external flash for E-500

dominant · 21st April 2007

Hi, are there any more compatible and reasonably priced external flashes that E-500 can use besides FL-36 and FL-50??

Heard a lot of negative feedback from friends regarding FL-36. Anyone using this flash care to give any feedbacks?

Looking to get an external flash, and so far, only FL-36 is within my budget.

drakon09 · 21st April 2007

The FL-36 works fine within it's limitations.

Of course you cannot machine gun with it; no small flash can anyway.

dominant · 21st April 2007

Originally Posted by drakon09

The FL-36 works fine within it's limitations.

Of course you cannot machine gun with it; no small flash can anyway.

thanks.

What is the average reload time for the FL-36? i heard it takes quite a while.

OlyFlyer · 21st April 2007

I think it is very unfair to say that the FL-36 is not good. It may be slow in charge but it should be very good if used within it's limits. Yes, it is less powerful than the FL-50 but it has all the same features, which you will not get if you buy a third party flash. I am thinking of the followings:

1. - Red AF assist light as one major

thing. You can actually turn off the flash and use only the AF assist. Great help if you want quick focus in bad light. Of course, it works also if you want to use the flash.

2. - Super FP mode. Very

useful if you want to use the flash as fill up or if you want to take macro with high shutter speed.

3. - TTL mode. Both normal and Super FP TTL.

Maybe there are other important points also but those three above are the ones I immediately came up with. Some ppl say TTL mode is not good and they are both right and wrong. Yes, you can live without but it is there, it works, so it is useful.

If you absolutely want a "third party" I would say Olympus T32. Old, but in terms of power it is compatibel with FL-50 since it is actually made for film cameras. It uses four AA size batteries, very fast in recharge time and actually works fine up to 1/250s shutter speed even if it has an official sync speed of 1/60. I guess that is based on the lack of precision some cameras had during the 1980's when the flash was designed. My personal experience shows that it works down to 1/250. I have five different flashes apart from the FL-50 and the T32 is by far the best after the FL-50 in my opinion. Anyway, what you have to look out for is the trigger voltage. Not all flashes have low trigger and modern cameras are designed for low voltage. In my opinion any high GN flash with four 1.5V batteries should be faster in charge than any flash with only two batteries.

microcosm · 21st April 2007

For a flash with GN36, nothing really beats this little gem for its value, accuracy and effectiveness. If you need more power and faster recycling time, then you are left with the FL50. There has been much discussions in the past within these sections (Oympus and Four Thirds) that has discussed the FL-36 and FL-50. Might want to dig into those threads and read through them. They should give you a much better idea of which would be the one you should invest your money in...

Mikefellh · 22nd April 2007

Let's start from basics...you can use ANY flash you want that will fit into the hot shoe with regards to trigger voltage not being over 24v (a 2AA flash can have a trigger voltage over 200volts) and non-compatible TTL flashes (Canon, Nikon, older Olympus flashes for film cameras and older digital like the FL-40).

There are three types of flashes, manual, automatic, and TTL...with manual and automatic flashes you have to set a shutter speed under 1/180th and use the chart on the back of the flash to determine the aperture setting...IOW you have to use Manual mode on the camera and do all the setting yourself.

With TTL the flash and camera talk to each other...when you change a setting on the camera the flash will compensate, and vice-versa. Also with the FL-36/50 there's also automatic zooming of the flash when you zoom the lens, and also when focusing in lowlight the FL-36/50 will also emit a red glow to help the camera focus (rather than the strobing that's done by the internal flash). Just a note that other brands TTL (Canon & Nikon) are NOT compatible with Olympus TTL...also older TTL flashes like the FL-40 and those made for film cameras (like the G40, T20, T32, etc.) are also NOT compabile with today's digital cameras.

Personally I use the FL-36, and sometimes I add a Metz 34 CS-2 slave for fill for my portable shooting, but in studio I use monolights (these are a strobe combined with a halogen light in one unit connected to the camera via a PC (Pin-Circle) connector), or photofloods.

ch5800 · 22nd April 2007

The two are of different class. Look at the price and if FL-50 doesn't perform better than FL-36, then something is seriously wrong.

Having said that I am very happy with the FL-36. Fully charged batteries does help its recharging cycle. It is lighter and more compact and I do bring it out for use than keeping it at home. Like all olympus design, it might be slower, but it always get it correct (99.99% :> pls don't quote me)

If recharge cycle is a key factor for you to get the shots, then give FL-36 a miss. (a 2 batteries operated flash is a 2 batteries operated flash...)

Kid Shotter · 23rd April 2007

A flash worth looking at is Metz 44 Olympus version(I think is AFO??).This one support Super FP flash.

OlyFlyer · 23rd April 2007

Originally Posted by Kid Shotter

A flash worth looking at is Metz 44 Olympus version(I think is AFO??).This one support Super FP flash.

Are you sure about that? Than it should also support TTL since Super FP assumes communication with the camera.

selamatlzh · 23rd April 2007

Originally Posted by OlyFlyer

Are you sure about that? Than it should also support TTL since Super FP assumes communication with the camera.

new metz support oly ttl. Not sure about fp.

http://www.metz.de/en/photo_electron...apter.143.html

Kid Shotter · 23rd April 2007

I mean this:http://www.metz.de/en/photo_electron..._AF-4.176.html .
44 AF-4 O for Olympus digital cameras: With TTL mode and "HSS" high-speed synchronisation from Metz site.

microcosm · 23rd April 2007

Originally Posted by Kid Shotter

I mean this:http://www.metz.de/en/photo_electron..._AF-4.176.html .
44 AF-4 O for Olympus digital cameras: With TTL mode and "HSS" high-speed synchronisation from Metz site.

Interesting that it is indicated as HSS, but what is the maximum shutter speed for HSS then? Anyone who owns a Metz care to share? This is very interesting... but I also realised that the the model is 44AF-4 O, does this mean the Metz has a GN of 44? Somewhat lower powered than the FL-50 GN of 50.

selamatlzh · 24th April 2007

Originally Posted by microcosm

Interesting that it is indicated as HSS, but what is the maximum shutter speed for HSS then? Anyone who owns a Metz care to share? This is very interesting... but I also realised that the the model is 44AF-4 O, does this mean the Metz has a GN of 44? Somewhat lower powered than the FL-50 GN of 50.

metz 44 has a guide number of 44, that applies to metz 54 which has a guide number of 54.

Too bad cannot meet you guys tonight otherwise I can show you. But they are older model which does not support TTL and FP. I own 44mz2 and 54mz4

microcosm · 24th April 2007

Originally Posted by selamatlzh

metz 44 has a guide number of 44, that applies to metz 54 which has a guide number of 54.

Too bad cannot meet you guys tonight otherwise I can show you. But they are older model which does not support TTL and FP. I own 44mz2 and 54mz4

I am even more interested in the battery pack!

selamatlzh · 24th April 2007

Originally Posted by microcosm

I am even more interested in the battery pack!

I will bring along my trolley bag on my next trip.

microcosm · 24th April 2007

Originally Posted by selamatlzh

I will bring along my trolley bag on my next trip.

I cannot impose on you for that. But really, I am interested in seeing and playing with the battery pack. Been thinking about it for a long long time.

ungvarec · 5th May 2007

I advise to buy Metz. More dearly than FL36, but it is cheaper and better FL50. Some models are completely compatible with E500.

microcosm · 5th May 2007

Originally Posted by ungvarec

I advise to buy Metz. More dearly than FL36, but it is cheaper and better FL50. Some models are completely compatible with E500.

Maybe let's have a little shootout between the Metz and the FLs. Not to compare which is better, but more importantly, how does the Metz "stand against" the dedicated FLs on an Olympus camera. Just to make sure people can make up their mine when they are making purchases.

crustacea · 16th May 2007

Originally Posted by OlyFlyer

If you absolutely want a "third party" I would say Olympus T32. Old, but in terms of power it is compatibel with FL-50 since it is actually made for film cameras. It uses four AA size batteries, very fast in recharge time and actually works fine up to 1/250s shutter speed even if it has an official sync speed of 1/60. I guess that is based on the lack of precision some cameras had during the 1980's when the flash was designed. My personal experience shows that it works down to 1/250. I have five different flashes apart from the FL-50 and the T32 is by far the best after the FL-50 in my opinion. Anyway, what you have to look out for is the trigger voltage. Not all flashes have low trigger and modern cameras are designed for low voltage. In my opinion any high GN flash with four 1.5V batteries should be faster in charge than any flash with only two batteries.

hi, have you tried the T32 on ur E500? I haf a T32, but dun dare to use it on my cam. will it realli work? can any1 confirm wif me on this?

OlyFlyer · 16th May 2007

Originally Posted by crustacea

hi, have you tried the T32 on ur E500? I haf a T32, but dun dare to use it on my cam. will it realli work? can any1 confirm wif me on this?

Please read the text you have quoted. I think it is clear enough, but just to make it 100% clear,

YES, I HAVE A T32 AND THAT IS PERFECTLY SAFE TO USE WITH ANY CAMERA!

Actually, I have even discussed the question with an Oly engineer here in Sweden and he assured me that ANY flash made by Olympus is safe to use on ANY Olympus dSLR. Since I only have the T32 I can not guarantee that he is right, but the T32 and the T20 are definitely safe. I only have the T32 but I have looked at the scematic diagram of T20 and can say that it is really a little broder of T32, just like FL-36 is to the FL-50. The T20 uses only 2 batteries but it has very similar triggering circuit and it has low trigger voltage.

Please make a search on CS. The subject is discussed over and over again. Thank you.

21st April 2007	#1
dominant Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Choa Chu Kang Posts: 496	external flash for E-500 Hi, are there any more compatible and reasonably priced external flashes that E-500 can use besides FL-36 and FL-50?? Heard a lot of negative feedback from friends regarding FL-36. Anyone using this flash care to give any feedbacks? Looking to get an external flash, and so far, only FL-36 is within my budget.

21st April 2007	#2
drakon09 Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 3,690	Re: external flash for E-500 The FL-36 works fine within it's limitations. Of course you cannot machine gun with it; no small flash can anyway. __________________ www.facebook.com/darrengyh

21st April 2007	#4
OlyFlyer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Europe, Sweden, outside Lund Posts: 2,038	Re: external flash for E-500 I think it is very unfair to say that the FL-36 is not good. It may be slow in charge but it should be very good if used within it's limits. Yes, it is less powerful than the FL-50 but it has all the same features, which you will not get if you buy a third party flash. I am thinking of the followings: 1. - Red AF assist light as one major thing. You can actually turn off the flash and use only the AF assist. Great help if you want quick focus in bad light. Of course, it works also if you want to use the flash. 2. - Super FP mode. Very useful if you want to use the flash as fill up or if you want to take macro with high shutter speed. 3. - TTL mode. Both normal and Super FP TTL. Maybe there are other important points also but those three above are the ones I immediately came up with. Some ppl say TTL mode is not good and they are both right and wrong. Yes, you can live without but it is there, it works, so it is useful. If you absolutely want a "third party" I would say Olympus T32. Old, but in terms of power it is compatibel with FL-50 since it is actually made for film cameras. It uses four AA size batteries, very fast in recharge time and actually works fine up to 1/250s shutter speed even if it has an official sync speed of 1/60. I guess that is based on the lack of precision some cameras had during the 1980's when the flash was designed. My personal experience shows that it works down to 1/250. I have five different flashes apart from the FL-50 and the T32 is by far the best after the FL-50 in my opinion. Anyway, what you have to look out for is the trigger voltage. Not all flashes have low trigger and modern cameras are designed for low voltage. In my opinion any high GN flash with four 1.5V batteries should be faster in charge than any flash with only two batteries.

21st April 2007	#5
microcosm Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,013	Re: external flash for E-500 For a flash with GN36, nothing really beats this little gem for its value, accuracy and effectiveness. If you need more power and faster recycling time, then you are left with the FL50. There has been much discussions in the past within these sections (Oympus and Four Thirds) that has discussed the FL-36 and FL-50. Might want to dig into those threads and read through them. They should give you a much better idea of which would be the one you should invest your money in...

22nd April 2007	#6
Mikefellh Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,460	Re: external flash for E-500 Let's start from basics...you can use ANY flash you want that will fit into the hot shoe with regards to trigger voltage not being over 24v (a 2AA flash can have a trigger voltage over 200volts) and non-compatible TTL flashes (Canon, Nikon, older Olympus flashes for film cameras and older digital like the FL-40). There are three types of flashes, manual, automatic, and TTL...with manual and automatic flashes you have to set a shutter speed under 1/180th and use the chart on the back of the flash to determine the aperture setting...IOW you have to use Manual mode on the camera and do all the setting yourself. With TTL the flash and camera talk to each other...when you change a setting on the camera the flash will compensate, and vice-versa. Also with the FL-36/50 there's also automatic zooming of the flash when you zoom the lens, and also when focusing in lowlight the FL-36/50 will also emit a red glow to help the camera focus (rather than the strobing that's done by the internal flash). Just a note that other brands TTL (Canon & Nikon) are NOT compatible with Olympus TTL...also older TTL flashes like the FL-40 and those made for film cameras (like the G40, T20, T32, etc.) are also NOT compabile with today's digital cameras. Personally I use the FL-36, and sometimes I add a Metz 34 CS-2 slave for fill for my portable shooting, but in studio I use monolights (these are a strobe combined with a halogen light in one unit connected to the camera via a PC (Pin-Circle) connector), or photofloods.

22nd April 2007	#7
ch5800 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 544	Re: external flash for E-500 The two are of different class. Look at the price and if FL-50 doesn't perform better than FL-36, then something is seriously wrong. Having said that I am very happy with the FL-36. Fully charged batteries does help its recharging cycle. It is lighter and more compact and I do bring it out for use than keeping it at home. Like all olympus design, it might be slower, but it always get it correct (99.99% :> pls don't quote me) If recharge cycle is a key factor for you to get the shots, then give FL-36 a miss. (a 2 batteries operated flash is a 2 batteries operated flash...)

23rd April 2007	#8
Kid Shotter Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 250	Re: external flash for E-500 A flash worth looking at is Metz 44 Olympus version(I think is AFO??).This one support Super FP flash.

23rd April 2007	#11
Kid Shotter Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 250	Re: external flash for E-500 I mean this:http://www.metz.de/en/photo_electron..._AF-4.176.html . 44 AF-4 O for Olympus digital cameras: With TTL mode and "HSS" high-speed synchronisation from Metz site.

5th May 2007	#17
ungvarec New Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 9	Re: external flash for E-500 I advise to buy Metz. More dearly than FL36, but it is cheaper and better FL50. Some models are completely compatible with E500.