Using the XZ-1 built-in flash?

[AlMitch]

My wife is sick and tired of waiting around for me to take my photo's while diving and is insisting on getting her own camera!
So I've been looking around and the XZ-1 with the oly housing seems like a serious option.
Now initially my wife cant be bothered with strobes etc so she just wants to use the camera's own flash.
YES YES YES I know it is extremely limited, BUT is it at least usable for the macro type shots, that is sub 1m??
In time I'm sure I can coax her into getting a small strobe. But baby steps.

Anyone got a pic or two they would like to share takken with the XZ-1's internal flash??

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

Don't have photos to show, but I can tell you that it is not useful for true macro shots due to the size of the housing barrel which blocks the flash. The diffuser helps some. It is useable for more wide angle shots but only very close. Save yourself even more frustration and get an inon s-2000 on a short arm mounted to the housing's cold shoe, and get GOOD quality photos. I know it's not what you want to hear but if you want good quality photos, even just for memories, you have to have external lighting. The s-2000, I believe, does not even need a cord in order to sync and do TTL exposure and it is so small you will hardly notice it.

My wife and I were lucky enought to be able to visit Singapore last year after diving in Bali. What a great City (and Country!). We hope to return soon.

 

[DazedAndConfuzed]

Of course you can use the camera's built in flash, especially under 1 meter. It is preferable if you go down to the 20-30cm range since this will minimize backscatter. If it is beyond that range, and/or the environment has alot of sediments, you will get backscatter, which is where a external strobe would come into play.

I have used my c5050z w/o strobe for a while. I set my custom mode to max flash sync speed of 1/800sec, relatively fast ISO and moderately small aperture. This minimizes external light and almost alway relies purely on the light from the flash, even with subject up to 5 ft or more away (subject 5ft away doesn't have that blueish look).

 

[AlMitch]

Hi GuyH
Ye I completely agree with your assessment strobe is a must to get decent shots. And in the future your idea of a short arm and tiny S2000 will probably be the way I'll go. Thanks for the idea. BUT I'm caught between my refusal to buy a tiny little P & S and my wifes refusal to have a bulky housing with arms sticking out everywhere, like mine! Its all about compromise.

Singapore is indeed a great city. We've been here two and a half years and love the people and the city. AND its only a $300 flight to Manado, $500 to Sorong (Raja Ampat), $50 to Thailand, $100 to Bali!!!! I'll stop making you jealous!!

Lwang thanks so much for the reasurance that at least my wife will get a few usable shots until she realizes the nessecity for a strobe.

 

[Plotek]

I am just new user of xz-1 but I use internal flash just to control external strobes. You should consider to put small S2000 on the shoe of the PT050 housing. It will be not to much bigger, and no sticking arms So maybe Your wife will accept that?

 

[AlMitch]

Plotek thanks for the pic. That certainly is a nice compact system. Now to break into a bank to pay for it all!!

We have a trip to Lembeh for a few days for my wife to get used to which ever camera we get for her and then its the big trip to Raja Ampat in December!!

 

[Wisnu]

For Lembeh trip, a strobe will make lot different.

Plotek, nice and cute set up.
But mine with D-2000 and arm still compact and easy to handle, even by 11 years old girl.

 

[chile7236]

But mine with D-2000 and arm still compact and easy to handle, even by 11 years old girl.
View attachment 98824

nice pic....

 

[Plotek]

Plotek, nice and cute set up.
But mine with D-2000 and arm still compact and easy to handle, even by 11 years old girl.

Nice set up for macro.
Off course it is always better to have more flexibility, but sometimes users have different priorities
My goal is two strobes and two segments, long arms, but I have to wait little bit, because ULCS is not available in my country so i will try composite carbon fiber+aluminium.