Olympus announces remote control (RC) wireless flash units FL-50R and FL-36R

[Four Thirds User editorial team]

Both are ideal for use with the Olympus E-3 professional D-SLR which enables the control of up to three different flash groups directly from the camera – no separate commander unit is required. Photographers benefit from extreme flash unit versatility and never again need to be hindered in the studio or in the field by troublesome wires.

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[nikkorku]

Very nice flash system where photographers could controlled the lighting ratio.
Still unknown about flash recycling time where all of Olympian complain abouut..

[Ian]

Originally Posted by nikkorku

Very nice flash system where photographers could controlled the lighting ratio.
Still unknown about flash recycling time where all of Olympian complain abouut..

Recycling is a function of available current from the batteries - if you need shorter recycling, go for an external battery pack

Ian

[nikkorku]

Originally Posted by Ian

Recycling is a function of available current from the batteries - if you need shorter recycling, go for an external battery pack

Ian

Comparing to Canon 580EX or Nikon SB800, you'll feel how slow the cycling time of the FL50 is..

[zuikonian]

It seems a little misleading to call it RC as that is frequently an abbreviation for radio controlled. Anyway, some of the info I have seen suggests they are using something a little more sophisticated than basic IR. Seems like a competitive disadvantage if other brands are using radios.

Many are concerned that it is the same IR technology as used in handheld remote that fires my E300 from if lucky 5 meters IF it has line of sight on that side of the body - about 50% of attempts work. They claim 200 feet I think so it must be something else. Is it as simple as remote flashes seeing the blast from the popup flash? I would hope you have the option to not always fire the popup to avoid red eye and have total control of lighting effects. Thanks.

[OlympusGuy]

Originally Posted by zuikonion

It seems a little misleading to call it RC as that is frequently an abbreviation for radio controlled. Anyway, some of the info I have seen suggests they are using something a little more sophisticated than basic IR.

I'm with you! Does it broadcast some sort of radio signal, or some complex "flickerflash" code?

Cheers,

Leonard

[Beardedwombat]

I received an FL-50R today from Ian Kerr (2kerso@gmail.com £263 inc postage & Paypal fee). I think the remote control works by using flashes from the popup rather than IR. To check recycle time I just stuck it on my E-3, set it to TTL Auto and fired off 30 frames of the same subject at 5fps with the flash firing quite happily without pausing. I then fired off another 30 frames at 5fps moving the camera around the room, this time it paused twice for maybe half a second. The pauses may have been the camera clearing the buffer but I don't think so since I was shooting jpegs large sf. All frames are correctly exposed. Frankly I was amazed. I certainly have no complaints about recycle time from this crude test. It may, of course, be quite different in a live shooting situation.

I am new to Olympus so have not used an Olympus flashgun before. It is well made, easy to set up and use, comes with a diffuser (like the Stoffen) and a clip on deflector plate as well as a stand. I am delighted with it!
Cheers
Chris

[thestickman]

It also has a tripod socket Good for those times when you don't have a floor/table to put it on using the foot stand. It seems really well thought out to me. Definite added value
Phil

ps - sounds pretty good on the recycling time, how big was the room/far away was the target out of interest?

[Beardedwombat]

Originally Posted by thestickman

It also has a tripod socket Good for those times when you don't have a floor/table to put it on using the foot stand. It seems really well thought out to me. Definite added value
Phil

ps - sounds pretty good on the recycling time, how big was the room/far away was the target out of interest?

Smallish room about 12ft x 15ft, first target was only about 13ft away so perhaps not a fair test. I was using eneloop batteries.

[OlympusGuy]

I recently saw on the internet an article about an experiment done with an E-3 and two FL remote flash units. The units were hidden behind objects, but still flashed. It sounds like radio control. I'll contact Olympus tech support and see if I can get a clearer answer.

Cheers,

Leonard