Question for any PEN owner/strobists reading this thread - what's your preferred setup for triggering off-camera flash? I've got an FL-36R so I know about the Olympus wireless trigger function using my on-board flash, but that relies on line-of-sight and I can imagine situations where the flash is hidden behind an umbrella/softbox. Is there any way to use the VF-2 and a radio trigger at the same time?

__________________

E-P3 | 14 | 25 | 45 | 40-150 | various legacy

Not a direct answer, but while RC mode can be a bit finicky and generally requires line-of-sight, in a studio setup, you'll often find that it can read the pre-flashes just fine when they are bounced. If you are going full manual slave mode, you have a lot of leeway and the flash just generally needs to see a reflected/bounced flash from somewhere (even from another remote flash). Experiment a little and you might find that radio triggers are not necessary...

Played around yesterday with another setup - using the same principles of bouncing flash off of walls for a soft light

Used the OMD with the supplied little flash acting as RC controller and the little fL300 mounted on a tripod.

Seemed to work well - though the on camera flash - even when switched to off does produce an annoying catchlight

lens is the 45/1.8 wide open... camera shutter triggered by cheapo wireless remote


P9140123 by kevinparis, on Flickr


P9140126 by kevinparis, on Flickr


P9140184 by kevinparis, on Flickr


K

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinparis2007/
http://facefullofbees.com

kinda surprised this thread hasn't generated more traffic.


i know people are little scared of flash... but it seems to me that there are some interesting possibilities with minimal equipment and a little thought.

maybe I am preaching to the converted or maybe my little experiments dont wow others like they wow me..

let me repeat these are the results of shooting at 200 iso in a dull room at 160th of a second. Looking at the LCD in these setting all i could see was a dark blob!!!

learning flash isn't hard and can surprise you at what you can get out of your existing camera and lens.

K

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinparis2007/
http://facefullofbees.com

There are scores of highly experienced strobists in this forum. It's safe to assume they have long gone beyond basic techniques and setups. The thing with your OP though is the emphasis on experimentation, even having basic/limited equipment. Light is light. And sure, recipes will work most of the time (have seen a lot of pros, firsthand, relying on "lighting recipes" alone), but nothing beats trying whatever lighting approach comes to mind and see what gives.

__________________
http://500px.com/Eyes_Unclouded_Photography
http://eyesunclouded-photography.blogspot.gr/
http://www.facebook.com/eyesunclouded

It's definitely a nice result, and I agree with you that there are interesting possibilities with minimal equipment and a little thought.

I'm just getting into shooting with flash, and am waiting on up a couple of cheap Yongnuo 560-IIs to go along with my FL-36 (and kit OM-D flash), and couple of cheap lightstands, umbrellas and reflectors to mess around with (total cost, ~$300). I have no real particular use for any of this stuff, I'm not planning on setting up a studio or shooting a bunch of portraits, but I'm strangely fascinated by experimenting with strobes to achieve different lighting effects. Anyway, I digress, but thanks for the post.

thanks hank


may i recommend a simple purchase from you local art store that I have found useful when experimenting... I call him harry the head....he never moans or gets bored when I am trying to set up lighting


Kevin and Harry - Born to stroll by kevinparis, on Flickr

K

__________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevinparis2007/
http://facefullofbees.com

I love seeing new lighting possibilities, particularly those that I can use in lots of different situations - a second flash is easy to carry around(I have a Nissan for and a Promaster I used with my Canon gear) and you can usually find a wall to bounce off of. Nice!

__________________
Love mercy, do justice, walk humbly - Micah 6:8
"A true photograph need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words." Ansel Adams

So i assume Kevin that you aren't using the diffuser screen behind you? I cant see spending 80 dollars on a white screen. I have often thought about how to set up a 1 umbrella set-up. I guess when i finally pick up a fl-36 i'll dive more in depth on it. Any recommendations on other ttl flashes that work well that dont carry a 100+ dollar price tag that will work on the pen series?

I've been following, but unfortunately can't contribute much to the discussion..I've been meaning to pick up a basic flash, but I always seem to find a reason not to..