Olympus Flash Search/Hunting

[OlympusRF]

Important: PLease insert the flash in the camera, and only after this you will insert the bulb in the flash, or it will light

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Just looked at the instructions with my CL flash and it doesn't mention the on/off switch. But the do say put the bulb in when the flash is on the camera.

Tried looking for the instructions as a pdf but search engines get really wound up about it and think I mean the Leica CL or Olympus FL Flash...

Regards, David

 

[bruised]

ok some progress!

I physically pushed down on the flash while taking a shot and the flash did fire. I guess the spring loaded contact terminal was a little jammed in and stuck.

after a quick disassembly to clean the moving spring loaded parts, the flash fires each time.

Thanks David! the flash doesn't have an on/off switch. the switch you can see is a bulb ejection switch. I now only load the bulb after the flash is on the camera. pretty annoying because as you push the bulb in, the flash wants to fall off the camera, adding to the risk of an accidental flash discharge.

now another question: can someone just confirm with me that these ag1 bulbs are single use, disposable bulbs? They must be.

that's a lot of fumbling around just to take a shot with flash! I really might put a modern power source and electronic flash into this flash body as it is so nice and low profile. see pics!

I mostly use this kangaroo mini flash (made in japan) but i really want something that can stay on and fit in my pocket. plus the kangaroo flash kinda gets in the way of my finger and the shutter release button.

 

[bruised]

now i need to find a place that can properly scan and print these negatives. the place i go to is the local drug store pharmacy that has 1 hour photo processing done by machine and and old Philippino lady that doesn't give a **** anymore ! haha

I tell them to fit two exposures on a frame to print and it always comes out cropped on the two outter edges 🙁

and if i don't say anything, they try to rotate a single portrait half shot and print that out and completely ignore the two landscape photos on either side.

anyone one have any luck doing this? is there a key word I'm missing when I try to explain to this lady what to do?

 

[David Hughes]

"Thanks David! the flash doesn't have an on/off switch. the switch you can see is a bulb ejection switch. I now only load the bulb after the flash is on the camera. pretty annoying because as you push the bulb in, the flash wants to fall off the camera, adding to the risk of an accidental flash discharge.

now another question: can someone just confirm with me that these ag1 bulbs are single use, disposable bulbs? They must be.

that's a lot of fumbling around just to take a shot with flash! I really might put a modern power source and electronic flash into this flash body as it is so nice and low profile. see pics!"

Hi,

Yes, you're right about the bulb ejector; I had my glasses on this morning and it's obvious. Trouble is, I don't need them to type etc and forget until late. And, of course, you see what you expect to see.

Flash bulbs are single use. And the blue dot should be blue...

If you wanted to fit an electronic flash into a CL body shell (after hacking it about), then a disposable or P&S camera might supply the innards but would the battery be small enough? There's also a small and simple (and cheap) one made by Helios that might supply the innards.

Regards, David

 

[oftheherd]

Hi,

Been going round in small circles since typing about the Olympus CL flash as I tried to track down the 15v battery it took. I found this on the way:-

http://www.flickr.com/photos/olympusrf/7218439604/

and then remembered that the battery was an Ever Ready B154 and that means you can get them from those paragons the small battery company at:-

http://www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/sbc_a220.htm?a220,various,B154

AND, if anyone's got a copy of the instructions for the CL then I'd love to have a copy of it...

Regards, David

PS And then I scrolled down the Flickr page and found the battery identuified...

Awesome! Thanks for the link to the smallbattery company. I have several folding blade flashbulb of the Tilt-a-mite type that need that battery. Now if I can reform the capacitors of find replacements, I will really be a happy camper.

 

[David Hughes]

Awesome! Thanks for the link to the smallbattery company. I have several folding blade flashbulb of the Tilt-a-mite type that need that battery. Now if I can reform the capacitors of find replacements, I will really be a happy camper.

Hi,

All part of the service, their website is good and their service is brilliant and no messing about trying to find delivery costs. A good example of WYSIWYG.

Regards, David

 

[zachlinder]

Reviving this old thread to ask a quick question about bulbs. I've recently come across the Olympus Flash CL, and need to get bulbs for it.

The instructions indicate the flash accepts AG-1, AG-1B, and AG-3N bulbs.

Can anybody explain the difference to me? I believe AG-1 is for black & white, and AG-1B is for color. Is that correct?

I can't find any information on AG-3N bulbs, what their difference is, or what they're intended to be used for. Does anyone know?

Is there anything else I should keep in mind when I purchase these bulbs online?

Apologies, I'm new to this!

Thank you!

 

[charjohncarter]

I can't give you anything on the AG-3N, but you are right about the 1 and the 1B, but you can use the 1B with B&W film. And the AG-1 with color film if you aren't too picky, and with digital programs you can probably fix it anyway. The AG-1 was great with 35mm cameras:

Kodachrome 1960s-1970s by John Carter, on Flickr

 

[zachlinder]

Thank you! Very helpful.

 

[zachlinder]

Hi all, another question about the Olympus Flash CL, which I'll be using with AG1B flashbulbs.

First some context: The diagram on the back of the flash (see below) notes which F stop to use at various distances for both ASA 100 and ASA 64 film. These are all intended for AG1 and AG3N bulbs, but one additional F stop should be opened if using AG1B. For example, at a distance of 3m/10ft and using ASA 100 film and AG1B bulbs, the F stop should be set to 5.6.

Does anyone know how to adjust if I'm using ASA 200 film? How does that change which F stop I should be using at various distances?

Thank you!

 

[David Hughes]

Hi all, another question about the Olympus Flash CL, which I'll be using with AG1B flashbulbs.

First some context: The diagram on the back of the flash (see below) notes which F stop to use at various distances for both ASA 100 and ASA 64 film. These are all intended for AG1 and AG3N bulbs, but one additional F stop should be opened if using AG1B. For example, at a distance of 3m/10ft and using ASA 100 film and AG1B bulbs, the F stop should be set to 5.6.

Does anyone know how to adjust if I'm using ASA 200 film? How does that change which F stop I should be using at various distances?

Thank you!

ASA 200 is twice as fast as 100 so use a smaller stop. So where it says f/11 use f/16 and so on.

The guide number ought to be on the flash bulbs pack, doing it in my (locked down for months) head I'd say 110 for ASA200.

Regards, David

PS If you've not got the packing for the bulbs ask and I'll look in the heap and see what I can find.

 

[zachlinder]

ASA 200 is twice as fast as 100 so use a smaller stop. So where it says f/11 use f/16 and so on.

The guide number ought to be on the flash bulbs pack, doing it in my (locked down for months) head I'd say 110 for ASA200.

Regards, David

PS If you've not got the packing for the bulbs ask and I'll look in the heap and see what I can find.

Hi David -- Thank you for this. Very helpful.

Just so I'm understanding correctly, it sounds like combination of using AG1B bulbs (open one further stop) and using ASA 200 film (open one less stop) actually cancels each other out, and I should use the F stop indicated for ASA 100 film. Do I have this right?

And thanks for the tip on the bulbs packaging. I do have it here:

This is all new to me, so please forgive my ignorance. I'm using this flash with a Trip 35, which I believe is a 1/40 shutter speed in flash mode, so I suppose I should be looking at the "Up to 1/60" row of the chart, and my guide number is 120. So, if I'm using ASA 200 film and my subject is 10 feet away, set the F stop to 11? This would be contrary to my above note about ASA 200 film and using AG1B bulbs canceling each other out, so it seems this is not an exact science.

Not sure what this line on the packaging means: "Guide for 2'' polished reflector, open 1 or more f-stops for others" -- does this have implications for me?

Cheers,
Zach

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Years ago I wrote a spiel about them and forgot it. I've just had a look and updated a couple of photo's. You'll find it here:-

https://idrh.smugmug.com/Photography/Flash/Flash/

In your shoes I would always experiment with flash (bulbs and electronic) as there are so many areas where things are fudged to make life simple. To further confuse the matter we are talking about old equipment and modern films, so it gets more complicated.


Regards, David


PS This is heavily edited as I deleted the new version and posted the old one I was altering.