BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Greg Bishop

How best to use 3600HS on Minolta Z1

Manual with 3600HS flash is full of set-ups that they say will not work with my Z1. The question, what is the best combo setting to make this flash work best on my Z1? I'm not quite ready to retire my 500cm and Metz 402 yet.

Greg

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April 25, 2005

John C. Schwentner

Hi, Im John and Im glad you asked about this. I have a z-1 and a z-2 and have the 5600 flash which is similiar in settings. Ive found that the focus light will not work with it, but you really dont need it. Also you cant use the remote which would be great. What is good is the fact that the flash is still TTL and will take care of everything in auto. I knew all this before I bought, but wanted the power. The only way to in increase the power is in manual, and then you can use the power settings. You just have to take shots and experiment. good thing our cam has instant feedback in viewfinder. One thing Im sure youve noticed also, is that the built in flash with its 39 gn is just as good as the big flash until you get far away. In fact, I cant tell the difference unless I go to manual and increase the power. am I right?

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April 26, 2005

Greg Bishop

John,

The little flash on the cam is indeed quite nice. So I assume from your answer, I should run the camera on auto, set the flash button on the cam to auto, and run the flash on a manual setting to get the extra pop I sometimes need? Does Red-Eye Reduction and Fill Flash work with the 3600 as well?

One thing I tried, and didn't work was a little trick I used to use on my Metz 402. When I wanted a softer light I'd blow up a white balloon and tape it to the flash. Oh well!

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April 26, 2005

John C. Schwentner

Hey Greg,

Yean set the thing on all auto, and the tl metering of the flash balances the whole deal. As far as the extra pop, you have to set flash and camer on manual to get an ncrease. thats because the auto flash is ttl thru the lens and is automatic exposure. You could set the flash high, but the auto settings will only use as much as it needs unless u go to manual. yes the fill flash and red eye, all flash settings are the same in auto as the built in flash. The 5600 comes with a pull out diffuser built in, but I think yours doesnt, but see if you can find a generic plastic diffuser that you can clip on sometimes. Something else that works good, is a single piece of that flimsy white lens cleaner paper. John

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April 26, 2005

John C. Schwentner

Hey Greg Im a liar. I just got to thinking, and I checked my flash, You actually can boost it with the camera still in auto. Just set the flash in manual, and set the power where you need it. I had to cut it down to 1/32 to keep it from overexposing with the cameras auto settings whatever they were.

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April 26, 2005

Bryce Aitken

Hi my name is Bryce and I am very interested in the 3600HS discussion. I have a Z5 which also does not use the autofocus lamp or the wireless remote. I notice from previous posts that you seem to be able to set the power of the gun but I can't seem to figure out how to do that.

Any info would be a help,

Cheers,

Bryce

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May 05, 2005

John C. Schwentner

Bryce, is your 3600 also with ttl, and manual settings? Anbd does the screen have a power level setting? If so, and I think its like my 5600 you just set the flash on M and adjust your power level where you want it. You would have to try a couple test shots to see where you best exposure will be.It will not be ttl flash in this mode, so it will allow you to set th burst, and not the camera

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May 05, 2005

John C. Schwentner

trying to show picture for you Does your flash have similiar screen?

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May 05, 2005

Bryce Aitken

Hello Greg thanks for your response. The 3600HS(D) does not have an LCD screen so I can not apply same settings as you can.It does seem strange that John does not have the same problem as he also has a 3600HS gun.

I am enclosing a photo (I hope!) for you to see.

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May 05, 2005

Bryce Aitken

I am enclosing a photo (I hope!) for you to see.

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May 05, 2005

Bryce Aitken

Hello John/Greg just one further bit of information, the 3600 flash can be remote triggered using a TV remote handset for Sharp VCR (or one of these multi programable ones). Distance from the remote flash effects the response. I think it would be possible to trigger it by using an infrared second flash slave to drive an RC5 type encoder to do the actual triggering. Please note this would need to be used in the manual mode and calculations done to get the best exposure balance.

Cheers,

Bryce

PS have not managed to figure out how to upload a picture to QnA hence no picture of the 3600 flash!!