Flash Question

[jwlast]

I've got both a 5050 and a 750. Use them both underwater. Question I've got involves the flash. After taking a picture using the flash the cameras seem to take a long time to reset and be ready for the next picture. Using slow 2 with an external strobe. No particular reason for using slow 2, just where it is set.

Question is which flash setting, if any, will allow the camera to be ready to refire the quickest while utilizing an external strobe (Inon 180).

Thanks.

 

[Chris Bangs]

try setting the internal flash to its lowest power setting. That is what Gilligan told me he did with his 5050 and the inon 180. Oly users can give you more info!

 

[ReyeR]

Optimising your flash recycle time:

1. If you use P or S shooting mode then use the following:

• flash mode: P - 'Fill-in' lightning symbol), S - 'Slow'
• dial the Flash Exposure Compensation all the way down to -2.0
• flash menu ( OK >> Mode Menu >> Camera tab >> Flash ): Int + Ext

Inon D-180:

• don't install the magnet

Why? In this mode (Int + Ext) the C5050 will fire a pre-flash before the main flash. In this case you want to turn the 'Advanced Cancel Circuitary' (ACC) ON on the D-180. The D-180 will fire a pre-flash of it's own. Because the pre-flash of the D-180 is much brighter it'll fool the C5050 into thinking it doesn't need too much flash light and consequently fire a small main flash. This, combined with the -2.0 Flash Exposure Compensation will mean your camera will take less time to recycle the flash.

2. If you use A or M shooting mode:

• flash mode: A - 'Fill-in' lightning symbol), M - 'Slow'
• leave the Flash Exposure Compensation at 0.0 (makes no difference)
• flash menu: Slave, Level 1

Inon D-180:

• install the magnet

Why? In this mode (Slave) the C5050 will not fire a pre-flash, only a small 'slave trigger' flash. This will be sufficient to trigger the D-180 in sync. In this case, on the D-180, you don't need the ACC so you need to install the magnet. With this combination you will find the camera will be ready for the next shot (no blinking orange light next to the eye piece) almost instantly. In fact you can turn the 'Drive' mode (multiple frames) on and still have the camera's flash fire.

For the C750 use the settings for (1) for all shooting modes as it doesn't have a 'Slave' flash menu.

Re: Slow 2 this will only affect your camera when using a long shutter speed e.g. 1s. It tells the camera when to fire the flash: Slow 1 = as soon as the shutter opens, Slow 2 = before the shutter closes. for fast shutter speeds like 1/60 or 1/125 it'll have no noticeable effect.

 

[jwlast]

Thanks, sounds like good info!