Can I use Nikon SB600 with my G series camera?

I'm in the same boat as you. Have a full range of Nikon gear. Just picked up an E-P1.

I have read that you can use an SB-600, but you will have to set the flash manually. Basically it will fire the flash, but not have any ability to account for the flash going off.

I am new to this whole micro four thirds thing though, so take what I say with a grain of salt.

 

The camera will trigger the flash but you will not be able to use it in TTL or "automatic" on the flash. As sylvesterii said, you have to use it in FULL manual.

 

Let me know what you decide. I was thinking about seeing if I could find an Olympus FL-36R, as I have heard that it pairs well, and I think can be triggered off camera wirelessly. I've also been told to make sure it is the "R" version. Though I guess I am not sure of all the cross brand compatibility of the Panasonic bodies etc. as I am new hear.

 

Before you throw in the towel and give up on manual flash, check out Strobist - especially the 'lighting 101 archive' listed in the lower right corner of the page.

Manual flash is well worth learning and gives much better control than TTL in a broader variety of circumstances. I've found it's also important for deepening understanding of how our sophisticated cameras interpret light, exposure, etc.

Finally, the E-P1 can NOT control the FL-36R (Oly uses flash coding, not wireless) - I believe that only the E-pl1,2, which have built in flash can do so.

Enjoy!

 

I have a number of flash units. I can't get the SB 800 to work with the GF1 but I can use my SB-26 and Sunpack 30SR on it. I use them in manual mode. Shutter on the camera is set for 1/160 or lower. I set the flashes on manual mode select the aperture and ISO that I want to use. Then I match the aperture and ISO on the camera to that of the flash. The flash units will calculate the exposers so you will have not problem that way. Using a flash in manual mode is not all that difficult one you get the hang of it. For what it is worth i picked up the Sunpack for 30 dollars second hand it is extremely powerful and it is Thyristor limited to the battery live is very long. Proving you don't have to pay a lot for a pocket full of light.

 

I just want to give a warning if anyone is planning to use an old flash and mount it to the camera. Some older flash WILL FRY your camera do to the high voltage. There is a website that has a list of flash with the voltage of each flash. I am not at home right now so I don't have it on my bookmark.

I am also a big promoter of using the flash in manual. I like TTL but sometimes it just don't work.

 

I am a bit confused. I understand that the E-P1 doesn't have a pop-up flash, so it could not trigger the FL-36R off camera, but are you saying you can't even use it in the hot shoe? I thought it was fully compatible TTL with the E-P1, and could be triggered by the pop-up flash on the E-PL1/2 and GF1/2. Perhaps I am mistaken. Or by "wireless" did you think I meant through some type of RF frequency/wireless networking manner?