Anyone use a flash?

[w3rk5]

Just wondering if anyone ever use a flash with their F.S.U.'s. Sample pic's would be great if you have any. Thanks.

 

[Duncan Ross]

Usually bounce-flash with flashbulbs. Unfortunately my main camera is a Kiev, which is particularly unsuited to them.

This doesn't make me some sort of elitist-purist-artist BTW, I just have a thing about flashbulbs!

 

[Nickfed]

I have shot hundreds of flash pictures with a Zorki-6. An FSU focal plane camera is just as capable at flash as any other focal plane camera with flash synch at 1/30. It doesn't mean it's a good idea, it never was. That's why people shoot flash with leaf shutters. Now that the Copal square shutter has been with us for thirty years, it's a very bad idea.
If you want to shoot more serious flash, get a Bessa, it synchs at 1/125, or better, particularly if you like the vintage feel, a Vito 3!

 

[rbiemer]

My FED5 would do fine, probably, but I tend to not use flash. My main FSU shooters(2 Zorki 3m cameras) don't have flash synch. I do have an Argus C-44 that came with a fairly large flash unit and I will be playing with that when I get some flash bulbs.
Rob

 

[w3rk5]

Thank you guys. I know litttle to nothing about using a flash. With your replies I have some info to start looking into. 🙂

 

[kaiyen]

What exactly were you looking in terms of information? Just how to do it? What is required? Those are somewhat related to using an FSU camera in particular. General technique is an even broader question.

allan

 

[Nickfed]

Thank you guys. I know litttle to nothing about using a flash. With your replies I have some info to start looking into. 🙂

Flash is really easy. Your only problem is ensuring you get a flashgun with a synch cord. Such beasties are a bit thin on the ground these days.

 

[w3rk5]

What exactly were you looking in terms of information? Just how to do it? What is required? Those are somewhat related to using an FSU camera in particular. General technique is an even broader question.

allan

For now, I'd like to know what's required. I'm gonna check out what type of flash units are out there and what would be best to use on my FED 2 or 3a.

Nickfed......I 've found some flash units on *bay with built in sync cords. 🙂

 

[rolleistef]

I use an old soviet electronic flash unit, its use is quite limited as it doens't have battery, you need to plug it to the main.
The sync speed being limited to 1/25th, the max aperture is most of the time 8 or 11, which is quite restrictive...
If you want a truly trendy flash lamp, use an old Graflex bulb unit, the handle is what George Lucas used to do his laser sabres in one of his minor movies (aka known as S... W...)

 

[santino]

btw. how should I set my flash synchro on my zorki C? (I mean the flash-synchro dial, 0-25)?

 

[Duncan Ross]

Set it to zero unless you are using flashbulbs.

 

[Nickfed]

Nickfed......I 've found some flash units on *bay with built in sync cords. 🙂

Well that's about all you need to get started. generally speaking, with flash, power is everything. But even a little cheapo can work wonders with 400 ASA film. The only thing to avoid are the little flat horizontal shoemount jobs. They have the flash too close to the lens and can give you the dreaded red-eye. The taller the unit the better and a potato masher really solves the problem.
You will be amazed how cheap quality flashguns can be on the 'Bay.

 

[kaiyen]

I know that people like to stay as authentic as possible, but any flash will work. Even if it uses a standard hot shoe and doesn't have a built-in sync cord, you can buy a hot shoe to pc sync adapter for like $8 or so at many camera stores. I'd recommend one with auto. Just pick an aperture, keep the right distance, and fire away. If you need to do fill, then stop down 1-2 stops from the flash's aperture. If you have backlighting, then open up 1-2 stops from the flash's aperture. The shutter speed of 1/25 doesn't really matter unless you're shooting in daylight. Once it's dark enough, the 1/25 will be nice since the "dragged" shutter will give you more ambient.

allan

 

[w3rk5]

Thanks again for this great info.

 

[Jeroen]

I hardly use flash - and when I do it, it's bounced or with a longer shutter speed. Though I'm thinking about building my own ring flash, I must admit...