Olympus FL-20 Camera Flash User Manual


 
Battery Warnings
For customers in USA
Declaration of Conformity
Model Number : FL-20
Trade Name : OLYMPUS
Responsible Party : Olympus America Inc.
Address : 2 Corporate Center Drive, Melville, New York
11747-3157 U.S.A.
Telephone Number : 1-631-844-5000
Tested To Comply With FCC Standards
FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference.
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation.
For customers in Canada
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
For customers in Europe
“CE” mark indicates that this product complies with the
European requirements for safety, health, environment and
customer protection. “CE” mark flashes are intended for
sales in Europe.
INSTRUCTIONS
Please read these instructions carefully before using your flash.
ENGLISH
ELECTRONIC
FLASH
FL-20
http://www.olympus.com/
Cameras That the Flash
Can Be Attached to
Some functions available
are limited depending on
models of cameras even
manufactured by
Olympus.
Printed in Japan 0103 2MJ
© 2003 OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
Warning
Caution
Safety Precautions
In order to obtain optimum performance and a longer service life from your new flash unit, please read
these instructions carefully. Always keep this leaflet in a readily accessible place for later reference. To
prevent potential hazards that could cause injury or damage to property, always pay close attention to
the important remarks indicated with the symbols and terms below.
Ignoring this warning and using the unit incorrectly could result in
serious injury.
Ignoring this warning and using the unit incorrectly could result in death
or serious injury.
BATTERIES MAY LEAK, GENERATE HEAT, IGNITE,
OR EXPLODE.
Do not use batteries not specified for this product.
Do not try to recharge non-rechargeable batteries.
Do not throw batteries into fire, expose them to excessive
heat, or short-circuit them.
Do not mix new and old batteries or different brands of
batteries.
Do not place the batteries with the or terminals facing
the wrong direction.
CHILDREN MAY SWALLOW BATTERIES.
Keep batteries out of the reach of children. If a child swallows a
battery, contact a doctor immediately.
Pay attention.
Prohibited.
Do not touch.
Do not disassemble.
General Warnings
Do not point the flash at a driver or
rider of a vehicle (bicycle, automobile,
train, etc.) and fire the flash. This may
cause a traffic accident. Turn off the
flash or make sure the flash does not
fire before shooting this kind of
subject.
Do not fire the flash close to the eyes
of a human or animal. Eyesight may
be temporarily impaired.
Flash Warnings
If an internal component is exposed because the unit was dropped or otherwise damaged:
Never touch the exposed component.
Immediately remove the batteries, being careful not to expose yourself to electric shock, burn yourself, or
otherwise injure yourself,
Send the unit to your camera store or Olympus service center. The unit contains a high-voltage circuit that
could cause electric shock, burn you, or otherwise injure you.
Do not try to disassemble, repair, or modify the unit. The unit contains a high-voltage circuit that may cause
electric shock, burn you, or otherwise injure you.
Do not activate the flash when your skin or other object is in contact with the flash reflector. Do not touch the
flash reflector after the flash has fired repeatedly. You may burn yourself.
Do not use the unit near flammable gas or substances (such as gasoline, benzine, or thinner). This can cause
explosion or fire.
If the unit is dropped in water, or if water, metal particulate, a flammable foreign object gets into the unit:
Remove the batteries immediately.
Send the unit to your camera store or Olympus service center. Using the unit in this condition may cause fire
or electric shock.
Do not wet the unit or touch the unit with wet hands. This could cause electric shock.
Specifications
Guide number
Standard — GN20 (ISO100 m).
GN66 (ISO100
ft).
With wide-angle converter — GN14 (ISO100
m).
GN46 (ISO100
ft).
Illumination angle
Standard Covers the image angle of a 35 mm lens
(assuming the use of 35 mm film).
With wide-angle converter Covers the image angle
of a 24 mm lens.
Color temperature
5500°K
Flash duration
Approx. 1/30000 to 1/1200 sec.: AUTO modes.
Approx. 1/1200 sec.: MANUAL mode.
Maximum number of flashes
Approx. 250 times (when using two AA alkaline
batteries (LR6))
Required charge time
Approx. 0.5 to 5.0 sec. (when using two AA alkaline
batteries (LR6))
Flash modes
TTL AUTO. AUTO. MANUAL.
Power supply
AA alkaline batteries (LR6), lithium batteries (FR6),
nickel-manganese batteries (ZR6D), NiMH batteries,
NiCd batteries, x 2
Dimensions & weight
W56 x H96 x D28 mm (2.2" x 1.1" x 3.8"), approx. 74 grams
(2.6 oz) (excluding batteries)
Accessories
Wide panel, soft case
The values above are typical at normal temperature (20°C /
68°F). (The maximum number of flashes and required
charge time were measured at our in-house test conditions.)
Actual values may vary depending on the batteries used and
ambient temperatures.
Design and specifications are subject to change
without any notice or obligation on the part of the
manufacturer.
Names of Parts/Attaching the Wide Panel
Front
Flash tube
Photoelectric sensor window
Shoe lock dial
Rear
TEST button
Battery compartment cover
AUTO CHECK lamp:
Blinks when flashing light intensity is optimum.
CHARGE lamp
Mode dial (Power/Mode switch)
Exposure table
µ
Wide panel
The wide panel covers an angle equivalent to a 24 mm
wide-angle lens assuming the use of a 35 mm film.
Loading Batteries/Test Flashing
Batteries
Insert two AA-size alkaline batteries, lithium
batteries, nickel-manganese batteries, NiMH
batteries or NiCd batteries as shown in the
illustration.
Note that AA-size manganese(zinc-carbon)
batteries cannot be used.
Set the Mode dial to AUTO.
When the CHARGE lamp lights up, press the TEST
button and confirm flashing.
Mounting the Flash on the Camera
If the camera is equipped with a
hot shoe, mount the flash directly
on the hot shoe.
If the camera is equipped with an
external flash terminal, mount the
flash using the flash bracket and
bracket cable.
You cannot use the FL-20 flash if
the camera is not equipped with a
hot shoe or external flash terminal.
Mounting the Flash on a Hot Shoe
Slide the flash all
the way into the
hot shoe.
Turn the shoe
lock dial to secure
the flash in place.
TTL AUTO Operation
<Flash must be connected to the camera through a hot shoe or 5-pin external flash terminal>
AUTO Operation MANUAL Operation
Set the FL-20s Mode dial to TTL AUTO and set the
cameras MODE DIAL to or .
In the TTL AUTO mode, the flash adjusts the light
intensity automatically according to changes in the
cameras aperture. (TTL AUTO mode operation
requires that the cameras mode is set as shown in
the above illustration.)
If the camera is not set correctly, the CHARGE lamp
blinks.
The AUTO CHECK lamp will blink when the flash illumination reaches optimum intensity. If the
AUTO CHECK lamp does not blink, move closer to the subject or reduce the cameras aperture.
The AUTO CHECK lamp does not blink on the following models (as of January, 2003):
C-4000ZOOM, C-4040ZOOM, C-3000ZOOM, C-3040ZOOM, C-2040ZOOM
When the wide panel is used, use the approx. 0.7X distances shownabove as reference.
The above distances may become shorter with some models.
When the wide panel is used, use the approx. 0.7X distances
shownabove as reference.
The above distances may become shorter with some models.
f-stop
ISOspeed
Camera aperture numbers and applicable shooting ranges
1.4 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16
100
m
2.0 – 14 1.4 – 10 1.0 – 7.1 1.0 – 5.0 1.0 – 3.5 1.0 – 2.5 1.0 – 1.8 1.0 – 1.3
ft
6.6 – 45.9 4.6 – 32.8 3.3 – 23.3 3.3 – 16.4 3.3 – 11.5 3.3 – 8.2 3.3 – 5.9 3.3 – 4.3
200
m
2.8 – 20 2.0 – 14 1.4 – 10 1.0 – 7.0 1.0 – 4.9 1.0 – 3.5 1.0 – 2.5 1.0 – 1.8
ft
9.2 – 65.6 6.6 – 45.9 4.6 – 32.8 3.3 – 23.0 3.3 – 16.1 3.3 – 11.5 3.3 – 8.2 3.3 – 5.9
400
m
4.0 – 28 2.8 – 20 2.0 – 14 1.4 – 10 1.0 – 7.1 1.0 – 5.0 1.0 – 3.5 1.0 – 2.5
ft
13.1 – 91.8 9.2 – 65.6 6.6 – 45.9 4.6 – 32.8 3.3 – 23.3 3.3 – 16.4 3.3 – 11.5 3.3 – 8.2
800
m
5.6 – 40 4.0 – 29 2.8 – 20 2.0 – 14 1.4 – 10 1.0 – 7.1 1.0 – 5.0 1.0 – 3.6
ft
18.4 –131.1 13.1 – 95.1 9.2 – 65.6 6.6 – 45.9 4.6 – 32.8 3.3 – 23.3 3.3 –16.4 3.3 –11.8
Set the FL-20s Mode dial to AUTO, set the cameras
MODE DIAL to and adjust the cameras aperture.
The aperture setting varies depending on the ISO
speed set to the camera (see table).
In the AUTO mode, the flash adjusts the light
intensity automatically regardless of the distance to
the subject.
The AUTO CHECK lamp will blink when the flash
illumination reaches optimum intensity. If the AUTO
CHECK lamp does not blink, move closer to the
subject.
ISO speed Aperture
100 2.8
200 4
400 5.6
800 8
Camera’s ISO speeds and apertures
Effective flash distance:
1 to 7.1 m / 3.3 to 23.3 ft
(0.7 to 4.9 meters / 2.3 to 16.4 ft
when the wide panel is used)
Set the FL-20s Mode dial to MANUAL, set the
cameras MODE DIAL to and adjust the
cameras ISO speed, aperture and shutter speed.
The flash emits light at the maximum intensity.
The AUTO CHECK lamp does not blink in this
mode.
f-stop
ISOspeed
Optimum shooting ranges
GN 1.4 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16
100
m
20
14 10 7.1 5.0 3.5 2.5 1.8 1.3
ft
45.9 32.8 23.3 16.4 11.5 8.2 5.9 4.3
200
m
28
20 14 10 7.0 4.9 3.5 2.5 1.8
ft
65.6 46.0 32.8 23.0 16.1 11.5 8.2 5.9
400
m
40
28 20 14 10 7.1 5.0 3.5 2.5
ft
91.8 65.6 45.9 32.8 23.3 16.4 11.5 8.2
800
m
57
40 29 20 14 10 7.1 5.0 3.6
ft
131.1 95.1 65.6 45.9 32.8 23.3 16.4 11.8
Aperture calculation formula (ISO 100)
Aperture (F) = Guide Number (GN)/Range (in meters)
Indicator Lamps
The following lamps indicate the flash status.
AUTO CHECK
lamp
Communication errors
When the FL-20 mode is; TTL AUTO: Error communicating with the camera.
(The camera is OFF, set to the wrong mode, etc.)
The CHARGE lamp blinks when the cameras LCD monitor is turned off on the following models
(as of January, 2003):
C-4000ZOOM, C-4040ZOOM, C-3000ZOOM, C-3040ZOOM, C-2040ZOOM.
CHARGE lamp OFF ON
Regular blinking
OFF
Under charge Charge completed Communication error
Blinking
Optimum light intensity
Low battery warning
Customer support (Japanese language only):
Tel. 0426-42-7499 Tokyo
OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
Two Corporate Center Drive, Melville, NY 11747-3157, U.S.A.
Tel. 631-844-5000
Technical Support (USA)
24/7 online automated help: http://support.olympusamerica.com/
Phone customer support: Tel. 1-888-553-4448 (Toll-free)
Our phone customer support is available from 8 am to 10 pm (Monday
to Friday) ET
E-Mail: distec@olympus.com
Olympus software updates can be obtained at:
http://olympus.com/digital/
For customers in North and South America
OLYMPUS AMERICA INC.
Wendenstrasse 14-18, 20097 Hamburg, Germany
Tel. +49 (0)40-23 77 33
European Technical Customer Support:
Please visit our homepage http://www.olympus-europa.com
or call NUMBER : 00800 - 67 10 83 0 (Toll-free)
+49 (0)1805-67 10 83 or +49 (0)40-23 77 38 99 (Charged)
OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO. (EUROPA) GMBH.
VT455001
The above distances may become shorter
with some models.