Strobe/hotshoe/H-W converter

[CheddarChick]

Ok I am thinking about getting the H-W hot shoe converter http://www.divervision.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=49&products_id=296
for my SP-350 & PT30, & Ikelite DS51 strobe. Somebody tell me, will this just take the pictures with the right exposure without my having to do anything????? I have the five pin cord already, anything else I need?????

 

[jlyle]

The H-W converter will give you TTL control of your strobe. TTL isn't the pot-of-gold-at-the-end-of-the-rainbow. TTL works quite nicely with macro, but often under/over exposes pictures that have lots of ambient light.

 

[merxlin]

Ok I am thinking about getting the H-W hot shoe converter http://www.divervision.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=49&products_id=296
for my SP-350 & PT30, & Ikelite DS51 strobe. Somebody tell me, will this just take the pictures with the right exposure without my having to do anything????? I have the five pin cord already, anything else I need?????

I bought one and find the exposure is right (YS-90 strobe) most of the time but on several shots I had issues with the strobe not firing. I'm not sure if it's the camera settings or operator error, but I have a feeling it's the latter.

 

[AndyT]

It works fine for me, I usually set the cameras internal flash compensation to -0.7 for macro work though or the images tend to be overexposed. It may just be for my brand of strobe though, but it's something you can sort out very quickly.

 

[CheddarChick]

So if I get this right, the preflash measures the amount of light needed, and the flash puts out exactly the right amount?

 

[CheddarChick]

Do you still have to set the WB all the time???

 

[jlyle]

For macro, you want to set WB to "auto" or to the color temperature of your strobe. For wide angle, "auto" or "cloudy" is best. Underexpose by -1.7 for dark blue backgrounds.

 

[AndyT]

So if I get this right, the preflash measures the amount of light needed, and the flash puts out exactly the right amount?

Yes, that's about it. The Olympus flash output is however a little too much, which is why I turn the flash compensation down a little, especially for macro and close up stuff.

 

[CheddarChick]

Thanks guys...
Now about a wide angle lens for the PT30????
I see a ton of different ones, is there a difference between the Oly one and a off brand???

 

[jlyle]

DON'T BUY THE "OLYMPUS" WAL! It isn't made by Olympus, but by UN in Japan. Olympus won't stand behind the lens, saying it isn't their product. Problems with the coatings and the rings on the lens are soft metal that wear out quickly. Get the INON or other wide angle lens adapters.

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