4/3 System Discussion - What I like and hate about it... and more...


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Won't work together if in TTL mode though.
Why do they not work together in TTL mode? Weird. Olympus pray tell us!
That is one of the "hate" points also. Old OM cameras worked with up to 9 (yes, nine) T32 flashes in TTL mode almost thirty years ago until dSLRs replaced them. Now, one single lousy flash only. I have actually discussed that with some photogs on another forum. Amazing how many of them are so narrow minded and could not see any use of multiple flashes in TTL and couldn't imagine the advantages the old OM2n had in that respect. Maybe they could just not admit that their precisious E-1 they had paid loads of money for would not be as good as an old OM2n from the 1980's in any respect. Well, I love the FL-50 which I am a lucky owner of, but similar solution to the T32 flash(es) integration into OM2n still has to be invented and built by some camera manufacturer. My next brand will be the one that implements that in an inlelligent way in a dSLR, if the camera has an optical view finder also.
 

On the E-330, you can still eject the built-in flash (and also by giving it a nudge with your finger) AFTER putting on the FL-50.
Maybe that was a mistake and Oly actually don't want us to use multiple flashes. How about the E-4xx and 510? To me it seems it is only possible with E-330, so maybe they "corrected" that for the future models to be similar to E-500 "smart" pop-up flash that is blocked all together.
 

Let me grab my friend's E-300 and try again. The last time I tried it in 2006 Dec, it works. the FL50 and can be mounted to the E-300. They both can be used together. Let me photograph it this time and we can all settle this issue.

oh yes, there is an interference when the built in flash tries to pop up. So a small nudge is required for it to fully open. Think it's some design error or miscalculations.
 

Most of the Pros and cons been covered by you guys.

For me, since most pictures minetaken is printed in 4R where cropping is a must for the 4/3.
It would be good if they have a format selections like the 5060.
 

Print in A5 then; 1 or 2 mm border (can't remember), no cropping needed.
 

Yes you can. Just use the FL-50 in auto mode! :)
Of course, assuming the E-300 and E-330 are similar enough to do so.

Won't work together if in TTL mode though.
Why do they not work together in TTL mode? Weird. Olympus pray tell us!

Maybe the FL-50, but when I did that test last night the FL-36 definitely works in TTL mode with the internal flash on the E-300!
 

That is one of the "hate" points also. Old OM cameras worked with up to 9 (yes, nine) T32 flashes in TTL mode almost thirty years ago until dSLRs replaced them. Now, one single lousy flash only.

Maybe that was a mistake and Oly actually don't want us to use multiple flashes.

Well the OMs used an external gadget to hook up those multiple TTL flashes...shame it wasn't the same connector as the round TTL socket used for the FL-BK01:
http://zuserver2.star.ucl.ac.uk/~rwesson/esif/om-sif/flashphotogroup/ttl_auto_multiconnector.htm
 

Let me grab my friend's E-300 and try again. The last time I tried it in 2006 Dec, it works. the FL50 and can be mounted to the E-300. They both can be used together. Let me photograph it this time and we can all settle this issue.

I have both the FL50 and E300 right in front of me now lah. Trust me lah, when you raise the E300 flash, you cannot mount the FL50 onto the E300. Now I am 100% sure, at least for mine FL50 and E300 :)
 

I have both the FL50 and E300 right in front of me now lah. Trust me lah, when you raise the E300 flash, you cannot mount the FL50 onto the E300. Now I am 100% sure, at least for mine FL50 and E300 :)

It's mainly because of the FL-50's bowed-forward design, right?
When I was using my Sunpak 383, I never noticed any interference between it and the E-330's on-board flash popping up. It was very easy to get both to work. The Sunpak 383 has a very 'upright' body.
 

So what did I use to demonstrate the double flash for my friend's E-300 :dunno: Unless I had the FL50 on my E330 and his FL36 on his E300?? Now need to clean out my eyes and brains!!:sweat:
 

So what did I use to demonstrate the double flash for my friend's E-300 :dunno: Unless I had the FL50 on my E330 and his FL36 on his E300?? Now need to clean out my eyes and brains!!:sweat:

Photograph yourself with both flashes in front of a mirror.
 

Ok...let see if I get to catch him this friday.
 

Another thing to add to my hate list...C-AF. Why can't they make the E-330 have the same C-AF system as the E-1?? Test and test...The stupid C-AF just won't work.
 

C-AF on the E-1 ain't all that much better. ;)
 

Another thing to add to my hate list...C-AF. Why can't they make the E-330 have the same C-AF system as the E-1?? Test and test...The stupid C-AF just won't work.
I tested it last summer and it worked. Not that it could track F1 cars but slower speed things is OK. You still have to pan and follow the subject and the longer the focal length the more difficult it is. Also, only the center AF point was on, which is the only one I use. Anyway, I think no camera is 100% to everybodies satisfaction, so personally that is not on my "hate list".

I don't know about E-1 but a while ago a few people discussed that on fourthirdsphoto, all tried to convince me and others that the E-1 was faster than the E-500 and I think the concensus was that it depends mainly on the lens and the way the camera is held. To some degree even the angle at which the photo is to be taken.

Then there is a question of power. The E-1 pros almost always use grip, giving more power to turn the AF motor. I once did a battery grip prototype (never finished) for my E-500 using 6x1.5V alkaline batteries. With a fresh set of batteries the camera was extremely fast to focus with the 14-45mm. I could stand in a large room, turning around, swinging with the camera and shooting continuosly as fast as the camera could and each of those images turned out sharp. That was in single AF mode, each picture came from a new shutter button press, but I'd guess the increased power would improve even C-AF.
 

How should I put this... It won't even focus, period.!!! Had the 35mm on and still it won't AF lock. Switch to S-AF, then ok. At the roadshow, the 90-250 won't even try to focus. It just stayed dead.


Think I got a really big lemon here..:(
 

I don't know about you Blu, but I feel my C-AF is too active and is always focusing when I don't want it to... or maybe I haven't 'graduated' past using just S-AF-M.
 

Why is it I am getting more problems with my E-330?? Is it telling me to sell it an move on?? :dunno: seriously, if this banding thing is not settled soon, bye bye Oly. I downgrade back to P&S and prosumer cameras. ;(
 

Why is it I am getting more problems with my E-330?? Is it telling me to sell it an move on?? :dunno: seriously, if this banding thing is not settled soon, bye bye Oly. I downgrade back to P&S and prosumer cameras. ;(

Dude. You got a lemon and that was it. It happens with almost all of today's electronic equipment. Nothing to be pissed about... it is like that... My E-1 cannot go into machine gun mode for a while and I was thinking it was some setting problem, then I realised it was not. Duh... but I got that fixed overseas when I was there for a shooting assignment and they helped me get a spare body even! So if the guys in Oly MY cannot help you, you can go some place else... Don't let this get to you. Your shooting has been getting better and better, and that is something PnS cannot give you (though I have to say that prosumer cameras are getting better and better).

Sorry to hear that you have to go through this. Hope you can get that lemon swapped or something soon.
 

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