Olympus OMD rf photos: I had been under the impression that the trigger flash did not contribute light on the subject, but exposed the shot with the other flash(es) immediately after...

daldds Loc: NYC

I had been under the impression that the trigger flash did not contribute light on the subject, but exposed the shot with the other flash(es) immediately after it fired. Using a mirror, it is obvious that the light from the flash is recorded. Is there somewhere in the menu that controls this function?

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

daldds wrote:

I had been under the impression that the trigger flash did not contribute light on the subject, but exposed the shot with the other flash(es) immediately after it fired. Using a mirror, it is obvious that the light from the flash is recorded. Is there somewhere in the menu that controls this function?

The very word "trigger" indicates to me that it "starts" something, or "sets it off".
I don't have a separate or wireless trigger and I really have to dig deep into my memory here as I like to take my photos without a flash whenever possible.
But: on some cameras I've seen a red light pop up just before the flash went off, I believe this is some sort of sensor to tell the flash how much light to give.
I've also seen the (annoying) pre-flashes, helping to prevent "red eye syndrome".

Now, I wonder what you mean by "it is obvious that the light from the flash is recorded."
Just because you see a light in a mirror does not mean that it is included in your photo.
If it is indeed the trigger light that you see in the mirror, your flashlight(s) need it to know when to fire.
And the trigger light would go off immediately before, not after your flash(es) fired.

BTW, what are "rf photos" - I Googled it but can only come up with "royalty free" - and I don't understand what that has to do with flashlights.

Nikonnorm Loc: East Gwillimbury Ont.

I believe op means remote flash. Norm.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

Nikonnorm wrote:

I believe op means remote flash. Norm.

Thanks, Norm.
Yes, when you see it written in full, it suddenly makes sense.

Unfortunately, not everyone is familiar with all abbreviations and/or acronyms. For that reason, and maybe this is an idea for everyone to follow, the first time I use an abbreviation or acronym in a post, I like to spell it out in full, an thereafter only use the initials. Unless they are very common ones, like "NASA" or "DNG" (and how many know what DNG stands for, even if we use that without having to think about it twice?).
Daldds - this is no criticism of your post, just my thoughts about abbreviations, that I believe may be helpful for everyone.

daldds Loc: NYC

Hey Guys:
I appreciate pedantry as much as anyone. I should have said "by using a mirror, the recorded image on the monitor showed the trigger flash," or some such. Sorry about that, but it is my habit to try to avoid pleonasm.
Meanwhile, how do I avoid having the trigger flash throw light on the subject?
David

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

daldds wrote:

Hey Guys:
I appreciate pedantry as much as anyone. I should have said "by using a mirror, the recorded image on the monitor showed the trigger flash," or some such. Sorry about that, but it is my habit to try to avoid pleonasm.
Meanwhile, how do I avoid having the trigger flash throw light on the subject?
David

Unfortunately, sometimes pleonasm causes sentences to become impossible to understand.

OK, so the camera took a photo including your mirror showing the trigger flash.
Next question: Since you normally would not use a mirror in your photos, is the trigger flash so bright that it adds light to the subject, over and above what the flash firing puts on the subject?

My thought is, that the trigger light will be "outdone" by the light from the flash(es), and therefore does not make one bit of difference in your photo.

Leitz Loc: Solms

daldds wrote:

... how do I avoid having the trigger flash throw light on the subject?

Aim it elsewhere?

daldds Loc: NYC

That is interesting, and probably somewhat true. However, the shots I'm planning include using the flashes for backlighting, silhouette, and rim-light effects, so any additional light would be destructive. If no one can answer my original question, I probably should set up a test shot, or contact the manufacturer. I'm lazy. UHH was the simplest 1st attempt.

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

daldds wrote:

That is interesting, and probably somewhat true. However, the shots I'm planning include using the flashes for backlighting, silhouette, and rim-light effects, so any additional light would be destructive. If no one can answer my original question, I probably should set up a test shot, or contact the manufacturer. I'm lazy. UHH was the simplest 1st attempt.

By the time all the above was written, read, tested, you could have done your own test-shots...
No excuse for being lazy. Be glad my Grandmother wasn't yours: You wouldn't have gotten away with it!

Have you actually taken a photo with the flashes set up the way you want them for backlighting, silhouette and rim-light effects and looked at what the trigger light does to that/those photo(s)?
I'd be interested in seeing the result...

Leitz Loc: Solms

daldds wrote:

That is interesting, and probably somewhat true. However, the shots I'm planning include using the flashes for backlighting, silhouette, and rim-light effects, so any additional light would be destructive. If no one can answer my original question, I probably should set up a test shot, or contact the manufacturer. I'm lazy. UHH was the simplest 1st attempt.

You're question has been answered. Please explain what you do not understand, or tell us what we are missing.

daldds Loc: NYC

Hi, Morning Star:
I'm betting that I'm much older now than your grandmother was when she set the rules, so age allows me to move at a rate determined by MY old bones.
Interesting responses here. All I wanted to know is, is there a method to control the trigger flash (which is that barely usable little flash that comes with our MFTs that faces forward at one angle only) so that it actually fires before the exposure begins). I was looking for a "yes, here's how," or "no."
Eventually, I intend to set up a test shot or two. I'll be happy to show you the results, but I think it should be private, not on UHH. If you're really interested, let me have your email so that I can, ok?
David

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

daldds wrote:

Is there somewhere in the menu that controls this function?

are you using an OEM flash or one of the cheap wanna-bees?

daldds Loc: NYC

All Olympus, which leads me to this mnemonic: "on old Olympus' towering top, a Finn and German viewed a hop."
No, I'm not nuts, just remembering something from 60 years ago. Anyone curious?

captgac

daldds wrote:

All Olympus, which leads me to this mnemonic: "on old Olympus' towering top, a Finn and German viewed a hop."
No, I'm not nuts, just remembering something from 60 years ago. Anyone curious?

That mnemonic gets on my nerves.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

This is why I prefer to use my cactus v5's with my flashes. Yeah it's all manual, but I feel like I can control the light better.