Trying to get 20fps flash with OM1 and Godox trigger

[john isaacs]

I have an OM1, Godox X1 (Olympus) trigger, and StellaPro Reflex S LED Continous Strobe Hybrid (CSH), which is an LED light capable of 20 cycles per second with no recycle time.

I can get it to flash with the electronic shutter by setting

Menu > Camera 1 Tab > 7.Drive Mode > Silent Settings > Flash Mode > "Allow"

I can get it to flash in burst mode (either Anti Shock Sequential or Silent Sequential), but the frame rate is about 4 fps.

Apparently, the camera sees the trigger as a TTL flash and enables some handshake that slows down the cycle time even with the trigger in M mode.

I get the same results with the Godox X-Pro trigger (Olympus).

I can get it to work if I use a PC Sync cable into the trigger. I tested with the X-pro trigger because I have a PC Sync to 2.5mm cable; I need a PC Sync to PC Sync for the X1 and I can't find one in my mess.

The problem is that the trigger cannot be mounted on the hot shoe or the hot shoe contacts take precedence and slow things down.

So, I switched to a Godox X1 (Nikon) trigger, and both burst modes (Anti Shock Sequential and Silent Sequential) will shoot at 10 fps. Same with the X-Pro (Nikon) trigger.

But when I set the Silent Sequential burst rate to 15 or 20 fps, the flash doesn't fire (but the camera does attain the specified frame rate).

Which leads to two questions:

1. Is there a way to configure the OM1 or Godox triggers to have the OM1 think that the trigger is not TTL?

The alternative is to bypass the auxiliary contact pins on the hot shoe; lots of options there including use Nikon triggers, PC Sync cables, single pin hot shoe adapter, or tape them. My preference will be a single pin hot shoe adapter as the least hassle.

2. Is there some setting that I'm missing that would enable flash triggering at faster than 10 fps?

I haven't seen anything indicating that flash is disabled at rates above 10fps.

I have also checked whether a charge time setting might be causing problems. There are three places: High Res Shot, Focus Stacking, and Focus Bracketing. All were set to zero seconds.

My best guess is that they assume a minimum 0.1 sec charge time, and simply disable flash and frame rates that would be incompatible with that limit.

Any thoughts?

 

[Snapsh0t]

I had to look up the StellaPro S as I didn't know other companies were using Godox's radio system.

I suspect your last guess about the minimum assumed recharge time may be correct as both camera and triggers pre-date the flash and conventional flashes would have to be very special indeed to recharge faster than 0.1s.

 

[finnan haddie]

I have an OM1, Godox X1 (Olympus) trigger, and StellaPro Reflex S LED Continous Strobe Hybrid (CSH), which is an LED light capable of 20 cycles per second with no recycle time.

I can get it to flash with the electronic shutter by setting

Menu > Camera 1 Tab > 7.Drive Mode > Silent Settings > Flash Mode > "Allow"

I can get it to flash in burst mode (either Anti Shock Sequential or Silent Sequential), but the frame rate is about 4 fps.

Apparently, the camera sees the trigger as a TTL flash and enables some handshake that slows down the cycle time even with the trigger in M mode.

I get the same results with the Godox X-Pro trigger (Olympus).

I can get it to work if I use a PC Sync cable into the trigger. I tested with the X-pro trigger because I have a PC Sync to 2.5mm cable; I need a PC Sync to PC Sync for the X1 and I can't find one in my mess.

The problem is that the trigger cannot be mounted on the hot shoe or the hot shoe contacts take precedence and slow things down.

So, I switched to a Godox X1 (Nikon) trigger, and both burst modes (Anti Shock Sequential and Silent Sequential) will shoot at 10 fps. Same with the X-Pro (Nikon) trigger.

But when I set the Silent Sequential burst rate to 15 or 20 fps, the flash doesn't fire (but the camera does attain the specified frame rate).

Which leads to two questions:

1. Is there a way to configure the OM1 or Godox triggers to have the OM1 think that the trigger is not TTL?

The alternative is to bypass the auxiliary contact pins on the hot shoe; lots of options there including use Nikon triggers, PC Sync cables, single pin hot shoe adapter, or tape them. My preference will be a single pin hot shoe adapter as the least hassle.

2. Is there some setting that I'm missing that would enable flash triggering at faster than 10 fps?

I haven't seen anything indicating that flash is disabled at rates above 10fps.

I have also checked whether a charge time setting might be causing problems. There are three places: High Res Shot, Focus Stacking, and Focus Bracketing. All were set to zero seconds.

My best guess is that they assume a minimum 0.1 sec charge time, and simply disable flash and frame rates that would be incompatible with that limit.

Any thoughts?

Check menu cam1 6.flash slow limit.

IIRC it defaults to 1/100 second, i.e. 10 FPS.

 

[john isaacs]

I have an OM1, Godox X1 (Olympus) trigger, and StellaPro Reflex S LED Continous Strobe Hybrid (CSH), which is an LED light capable of 20 cycles per second with no recycle time.

I can get it to flash with the electronic shutter by setting

Menu > Camera 1 Tab > 7.Drive Mode > Silent Settings > Flash Mode > "Allow"

I can get it to flash in burst mode (either Anti Shock Sequential or Silent Sequential), but the frame rate is about 4 fps.

Apparently, the camera sees the trigger as a TTL flash and enables some handshake that slows down the cycle time even with the trigger in M mode.

I get the same results with the Godox X-Pro trigger (Olympus).

I can get it to work if I use a PC Sync cable into the trigger. I tested with the X-pro trigger because I have a PC Sync to 2.5mm cable; I need a PC Sync to PC Sync for the X1 and I can't find one in my mess.

The problem is that the trigger cannot be mounted on the hot shoe or the hot shoe contacts take precedence and slow things down.

So, I switched to a Godox X1 (Nikon) trigger, and both burst modes (Anti Shock Sequential and Silent Sequential) will shoot at 10 fps. Same with the X-Pro (Nikon) trigger.

But when I set the Silent Sequential burst rate to 15 or 20 fps, the flash doesn't fire (but the camera does attain the specified frame rate).

Which leads to two questions:

1. Is there a way to configure the OM1 or Godox triggers to have the OM1 think that the trigger is not TTL?

The alternative is to bypass the auxiliary contact pins on the hot shoe; lots of options there including use Nikon triggers, PC Sync cables, single pin hot shoe adapter, or tape them. My preference will be a single pin hot shoe adapter as the least hassle.

2. Is there some setting that I'm missing that would enable flash triggering at faster than 10 fps?

I haven't seen anything indicating that flash is disabled at rates above 10fps.

I have also checked whether a charge time setting might be causing problems. There are three places: High Res Shot, Focus Stacking, and Focus Bracketing. All were set to zero seconds.

My best guess is that they assume a minimum 0.1 sec charge time, and simply disable flash and frame rates that would be incompatible with that limit.

Any thoughts?

Check menu cam1 6.flash slow limit.

IIRC it defaults to 1/100 second, i.e. 10 FPS.

That menu item sets the minimum shutter speed that you can set when flash is enabled. If I set it to 1/125 or faster, it does not fully expose the sensor. However, it has no effect on whether the flash fires above 10fps.

Note that 1/100 second would correspond to 100 fps.

I am still thinking that the frame speed is arbitrarily limited to 10 fps for flash.

 

[finnan haddie]

I have an OM1, Godox X1 (Olympus) trigger, and StellaPro Reflex S LED Continous Strobe Hybrid (CSH), which is an LED light capable of 20 cycles per second with no recycle time.

I can get it to flash with the electronic shutter by setting

Menu > Camera 1 Tab > 7.Drive Mode > Silent Settings > Flash Mode > "Allow"

I can get it to flash in burst mode (either Anti Shock Sequential or Silent Sequential), but the frame rate is about 4 fps.

Apparently, the camera sees the trigger as a TTL flash and enables some handshake that slows down the cycle time even with the trigger in M mode.

I get the same results with the Godox X-Pro trigger (Olympus).

I can get it to work if I use a PC Sync cable into the trigger. I tested with the X-pro trigger because I have a PC Sync to 2.5mm cable; I need a PC Sync to PC Sync for the X1 and I can't find one in my mess.

The problem is that the trigger cannot be mounted on the hot shoe or the hot shoe contacts take precedence and slow things down.

So, I switched to a Godox X1 (Nikon) trigger, and both burst modes (Anti Shock Sequential and Silent Sequential) will shoot at 10 fps. Same with the X-Pro (Nikon) trigger.

But when I set the Silent Sequential burst rate to 15 or 20 fps, the flash doesn't fire (but the camera does attain the specified frame rate).

Which leads to two questions:

1. Is there a way to configure the OM1 or Godox triggers to have the OM1 think that the trigger is not TTL?

The alternative is to bypass the auxiliary contact pins on the hot shoe; lots of options there including use Nikon triggers, PC Sync cables, single pin hot shoe adapter, or tape them. My preference will be a single pin hot shoe adapter as the least hassle.

1. Is there some setting that I'm missing that would enable flash triggering at faster than 10 fps?

I haven't seen anything indicating that flash is disabled at rates above 10fps.

I have also checked whether a charge time setting might be causing problems. There are three places: High Res Shot, Focus Stacking, and Focus Bracketing. All were set to zero seconds.

My best guess is that they assume a minimum 0.1 sec charge time, and simply disable flash and frame rates that would be incompatible with that limit.

Any thoughts?

Check menu cam1 6.flash slow limit.

IIRC it defaults to 1/100 second, i.e. 10 FPS.

That menu item sets the minimum shutter speed that you can set when flash is enabled. If I set it to 1/125 or faster, it does not fully expose the sensor. However, it has no effect on whether the flash fires above 10fps.

Note that 1/100 second would correspond to 100 fps.

Yes, my fault

I am still thinking that the frame speed is arbitrarily limited to 10 fps for flash.

Is that a limitation imposed by the OM1, the Godox controller, or a flash setting?

 

[john isaacs]

I have an OM1, Godox X1 (Olympus) trigger, and StellaPro Reflex S LED Continous Strobe Hybrid (CSH), which is an LED light capable of 20 cycles per second with no recycle time.

I can get it to flash with the electronic shutter by setting

Menu > Camera 1 Tab > 7.Drive Mode > Silent Settings > Flash Mode > "Allow"

I can get it to flash in burst mode (either Anti Shock Sequential or Silent Sequential), but the frame rate is about 4 fps.

Apparently, the camera sees the trigger as a TTL flash and enables some handshake that slows down the cycle time even with the trigger in M mode.

I get the same results with the Godox X-Pro trigger (Olympus).

I can get it to work if I use a PC Sync cable into the trigger. I tested with the X-pro trigger because I have a PC Sync to 2.5mm cable; I need a PC Sync to PC Sync for the X1 and I can't find one in my mess.

The problem is that the trigger cannot be mounted on the hot shoe or the hot shoe contacts take precedence and slow things down.

So, I switched to a Godox X1 (Nikon) trigger, and both burst modes (Anti Shock Sequential and Silent Sequential) will shoot at 10 fps. Same with the X-Pro (Nikon) trigger.

But when I set the Silent Sequential burst rate to 15 or 20 fps, the flash doesn't fire (but the camera does attain the specified frame rate).

Which leads to two questions:

1. Is there a way to configure the OM1 or Godox triggers to have the OM1 think that the trigger is not TTL?

The alternative is to bypass the auxiliary contact pins on the hot shoe; lots of options there including use Nikon triggers, PC Sync cables, single pin hot shoe adapter, or tape them. My preference will be a single pin hot shoe adapter as the least hassle.

1. Is there some setting that I'm missing that would enable flash triggering at faster than 10 fps?

I haven't seen anything indicating that flash is disabled at rates above 10fps.

I have also checked whether a charge time setting might be causing problems. There are three places: High Res Shot, Focus Stacking, and Focus Bracketing. All were set to zero seconds.

My best guess is that they assume a minimum 0.1 sec charge time, and simply disable flash and frame rates that would be incompatible with that limit.

Any thoughts?

Check menu cam1 6.flash slow limit.

IIRC it defaults to 1/100 second, i.e. 10 FPS.

That menu item sets the minimum shutter speed that you can set when flash is enabled. If I set it to 1/125 or faster, it does not fully expose the sensor. However, it has no effect on whether the flash fires above 10fps.

Note that 1/100 second would correspond to 100 fps.

Yes, my fault

I am still thinking that the frame speed is arbitrarily limited to 10 fps for flash.

Is that a limitation imposed by the OM1, the Godox controller, or a flash setting?

It’s the OM1. No flash signal is sent at 15 fps.

 

[john isaacs]

This is what I got from OM Systems:

"You are correct. Flash works at 10fps. However at higher fps, as there are too many pictures being taken, the flash is not able to keep up with that"

So some engineer decided to disable flash on high frame rates because the Olympus flashes can't keep up?

Very disappointing.

 

[Adrian Harris]

This is what I got from OM Systems:

"You are correct. Flash works at 10fps. However at higher fps, as there are too many pictures being taken, the flash is not able to keep up with that"

So some engineer decided to disable flash on high frame rates because the Olympus flashes can't keep up?

Very disappointing.

Very fascinating. Thank you for this very useful thread. Sorry to hear about the flash trigger speed limiting performance.

Hopefully if enough people request, it may be addressed in a future firmware update!

 

[kli]

... 1. Is there a way to configure the OM1 or Godox triggers to have the OM1 think that the trigger is not TTL?

I would suspect that taping over the non-sync contacts (everything except the big center one: you need that one for firing) with a piece of tape or using a single-pin adapter would do it, as you surmise.

On the X1T-O, there is a single-contact mode (C.Fn-01) that you can set that might work, but the XPro has no such setting (apparently the upcoming XPro II-O does).

 

[john isaacs]

... 1. Is there a way to configure the OM1 or Godox triggers to have the OM1 think that the trigger is not TTL?

I would suspect that taping over the non-sync contacts (everything except the big center one: you need that one for firing) with a piece of tape or using a single-pin adapter would do it, as you surmise.

On the X1T-O, there is a single-contact mode (C.Fn-01) that you can set that might work, but the XPro has no such setting (apparently the upcoming XPro II-O does).

Taping should work, but it's a big pain.

I tried the single-pin contact mode, and it doesn't seem to be working. It has no effect on the burst rate achievable with the X1T-O mounted on the OM-1. And, TTL works with my Godox flash with single-pin contact mode set.

At this point, the solution is to use a X1T-N for Nikon; the OM-1 ignores the transmitter modes and just fires the flash up to 10fps. Beyond 10, it doesn't send a flash signal.

Except if I mount the FL-LM3 on my camera, it does send a flash signal no matter what burst rate is set (including 15fps). It fires the flash about 1fps, but the camera exposes at whatever frame rate is set. I tested with manual flash mode at 1/64 power.

I don't have any regular Olympus flashes to test with (sold them all off ages ago). But it's odd that the flash is disabled at 15fps unless an Olympus flash is detected.

I've asked Olympus and haven't gotten what I consider a reasonable response yet.

 

[Snapsh0t]

You're not likely to get a 'reasonable' response from any manufacturer if you're asking about third-party equipment. It isn't (officially) tested and they won't comment.

 

[john isaacs]

You're not likely to get a 'reasonable' response from any manufacturer if you're asking about third-party equipment. It isn't (officially) tested and they won't comment.

I understand that issue.

What I have asked Olympus is if they enable the flash trigger at 15fps and 20fps, and if they have any flashes that will trigger at that frame rate, or if they have tested it with any equipment at all. I don't want to be trying to find a solution if they actually disable flash triggering at high frame rates. I am testing both the hot shoe and sync port.

What I have asked StellarPro is what equipment they used to achieve 20fps. The Stellar Pro is designed to operate with Godox and Elinchrom triggers, so I expect that they have tested with one of those (or with a sync cable).

I just want to know if I can get 20fps flash with the OM1, and if so what do I need, but preferably how to do it with the StellarPro Reflex S.