Nikon High Speed Sync Flashes for Olympus OM-4ti ?

[CameraQuest]

I've read speculation that Nikon's flash system is based upon Olympus flash technology.

Has anyone successfully used Nikon flashes like the SB900 on the OM-4ti with full features like high sync flash ?

Are there other hi sync flashes for the OM-4ti besides the FP280?

Stephen

 

[PKR]

I've read speculation that Nikon's flash system is based upon Olympus flash technology.

Has anyone successfully used Nikon flashes like the SB900 on the OM-4ti with full features like high sync flash ?

Are there other hi sync flashes for the OM-4ti besides the FP280?

Stephen

Hi Stephen;

Are you addressing the whole of the Nikon CLS System?

Others now have their own versions of CLS, with second party Mfgrs making compatible equipment too.

I'm not familiar with Oly's stuff but, know CLS pretty well.

edit
I'm not sure of the term "hi sync", do you mean flash duration ? Or, a higher than normal (above 1/250) sync speed?


Snip
How It Works

In high speed sync mode the flash is not fired in one burst of light; it's emits a series of pulses, an incredibly rapid series that illuminates the scene as the camera's focal plane shutter moves across the sensor. This strobing action takes an enormous amount of flash power, and the flash essentially divides up the amount of light into segments as the shutter travels. The faster the shutter speed, the less flash power is available. Often the reduction in power does not noticeably affect the image, but when it does, photographers often compensate by either moving closer to their subjects or using more than one Speedlight.

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-a...e-to-add-a-pro-touch-to-your-photographs.html
pkr

 

[CameraQuest]

Olympus was the first to offer high speed sync (up to 1/2000 on the OM-4ti)

the Nikon flashes are said to be similar, and might be compatible

 

[wpb]

i think the syncing was by way of a short burst of flashes, the technology exists in the flash itself rather than the camera body. If you look at the Guide Number for the flash it drops significantly when in hi speed sync mode. The OM-4 does have more electrical connections on the shoe compared to the OM-1 or 2 bodies and the off camera sync cord is more complex. If you could figure out how to trigger the Nikon from an OM-4 it might just work.

 

[CameraQuest]

i think the syncing was by way of a short burst of flashes, the technology exists in the flash itself rather than the camera body. If you look at the Guide Number for the flash it drops significantly when in hi speed sync mode. The OM-4 does have more electrical connections on the shoe compared to the OM-1 or 2 bodies and the off camera sync cord is more complex. If you could figure out how to trigger the Nikon from an OM-4 it might just work.

Its not just the flash, the body must be able to work with the bursts of light.

the OM4 can't do it.
the modified OM4-Ti can

 

[wpb]

Yes, I left off the “ti”.

 

[PKR]

Its not just the flash, the body must be able to work with the bursts of light.

the OM4 can't do it.
the modified OM4-Ti can

Yeah, i think the camera, via firmware and maybe the sensor, tells the flash the shutter slit's position and when to fire each burst.

With all the tech sharing (and theft) and selling now, nothing would surprise me. Olympus may have been the designer of that system.

I would doubt any system compatibility between the two. But, the aftermarket flash people are surely on this.

edit

It looks like Godox is on it. One for Olympus as well as models for Nikon, Sony, etc.

snip
Godox V860II-O TTL GN60 2.4G High-Speed Sync 1/8000s Li-ion Battery Camera Flash Speedlite with X1T-O Wireless Trigger Transmitter Compatible for Olympus Panasonic & 15x17cm Softbox &Filter & USB LED

https://www.amazon.com/Godox-High-S...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

[charjohncarter]

Aftermarket flash producers are on it, but you have to reseach to be sure that your TTL camera system will be compatible. For example, I have a Pentax K1 and Godox is the only as 10 months ago that would do HSS with my camera. If you use Nikon or Canon you have a much bigger selection. My friend bought a Godox or another brand for his ff Sony. We spent the entire afternoon trying to figure it out so I decided stick with my WienSafe and my Minolta 320x. Now if I have to beat the sun, even though it is limited, I use a 3 stop ND filter.

Bright day at noon:

Pentax K1 ColorPerfect-beating the sun by John Carter, on Flickr

 

[CameraQuest]

according to one expert repairman who I trust,

the OM4ti and Olympus M43 flash systems are incompatible,

too bad really.

Stephen

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

according to one expert repairman who I trust,

the OM4ti and Olympus M43 flash systems are incompatible,

too bad really.

Stephen

Stephen, I have an OM-4T and the F280 flash made for it. I also shoot Micro Four Thirds with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 mark II and the Pen-F. I have the Olympus FL-900R flash for them.

The OM-System and m4/3 system flashes are not compatible. The contacts on the flash foot and camera shoe are in different spots on the two systems, and the firmware that runs them is likely different too.

One thing with the high-speed sync modes is that the flash has to start firing just before the shutter curtains begin to travel. Because of that, you cannot use the Nikon flashes with the OM-4Ti because the OM camera won't recognize the Nikon flash so it will fire the flash at the normal X-Sync time (after the first curtain is fully open) instead of firing it right before the first curtain begins to open.

 

[charjohncarter]

Yes CameraQuest, you really have to be careful. Not so much for the voltage problem these days if you buy a new flash. But in reality if you get an old powerful flash that has an auto settings you can come close to what you would with a TTL flash system (maybe closer), and not have to read a 50 page manual and use a flash unit screen.

With a DSLR or new mirrorless all I've done is take a few shots with my old flashes, check the histogram and adjust. When I was working with my friends that in essence is what we did too. Background, ambient light, and distance were more important than the screen read out.

I'm not 'down rapping' new flashes, I just don't feel like going to the trouble that I have to with a DSLR in manual mode. Always use a WienSafe.

 

[CameraQuest]

Stephen, I have an OM-4T and the F280 flash made for it. I also shoot Micro Four Thirds with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 mark II and the Pen-F. I have the Olympus FL-900R flash for them.

The OM-System and m4/3 system flashes are not compatible. The contacts on the flash foot and camera shoe are in different spots on the two systems, and the firmware that runs them is likely different too.

One thing with the high-speed sync modes is that the flash has to start firing just before the shutter curtains begin to travel. Because of that, you cannot use the Nikon flashes with the OM-4Ti because the OM camera won't recognize the Nikon flash so it will fire the flash at the normal X-Sync time (after the first curtain is fully open) instead of firing it right before the first curtain begins to open.

Thanks Chris!

Do you know of any 3rd party flashes that are OM-4ti compatible?

the FP280 alone seems a bit limiting.

Best,
Stephen

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Thanks Chris!

Do you know of any 3rd party flashes that are OM-4ti compatible?

the FP280 alone seems a bit limiting.

Best,
Stephen

I don't know of any. And yeah, the F280 is very limiting. I bought the flash when I was in college, and really only used it a handful of times in the FP mode because it just doesn't work well.


The flash is not powerful enough; you have to be very close to the subject. Also, if you want to use it for fill flash there is no way to control the fill ratio. You get more fill when you're close to the subject and less when you're far away. This is because it always fires at the same brightness in the FP mode. Regular flashes can cut off the flash before its full duration to control exposure, but that is not possible with the FP mode.