RC35 and Olympus T20 flash

[locheeboy]

Hi Folks,

Planning to use my T20 flash with my Olympus rc35.

Am ah correct in thinking that ah should set the flash tae manual ( having set the GN) and this will enable the flashmatic mode tae govern the flash?

Ah know that the T20 can be used in auto flash mode, if setting the aperture manually but ah'd like tae see/find out about any advantage/disadvantage from using flashmatic .

Thanks, in advance.

Bob 😎

 

[charjohncarter]

You have to determine the flash GN for whatever ISO film you are using. GNs are usually give in meters or feet as on the flashmatic settings. AND they are given for 100 ISO film so if you are using 400 film you will have adopt to the 400 GN. If you have or know someone with a flash meter you can accurately determine your flashes GN. Otherwise, you will use the manufacturers GN which in some cases are not correct.

I find the flashmatic more accurate than an auto flash mode (for a few reasons). Also, with both the auto mode or the flashmatic you can control the ambient light with the shutter speed so in subdued light you don't end up with a black out background like you can with focal plane shutters.

Another wonderful thing about the 35RC is that you can very easily use it for fill flash on a bright day. I'm not familiar with the T20 but you set your flash on auto mode (say 5.6) BUT use your auto exposure on the camera and make sure that the aperture is 1.5 stops greater than the auto mode f stop. So as example set the flash to f 5.6 auto mode and look through the viewfinder and adjust the shutter speed until it is f 11:

 

[locheeboy]

Hi CJC,

Thanks for the reply. Aye, ah understand how tae work out GN etc. The T20 (by its name) is a GN20. Agree on being careful using auto mode (on the flash).

Re. the GN/ISO - A few well known websites state that at ISO 100 the "default" is GN14...ISO 200 - GN20, ISO 400 - GN28 (GN has tae be increased, with changed ISO settings, for correct exposure with flashmatic). Seems logical since the dedicated flash for the RC is GN14@ISO100.

Was really looking for confirmation that, using my flash in manual, not auto, was the correct method i.e. setting the flash tae auto means that the flashmatic mode would not function correctly, if at all - too little/too much flash.

.

 

[charjohncarter]

Hi CJC,

Thanks for the reply. Aye, ah understand how tae work out GN etc. The T20 (by its name) is a GN20. Agree on being careful using auto mode (on the flash).

Re. the GN/ISO - A few well known websites state that at ISO 100 the "default" is GN14...ISO 200 - GN20, ISO 400 - GN28 (GN has tae be increased, with changed ISO settings, for correct exposure with flashmatic). Seems logical since the dedicated flash for the RC is GN14@ISO100.

Was really looking for confirmation that, using my flash in manual, not auto, was the correct method i.e. setting the flash tae auto means that the flashmatic mode would not function correctly, if at all - too little/too much flash.

.

Yes, do not set the flashmatic, AND use the auto mode.

 

[Ranchu]

What flashmatic does is it couples the aperture and focus together so it sets a smaller aperture opening as you focus closer, and a larger as you focus further. Instead of controlling the exposure on film by varying the flash output with a fixed aperture as you do with the flash on auto, with flashmatic you're varying the aperture with a fixed flash output. You want the flash on manual rather than auto with flashmatic. What works really well is a flash you can adjust to lower fixed outputs than full manual. You get faster recycling, and you have a gentler on people flash than full blast. You'll still have to match the output to the GN settings and ASA on the camera/film.

 

[charjohncarter]

What works really well is a flash you can adjust to lower fixed outputs than full manual. You get faster recycling, and you have a gentler on people flash than full blast. You'll still have to match the output to the GN settings and ASA on the camera/film.

That is correct, but the 35RC is a very small camera and an adjustable power output flash is bigger than the camera. If you want a more gentle flash you can always adjust the flashmatic setting to a higher number. The flashmatic is ingenius, Nikon tried to get people interested in the concept with some lenses that had it built into the lens. But most photographers don't like to think much when shooting so the auto mode flashes were the one of choice.

In reality, you won't see much difference, and with PS you can fake it now. So it is probably a moot point. I still like my 35RC and having the flashmatic for parties and indoor shots is great (again not thinking much).

 

[locheeboy]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the input. Heading off tae a friend's 50th. birthday/ holiday in a couple of weeks so will be trying out flashmatic + flash auto + fill-flash. Ah'll post some results here...see below a few photos of the RC with T20 flash. It actually balances well in-hand, though it's almost 2/3 of the camera size...

 

[charjohncarter]

Yes, nicely balanced, I like the shade those are hard to find. Besure to try the fill flash, you can even use it in overcast to add a little punch to your subject.