cly (01/27/83)
Here's something else I learned while shopping for a flash: If your camera has a "through-the-lens" flash exposure metering system, be VERY careful when buying a second-source flash such as Vivitar, Sunpack, etc. They don't NECESSARILY take advantage of this feature. The ads all IMPLY that they do, but check it out. I called Vivitar concerning my Nikon FG and was told that the module didn't provide the feature, but they would have one out "soon". Another camera I know of with this feature is the Olympus OM-10 (possibly other Olympi). Carl Yaffey cbosgd!cly
sundar@cwruecmp.UUCP (Sundar R. Iyengar) (02/01/84)
I have several small questions for the experts. I am looking for an electronic flash unit for my Canon AE-1. I would like to buy a dedicated unit. What I would like to know is what is meant my dedication. Does the camera instruct the flash as to the duration and the strength of the flash light? This would probably require a focal plane photodetector to measure the light falling on the film. I am not sure if Canon AE-1 has such a feature. Can I leave the camera on automatic when the dedicated flash is mounted? I would appreciate recommendations on what the best flash for this camera is. I usually do indoor photography when working with a flash. The one feature I would like on my flash is a tilt head. I am willing to spend about $100. Thanks. Sundar Iyengar sundar.Case-Western@Rand-Relay decvax!cwruecmp!sundar Posted: 12:30:42 pm, Wednesday February 1, 1984.
notes@harpo.UUCP (02/03/84)
#R:cwruecmp:-93200::32400003:000:490 !imm Feb 3 08:47:00 1984 I have a Canon A-1 . As i understand it, when it is dedicated, when you install the flash, the aperture is controlled by the flash and the shutter speed is automatically set to 1/60. A year or two ago in one of the photo magazines, there was some info that nondedicated flashes could cause some problems in the camera and they recommend the camera be in the off position when installing the flash. I bought a Canon 533G and have had no problems Irv McNair ATT Bell Labs, Whippany NJ
dsg@mhuxi.UUCP (GREEN) (02/03/84)
Path: ..floyd!mhuxi!dsg (David S. Green AT&T Bell Laboratories) a Before joining Bell Labs, I was the Manager of Planning at Berkey Marketing Companies ( distributers of Konica, Sigma, Rollei, Nimslo and other brands). I acquired an in-depth knowledge of the marketing practices of the photographic wholesale and retail distributors. To say that they are unethical is an understatement. In answer to your questions : 1. Dedicated means whatever the manufacturer wants it to mean for their ad campaign. Do not trust any definitions given by fan magazines; their main source of revenue is advertising, they will not bite the hand that feeds them. Usually, dedicated is defined as a flash that fits the camera's shoe and will automatically deliver somewhere near the right amount of light in a "normal" environment. In practice, it does not matter much where the sensor is, either in the camera body or on the flash or an attachment. 2. You can get a dedicated flash from either the camera's manufacturer, in your case Canon, or from Sigma or Vivitar. If you follow the instructions you will get acceptable results. Unless you really know what you are doing a tilt head can produce undesireable results, such as color tint from non- 18 percent grey ceilings. If I were you I would visit my local camera store and get either the Canon flash for the AE-1 or a SIGMA/VIVITAR, whichever is cheaper. I dont' think that you should spend any more than 75 to get what you need. David S. Green AT&T Bell Laboratories Short Hills, NJ mhuxi!dsg
rwp@hogpc.UUCP (R.PAUL) (02/03/84)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dedicated flash generally means that when attached to your camera, the dedicated flash will automatically set the correct x-synch shutter speed (1/60 sec. for the AE-1). Certain cameras (e.g. the Minolta X-700) which have off-the-film-plane metering (OFP) for flash do have special metering cells for metering the light of the flash and shut the flash off when the "correct" amount of light has reached the film plane, but only if the flash is a flash which is set up for this feature. Many dedicated flashes for these cameras are not. In your case, it doesn't matter since the Canon AE-1 doesn't have OFP metering for flash. There are several flashes which would serve your purpose. Of course, you can get a Canon flash, but its price performance will probably be at least slightly inferior to that of at least two competitors which I will mention presently. Those competitors are Vivitar and Sunpak. The flash number for Sunpack is 422D (although it has two other models which are approximately the same depending on your specific requirements). I believe the Vivitar flash is the 3500, but I don't have much experience with Vivitar flashes and so don't know if they've come out with anything since that model which would be a better choice. I'll describe the Sunpak 422D flash system since that is the one I am familiar with (and own), but most of the description will probably apply to the Vivitar flash, too. The flash comes in two parts: the flash body and the dedicated module to fit the specific brand of camera. This arrangement makes it easy if you have two different cameras, but only want to save money in buying a flash. By buying only one flash body and two dedicated modules, you can have a flash for both cameras. The price of the flash body and dedicated module together should come to about $100 +/- $25. The flash head tilts 90degrees vertically and 180 (or maybe it was 360) horizontally. Accessories available include: a filter set, a zoom attach- ment, a bracket mount/extension cord/cable release (sold separately, but all necessary to make good use of the bracket mount), an umbrella for soft lighting, Nicads, several Nicad chargers, slave units, PC cords, and probably much more that I am forgetting about. This may sound like an advertisement, but it is merely the sound of a very satisfied customer. (I own the 422D and many of the accessories for my Minolta XD-11 and X-700.) Rick Paul AT&T Information Systems Laboratories Lincroft, New Jersey ihnp4!hogpc!rwp
dmmartindale@watcgl.UUCP (Dave Martindale) (02/16/84)
When shopping for "dedicated" flashes, read the data sheets very carefully to see which "dedicated" features are actually supported. For example, I recently bought a Minolta X-570 and, shortly thereafter, a Minolta 360PX flash. When the camera is set at "A" and the flash at "TTL", then when the flash is charged: 1) the shutter speed is set to 1/60 automatically 2) the "60" LED in the finder blinks to indicate flash ready When the shutter is released: 3) the flash duration (and thus light output) is controlled by a photocell in the camera reading light off the film 4) If there was sufficient light for the shot, the "60" LED in the finder flashes rapidly for 1 second to indicate this. Now, any flash which implements any one of these features could probably claim to be "dedicated". In fact, Vivitar and Sunpak units implement features 1-3 - a respectable showing. But only Minolta flashes, of all those available, provide the sufficient-light indication in the finder. I considered this important enough to pay the extra money for the Minolta flash. (The fact that the Minolta had manual power output settable in 1/2 stop increments, and the simplest calculator dial I'd seen, didn't hurt any either.) So compare features very carefully.