Olympus OM-2n, flash sync with generic flashes.

[zanxion72]

Recently I noted that with a generic non olympus flash the OM-2n fires it at 1/30 or slower. Isn't it supposed to have a flash sync speed of 1/60? It is one of those flashes that have just one pin under their shoe.

 

[Anon Ymous]

IIRC, there's a selector near the lens mount and it should be at the X setting. The OM2n has a flash sync speed of 1/60.

 

[OlyMan]

You probably know this already, but just in case you don't, remember that without using a dedicated flash such as a T20 or T32 you can't use off the film flash. Though if you use an auto flash (ie a flash with a built in light sensor) you can at least use the flash's calculator panel to determine what F-stop to set your lens at based on the film's ISO rating. T20s and T32s are so cheap these days it's hardly worth buying a non-dedicated flash.

 

[zanxion72]

IIRC, there's a selector near the lens mount and it should be at the X setting. The OM2n has a flash sync speed of 1/60.

It still does not work at 1/60 with that switch set to X. Oh, my! It smells like trouble!

 

[OlyMan]

Just set it to manual, set the shutter speed to 1/60th and set the aperture to what the flash unit suggests based on the ISO (and subject distance, if you aren't using an automatic flash). I'm not even sure the OM-2ɴ is even designed to automatically select 1/60th with a non-dedicated flash attached; the instruction manual is ambiguous about it.

 

[Anon Ymous]

Just set it to manual, set the shutter speed to 1/60th and set the aperture to what the flash unit suggests based on the ISO (and subject distance, if you aren't using an automatic flash). I'm not even sure the OM-2ɴ is even designed to automatically select 1/60th with a non-dedicated flash attached; the instruction manual is ambiguous about it.

It seems to me that Zanxion uses the camera in manual mode, but in any case, what you describe is what he should do anyway.

 

[zanxion72]

It seems to me that Zanxion uses the camera in manual mode, but in any case, what you describe is what he should do anyway.

Yes, I am using it in manual as it is not a TTL or Auto flash. The problem is that when I set the speed to 1/60 the flash does not fire.

 

[baachitraka]

May I know how do you know it is 1/30? It needs flim (OTF-TTL)...

 

[baachitraka]

I may be wrong, if you insert the appropriate flash does not it not automatically switch to 1/60? It does in OM-2sp but not sure about OM-2n.

 

[OlyMan]

Yes, I am using it in manual as it is not a TTL or Auto flash. The problem is that when I set the speed to 1/60 the flash does not fire.

Ah right, I get it now. I would have thought it should still fire at 1/60th with a non-dedicated flash, but I'm not sure. If you're only using flash to light-up a dark scene (as opposed to fill-in), it probably shouldn't be an issue. Flash duration is often 1/1000th sec or shorter so it's doubtful you'll get blur.

 

[zanxion72]

May I know how do you know it is 1/30? It needs flim (OTF-TTL)...

I am using it in manual mode where I select the shutter speed and the aperture. For some reason, when I set it at 1/60 the flash does not fire.

Ah right, I get it now. I would have thought it should still fire at 1/60th with a non-dedicated flash, but I'm not sure. If you're only using flash to light-up a dark scene (as opposed to fill-in), it probably shouldn't be an issue. Flash duration is often 1/1000th sec or shorter so it's doubtful you'll get blur.

I know, but I wonder why it does not fire at 1/60. It does the same even with film in it.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Have you tried a different flash? I doubt it would make a difference, but worth a try if you have one.

 

[baachitraka]

What is the speed in manual when batteries ran out? I have read it somewhere but not sure whether it is 1/30.

 

[zanxion72]

Have you tried a different flash? I doubt it would make a difference, but worth a try if you have one.

I doubt too that it will make a difference, but I will try.

What is the speed in manual when batteries ran out? I have read it somewhere but not sure whether it is 1/30.

I think that it is 1/60, but the batteries are still juicy.

 

[colin wells]

If you do decide to get one of the dedicated flash units you will need the appropriate flash shoe .I think there are 4 altogether

 

[baachitraka]

http://www.arransalerno.com/other/om2n.pdf

Page 33: It is designed that way 1/30 need to be set for flash other than....

Your camera is doing alright. ;-)

 

[zanxion72]

Oh! I see! It seems that in Manual mode I must set the switch to X and use 1/30 as the top shutter speed. Phew! I thought that my beloved OM-2n was in trouble!

 

[baachitraka]

Yes for the flashes which are not T

 

[baachitraka]

You can also read how it behaves when you turn it off and shoot...

 

[Anon Ymous]

If you are a bit patient, you can buy a T32 for very little, I got mine for less than 20€ delivered. T20 flashes are even cheaper.

 

[baachitraka]

Metz CT 32 works with adapter 321. Promise.

I have 4+1 CT 32, one with grip from Metz. They all work really good.

Each Metz CT 32 came for € 5..

 

[OlyMan]

http://www.arransalerno.com/other/om2n.pdf

Page 33: It is designed that way 1/30 need to be set for flash other than....

Your camera is doing alright. ;-)

That manual is for the original OM2, pre 'ɴ' model. The OM2ɴ manual makes no explicit reference to having to set any shutter speed unless using the Auto 310 flash, which isn't strictly compatible with the OM2ɴ. That's what I meant when I said the manual is ambiguous. Sounds like it still works the same though.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

If you are a bit patient, you can buy a T32 for very little, I got mine for less than 20€ delivered. T20 flashes are even cheaper.

I had both, the T-20 for use on the camera and the T-32 with grip and bracket for when I wanted more light and battery capacity. At today's prices one can have both, the T-20 is a very handy little unit.

 

[zanxion72]

I will get the T-20. It looks reasonably small. For now I have the cute little Minolta 20 flash. It has just enough power for close subjects and it is very portable. It offers nothing else that a flash at its highest power though.

 

[OlyMan]

You can't go wrong with a T20. Turn the calculator panel round on the back so it says "for automatic use with OM2" and let the TTL flash metering take care of the rest.

Word of caution though: the Olympus manuals and literature from the time make such a big deal about the freedom of being able to just fire away at any distance or any aperture and the TTL flash metering will always take care of it. This is true to an extent, but there are limitations. If you shoot close-up with the lens wide open, the shots still risk being over exposed on anything but really slow film. At the other extreme, expecting it to put out enough light to illuminate something 15 feet away with the lens at F/8 or smaller is also likely to lead to disappointment unless you use fast film. As always, the key phrase is 'use common sense'.