E300 and DS51 problem, manual strobe underpowered?

Hi FOlks,

I have an Olympus E300 in an Ikelite housing. I kept underexposing my shots when using manual settings on my DS51's, figured it was just me being a klutz.

But I did some testing and even at 'full' they seem to put out a lot less power than they do on TTL, I took the same shot on a wall and it was underexposed on manual, but fine with TTL.

Anyone come across this problem before and have any idea what the likely causes are? Ive tried switching strobes and cords, and theres no obvious socket problems that I can see. Ive emailed Ikelite and waiting on a reply (was only yesterday so not worrying yet!), just checking collective wisdom to see what other ideas people might have.

Otara

Are you using exactly the same settings for the test shots?

I use a DS51 too but had used as a dual set up with a slave strobe but the slave recently flooded so I am upgrading to a DS125+DS51 set. In the mean time I am forced to use the DS51 on it's own and whilst I think it is great strobe it doesn't have much power for W/A work. Although I haven't noticed any less power on full power over TTL.

I generally use only the manual settings (mostly full at present with the one strobe) because I find the TTL gets fooled a bit too easily.

Martin

Are you using exactly the same settings for the test shots?

Yes. As in I shoot TTL, then switch to 'F' on the DS51 with nothing else changed and it underexposes significantly. I originally tested it in aperture priority, but then switched to a manual setting to make sure nothing was changing. Its set to -.5 for TTL flash, but that shouldnt effect manual settings? And we're talking a lot more than a half stop difference anyhow.

I thought it might be something to do with not liking switching from manual to TTL, but doesnt seem to be the case.

Otara

Yes. As in I shoot TTL, then switch to 'F' on the DS51 with nothing else changed and it underexposes significantly. I originally tested it in aperture priority, but then switched to a manual setting to make sure nothing was changing. Its set to -.5 for TTL flash, but that shouldnt effect manual settings? And we're talking a lot more than a half stop difference anyhow.

 

I thought it might be something to do with not liking switching from manual to TTL, but doesnt seem to be the case.

 

Otara

Maybe you should change your camera settings to manual flash as well.

Perhaps your flash is not in synchron with your camera.

Are you sure that you are using the same shutter speed. I don't know about the E300 but many cameras default to a set speed (usually 1/60th) when they detect TTL. So, for example, you shoot manual at f12 and 1/90th and for manual the strobe syncs with this speed. However, when you turn the TTL on, you are now shooting at f12 and 1/60 even though you haven't altered the cameras settings.

I hope that this helps.

Daniel

Im sure its the same shutter speed, I just retested with it set to 1/45 and f2.8. As far as I can tell when I go off TTL, it puts out almost exactly the same flash power whether its set to full or minimum, regardless of what I set the dial on the DS51 to - the histogram is almost identical.

As far as setting flash to manual goes, the only options are off, flash forced on (lightning symbol), slow, or red eye. The manual levelsyou can get with internal flash dont seem to be available as options, presumably because the strobe doesnt offer that as an option.

I can make it blow out if I set the fstop to 2.8 and a low enough shutter setting, but it doesnt seem to change in power level at all, regardless of setting, and it seems to be a much lower level than what TTL can manage, ie if I set fstop to 11, TTL can still do OK, but manual starts going dark.

Im starting to think somethings gone cactus.

Otara