Canon QL 17 Flashmatic Mode Questions

[whitecat]

I don't have a Canolite D. I have a manual flash and I do know that the camera has guide numbers next to the A mode which are 14, 20, and 28. My flash can match the 20 setting. I do know that the focusing distance changes the f stop. My question is this....Is the flash always on? Can I assume that in light it will be flash-fill and in dark it will be full flash.

P.S. Have used the flashmatic mode with my SP and it works well.

Thanks

 

[btgc]

I do not have QL17 but tried this with 35RC which is of same breed, regarding Flashmatic. How do you mean - flash always on? As long as you switch it on. Probably I didn't understand this.

But regarding fill and ambient - for fill set flash stop or two higher (ISO or aperture; or GN) and for ambient set it as it is. This combo can not decide on how much to add light, it needs guidance. As long as I have seen only electronic SLRs with TTL flash of 90's can decide and do ambient/fill flash on their own.

 

[whitecat]

What I meant was is flash fill always on with the Flashmatic function if shooting in daylight?.....

 

[btgc]

No, you have to adjust light level as I wrote - ISO or aperture of flash or GN on camera.

 

[whitecat]

Good info....thanks.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Flashmatic... Setting the GN, yes the flash is always "on." But, the ambient is not metered, so you get the correct exposure from flash and the ambient is ignored. This is pure flash if the ambient is low, or you may get lucky and get a fill-flash exposure if the ambient is just right. Or, in daylight, you might

For fill flash, you need to meter the ambient, pick a shutter speed and f/stop, then adjust the flash for fill. It's much easier with a light-sensing auto-flash.

Flash can be tough. I don't know how good shooters did it in their heads before we had automation.

 

[gb hill]

Here is the manual. Good info in there. I have the Canolite D & there is some things I didn't know. Like with electronic flash any shutter speed can be used.
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/canon/canonet_g-iii_17/canonet_g-iii_17.htm

 

[whitecat]

Guys........many thanks. We are all still learning. Me after 50 years of photos and cameras!