Recommended manual flash for Olympus Pen F

[dashpatterns]

I recently received my Pen F and i was wondering if anyone has a recommendation on small, manual flashes that I can use for this camera. I am unfamiliar with external flash accessories. Any info will be helpful! Thanks.

 

[xkaes]

First, you probably want a flash bracket to hold the flash. That's up to you. If you want a flash bracket, the best is the one that Olympus made for the Pen F because it holds the flash on top of the camera. But, you can use any flash bracket -- there are a ton to choose from. Some are pretty large, others are small and inexpensive -- they hold the flash off to the side.

As to flashes, you can choose cold shoe or hot shoe, and manual exposure or auto exposure or both. The Pen F does not have a hot shoe, but you can get a hot shoe adapter for a few bucks -- this gives you more options for flashes. You need to think about how much size is important and how much power is important -- as well as cold shoe vs hot. You have more options with hot shoe flashes -- the smallest flashes are mostly hot shoe, like the Vivitar 50 & 55.

If you want small, light, and low power, there are plenty using two AA batteries. Too many to name, but the Minolta 118X can't be beat -- hot shoe only, auto & manual exposure.

If you want more power, the field is even bigger. The Vivitar 283 is a four AA blow-torch with everything you could want -- hot shoe or cold -- and you can get them for under $20.

I'm sure you will get a million suggestions. It's best to decide what features you want in a flash FIRST before grabbing what someone else recommends.

Here's just what Minolta offered -- just the tip of the iceberg:

http://www.subclub.org/minman/flashes.htm

 

[dashpatterns]

First, you probably want a flash bracket to hold the flash. That's up to you. If you want a flash bracket, the best is the one that Olympus made for the Pen F because it holds the flash on top of the camera. But, you can use any flash bracket -- there are a ton to choose from. Some are pretty large, others are small and inexpensive -- they hold the flash off to the side.

As to flashes, you can choose cold shoe or hot shoe, and manual exposure or auto exposure or both. The Pen F does not have a hot shoe, but you can get a hot shoe adapter for a few bucks -- this gives you more options for flashes. You need to think about how much size is important and how much power is important -- as well as cold shoe vs hot. You have more options with hot shoe flashes -- the smallest flashes are mostly hot shoe, like the Vivitar 50 & 55.

If you want small, light, and low power, there are plenty using two AA batteries. Too many to name, but the Minolta 118X can't be beat -- hot shoe only, auto & manual exposure.

If you want more power, the field is even bigger. The Vivitar 283 is a four AA blow-torch with everything you could want -- hot shoe or cold -- and you can get them for under $20.

I'm sure you will get a million suggestions. It's best to decide what features you want in a flash FIRST before grabbing what someone else recommends.

Here's just what Minolta offered -- just the tip of the iceberg:

http://www.subclub.org/minman/flashes.htm

Thanks for the great response! This is exactly what i needed to get started. When I bought my Pen F, it came with a cold shoe mount already so I am set with that.
I'm not any kind of professional photographer or anything, mainly taking photos of friends and pets so nothing too bright or too strong. I will check out the Minolta 118X!
Will I be able to connect this to my camera without a hotshoe?

EDIT: I did not see you mention that it's hot shoe only. Looks like i'll need to find one that's cold shoe with a connector

 

[wiltw]

Unfortunately, you may have difficulty finding a new flash that is not dependent on hotshoe contacts. And the issue with older flashes is that the power capacitor is likely deteriorated by not being 're-formed' regularly, so it may not charge or hold charge well enough. So the solution you may need is to buy a new hotshoe flash and use it with a coldshot-to-hotshoe adapter, which has a PC cord to plug into your PC terminal, like this one...

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1130423-REG/impact_scs_mpc_male_pc_to.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhL6pBhDjARIsAGx8D58n8B8XTeKkySZA10ehzJqQu_-TGjapaTxOhIL3W2UmmUT1MSZW4p0aAgbrEALw_wcB

 

[xkaes]

EDIT: I did not see you mention that it's hot shoe only. Looks like i'll need to find one that's cold shoe with a connector

FYI, ALL cold shoe flashes use a PC cord -- some are built-in, some not. Cold shoe flashes are usually very inexpensive because they usually are larger and heavier and lack some newer features -- but there are lots that will meet your needs. Check the Minolta list above for the flashes that are cold shoe or have a PC connection -- and use TWO AA batteries.

 

[xkaes]

the issue with older flashes is that the power capacitor is likely deteriorated by not being 're-formed' regularly,

I've never found this to be a problem, but I'm not saying it doesn't happen. I know I'll never buy a new flash again. There are too many great old flashes that you can buy for the "cost of postage."

 

[wiltw]

Found a brand new flash with PC synch port at B&H.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1759048-REG/dot_line_dl_50m_manual_flash.html

 

[dashpatterns]

Thank you both for all this info

 

[wiltw]

I've never found this to be a problem, but I'm not saying it doesn't happen. I know I'll never buy a new flash again. There are too many great old flashes that you can buy for the "cost of postage."

I dug out a Vivitar 5200 flash I had from my Olympus OM days, which has largely sat unused for about 30 years, after I got modules to use my Metz units with Olympus/Bronica/Canon.
I loaded four new AA batteries into it and flipped the power switch...no response. I left it turned on for I-dunno-how-long and it had come to life and showed information on its LCD, so I test fired the flash successfully several times before turning it off, thinking I had disproved my own statement.
Hours later, I turn it on again, and no response again, so I leave it turned on...several more minutes pass and it finally has a ready light but no LCD information at all, it fires, and ready light comes on and it will fire but no LCD information. Just sayin'

 

[dynachrome]

My favorite small flash is the Vivitar 252. It's an older model without the thyristor feature but batteries are a lot better than when the unit first came out. I don't know how many of these I have but it's more than a few. There is an AC power adapter and it works well with rechargeable batteries. It works on auto or manual. In the 1970s I worked during my school years in the Camera Barn stores in NY. The 252 was very popular.

 

[BrianShaw]

I dug out a Vivitar 5200 flash I had from my Olympus OM days, which has largely sat unused for about 30 years, after I got modules to use my Metz units with Olympus/Bronica/Canon.
I loaded four new AA batteries into it and flipped the power switch...no response. I left it turned on for I-dunno-how-long and it had come to life and showed information on its LCD, so I test fired the flash successfully several times before turning it off, thinking I had disproved my own statement.
Hours later, I turn it on again, and no response again, so I leave it turned on...several more minutes pass and it finally has a ready light but no LCD information at all, it fires, and ready light comes on and it will fire but no LCD information. Just sayin'

It happens. My Vivitar 285s, in service since the 1980’s, finally gave up the ghost. Both appear to be dead capacitors. They had a great long life so they deserve a bit of eternal slumber.

 

[wiltw]

It happens. My Vivitar 285s, in service since the 1980’s, finally gave up the ghost. Both appear to be dead capacitors. They had a great long life so they deserve a bit of eternal slumber.

And to reduce the chance of failure due to power capacitor issues, I run every flash I have (4 Metz on-camera units, 3 Dynalite studio flash units)) with semi-annual minimum regularity.

 

[4season]

When I bought my Pen F, it came with a cold shoe mount already so I am set with that.

Be careful with that cold shoe: the added stress can crack the camera's eyepiece.

 

[tokam]

It happens. My Vivitar 285s, in service since the 1980’s, finally gave up the ghost. Both appear to be dead capacitors. They had a great long life so they deserve a bit of eternal slumber.

Thanks for the reminder. I infrequently test all of my flashes - 10 cycles at full power and then a few tests at reduced power and on various auto settings. Tested them all today and all appear to be good and I depleted at set of Eneloop AA batteries for the tests.

Some old gear here - Canon 177A, 199A, 300TL and 2 x Vivitar 285 HV, a Vivitar 2000 and a Minolta HS5400. Quite pleased that they all seem good.

 

[r_a_feldman]

Be careful with that cold shoe: the added stress can crack the camera's eyepiece.

+1. Broken eyepiece frames are a known problem with the Pen F, FT.

You may want to get at flash bracket that attaches to the tripod socket, especially if your flash is large or heavy.

 

[dashpatterns]

Be careful with that cold shoe: the added stress can crack the camera's eyepiece.

Too late! The Pen F I purchased arrived with the cracked eyepiece glued back together hah

 

[dynachrome]

I should clarify that it was during the summers of those years that I worked in Camera Barn. My first flash was a Strobonar 100. If you don't mind using a manual flash and can find one that is working, it would also be nice.

 

[xkaes]

DASH,
If you are still looking for a "period" flash, here's one you can have for the price of postage -- probably $5 or so. It's a KAKO Auto Beam. It uses FOUR AA batteries OR an A/C cord for power and has a GN of 100 with ISO 100 film in feet -- pretty good. It has a locking cold shoe and built-in PC cord. It has a test button and a ready light. Also has manual & auto mode -- with a rotating calculator on the back. It also can be used vertically (perfect for the PEN F) or horizontally. Oddly enough, no ON/OFF switch. BEST OF ALL, IT WORKS -- comes with A/C power cord, but AA batteries not included.

If DASH isn't interested, anyone else can have it. Here's a shot -- it works on other "PC connection enabled" cameras too.

 

[dashpatterns]

DASH,
If you are still looking for a "period" flash, here's one you can have for the price of postage -- probably $5 or so. It's a KAKO Auto Beam. It uses FOUR AA batteries OR an A/C cord for power and has a GN of 100 with ISO 100 film in feet -- pretty good. It has a locking cold shoe and built-in PC cord. It has a test button and a ready light. Also has manual & auto mode -- with a rotating calculator on the back. It also can be used vertically (perfect for the PEN F) or horizontally. Oddly enough, no ON/OFF switch. BEST OF ALL, IT WORKS -- comes with A/C power cord, but AA batteries not included.

If DASH isn't interested, anyone else can have it. Here's a shot -- it works on other "PC connection enabled" cameras too.

View attachment 351588

DMing you now!
EDIT: i'm still a new member and unable to DM you it seems. Is there an email I can contact you through?

 

[Helge]

I found very few old flashes I couldn’t massage back to life to fully dependable working condition.
Even some with acid flooded battery chambers.

Quality flashes are hard to kill.

Get a flash bracket. It’s not worth risking the shoe. Any old flash bracket will do.

Or get a hammerhead flash with tilt and swivel.
Early Metz are period correct if that is a concern.

 

[xkaes]

DMing you now!
EDIT: i'm still a new member and unable to DM you it seems. Is there an email I can contact you through?

No surprise, I'm at xkaes******
{Moderator's note - please don't post email addresses in public posts}

 

[MattKing]

xkaes can start a Conversation with dashpatterns and dashpatterns can participate after that.
But instead, I've manually turned on the Conversation function for dashpatterns.

 

[eli griggs]

It happens. My Vivitar 285s, in service since the 1980’s, finally gave up the ghost. Both appear to be dead capacitors. They had a great long life so they deserve a bit of eternal slumber.

Put them out for parts/repair units, rather than just tossing them.

Parts from these units will help keep others running well

 

[eli griggs]

I recently wrote on another thread, how much I like the medium sized Unpack flashes that not only go from vertical to horizontal with the coldshoe/hotshoe mount, but also allows the flash strobe to be pulled slightly forward on the unit, but will also give a bit less than 180° travel, side to side, in either vertical or horizontal positions.

They do have a thyristor and a short built in PC cord, in addition to a hot shoe, but an extension PC cord can take the flash up and around for more explorative lighting options.

 

[PenFTNotts]

Hi. This is really useful info. I am trying to do more indoor with my pen FT and the old flash modules that were handed down to me dont seem to be working.

so do i have this right that it is best to find a "hot Shoe" flash and then use an adapter to the port on the side of the camera?

anyone have any tips on what sort of size of flash i would need for indoor (house) photos. would one of the flashes needing two AA bateries be ok?