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Auto Exposure with Manual Flash Units on Flashmatic 35mm Film Compact Cameras
Using manual flash units on 35mm film compact cameras with Flashmatic
While automatic exposure control is common on newer flash units, many older models work manually. You set the shutter speed and aperture on the camera, working out the latter from the guide number and distance using a dial, scale or table on the flash, or by manual calculation. For example, using a flash unit with a guide number of 24m at a distance of 3m, you'd set the aperture to f/8.
However, some older 35mm film compact and rangefinder cameras with flashmatic control (or SLR cameras with GN lenses) can provide automatic exposure – you set the guide number, and the aperture is coupled to the focusing system and adjusts automatically for different distances.
Suitable models include the Agfa Optima 200 and 500 Sensor, Canon Datematic, Canonet QL17, QL19 and GIII series, Chinon 35 and 35EE, Cosina Compact 35 and 35E, Fujica GER, GAF Memo 35 EE, Konica Auto S3 and C35, Minolta Himatic E, F and 9, Miranda Sensoret, Olympus 35EC, 35ECR, 35ED, 35DC, 35RC, 35RD and 35SP, Petri Color 35E, ES Auto and Micro Compact (GN20m), Prinz 35-E, 35-EE and 35ER, Ricoh 800ES, Rollei XF35, Vivitar 35EE, 35ES, Yashica Electro 35FC, 35MC and 35-ME, plus others.
Guide Number lenses were made by Nikon (45mm f/2.8 GN-Nikkor), Sigma (35mm f/2.8 Flash Auto), Topcon (several 50mm GN-Topcors) and Zeiss (35mm f/2 and 50mm f/2 Blitz Planar for Contarex), which can be used on various SLR cameras.
The flashmatic system can of course be used with any flash that has a manual mode, not just non-automatic ones. There are advantages to this approach compared to the more common automatic systems, as flashmatic isn't affected by light/dark clothing, skin tones or backgrounds, and off-centre subjects. Drawbacks include an often limited range of available guide numbers on the camera, with increased battery consumption and recycling times compared to thyristor auto flash units. The quoted guide numbers on many flash units are slightly "optimistic" by modern standards, so some experimentation may be required to arrive at a more realistic value.
Check below for manual flash units, ideal for use with these flashmatic cameras.
While automatic exposure control is common on newer flash units, many older models work manually. You set the shutter speed and aperture on the camera, working out the latter from the guide number and distance using a dial, scale or table on the flash, or by manual calculation. For example, using a flash unit with a guide number of 24m at a distance of 3m, you'd set the aperture to f/8.
However, some older 35mm film compact and rangefinder cameras with flashmatic control (or SLR cameras with GN lenses) can provide automatic exposure – you set the guide number, and the aperture is coupled to the focusing system and adjusts automatically for different distances.
Suitable models include the Agfa Optima 200 and 500 Sensor, Canon Datematic, Canonet QL17, QL19 and GIII series, Chinon 35 and 35EE, Cosina Compact 35 and 35E, Fujica GER, GAF Memo 35 EE, Konica Auto S3 and C35, Minolta Himatic E, F and 9, Miranda Sensoret, Olympus 35EC, 35ECR, 35ED, 35DC, 35RC, 35RD and 35SP, Petri Color 35E, ES Auto and Micro Compact (GN20m), Prinz 35-E, 35-EE and 35ER, Ricoh 800ES, Rollei XF35, Vivitar 35EE, 35ES, Yashica Electro 35FC, 35MC and 35-ME, plus others.
Guide Number lenses were made by Nikon (45mm f/2.8 GN-Nikkor), Sigma (35mm f/2.8 Flash Auto), Topcon (several 50mm GN-Topcors) and Zeiss (35mm f/2 and 50mm f/2 Blitz Planar for Contarex), which can be used on various SLR cameras.
The flashmatic system can of course be used with any flash that has a manual mode, not just non-automatic ones. There are advantages to this approach compared to the more common automatic systems, as flashmatic isn't affected by light/dark clothing, skin tones or backgrounds, and off-centre subjects. Drawbacks include an often limited range of available guide numbers on the camera, with increased battery consumption and recycling times compared to thyristor auto flash units. The quoted guide numbers on many flash units are slightly "optimistic" by modern standards, so some experimentation may be required to arrive at a more realistic value.
Check below for manual flash units, ideal for use with these flashmatic cameras.
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