heliotis@rochester.UUCP (06/21/83)
First, I recently got a relatively inexpensive flash. However, the
salesman first showed me something for twice as much, with a piece
on the bottom that I believe made it a "dedicated flash", but I'm
not certain. She said it "told the camera that the flash is there",
which I interpretted at first as simply meaning it saves you the trouble
of putting your shutter speed to the synch ("X") setting. When I told
her I had a totally manual camera (Minolta SRT-201), she said, "Oh.",
and sold me the simple automatic exposure flash unit. The question is,
what do these fancier units do for you, when coupled with the right
camera?
Second, I notice most people cock their cameras' shutters right after
releasing them for the previous picture. I got the impression that
leaving the shutter cocked for long periods puts more wear on certain
camera parts (besides increasing the chances of wasted film). This means
that I often forget right before I take the next picture. Is this really
bad? For electronically controlled shutters, too?
Jim Heliotis
allegra!rochester!heliotis
seismo!rochester!heliotis
heliotis@Rochestermauney@ncsu.UUCP (06/22/83)
References: rocheste.2020 Dedicated Flash: Dedicated means that the flash interfaces with some fancy feature(s) on the camera. They are all incompatible, but clever vendors have come up with interchangeable feet, so that their flash can be dedicated to any popular camera. In most cases, a dedicated flash will set the shutter to the correct synch speed, and light an indicator in the viewfinder whenever the flash is ready. In some of the more expensive cameras, you can also get through-the-lens flash metering. The camera measures the light reflected from the first shutter curtain and the film, and shuts off the flash when the exposure is correct. An intelligent salesperson would have asked what kind of camera you have BEFORE trying to sell you a dedicated flash. Shutter cocking: Some people claim that leaving the shutter cocked for long periods is bad, presumably causing fatigue to the springs. However, Modern Photography surveyed their staff, and couldn't find any additional mechanical problems for those who kept their shutters cocked, compared to those who didn't. For anecdotal evidence, I have had an inexpensive Ricoh for five years, always keep the shutter cocked, and have had no trouble (except for very infrequent accidental exposure). Jon Mauney
tw@hp-pcd.UUCP (06/23/83)
#R:rocheste:-202000:hp-pcd:7800019:000:661 hp-pcd!tw Jun 22 13:34:00 1983 Well, last I looked there were several companies out with flash interfaces that not only set the camera's shutter, etc. to the appropriate speed, but also are able to communicate information about whether or not the flash is recharged yet after a flash. Sometimes this just lights an led in the viewfinder; on other cameras the camera will take over and try its best to correctly expose an existing-light shot if the flash isn't yet ready. As for your other question, I doubt that any increase in wear is worth the frustration of missing a shot because you didn't wind yet. I always leave cameras cocked and have never experienced any shutter problems. Tw