Flashguns and Studio Strobes

[memobug]

In addition to an on-board popup flash, the S2Pro can accomodate a variety of hotshoe-mounted or remotely connected flashes.

The S2Pro's hotshoe can accept a wide variety of Nikon or third party flashes. Many can be used in TTL (Through the Lens) exposure modes.

Two features unique to the S2Pro, and not found on the D100 or N-80 film camera are 1) a remote PC terminal and 2) The ability to use non DX flashes. The DX flash family (including SB28-DX, SB50-DX and SB80-DX are the only approved TTL flashes for Nikon's digital camera series) S2Pro users may also use these flashes, but can also a much wider range of flash options. DX operation is achieved in Nikon cameras by bouncing a preflash off a sensor within the camera body that swings in front of the CCD prior to exposure. Fuji's TTL operation is more conventional and we have found it to be more reliable since DX flash with the D1 series was, in our opinion, a hit-or-miss prospect at best.

When used with flash guns that support it, the S2pro can provide Matrix and 3D multisensor fill flash capabilities. For more info about flashguns, check the Nikon Listing (http://www.nikonusa.com/usa_group/group.jsp?cat=1&grp=4)

CAUTION: Some older flashes from Sunpak and Vivitar or older studio strobe kits connected by PC connector may have excessive voltage present and may shorten the life of the camera. It is recommended that if you use an unknown or older device that you check with the manufacturer to determine if it is safe for use.

FLASH SYNC
The flash sync speed of the S2pro is 1/125 second. Some users have reported slightly higher speeds can be achieved by using the PC connector and a remote hotshoe.

NB: The flash sync speed is the maximum shutter speed that can be used with flash. It is governed by the rate of travel of the shutter curtains. Attempting to use flash or fill flash at speeds higher than the sync speed on a focal plane shuter camera may cause in incomplete exposure of the frame, resulting in bars or bright regions where the flash covered and dark areas where it does not.

Studio Strobes
Studio strobes may be connected throught the provided PC connector. The connector is a Nikon screwlock type, but you may also use the more common standard PC connector. Alternatively you might use a Wein Slave (Infrared) or PocketWizard (Radio Frequency) slave unit with a transmitter mounted directly in the hotshoe.

[jomar]

Ho memobug,

I have just bought my S2 and until I just read your post.
for studio flash multiple head units I thought that I would be using the camera on manual, my flash meter to get my exposure and plugging into the x type socket below the exp mode dial with my sync cord

Can you further about conection through the PC??

[memobug]

Sure, but I am not sure exactly what you want to know. Here are some general points, and if you have any more specific questions, just ask.

The S2 is equipped with Nikon's version of the PC connector, which locks in place, but you should be able to use any standard PC cable to make the connection to your strobes.

When connecting several flashheads in a studio arrangement, you might sync electrically to one of your strobes and put the others in a photo-slave mode, so they would fire when they see the light from your sync'd strobe. This all happens almost instantly, so there is no perceptible delay.

The sync connector carries only the FIRE signal from the S2, so no type of TTL metering is possible using the PC connection.

There are also optical and radio slaves available that can replace the hard-wire connection between the camera and the strobe.

Regards,

Matt

[jomar]

Hi Matt,
Maybe i'ts the diffent termonlogy used, but I don't know what a PC connection is.

It sounds like what we call a normal sync lead from camera to flash head

Thanks

Joe

[memobug]

You can see a nice overview of the variety of flash connectors used on the Paramount website:

http://www.paramountcords.com/synccords.asp

The S2 uses the Nikon Screwlock PC connector #11

http://www.paramountcords.com/images/f2.JPG

You can also use the standard PC male connector

http://www.paramountcords.com/images/pc3.jpg

[cadams]

Hi Matt,

Can you tell me whether there are voltage problems in using Speedotron Brown Line strobes with the FinePix S2 via a standard pc cord?

Thanks

[Tom V]

I use studio strobes (Speedotron Black Line (2400 watt seconds)) with my S2. I use, and highly recommend using, a "Safe Sync" device on my sync cord between the power pack and the S2.

The Safe Sync plugs into the power pack, and limits the sync voltage to a safe 6 volts, and prevents any higher voltage or spikes from reaching the camera via the sync cord.

Think about all the electricity in the power pack and how little the camera uses. Any unwanted charge in the camera can fry it, so play it safe.

I bought my Safe Sync from Calumet Photo for about $40 several years ago and used it with all my digital cameras, and my film cameras just to be sure.

It may have helped protect my camera a few months ago when I was ajusting my power pack (pulling the flash cord out of the power pack just after I turned it off) and a plug arced, causing a bright electrical discharge in the flash cable socket, causing smoke, melting parts, and blowing the fuse in the warehouse. My camera was attached via the sync cord, but suffered no damage whatsoever.

I use a regular PC terminal (no screwing or threads). Be careful of your PC terminal unscrewing and coming loose. See the thread at http://www.s2pro.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=342.

I will post an image of the Safe Sync when I dig out from my studio remodeling project. I can find the camera, and I can SEE -but not reach- my Speedotron, but I don't know where my sync cords are.

[memobug]

If you have a voltmeter, you can measure it - some instructions here:

http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/flash.html

That same page suggests that the units with the older style (household sync) connector have a higher sync voltage than the PC type, but it doesn't have any specifics. Maybe Speedotron can tell you for sure.

Regards,

Matt

[apsphotography]

I have a unit made by Kepor, it is tiny flash unit with a an infra red in it that fires strobe by triggering the slave light. thus completely wireless, it clips on the top of the camera into the hot shoe and bingo a wireless system, no need to use sync cables, no voltage problems, fires the sB80 remotely a treat.

dont know where you would purchase in the states, but over here from Mr Cads in Crydon and wait for it the price £40.00



Steve

[stevebri]

I use a Quantum Radio slave 4i, it is completely wireless, and differes from the Kepor (or any hot shoe mounted flashgun, even your pop up).

It differs because a radio slave works outside, a Kepor or similar only works inside.

I was lucky and bought my 4i on eBay for a song, and it is great, you plug the receiver (via a standard sync lead) into either your monobloc flashlight or your powerpack. The transmitter sits like the Kepor, in your hot shoe and transmits a radio signal when you fire the camera.

If you have the money and fire flash outside like I do they are worth the money, if not, wait a while, I think within a year a bult in wireless slave will be standard or an option on new D/slr's.

Pop up the internal flash on your S2 and, turn your studio flash on and make sure the built in slave is on, by firing the camera (and therefore the flash) your studio light will go off too.

This ok but you will consume batteries very quickly this way.

Steve