Giving professionals the freedom and control they need to operate effectively in the studio or in the field, the FL-50R and FL-36R flash units enable flash photography minus the complication of cords and inconvenient set-ups. Control is possible directly from the camera without the need for cables. These units represent the ideal accompaniment to the Olympus E-3, which features a newly-developed RC Data Transfer System that transmits data optically. This significantly reduces the power consumption of the built-in flash when being used as the system commander. A wide range of flash-related settings can also be easily accessed and adjusted using the camera’s LCD panel as the user interface.
Flash control is available in three groups, allowing flash mode and compensation settings to be set independently for each group – thus enabling ultra-precise illumination.
Four remote control communication channels can be set by the user to avoid interference with other peripherals in the vicinity. Photographers also have the option to control wireless transmission distance by choosing between three signal strengths – for a range of up to 10m. And both flash models incorporate adjustable heads which can be swivelled without impeding their ability to communicate. The irradiation angle of each flash unit can be set either by automatic zooming according to the interchangeable lens used or manually. Thanks to a built-in wide panel, the expansive irradiation angle required with a focal distance of 8mm (equivalent to 16mm in 35mm terms) is covered.
Using their slave function, the FL-50R and FL-36R can also be used with other Olympus SLRs with manual flash facility and Olympus SP series cameras capable of slave mode operation. Furthermore, both models can also be interlocked with a large strobe in the studio.
Optional accessories for enhanced lighting effects The Bounce Adapter FLBA-1 can be mounted on the FL-50R flash head and diffuses the irradiation light to soften the bounce light by attenuating the contours of shadows produced in bounce shooting. The FLBA-1 comes with the FL-50R and is also compatible with the Olympus FL-50 flash unit. Meanwhile, the Reflector Adapter FLRA-1 not only provides a catch light effect, it also softens the effect of bounce lighting by providing auxiliary frontal irradiation to eliminate shadows caused by bounce shooting. Able to be used in both ceiling and wall bouncing, it allows photographers to take advantage of bounce lighting more often and in a wide range of situations. The FLRA-1 comes with the FL-50R and is also compatible with the FL-36R, FL-36 and FL-50 Olympus flash units.
The Olympus E-System enables full control over the available dedicated flash units, even those connected via cable. Direct TTL is supported. Light intensity may be adjusted by five steps in increments of 1/3, 2/3 or 1/1 steps. The high speed synchronisation possibilities the Olympus E-System provides in combination with the FL-36/ FL-50 flash enables you to take outstanding pictures.
