wireless flash exposure

[hoppinghippo]

Just wondering, if I use my flash wirelessly (off the camera), is it possible to adjust the flash exposure wirelessly? ie. if I decide to drop one stop for the flash, do I have to set while the flash is still attached to the camera, then remove it and assume the flash retains the setting, then set up the flash? or can I set it up, then somehow change the settings remotely on the camera body for eg?

 

[deslim27]

Hi,

It will be useful if you provide your camera model.

Cheers!
Des

 

[hoppinghippo]

Hi Des! paiseh my body is a dynax 7. cuz I"ve never really explored off the camera use of flash very much, so a bit suaku at this. camera manuals don't say much either, just tell you to put flash a certain radius away from subject.

 

[dannynys]

Interesting...
hoppinghippo, why not try it out and let us know?

Anyway, if you have plan to take something with that feature. You could just take a few more with a few flash compensation settings.

:dunno:

 

[deslim27]

Hi Des! paiseh my body is a dynax 7. cuz I"ve never really explored off the camera use of flash very much, so a bit suaku at this. camera manuals don't say much either, just tell you to put flash a certain radius away from subject.

Hi hoppinghippo,

I'm using Dynax 7 too. Although I don't have any comparison example on hand, I can safely assume the answer is yes. Unlike normal slave flash, the wireless controller (built in flash or attached flash unit) determine the start/stop and output ratio of remote unit. Furthermore the flash comp option is reside in the camera body, unlike some systems that built in the flash unit itself.

Mark K (dpreview.com) recently posted this link to a useful article about minolta wireless flash. It has some real example for different flash combination. :thumbsup:.

http://freedmanarchives.com/flash.htm

 

[hoppinghippo]

dannynys: the pt is if other pple know and can teach me then I won't need to experiment lah!

des: wow that's a great article man!! thanx!! but acc. to it, the cam flash only triggers on off, doesn't seem capable to triggering more info to the wireless flashes? but his tips on distance is cool!

 

[deslim27]

Hi,

but acc. to it, the cam flash only triggers on off, doesn't seem capable to triggering more info to the wireless flashes?

Exactly, the camera body decide when to on and when to off, so when you set -1 for flash comp, shouldn't the camera know how to cut short the flash timing? It doesn't need to pass more info to flash than that in this case. Too bad, my previous was on shoe testing. See if I've spare 'ammo' next time to try

but his tips on distance is cool!

Yeah, and very practical for still portraits..

Cheers!
Des

 

[dannynys]

Ya, I know, hoppinghippo.

Just seems to me no one is responding to this thread for a week. I think somehow people don't experiment much with the Minolta's capabilities anyway. It will be good if someday someone said, "hey that must be taken with a Minolta!"

 

[yeocolin]

Ya, I know, hoppinghippo.

Just seems to me no one is responding to this thread for a week. I think somehow people don't experiment much with the Minolta's capabilities anyway. It will be good if someday someone said, "hey that must be taken with a Minolta!"

Then its up to us to help make Minolta a more popular brand. Not that we'll go around telling the whole world I use Minolta, but rather go and improve our pictures and show our pictures for critique and for friends for appreciation. In due time, people will start asking what camera you are using, although I don't believe in that. Its still the eye behind the lens that made the difference, not the box holding the lens.

However, thanks to the article, I now know the wireless flash system is indeed breathtaking. We can now shoot studio shoots and tell people we didn't spend thousands on the lighting systems, all thanks to the engineers of Minolta.

 

[deslim27]

Then its up to us to help make Minolta a more popular brand. Not that we'll go around telling the whole world I use Minolta, but rather go and improve our pictures and show our pictures for critique and for friends for appreciation. In due time, people will start asking what camera you are using, although I don't believe in that. Its still the eye behind the lens that made the difference, not the box holding the lens.

However, thanks to the article, I now know the wireless flash system is indeed breathtaking. We can now shoot studio shoots and tell people we didn't spend thousands on the lighting systems, all thanks to the engineers of Minolta.

Can't agreed more, colin. :thumbsup:

In fact, I'm was considering gearing up with more flash unit than buying studio equipments. Although, the flash units may not be as powerful as studio strobes, but they are mobile and enable fast deployment anywhere anytime. Minolta has provide a wonderful flash system without sequeezing extra bucks out of our pocket. I only started learn about other brands flash capabilities recently, and realise, I have been using a fantastic system which I've taken for granted all the while.

Cheers!
Des

 

[yeocolin]

Can't agreed more, colin. :thumbsup:

In fact, I'm was considering gearing up with more flash unit than buying studio equipments. Although, the flash units may not be as powerful as studio strobes, but they are mobile and enable fast deployment anywhere anytime. Minolta has provide a wonderful flash system without sequeezing extra bucks out of our pocket. I only started learn about other brands flash capabilities recently, and realise, I have been using a fantastic system which I've taken for granted all the while.

Cheers!
Des

Hi Des,
Please show us your pictures or other similar works of others' using normal flash units, if you successfully embark on it. It'll be good inspiration.

 

[hoppinghippo]

yeah its really amazing that minolta's wireless flash system is so powerful yet they don't use that to launch a marketing campaign, instead it only warrants 2-3 pages worth of scanty info in the user manuals! really strange!

 

[deslim27]

Hi Des,
Please show us your pictures or other similar works of others' using normal flash units, if you successfully embark on it. It'll be good inspiration.

As you can see from the link, its very useful for indoor portraits, Sulhan had done some nice works previously.

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?t=52867

I've yet to gather enough equipment for studio-type of work, I worried that new flash models will be introduced with 7D particularly. Just wanted to add a point here.. 3600HS doesn't have manual power selection unlike 5600HS, it can be tricky if you want to do studio. (I bought it to realise it.. , anyone selling 5600HS cheap? I need to gather more)

I did a number of shots with wireless before, but I won't say they are inspiring :embrass: , just enough to solve my immediate problem at those moments when shoe mounted flash is not feasible.

See if I come across any on net, I will post them here for everybody.

Cheers!
Des

 

[deslim27]

yeah its really amazing that minolta's wireless flash system is so powerful yet they don't use that to launch a marketing campaign, instead it only warrants 2-3 pages worth of scanty info in the user manuals! really strange!

LOL! I never able to figure out how it works from the manual, have to post on net to ask the experts around. BTW, what you intend to do with the wireless that you need to do flash comp (I've not use it with such precision requirement)? Don't mind if I ask..

Cheers!
Des

 

[deslim27]

Info : 1:2 ratio (manual) with A1 + 2 5600HS.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1024&message=7318175

 

[YuHsuan]

That's because the general public is only interested in these things in a camera:
Size and weight
Zoom range of the lens
and number of megapixel (in a digitcam)

I have recommended the A1 to friends (novices) and their only comment about the AS function was "Not enough light just use the flash lor!"

What can I say?

As for flash exposure, if you are using the Dynax 7, just set the flash exposure (top left dial, lower rung) to -1 if you wish to lower flash exposure by 1 stop. Even in wirelss mode, this should still hold true. Whether or not the flash is attached and then detached should not be an issue.

yeah its really amazing that minolta's wireless flash system is so powerful yet they don't use that to launch a marketing campaign, instead it only warrants 2-3 pages worth of scanty info in the user manuals! really strange!

 

[sulhan]

Hiee Pals...

Just make sure that if you use the wireless (ratio or not)...just ensure that distance of flash postion still needs to be tatken into account....as the end result is still like "manually-try-until-you-get-the-desired-result"....kinda thing.

Variations woul dbe interms of reflaction, angle etc.

Regards,
Sulhan

 

[deslim27]

That's because the general public is only interested in these things in a camera:
Size and weight
Zoom range of the lens
and number of megapixel (in a digitcam)

Actually, the most important aspect is "brand name". I have experienced to much too of it.. whether your recommendation is better or even best, it will be shot down simply not their favourite brand. "IS" is a big important feature for user to buy Canon, but "AS" is insignificant feature for them to buy Minolta.

I'm tired of recommending, just enjoy myself with the fantastic equipments that I've discovered .

I have recommended the A1 to friends (novices) and their only comment about the AS function was "Not enough light just use the flash lor!"

What can I say?

LOL!! Don't bother to waste your time explain to them. What is the difference between flash, AS and wide aperture lens, anyone can share?

 

[hoppinghippo]

des: no lah I"m not pro or anything, not planning something cheem in particular, just occured to me one day! Anyhow I hope to achieve nice studio style shots using cheap alternatives like flashes and all.

I"ve got an idea tho, since there's quite a few of us interested in exploring our wireless flashes, how about we pool together our flashes and all and do an experimental shoot? maybe find some place, everyone bring along whatever wireless flashes you have, plus spare tripods (to mount the flashes), diy brollies if you have, reflectors, coloured plastic sheets (to put over the flash), backdrop, etc? and we just setup and shoot? this way we can achieve classic shots like one flash light up backdrop, one flash for highlighting, etc etc..

 

[deslim27]

des: no lah I"m not pro or anything, not planning something cheem in particular, just occured to me one day! Anyhow I hope to achieve nice studio style shots using cheap alternatives like flashes and all.

heee.. no saying you're pro or not lah, just curious of your application. I wonder if there is still pro using Minolta in Singapore. Me too, exploring for cheap alternative.

I"ve got an idea tho, since there's quite a few of us interested in exploring our wireless flashes, how about we pool together our flashes and all and do an experimental shoot? maybe find some place, everyone bring along whatever wireless flashes you have, plus spare tripods (to mount the flashes), diy brollies if you have, reflectors, coloured plastic sheets (to put over the flash), backdrop, etc? and we just setup and shoot? this way we can achieve classic shots like one flash light up backdrop, one flash for highlighting, etc etc..

Are we the only 2 here?? I'm waiting to see if anyone answer to your call.. I think both of us need some experienced one to guide us. I think the real resouce issues is the place, backdrop, and other studio equip like umbrella etc.

Cheers!
Des