Olympus FL-36R wireless flash

[John Murray]

Hi, I am looking at buying A Olympus FL-36R wireless flash to go with my E30,But 1st I would like to hear from any other user`s about this piece of gear and how you rate it for general use

[alfbranch]

Is it worh buying one of these flashguns or should i buy something else for the money.

Or can I get something woth buying other than this?

[ianpinion]

Originally Posted by alfbranch

Is it worh buying one of these flashguns or should i buy something else for the money.

Or can I get something woth buying other than this?

Well that depends on whether you need to shoot anything using a flash, where the camera's own built in flash would not have the range and power required. If you never take any photos where conditions dictate you would need one, then you quite clearly do not need to buy one. In which case, assess what piece of equipment you would make use of and put the funds towards that instead.

As for the flashgun itself, well it does it's job well. It's quite a low guide number of 36, so it won't be the most powerful flash. The guide number shows what distance the flash will illuminate at ISO 100 using a 105mm focal length. It means you could light an object 36 metres away. You might be able to buy a third party flash unit from either Metz or Nissin that are dedicated to work with your camera with either a Guide No. of either 48 or 58 for similar money.

[alfbranch]

I ask because my Metz flash did not even consume a set of batteries in the 16 months I have had it and it is now dead.
I know about guide numbers etc.

[chris-p]

Tough one Alf. How much flash photography do you do and how important is it that you get the flash off camera?

GNs aside, there is nothing wrong the the 36R - I had one for my E-510. If you're worried it might be low on power, snoot it, bang on a grid or use an 80/20 and force the light where you want it. It's more than powerful enough for most work.

Assuming you need off camera, wireless, flash connectivity you've got several options. It then depends in you need/want to maintain TTL functionality. If you do, the FL36R or FL50R are your options. The only significant downside I can see is that they're both very expensive for what they are. The 36 is pricey and the 50 - wow! I thought the Nikon SB900 and Canon 580EXII were expensive!

Apparently the Metz 58 AF-1 and 58 AF-2 are both capable of running Olympus dedicated IR with full TTL as well. They're still fairly pricey (£250 and £285 respectively). Sounds to me like you're likely to want to avoid Metz though. What model do you have?

You're other option is much cheaper but you will loose TTL. You could get something like the Metz 44 AF-1 (£145) or the Nissin Di466 both of which are 4/3 compatible.
Mounted on your camera you'll get full TTL and all the normal stuff. If you need to trigger it remotely, do it with something like the Strobies iSync 4 or Hahnel Combi TF (£45 and £60 respectively) and you're sorted.

These would offer you much better remote firing as they're capable of radio triggering. Using IR means you need line-of-sight transmission which is often restricting if you're getting the flash off camera. Radio doesn't require a direct optical path and can be used through walls etc. The Hahnel system will even act as a remote release for the camera and controls the autofocus, drive mode and shutter release. It is dependent on exactly which model camera you've got but if it's an Olympus 4/3 SLR you should be sorted.

Ultimately, you pay your money and take your choice. If budget isn't a consideration then the 36R (or even 50R) is a good, solid, reliable flash unit which gives you basic remote wireless capability. For my money, I'd consider the Metz 44 and the Strobies or Hahnel triggers (still assuming you want/need wireless off camera). It's a more flexible system.

[alfbranch]

Thanks for that Chris its helped a lot. I have E-620.

I do not use flash much but would like something better than the built in flash. My Metz 36AF40 didnt even use a set of batteries up but failed after 14 months. It was a pain to get to work with the camera too it took some fiddling about to get the camera to operate it. So an Oly model would seem easier but they are pricey and maybe I would be better off with a carbon fibre tripod.

A far cry from my simple vivitar 283 on my OM 2sp.

[chris-p]

It's six of one, and half a dozen of another I suppose.

For my money, I'd go third party if you're not that likely to use it heavily. I've used Nissins a fair bit and I've never had one put a foot wrong. They're not as well built as my Nikon SB900 but they're a fraction of the price!

I am surprised by your Metz failing though - they're usually pretty good. Have you contacted Metz about it? What has actually happened to it?

[alfbranch]

Chris I asked about it HERE

I did not get much of a reply from the retailer.

[chris-p]

Sounds like Metz aren't particularly helpful. I'd not heard anything like this from them before but it seems like you're better off with kit from someone else - their loss I suppose (apart from your Metz flash that is!).