head, but there are other times when I would prefer the camera not do that (ie, bouncing light off of a 25' foot ceiling, when I want the flash head zoomed, even though the subject is close by). On the other hand, having the secondary fill light on the 5750DX is nice, and the FL-40 doesn't have that, and it is nice to use whatever bracket I want, instead of having to use the FL-CB01/FL-BK01 combination.

 

[Mark Sneller]

I bought one this morning!
5750DX for $99.00
I have it in my furry paws right now.
I ordered the adapter/module/ whatchamacallit...
9901 for $49.00 plus frieght
they verified availability by phone and it should be here tomorrow.

I did make a mistake in the earlier post (actually their mistake)
the 5550 is $79.00.

Yes, these are American dollars, and yes, that $50 cheaper than I
saw it anywhere on the web. I don't know the reason, and I didn't
argue.

That is definitely a good deal on the 5750. I have been on the fence as to which flash to get for my UZI, but that deal makes my decision for me. Think you could give us a line on where you got it Slaughter? I won't be in the neighborhood any time soon, but maybe they will ship? Thanks.

Mark

 

[R. Slaughter]

Yes, excellent point, but how does the PM flash perform in comparison to the vaunted FL-40 on my cameras? (Uzi and C3000)

R. Slaughter:
The fl-40 is nice but only for a current olympus camera?
May not work with your next camera.

Promaster has seperate modules for various cameras.
--
? or ! always welcome.
Fotops (D100, C-2100) http://www.fotops.com

--
R. Slaughter
Vegetarian: Old Indian word for 'Bad Hunter'
C+54.772256^2Z

http://www.pbase.com/nufsed/galleries

 

[R. Slaughter]

I haven't. Every once in awhile, I wish the Promaster flash would
auto-zoom the flash head, but there are other times when I would
prefer the camera not do that (ie, bouncing light off of a 25' foot
ceiling, when I want the flash head zoomed, even though the subject
is close by).

Good point for the PM.

On the other hand, having the secondary fill light

on the 5750DX is nice, and the FL-40 doesn't have that, and it is
nice to use whatever bracket I want, instead of having to use the
FL-CB01/FL-BK01 combination.

Yes, I agree re: the Oly pieces are far too expensive and the "proprietary" design really ticks me off, too.
--
R. Slaughter
Vegetarian: Old Indian word for 'Bad Hunter'
C+54.772256^2Z

http://www.pbase.com/nufsed/galleries