FL-40
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 What are the dimensions of the FL-40 flash?
The maximum dimensions of the unit as it is pointed for direct flash operation is 2-7/8" wide x 4-5/8" front to back x 5" high. It folds for storage to: 1-7/8" x 3-1/8" x 7". With the batteries inserted, the weight is about the same as the camera.


What is the GN of the FL-40 flash?
 The Fl-40 has a GN of 40m or 130 feet in tele mode and 26m in wide angle at ISO 100.


How can I tell if I need to replace the batteries in the FL-40 flash unit?
The batteries may be run-down and need replacing if the "test/charge" light on the FL-40's rear control panel does not light up or is slow to light up; replace with freshly charged batteries.


What is the recommended distance for using the FL-40?
For pictures taken at a distance closer than 4.9 feet (1.5m), it is recommended that the built-in camera flash be used. At closer distances, pictures taken with the external flash can become overexposed.

The best shooting range at ISO 100;
from approximately 4.9 feet or 1.5m to:

  F2.8 F4 F5.6 F8
Tele 45.9 ft.
or
14m		 32.8 ft.
or
10m		 23 ft.
or
7.1m		 16 ft.
or
5m
Wide 30.5 ft.
or
9.3m		 21 ft.
or
6.5m		 15 ft.
or
4.6m		 10.8 ft.
or
3.3m
with Wide Panel 21 ft.
or
6.4m		 4.5m 10.5 ft.
or
3.2m		 7.5 ft.
or
2.3m


Can I use the on-camera flash with the FL-40?
You can use both the FL-40 and the built-in camera flash simultaneously. You can bounce the light from the external flash off the ceiling or wall while the on-camera flash provides catchlights in the eyes. When using both flashes, the on-camera flash provides supplemental lighting only. If the extension flash does not render enough illumination, images may come out underexposed.


The FL-40 unit is showing distance in meters, how can I change it to feet?
Slide the ON/OFF switch to "On" WITH the "Backlight" button held down to switch the unit of focal range between meters and feet.


How can I set the FL-40's flash output to disperse across a wider angle?
Mount the wide angle adapter onto the flash and press the "T/W" button down for at least 2 seconds until a flash icon appears on the control panel.  The setting can be cancelled by pressing the "T/W' button again.


What is the advantage of using the FL-40 rather than another external flash unit?
The FL-40 offers TTL metering of it's flash output.  If you have no experience using an external flash unit, then the FL-40 would be a good choice for you; just mount the unit on the camera's hot-shoe, set it to auto and let the camera control the flash unit.  If on the other hand, you have experience using external flash units and know how to manually control it's output, then any quality thyristor flash unit will give you excellent results. 


Can I use the FL-40 flash off-camera while maintaining TTL metering?
If you are using a non-Olympus flash bracket, the Canon Photo Off-Camera Shoe Cord 2, model # CZ6-2359 has the same pin-out as the FL-40 so it will let you use the flash unit off-camera at a distance of up to 2 feet while maintaining TTL metering.  It does present a disadvantage in that the shutter button is partially hidden.  You can still reach the shutter button but if you are having difficulties, you may want to try using the remote control to trip the shutter.

Update:
The Olympus flash bracket and Hot Shoe-to-TTL Cable are now available, TTL metering will be maintained using this combo to move the FL-40 flash off-camera.


I'm having a problem with red-eye when using a flash unit; what can I do to lower the incidence?
Try slightly tilting the flash upwards to help relieve the reflection, especially from fair-skinned subjects.  You can also move the flash unit off-camera using a "L"  or handle-type bracket.  When using the FL-40 flash in this manner along with the Canon Photo Off-Camera Shoe Cord 2 (described in the previous question), you will maintain TTL metering.


Tips (collected from the manual) on using the FL-40 flash unit.

If the "Auto Check" light on the rear control panel flashes for 5 seconds after taking a picture, the flash fired correctly.

When using the FL-40 and the built-in camera flash, the FL-40 will emit more light than the built-in flash.  The illumination is automatically set for both flashes so the object is properly illuminated.  When photographing far away objects, the built-in flash is turned off automatically and only the FL-40 flash fires.

When using both flashes, pictures cannot be taken unless both flashes are charged and ready to fire.

Focal range is shorter in bounced light photography then if the flash was pointing straight at the subject.

The best recommended angle for bouncing flash is 60°.

If the flash is turned On but not operated for a specific time, the power saving will function and the control panel will be out.  Pressing the shutter release button down halfway will light up the panel and enable flash photography.

When selecting the TTL Auto mode, the flash emits light three times when the shutter release button is pressed down all the way.  The actual shooting takes place on the third emission.

When using the 2nd curtain synchronization setting, shutter speed is slower so the use of a tripod to prevent blurring from camera movement is recommended.


Can I use an external flash other than the Fl-40?
You can get excellent results with just about any quality thyristor flash unit.  According to the Olympus C-2500L Camera Manual, you may use a non-dedicated external flash as long as it satisfies the following conditions:

"It must be possible to set exposure from the extension flash. If using the auto flash mode, the flash must use an F-stop of F2.8 or F5.6 (with macro mode) as it's auto flash mode."

"Depending on photographic conditions, a suitable exposure may not be obtained even when using an extension flash at F2.8 or F5.6. In such a case, change the flash's F-stop or ISO speed, or set the guide number figured out from the focal distance in the manual mode. In any case, F-stop in the auto flash mode and ISO speed generally are adjusted in 1 EV increments, and exposure cannot be compensated any less than this. When using an extension flash, the camera's exposure compensation feature cannot be used."

"The angle of illumination must cover the range of a 35-mm lens. However, with wide close-ups, it is recommended to use a flash with a wide adapter for distributing light because the lower part of the image does not come out sometimes."

"A full flash must last no more than 1/200 of a second. With ring flashes of long flash duration, part of the light might not be included in the exposure.

Connecting a non-exclusive extension flash with communicating function which does not meet the conditions above may damage the camera or flash."


I've never used an external flash; what basics should I keep in mind when selecting a unit other than the FL-40?

Look for a basic Thyristor Auto-Sensor flash without any dedicated TTL support.  These units work with standard PC connectors and determine the exposure automatically via the thyristor auto-sensor circuitry.

The flash unit should have an ISO 100 setting and an aperture setting of F-5.6 and F-8 (small aperture setting at wide angle & telephoto.)  This will allow you to set the camera and flash unit for the correct exposure.

A "Hot-Shoe to PC Adapter" will allow you to use any Thyristor Auto-Sensor PC socket flash.

Handle mount flash units although more expensive, tend to be more powerful.  They come with a mounting bracket that attaches to the tripod socket at the bottom of your camera, allowing them to be used as a handle for your camera.  They can be quickly removed and the flash held off camera at arms length, producing higher quality flash pictures.


How can I connect an off-camera flash to the C-2500L?
A Hot-Shoe to PC Adapter can be mounted on the hot-shoe and the pc sync cord plugged into the adapter.  With the camera turned off, connect the adapter and the PC cord to the camera before plugging them into the strobes.


Can I use my Digi-Slave Deluxe 3000 with the C-2500L?
The combination of the built-in flash and the Digi-Slave flash unit tends to overexpose your subject.  Better results may be possible at distances over 15-feet, although a lot of "trial & error" will be necessary.  Selecting the FL-40 or any quality thyristor flash unit will offer better results, as the flash unit can be used without using the camera's built-in flash.


What external flash units other than the FL-40 do C-2500L owners use?
Note:  some of these units may no longer be available.  If you already own one of these units, then give it a try since others have used them successfully with the C-2500L.

*Note:  please test the voltage of your flash unit before using one of these external flash units.  Some older units may have voltage levels high enough to "fry" your digital camera.

Brand Model # Mount Type Additional Notes
Holgon
(Tokina)		 2800 SC
Handle Mount Auto Flash		 Handle Unit connects with a pc cord;
a hot-shoe to PC Adapter is needed.
The quality of the unit is o.k. but nothing special.
Flash unit can be found at Porters
Metz 45CT1 Handle Works flawlessly with the C-2500L
Metz 45CT5 Handle Works flawlessly with the C-2500L
Metz MZ50 Handle Metz Flash Units website
Minolta Auto 280PX   Due to size will not allow use of built-in camera flash
Nikon SB-11 Handle Connected using a hot-shoe to PC adapter.
Works well with the diffuser panel; remove to increase shooting range (at longer setting.)
Nikon SB-15   The SB15 is a lighter unit that is a bit slow and underpowered
when compared to the Vivitar 285; good for closer shots.
Nikon SB-24   Due to size will not allow use of built-in camera flash.
Pentax AF-280T   Works well in AP & Manual Modes; seems a little bright when used in Program Mode.
Pentax flash webpage
Quantum Q-Flash Bare bulb Powered by Quantum's Turbo Battery pack.
Quantum Q-Flash webpage
Starblitz 250-BAZ   Manufactured by Tokina
Sunpak 120J Auto   Used off-camera
Sunpak 120J Auto webpage
Sunpak 522   Connected using a generic hot-shoe to PC adapter.
Sunpak 555 Handle Big unit but provides a good handle for the C-2500L.
Sunpak 555 webpage
Sunpak Auto Zoom 600   Modified with PC sync; tested using generic hot-shoe to PC adapter.
Slide dial to 64 ISO, other dial to 4.5 ft. (14-16-20) position.
Vivitar 272   Attached to the camera's hot-shoe, will permit use of built-in flash.
Results were much warmer when used alone than with the built-in flash.
Vivitar 283   Due to size will not allow use of built-in camera flash.
Works beautifully off-camera in conjunction with
the built-in flash.
Vivitar webpage
Vivitar 285   Due to size will not allow use of built-in camera flash.
Works beautifully off-camera in conjunction with
the built-in flash.
Good angle of coverage with barely any light fall-off at the edges.
Vivitar 728AF   Attached to the camera's hot-shoe, will permit use of
built-in camera flash.
Vivitar 5000 Ring Flash  

Use 43-49mm step-up ring

Too bright at smallest F/stop.  Instead of a ND filter, use about 10 layers of ordinary writing paper cut to fit over the flashtube.

Trick your camera to go into the super macro mode by zooming to full telephoto and then zoom slightly back toward wide. (the camera will not work in the super macro mode at the full telephoto setting.)

Ring flash lighting is very flat and shadow less.  
Canon Speedlite 199A Dedicated Flash for Canon cameras

***Not recommended for purchase; info provided for owners of this unit who would like to try using this flash unit with the C-2500L.

 If you should own this unit, you may still use it with the C-2500L if:

use in manual mode only; program and aperture modes do not function.

use both a PC to hot-shoe adapter and a hot-shoe to PC adapter before attaching the flash unit (blocks two of the triggering prongs allowing the flash to fire.)

due to the stacking and excess weight, the camera seam by the hot-shoe could split open due to extreme stress; it is strongly recommended that the flash be placed on a flash bracket instead of on the hot-shoe w/adapters combination.

Older flash trigger voltages of 600+ volts pose dangers for electronic camera users.
The popular Vivitar 283/285 units started out with high voltage trigger circuits; later units were modified to use a low voltage triggering circuit.  Please test flash unit so you can determine if your unit poses a risk to your camera.

Olympus Safe-Sync Voltage Regulator with PC/Hot-Shoe Adapter:
Designed by Wein for the C-2500L, allows the camera to accept a standard male PC sync connector from most flash or strobe units.

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