Canonolite D flash.. clever.

[ToddB]

Hey guys

The Canon QL17 GIII camera came with the Conolite D flash. So I was playing with it last night. Low in behold it's still alive and is pretty clever how it the camera adjusts the exposure when the flash is on. You might know.. when you focus the camera on your subject (my kids, they always patient with my camera playing) It automatically adusts fstop when it's on "A" setting. I haven't developed it yet , but from what I could tell, it looks like proper exposure is in place.

ToddB

 

[snapguy]

Grreat flash

Small and lightweight, too.

 

[AgX]

A somewhat similar automated flash-exposure system (called CAT) was applied to the FD-lens series for some time, with the electronic flashlight being controlled by the focusing barrel.

 

[ToddB]

Exactly.. ! I watching that when I was focusing. Very cool!

Todd

 

[Chan Tran]

In another forum I asked whether modern cameras can do that using the autofocus system to determine distance and then when the user enters the GN for the flash the camera can automatically adjust the aperture. Most people think I am crazy.

 

[ToddB]

I'm totally in awe of this camera in how far advanced it was when it came out. What a little powerhouse. It's no wonder my grandmother picked this up for her travels when she was younger.

Todd

 

[benjiboy]

It's the CAT ( Canon automatic tuning system ) that dates back about 40 years. that was also on their S.L.R's of that era.

 

[ic-racer]

A Ricoh 35 and a Konica c35 ( only certain models of each)had that system also.

 

[wblynch]

I have one of those flashes but no camera. Perhaps I should be looking for one?

 

[John Koehrer]

I don 't think the CAT system and GN were the same. The CAT needed the adapter/resistor and a dedicated flash attached to the camera.
Keep in mind, the Glll also uses a GN setting for non-Canon flash units.
Olympus SP had a GN setup that could use any flash as long as the GN could be set on the lens. At that point, the 45mm/2.8
GN Nikkor did the same thing

 

[AgX]

Yes, both systems are different in their approach.

But identic in their effect:
gaining correct exposure indepent of reflectivity of the object. What otherwise would affect a light meter/autoexposure.

 

[polyglot]

In another forum I asked whether modern cameras can do that using the autofocus system to determine distance and then when the user enters the GN for the flash the camera can automatically adjust the aperture. Most people think I am crazy.

Minolta AF cameras with their TTL flashes can do this, they call it "ADI" (advanced distance integration) mode. They adjust the flash power of course though, not the aperture. It's very handy because it means you can take a photo with highly-reflective items (windows, wine glasses) in the scene and the reflected light from them will not fool the TTL system and cause underexposure.

 

[John Koehrer]

Nikon AF-D's also provide distance to the camera's computer.