FZ10 External Flash Basics

[mysteryozo]

What I gathered/understand so far and still subject for corrections, comments and additional information;

1) The FZ10 has no TTL function on the external flash

2) Per manual - trigger volt should be less than 24V. Many advise not to go beyond 6V for precautionary reasons.

General questions;

1) Will TTL flashes with 'safe' trigger voltages generally work with the FZ10, minus the TTL function?

2) Will most old Nikon flashes (SB-20 to SB-80/80DX) work with the FZ10.

In particular I'm interested to know if the Nikon SB-20 or SB-27 will work with Panasonic DMC-FZ10?

Any other suggestions aside from the Sunpak 383 and the Vivitar 285HV?

[rschofield]

What I gathered/understand so far and still subject for corrections, comments and additional information;

1) The FZ10 has no TTL function on the external flash

2) Per manual - trigger volt should be less than 24V. Many advise not to go beyond 6V for precautionary reasons.

Thank you for doing your homework! If you have not seen this website before, check out

http://botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

1) Will TTL flashes with 'safe' trigger voltages generally work with the FZ10, minus the TTL function?

Yes, as long as they use a centered trigger pin. (I think it is the Minolta flash that uses a proprietary pin configuration.)

2) Will most old Nikon flashes (SB-20 to SB-80/80DX) work with the FZ10.

In particular I'm interested to know if the Nikon SB-20 or SB-27 will work with Panasonic DMC-FZ10?

Another two websites to check out:

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/sb20.html

and

http://stanfordphoto.blogspot.com/2007/05/review-nikon-sb-20.html

[mysteryozo]

Thanks Dick,

I'm looking at the top view of the FZ10 here - (my unit is still about 60 days away from me)

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/fz10.html

Based on said photo, looks like no metal part from the FZ10 hotshoe will touch the non-centered pins of dedicated (ttl) flashes. Therefore is it safe to state that it is not a necessary step to remove the non-centered pins on ttl flashes, as mentioned in the article Please Excuse Me While I Clean My Lens ?

Among your 3 suggested sites, only this was new to me (and many thanks for leading me to it)

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/sb20.html

Any other relevant Nikon SB reviews?

1) Is it safe assume that dedicated flashes of less than 6 volts with a center pin can work with the FZ10?

2) Just wondering - between 6 to 24 volts what is really the max for the FZ10 and similar models of later years?

Also, congratulation on your wonderful web page!

Thanks,

Victor

[mysteryozo]

I just discovered this page;

http://www.cs.mtu.edu/~shene/DigiCam/User-Guide/FZ-10/Ext-Flash/Basic-Functions.html

-very informative and easy to comprehend.

I also looked at the top view pictures of the FZ20, FZ30 and FZ50 at
www.steves-digicam.com

Correct me if I'm wrong but the FZ20 & 30 looks like ISO type like the FZ10.

[genece]

The shoe of the FZ10/20 and 30 are the same and are safe with 24 volts ....Panasonic seems to recomend 6 volts for the FZ50........in the years the FZ10 has been out I only heard of one flash that needed to have its extra pins covered......and while I am not sure I think it was an Olympus flash.
If you are looking to buy a flash....make sure it has a way to turn the power down.....as the only way you can do that with the camera is to make the aperture smaller, not always desireable.....setting the SS has no effect on the flash output as the flash duration is very short.

[mysteryozo]

Hi Gene,

Nice to see you on this thread.....

Do you mean Manual Flash Exposure Control? Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16

I'm encountering lots of great reviews for the Sunpak 383 & Vivitar 285HV, but for now I'll narrow my choices to Nikon's SB-20 or SB-27 at eBay. Honestly, I only prefer the 27 over the 20 because of the LCD. A good used SB-20 for $30 or less would really be a 'steal'!

At this point I'm conserving on both product weight and cost. In the near future most of my night shots will likely be indoors or patios and small garden.

Most of my intended shots will be outdoors. I live very near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Reason I guess why I gave preference to FZ10 is to capture photos of landing planes. During the past few years, I've had many experiences of driving under landing big planes. I'd love to capture those moments and share it with the world.

Regards,

Victor

ps like before - would appreciate more info from you

[genece]

I think that would be it exactly ....sunpak goes about the settings a bit different but that should be fine.
It seems the SB28 has more power so it may be the better choice,
here is a manual for the flash.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/NikonF5/SB28Manual/index.htm

[mysteryozo]

Anybody ever tried using this Promaster 7500DX flash with the FZ10 or FZ20?

[genece]

I never tried one but if you had one and it was for a digital camera ....that would seem to make it safe and it should work .....but if you are considering buying one it would be a waste of money,,,,,,,you can not use the features
..... And it does not seem to have a way to adjust the power manually