HELP! Off camera flash

[Harold Gough]

Originally Posted by davy59

Thanks! Now to find some lights!

The system flash (FL-R series) vary tremendously in size and weight from the tiny pop-up LM2, through the lightweight 300Rs, to the moderately large and heavy 36R to the huge and heavy 50R.

Weight is considerably influenced by the number of batteries: 4 AAs in the 50R and two AAs in the 36R, two AAAs in the 300R and none in the LM2. (I recommend Eneloop rechargeables).

Harold

[Walti]

Originally Posted by Harold Gough

"Triggers" have only to fire a flash and can be simple and cheap.

If you want TTL metering you need the Olympus R series flash or similar.
On my EM-1 the basic setup for macro is an FL-LM2 on the hot shoe, with its flash turned off but controlling the other units. On an L-bracket I have either an FL-50R or an FL-36R. The fill comes from one or two FL-300Rs on other bracket, either on the lens barrel or free-standing.

Harold

Hi Harold...

Just taken the first steps towards building a macro flash rig, as I happened across a cheap second hand FL-600R as I walked past a shop...

Will be making brackets up as soon as some parts arrive!

Given it a very cursory try outside hand holding the camera (with 60mm Macro) and the flash in the other hand, it appears to work!

Can you give a bit of guidance on how you set it up?

I simply went for fill-in auto, manual focus, on-camera flash off...

[Harold Gough]

Originally Posted by Walti

Hi Harold...

Just taken the first steps towards building a macro flash rig, as I happened across a cheap second hand FL-600R as I walked past a shop...

Will be making brackets up as soon as some parts arrive!

Given it a very cursory try outside hand holding the camera (with 60mm Macro) and the flash in the other hand, it appears to work!

Can you give a bit of guidance on how you set it up?

I simply went for fill-in auto, manual focus, on-camera flash off...

I have noted your request. I found the manual very confusing so I will summarise my settings when I have worked through them. In the meantime, do you have a copy of the manual? You can download here:

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_se...ls.asp?id=1648

Make sure it is version 2.

We will be referencing page 135.

Harold

[Walti]

Originally Posted by Harold Gough

I have noted your request.

We will be referencing page 135.

Harold

Page 135 open and awaiting your instruction!

[Harold Gough]

OK. It is some time since I set the option in my EM-1 but I believe that you may have to do most, or everything all over for each camera mode e.g. for Manual, for Aperture Priority, etc. Once you have done, you may wish to allocate a Myset for each, so that you can Reset if you change anything and want to go back to it.

If you have Remote Control switched on you should permanently see RC (black) in a white square at the top of the screen. If not, go to the menus and choose shooting Mode 2, where you can switch it on.

Unless you have reassigned it, the Info button should alternately display the multi option menu or the flash menu. When the flash menu is displayed you can set it up.

Set all 4 lefthand options to TTL and all the middle ones to 0.0. Then set A to flash (not FP), B to LO and C to 1 (or any other number but we will work with 1 here).

Switch on your flash gun. (Based on FL 36R) Use the mode button to select C1C (with another C above, right). (That mode/display is for RC control). The dial can enter an exposure factor but I never use one. You may want to enter a zoom value. While holding the Mode button down, turn the dial to select A, B or C.

I think that should be it.

Be aware (my observation) that low batteries in the gun may first show as it not flashing in RC mode.

Harold

[Walti]

Originally Posted by Harold Gough

OK. It is some time since I set the option in my EM-1 but I believe that you may have to do most, or everything all over for each camera mode e.g. for Manual, for Aperture Priority, etc. Once you have done, you may wish to allocate a Myset for each, so that you can Reset if you change anything and want to go back to it.

If you have Remote Control switched on you should permanently see RC (black) in a white square at the top of the screen. If not, go to the menus and choose shooting Mode 2, where you can switch it on.

Unless you have reassigned it, the Info button should alternately display the multi option menu or the flash menu. When the flash menu is displayed you can set it up.

Set all 4 lefthand options to TTL and all the middle ones to 0.0. Then set A to flash (not FP), B to LO and C to 1 (or any other number but we will work with 1 here).

Switch on your flash gun. (Based on FL 36R) Use the mode button to select C1C (with another C above, right). (That mode/display is for RC control). The dial can enter an exposure factor but I never use one. You may want to enter a zoom value. While holding the Mode button down, turn the dial to select A, B or C.

I think that should be it.

Be aware (my observation) that low batteries in the gun may first show as it not flashing in RC mode.

Harold

Harold,

Many thanks for the help! I was nearly there by guesswork!

Will be trying it out properly soon!

[Harold Gough]

Originally Posted by Walti

I was nearly there by guesswork!

The true path to operating Olympus hardware via the menu system!

You will need the camera and flash on for setting the channel.

Harold