Hot Shoe Revisions

TTL Problems, Hot Shoe Precautions and Revisions
spacer



PROBLEM: Olympus SP-350 Underexposure when manual power settings are used on strobe(s).	SOLUTION: Camera flash mode setting is incorrect, and the strobe is firing at chosen manual power on the pre-flash. This confuses the camera's metering system and leaves less energy for the strobe to use on the main flash. Correct settings for use of external strobe(s): TTL mode: Flash mode in the menu must be set to "external flash only" icon Manual mode: Flash mode in the menu must be set to slave setting

PROBLEM: Nikon D-50, D-70, D-70s Unable to change modes between TTL and Manual. This is an ideosyncrasy of the Nikon camera, not the housing.	SOLUTION: Housing mode cannot be changed during data communication. If an image is being displayed on the monitor, press the shutter release button half-way to make the image disappear. Housing modes can be changed after the camera meter turns off. If you anticipate changing modes frequently, set the "meter off" function in the camera menu to a short time interval such as 4 seconds. This will allow you to change modes 4 seconds after you release the shutter button because the meter will have turned off.	All Housings Including Olympus: Some of our housings for the Olympus cameras exhibit a tendency for the hot shoe connector to slide out of the camera hot shoe slightly as housing is closed, preventing proper electrical contact of all conductors. This can also happen on Canon and Nikon housings. Check the hot shoe wire routing and watch the shoe carefully as housing is closed to avoid this possibility.

PROBLEM: Nikon D-50, D-70, D-70s Camera works okay with the strobes turned on, but not with strobes turned off. Or the camera will not work with a non Ikelite strobe. Problem occurs once the meter in the camera turns off.	SOLUTION: TTL wire connection in the electronics must be changed. Following work around can be utilized until housing is returned for service. Set "meter off" option to 30 minutes in the camera menu. This will allow you to shoot with the strobe off for 30 minutes. You can reset the system by turning the camera off, then turning the strobe off. Then turn strobe on, then turn the camera on. The camera meter will stay on for 30 minutes after you have pressed and released the shutter button. Each time you press the shutter button during that 30 minutes, the meter timer is reset. Housings produced after 6/05 have above wiring update	Nikon D-50, D-70, D-70s No problems for almost a year, then suddenly our hot shoe connector is not sliding into some Nikon D50, D70 and D70s camera hot shoes completely. We do not know if the cameras or our shoe changed, but current production is trimming a slight amount off front of the shoe as indicated in yellow. We only know of two housings that have exhibited this problem, but the trimming is a quick and simple update that can be done in the field if necessary, or you know to wiggle and push the connector completely into camera shoe.

TIGHTEN THE KNOBS: A small slit can be cut in th end of the vinyl cap so hex head wrench can be inserted. Set screw must be tightened on the flat of the shaft. Hold the shaft while moving the knob to be certain the set screw is on the flat.	All knob set screws must be checked to be sure they remain tight. Lever type knobs like the shutter release utilize a big set screw with a vinyl cap.