XZ-1 and strobes

[chris196]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but the YS27dx is a manual strobe. It doesn't support ttl.
YS-27DX | Strobes | Strobes | Discontinued Products | Line up | SEA & SEA

Are you saying she doesn't use the camera in manual? No matter what mode the camera is in, the strobe power has to be set manually.

I have no experience with the XZ1 but I would guess an inon S2000 is the right strobe for her.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Strobe power isn't the issue, Chris ... timing is.

The camera fires the strobe just fine ... it just doesn't fire at the right time. Doing the mirror test shows that the strobe, even though you can see it fire, isn't firing when the picture is being taken.

The only time it works is when the camera is in manual mode, and the flash is set to 1/16th or 1/64th power.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[dimac]

I use an xz1 in the oly housing with an Inon s2000, i use it in manual (both cam and strobe) but it works TTL also. I didnt have luck with using Av or Sv with ttl tho...

 

[chris196]

My point is if she wants to use the camera in P mode for example, then how is she setting the strobe. Her exposures would be all over the place with the camera choosing exposure and the strobe set to manual value.
If she truly wants to be point & shoot, then she needs a strobe that supports optical ttl, thus the recommendation for inon S2000.

Otherwise, I'd contend she's better off putting the camera in manual and using the strobe manually, that way she can review a pic and set the strobe power up or down as needed. Use something like 1/125 & f5.6. Should cover most cases.
Even if she got the system to work in P mode, she might take a picture, decide to adjust the strobe, then take another picture, but the camera has decided to use a different exposure and her strobe power is again not correct.
Even if she's adjusting power simply by moving the camera closer/farther from the subject, you have the same issue.

Just seems like a very frustrating situation for the photographer to want to be in a point & shoot kind of scenario and not have equipment that supports it.

---------- Post added August 26th, 2013 at 10:12 AM ----------

I didn't see dimac's post before mine.
If that's the case that the S2000 doesn't work in sttl in anything but manual, then she's pretty much stuck with manual or get a new system for fully automatic.

 

[smoore]

I haven't used the Inon S2000 with this camera but, as I have indicated previously, the Inon chart indicates it can be used in STTL mode with this camera but that it slightly underexposes. If she is shooting in P mode and the picture is slightly underexposed she can adjust the power of the STTL by using the rotary EV control (note on this flash you turn it one way to increase exposure in manual and the opposite way in STTL) and if it is overexposed she can turn the dial the other way. I would check with one of the members who works at one of the online stores that specialise in underwater photography just to make sure that the flash you pick works with this camera I have had one S2000 for about 3 years and I got a second one this year and I have had no problems with either unit. I tend not to shoot in STTL mode not because the exposures are poor but because the fish has moved in the extra time it takes for the camera's flash to fire the pre-flash. For still life subjects or something that will not turn suddenly which you can follow with the camera as you shoot (like a swimming turtle) I find STTL works fine. In those situations I often use STTL with manual aperture and shutter speed and let the camera adjust the exposure for the object I am shooting. This way I can control the exposure of the ambient lighted portion of the picture. I know my EPL-2 will work with STTL in manual mode and this link indicates that the XZ-1 has the this capability 2011 Compact Camera Buyers Guide. This flash is very tiny and while there have been complaints that it is simply not powerful enough for real wide angle work I have been happy with the pictures I have been able to take with mine. My avatar is a picture I shot in manual mode with a single flash set to STTL attached to my EPL-2. This is why I got such a great colour (IMO) for the water.

 

[anenomefishman]

I know I've discussed this here before, and I've done some searching ... but it's been a while and I'd like to get some more recent feedback.

My traveling companion has an Olympus XZ-1 in an Oly housing. She owns a Sea & Sea YS-27DX strobe that doesn't appear to synch with this camera.

It appears from what I've read that the best solution would be to ditch the S&S strobe and purchase Inon ... apparently the Inon strobes have settings that synchronicity with this camera.

Does anyone out there use an XZ-1 with a strobe? If so, what type of strobe, and what settings?

My friend isn't really interested in using the camera in manual. She is happily an underwater tourist who just wants decent pictures she can show her friends. We're leaving in four weeks for Indonesia (Lembeh Straits & Rajah Ampat) and would like to get this problem figured out in time for her to do a couple local dives first with a working solution.

Recommendations are appreciated ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Raja Ampat, jealous. was in Wakatobi, Indonesia a few weeks ago.

---------- Post added August 27th, 2013 at 12:40 PM ----------

It's not my camera ... this is info I'm trying to get for a friend.

She uses an optical cable. She does not want to operate the camera in manual mode ... so that's not an option.

Are there any strobe options for this camera that will function using one of the auto or program modes?

Herb ... I'll check her settings ... not sure what you mean by Fill In, since this isn't my camera. But I'll check the menu and see if I can figure it out (and thanks for the info) ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I run my xz-1 in manual mode 94+ % of time.

 

[dimac]

I use both in Manual but when i get home (in an hour or two). I'll play with the various setting combinations and post what i get.

 

[KeithG]

A different strobe will likely be required. The ys27 appears to be one of the early "digital" strobes. from the manual it supports cameras with no pre flash or 1 pre flash. Note that you have to set the mode knob for either no preflashe or 1 preflashes.

If your camera emits more than 1 pre flash then the strobe will be firing early. I assume this is the issue but i am not familiar with your camera.

Another area to check is the various "flash" modes of the camera. Try it out on every different flash setting. Some settings (like red eye reduction) cause some cameras to emit additional preflashes. The additional preflashes will confuse this strobe.

This strobe only operates in a "optical slave" mode and so even though s&s label it as manual, it does not support wired manual operation. It only triggers optically.

 

[webstep1]

I use an Inon D-2000 with XZ-1 - works great in TTL (and manual) mode.