tomcat Posted November 30, 2006 Share #1 Posted November 30, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) The L1 and Digilux 3 (I presume) are supposed to be fully compatible with Olympus FL-36 and FL-50 flashes. I found however that it may not be so actually. Whenever I used my FL-36 on the L1, it would work for a while and then communication between the camera and flash would stop suddenly and the camera would not be able to detect the presence of the flash after that. After turning off the camera for a few hours, it would work again for a while and the problem would repeat itself again. Another problem I noticed was that even though in TTL-Auto mode, the flash would grossly over-expose any close-up subject. When I use the same flash on my E-330 in TTL-Auto mode, the output of the flash is properly modulated and exposure is correct for close-up subjects. When I took the L1 and the FL-36 to the local Panasonic Service Center for a check, they found that if the Panasonic FL-500 (Panasonic's rebadged version of the Olympus FL-50) was used on my L1 (and on their own L1), there was no loss of communication but it would still grossly over-expose close-up subjects. When they tested my FL-36 on their L1 body, the camera could not even detect the FL-36. At least it worked for a while on my L1. The technicians there were at a loss as to the cause of the problem and said that they would have to refer the problem to Japan for action. Looks like I might have to cough up the dough for a Panasonic flash if I want better compatibility between the flash and camera. Now that the Digilux 3 is becoming readily available in Europe and the States, I am wondering if any of the users have come across this anomaly. Thanks Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 30, 2006 Posted November 30, 2006 Hi tomcat, Take a look here L1/Digilux 3 Flash Anomalies. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Riley Posted November 30, 2006 Share #2 Posted November 30, 2006 hi Steve does the flash describe that you are in TTL mode on the LCD of the flash ? im thinking the 'loss of communication' suggests a problem with the camera, strengthened because it works on the E330 BTW, how do you like E330 ? and how does it compare to L1 you are in a fortunate position by having both cameras Riley Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomcat Posted November 30, 2006 Author Share #3 Posted November 30, 2006 Hi Riley, Yes it does show TTL-Auto on the LCD of the flash when communication is good. The focal length showed on the flash's LCD would change accordingly when the lens was zoomed in and out. I think it's a problem with the camera too since both sets of L1 had problem communicating with the flash. The colors of the images produced by the L1 are somehow more appealing to me. The auto white balance is also more accurate than that of the E-330. Other minor features which I like in the L1 is the built-in bounce flash and the red focus assist light instead of the irritating flash strobe used in the E-330. The LiveView implementation is much more useful in the E-330 though because of the articulated LCD screen and Mode A. I almost never use the LiveView in the L1 because of the delay and the mirror slapping sound of Mode B and the difficulty in viewing the LCD screen when shooting in odd positions that was never a problem with the E-330 because of the articulated LCD screen. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dugby Posted November 30, 2006 Share #4 Posted November 30, 2006 Well my Metz MZ40-3i with SCA3502-Mod4 does partially communicate to my L1, but zoom control is not working, and triggers a very low energy flash that is unsatisfactory. I'll need to investigate this further. As it works perfectly on my D2. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley Posted November 30, 2006 Share #5 Posted November 30, 2006 Well my Metz MZ40-3i with SCA3502-Mod4 does partially communicate to my L1, but zoom control is not working, and triggers a very low energy flash that is unsatisfactory. I'll need to investigate this further. As it works perfectly on my D2. surprised it works at all, that is ofcourse the Leica adapter the L1 needs the Olympus SCA 3202 i think Riley Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomcat Posted November 30, 2006 Author Share #6 Posted November 30, 2006 surprised it works at all, that is ofcourse the Leica adapterthe L1 needs the Olympus SCA 3202 i think Riley Yes, the L1 and Digilux 3 need the Olympus module while the LC1 and Digilux 2 the Leica module. My LC1 only works in TTL mode with the Leica SF24D external flash which works quite well in Auto mode with the L1 by the way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomcat Posted December 1, 2006 Author Share #7 Posted December 1, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Someone posted in the Panasonic sub-forum of dpreview about similar problems he encountered using his FL-36 on the new Panasonic FZ50. We compared serial nos. of our FL-36 and those of other users who didn't have similar problems. Turned out that our serial nos. were quite close to each others and were from the initial batches of FL-36. I had bought mine immediately when it was launched. His was 1003xxx and mine was early 1004xxx. Those who did not have problems were 1005xxx and above. Seems to be a pattern, you think? Maybe there are some differences in the circuitry between the early batches and the later ones. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley Posted December 1, 2006 Share #8 Posted December 1, 2006 hmmm mines 1045xxx no FZ to try it on tho Riley Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dugby Posted December 1, 2006 Share #9 Posted December 1, 2006 Damnit .... For both the L1 and D3 the Metz flash needs the 3202-Mod5....according to <www.metz.de> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ron Kennett Posted April 6, 2007 Share #10 Posted April 6, 2007 Patience - the leica SF58D is just around the corner. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley Posted April 6, 2007 Share #11 Posted April 6, 2007 Patience - the leica SF58D is just around the corner. D3 and L1 have an Olympus hot shoe though Ron Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Maio Posted April 6, 2007 Share #12 Posted April 6, 2007 I use an FL-50 on my DigiLux-3 (as recommended by Leica) and have had no problems. All functions have been working well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ron Kennett Posted February 22, 2009 Share #13 Posted February 22, 2009 I told you so! SF58 at last! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
USA road racer Posted February 24, 2009 Share #14 Posted February 24, 2009 Yes, Leica has a new flash~ a re badged Metz 58!! Haven't gone to check out the Leica flash spec vs. spec, but I'd wager it's a Metz just from comparing photos. Plus the fact that it is up datable via the web, just like a Metz. I'm waiting for Metz to bring out a compatible AF-36 TTL to fit the VLux1 & DLux4. The folks at Bogen told me it may be this summer or late spring at the earliest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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