Olympus Cameras and Four Thirds System Digital SLRs Forum

Olympus Cameras Forum Discuss Olympus film and digital cameras as well as Panasonic and Leica Four Thirds System digital SLRs - forum moderator is Greg McCary.
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  1. #1
    Junior Member
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    Jan 2008
    Location
    Kelowna British Columbia Canada
    Posts
    9

    Checking danger of using non-E series flashes

    I have an Olympus T32, several Vivitar 283 and one Vivitar 285 flashes. Do any of you have experience using any of these, or any other non E series flashes with the E510. Is there a reliable way to test for possible problems.

    I did use a 283 on a Kodak digital without seeming to cause a problem, but have read about possible damage to circuitry with the E510.

    I welcome your input.
    Equipment
    E510 Body
    14-42 mm, F/3.5-5.6 ZD ED
    40-150 mm, F/4.0-5.6 ZD ED
    No Name OM adapter
    OwnerUser Battery Grip

    Take the picture!
    Enjoy the beauties, learn all you can from the rejects…

  2. #2
    Senior Shooter Greg McCary's Avatar
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    Jun 2006
    Location
    Rome Ga.
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    10,550

    Re: Checking danger of using non-E series flashes

    I am not sure I would even try it. If it does work at all the camera can not communicate with the flash so it would just be a uncontrolled flash. The built in flash on the 510 would probably do a better job any way. I wouldn't run the risk. I have a couple of flash units here and I have used them on many cameras. Even my Canonet. But I don't dare on the 510. It's just not worth the risk for me.
    I am like Barney Fife, I have a gun but Andy makes me keep the bullet in my pocket..

    Sony a99/a7R

  3. #3
    Member Marc2B4's Avatar
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    Dec 2005
    Location
    Maddock, North Dakota, USA
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    204

    Re: Checking danger of using non-E series flashes

    It has to do with the voltage the flash uses to fire and communicate with the camera body. The only two safe flashes that I'm aware of are the Vivitar 285HV and the Sunpak 383. Both of these flashes use less than 6 to work. Any thing more than that and you run the risk of frying the electronics in your camera body. I use a 285HV all the time with my E-1s and like it better than the FL-36. milivolts

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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    1,477

    Re: Checking danger of using non-E series flashes

    I use a Vivitar 285 HV with both my 510 and 500 bodies and have done so for a little over a year on the 500 and since I bought the 510 at the end of last summer. No issues whatsoever.
    Shooting with an Olympus Evolt E-510 and loving it


    Equipment list:
    Olympus Evolt E-3, E-620, E-500
    Olympus Zuiko 40 - 150 F4.0 - 5.6
    Olympus Zuiko 14 - 45 F 2.8 - 3.6
    Sigma 50 - 500 F 4.0 - 6.3
    Sigma 70 - 200 F2.8
    Olympus FL-38 Flash x2
    Vivitar 285 HV
    Better Beamer Flash Extender

    http://www.jdtimages.ca/

    A Photographer that is fluent in Sarcasm.

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