Olympus Imaging Corporation (President Masaharu Okubo) has announced plans for the release of accessories, including electronic flahes, eye cups and a power battery holder, for the Olympus E-System of interchangeable-lens digital SLR cameras.
The new FL-50R and FL-36R Electronic Flashes add wireless multi-flash photography capability (when used with the forthcoming E-3 D-SLR camera). To help users make the most of the outstanding performance available from these new flashes, Olympus will also be releasing a variety of accessories to expand, enhance, and improve their lighting effects.
Also scheduled for release this year are the DE-P3 and DE-N3 Diopter-Correcting Eye Cups, which extend the diopter correction range towards the positive side and negative side respectively. When these eye cups are used, the diopter correction range of the camera body can be extended to cover from -6 to +4m-1.
In addition, Olympus also plans to release various dedicated accessories for the E-3 camera at the same time as the camera. These include the HLD-4 Power Battery Holder, which can hold up to two Lithium Ion Batteries BLM-1 together with the same battery accommodated in the E-3 body, the CS-7SH Semi-Hard Case, and the FS-3 Focusing Screen* featuring a grid matte screen.
Common accessories for Olympus E-System Cameras
Product Outline
In the past, when the film camera was dominant, wireless multi-flash photography tended to be restricted only to professional photographer with the requisite knowledge and experience. However, with the arrival of the digital age, the ability to check pictures immediately after shooting them has greatly mitigated the risk of failure, helping to make wireless multi-flash photography increasingly popular among amateurs as well as professionals.
The advantages of wireless and multi-flash operations lie in the reduction in the size and volume of the equipment and the easy creation of effective lighting thanks to easy setting.
Also new on the FL-50R and FL-36R are also compatible with the "Olympus Wireless RC Flash System" based on the "RC data transfer" wireless communication format developed originally by Olympus. This makes possible versatile wireless multi-flash photography when combined with the E-3 D-SLR camera that will be released at the same time.
(Note) The E3 is the only camera compatible with the Olympus Wireless RC Flash System as of October 2007. The traditional clip-on flash system is usable with any camera model.
Main Feature
FL-50R/FL-36R common features
Wireless multi-flash photography
Made possible by the implementation of compatibility with the "Olympus Wireless RC Flash System" based on the Olympus-original "RC data transfer" wireless communication format, this function is available when these flashes are used with the new E-3 D-SLR camera. Three wireless flashing control groups can be set up independently so that control of multiple flashes is possible even in an environment in which both the FL-50R and FL-36R coexist. In addition, four information channels are available to prevent interference with the control of other users. Any of the flashing modes available with the clip-on flash system (TTL-AUTO/AUTO/MANUAL/FP TTL-AUTO/FP MANUAL) can be used and the intensities of different flash groups can be set according to the user's preference.
When these flashes are used in combination with the new E-3 D-SLR camera, which features a commander function incorporated in the built-in flash, wireless multi-flash photography is possible without using an outside commander. This system also ensures the same body balance as in normal photography.
In addition, the centralized control/display system makes it possible to enter and check all of the selected items on the Super Control Panel directly on the back of the camera body. This ensures excellent operability and mobility without stress for the user.
Slave function
The slave function allows these flashes to be used with other Olympus SLR cameras with manual flashing capability and SP Series compact cameras with slave mode operation capability. In addition, they can also be interlocked with a large strobe in the studio.
FL-50R unique features
High performance thanks to digital-dedicated design
Exclusively designed for digital, the light emitting and brightness control circuitry achieve uniform irradiation in the picture area and high brightness control accuracy. The FL-50R has a rotary head that can be rotated in four directions. Thanks to the high light intensity, the guide number is as high as 28 at 12 mm (equivalent to 24 mm with 35 mm camera) and 50 at 42 mm (equivalent to 85 mm with 35 mm camera) (when the ISO speed is 100).
The irradiation angle is set either by automatic zooming according to the interchangeable lens or by manual setting, while the built-in wide panel makes it possible to effectively cover the wide irradiation angle required with a focal distance of 8 mm (equivalent to 16 mm with 35 mm camera).
When the SHV-1 Flash High-Voltage Set (optionally available) is used, it is possible to charge the flash within less than 1.3 second.
Accessories for enhanced lighting effects
For enhanced lighting effects, the FL-50R comes with FLBA-1 Bounce Adapter and FLRA-1 Reflected Adapter as standard accessories. The FLBA-1 mounts on the flash head and diffuses the irradiation light to soften the bounce light by attenuate the contours of shadows produced in bounce shooting.
The FLRA-1 mounts on the flash head using a special rubber belt. It not only provides a catch light effect, but also softens the effect of the bounce lighting by offering auxiliary frontal irradiation to eliminate the shadows produced in bounce shooting. It can mount on the shorter edge of the flash head as well as on the longer edge. This allows it to be used in both ceiling bouncing in vertical shooting and wall bouncing in horizontal shooting, and makes it possible to take advantage of bounce lighting in a much wider range of shooting situations.
FL-36R unique features
High performance in a compact unit thanks to digital-dedicated design
Exclusively designed for digital, the light emitting and brightness control circuitry achieve uniform irradiation in the picture area and high brightness control accuracy. The FL-36R has a rotary head that can be rotated in four directions. The guide number is 20 at 12 mm (equivalent to 24 mm with 35 mm camera) and 36 at 42 mm (equivalent to 85 mm with 35 mm camera) (when the ISO speed is 100).
The irradiation angle is set either by automatic zooming according to the interchangeable lens or by manual setting, while the built-in wide panel makes it possible to effectively cover the wide irradiation angle required with a focal distance of 8 mm (equivalent to 16 mm with 35 mm cameras).
Powered by two "AA-size" batteries, the FL-36R exemplifies the compatibility of high performance and compact size.-Olympus
Comments
Post new comment