CP950 Flash sync AS-900E alternatives?
acadams...@nospam_weston.com
flashes to the CP950. http://www.hasselweems.com/950/dscn2112.jpg is a
great demonstration of how to do so. Thanks, Hassel.
One thing on which I've not seen comment is the possibility of a much
longer, perferably coiled, cord to replace the AS-E900 from Nikon. IS
there such a beast? This would eliminate the need to go from the flash
sync port to a hotshoe to a hotshoe-to-pc adapter to a pc cable to a
pc-to-hotshoe adapter into which to plug the flash unit, which doesn't
have a PC cable port.
I'm thinking that plus a stroboframe QuickFlip sounds like a good
setup (once the bracket is modified to allow the swivel to swivel) .
The Nikon bracket doesn't separate the flash unit much from the
camera, allows no adjustment when turning the camera 90 degrees, and
costs as much as a much nicer aftermarket bracket.
Andrew
TimeOutAME
stereo prolongation cable, cut the cable of the AS-900E in two, solder the
same kind of male and female stereo plug as on the coiled cable on each side
of the AS-900E cable, and you can prolongate the original cable if you need it.
If you are sure that you do not need the short version at all, you can leave
all the plugs out and just solder a cable between the two halves of the AS-900E
cable.
Andy
Chuck Ross
acadams_nospam@nospam_weston.com wrote:
The Strobofram QuickFlip bracket works -almost- perfectly; I'm trying
to find a small piece of gasket-type cork that's thin. I found some that's
too thick to mount over the cork already glued to the Stroboframe. If I
use that, the tripod screw won't stick far enough into the camera to
secure it. I was trying to find, locally, a StroboFrame bracket Quickflip
but for a twin-lens reflex. It looks in the photos, like it might actually
work better for the 950 than the 35mm version, possibly allowing the
swivel to swivel.
--
http://www.enteract.com/~ckross/
Digital and Film-Based Photography
remove "MYPANTS" to reply
Hassel Weems
acadams_nospam@nospam_weston.com wrote:
> I've seen a few posts about adapters and cables to connect external
> flashes to the CP950. http://www.hasselweems.com/950/dscn2112.jpg is a
> great demonstration of how to do so. Thanks, Hassel.
You are welcome for the demonstration, and thanks for the compliment.
I saw a wedding photographer with a long (very long - about 6ft) coiled
cable connecting his Nikon 35mm to an umbrella setup. I didn't get to ask
him about it, but it appeared to have the same plug/hotshoe configuration
as the AS-E900.
Hassel
Alan Jacobson
with pictures...send me a clean email and I'll send you the pictures....
<acadams_nospam@nospam_weston.com> wrote in message
news:37d17919...@news.swbell.net...
> I've seen a few posts about adapters and cables to connect external
> flashes to the CP950. http://www.hasselweems.com/950/dscn2112.jpg is a
> great demonstration of how to do so. Thanks, Hassel.
>
Josh Carter
> One thing on which I've not seen comment is the possibility of a much
> longer, perferably coiled, cord to replace the AS-E900 from Nikon.
I use an SC-18 cable (5 foot) plugged directly between the Coolpix 950 and
an SB-28 flash. It's simple and works great.
> I'm thinking that plus a stroboframe QuickFlip sounds like a good
> setup (once the bracket is modified to allow the swivel to swivel) .
I do this, but with an unmodified Quickflip. The swivel doesn't swivel --
no biggie for me -- but also the mounting is a bit insecure. I wish I
could get this resolved if nothing else. I have a picture of my setup on:
http://multipart-mixed.com/photo/external_flash.html
Best regards,
Josh
Frank S
Does the CP 950 have a "standard" flash sync outlet to allow using an
external, normal photographic, auto-exposure flash?
-Frank
Josh Carter <jo...@spies.com> wrote in message
news:josh-12099...@192.168.0.3...
Chuck Ross
Carter) wrote:
> Hi Andrew,
>
> > One thing on which I've not seen comment is the possibility of a much
> > longer, perferably coiled, cord to replace the AS-E900 from Nikon.
>
> I use an SC-18 cable (5 foot) plugged directly between the Coolpix 950 and
> an SB-28 flash. It's simple and works great.
This is a very good idea, and I'd go for it myself, except that I do need
an SC-17 cable for my other cameras (film) and the SB-28, so use that with
the 950 also. But the SC-18 cable would eliminate the AS-e900 adaptor
My setup for the 950 is here:
http://www.enteract.com/~ckross/sframe.jpg
> > I'm thinking that plus a stroboframe QuickFlip sounds like a good
> > setup (once the bracket is modified to allow the swivel to swivel) .
>
> I do this, but with an unmodified Quickflip. The swivel doesn't swivel --
> no biggie for me -- but also the mounting is a bit insecure. I wish I
> could get this resolved if nothing else. I have a picture of my setup on:
>
> http://multipart-mixed.com/photo/external_flash.html
>
> Best regards,
> Josh
I find the camera-to-bracket mounting fairly secure; have you tried using
the 2nd tripod screw hole from the end? It gives the mounting plate a
bit more "bite".
Charandane
Does your described SC18/Stroboframe setup give you TTL flash or strictly
manual? I am very interested.
Thanks
Andy
Josh Carter <jo...@spies.com> wrote in message
news:josh-12099...@192.168.0.3...
> Hi Andrew,
>
> > One thing on which I've not seen comment is the possibility of a much
> > longer, perferably coiled, cord to replace the AS-E900 from Nikon.
>
> I use an SC-18 cable (5 foot) plugged directly between the Coolpix 950 and
> an SB-28 flash. It's simple and works great.
>
Josh Carter
> Does your described SC18/Stroboframe setup give you TTL flash or
> strictly manual? I am very interested.
TTL, same as with the SK-E900 which I tried at the store, too. I wish it
would do manual sometimes, though, as I can't even use the repeating flash
feature on my SB-28! (*grrr* Nikon...)
Best regards,
Josh
Josh Carter
> Does the CP 950 have a "standard" flash sync outlet to allow using an
> external, normal photographic, auto-exposure flash?
The 950 has a weird three-pin connector on it, and they say you can only
use a certain set of Nikon flashes with it. While I'm sure some of this is
just jacking the consumer around, trying to make them buy a new Nikon
flash, I went the safe route and bought an "approved" flash (the SB-28).
You can get a 3-pin to standard hot-shoe connector (the ES-900 I think it
is), but it seems you can only get this by buying the SK-E900 flash
bracket, which is extremely lame as flash brackets go. Still you're only
supposed to use "approved" flash units.
And, if that weren't enough, you also get hosed on flash features. The
CP950 will send fire and squelch signals, and that's it. I can't even use
some of the _manual_ features of my SB-28 because the CP950 is so
boneheaded. Even my 25-year old Nikkormat FT2 works with the SB-28
repeating flash mode, but not the 1999 ultra-high-tech Coolpix 950.
(*grrr!!!*) You use the camera's TTL metering and nothing else.
Needless to say, I'm 'disappointed' with the CP 950's support for using an
external flash. (See also threads about mounting it on a Stroboframe
bracket.) But still, it's better than not having _any_ external flash
support, like so many other digicams. Also, unless you're doing something
weird, the camera's metering works well and I almost always get good shots
with my 950/SB-28 setup.
Best regards,
Josh
Chuck Ross
Carter) wrote:
> Hi Frank,
>
> > Does the CP 950 have a "standard" flash sync outlet to allow using an
> > external, normal photographic, auto-exposure flash?
>
> The 950 has a weird three-pin connector on it, and they say you can only
> use a certain set of Nikon flashes with it. While I'm sure some of this is
> just jacking the consumer around, trying to make them buy a new Nikon
> flash, I went the safe route and bought an "approved" flash (the SB-28).
> You can get a 3-pin to standard hot-shoe connector (the ES-900 I think it
> is), but it seems you can only get this by buying the SK-E900 flash
> bracket, which is extremely lame as flash brackets go. Still you're only
> supposed to use "approved" flash units.
Actually, the ES-900 cable -is- available separately, altho B&H seems never
to have heard of it, but CWO has it listed on their web site catalog.
However, it's not in stock. (Nikon...Grrrrr!!) Everyone in the
country seems to be sold out of it, and the SK-900 bracket, too. However,
the SC-18 Nikon extension cable works fine, and you can do without the
ES-900 if you use that. I use the ES-900 because I already own an SC-17
cable, and did buy the SK-900 stupid bracket which is almost useless.
So, now everyone's going to run and get an SC-18 cable and everyone
will be out of those, too.
>
> And, if that weren't enough, you also get hosed on flash features. The
> CP950 will send fire and squelch signals, and that's it. I can't even use
> some of the _manual_ features of my SB-28 because the CP950 is so
> boneheaded. Even my 25-year old Nikkormat FT2 works with the SB-28
> repeating flash mode, but not the 1999 ultra-high-tech Coolpix 950.
> (*grrr!!!*) You use the camera's TTL metering and nothing else.
>
> Needless to say, I'm 'disappointed' with the CP 950's support for using an
> external flash. (See also threads about mounting it on a Stroboframe
> bracket.) But still, it's better than not having _any_ external flash
> support, like so many other digicams. Also, unless you're doing something
> weird, the camera's metering works well and I almost always get good shots
> with my 950/SB-28 setup.
>
> Best regards,
> Josh
--
Dave Morrison
Josh Carter wrote:
> Hi Frank,
>
> > Does the CP 950 have a "standard" flash sync outlet to allow using an
> > external, normal photographic, auto-exposure flash?
>
> The 950 has a weird three-pin connector on it, and they say you can only
> use a certain set of Nikon flashes with it. While I'm sure some of this is
> just jacking the consumer around, trying to make them buy a new Nikon
> flash, I went the safe route and bought an "approved" flash (the SB-28).
> You can get a 3-pin to standard hot-shoe connector (the ES-900 I think it
> is), but it seems you can only get this by buying the SK-E900 flash
> bracket, which is extremely lame as flash brackets go. Still you're only
> supposed to use "approved" flash units.
>
> And, if that weren't enough, you also get hosed on flash features. The
> CP950 will send fire and squelch signals, and that's it. I can't even use
> some of the _manual_ features of my SB-28 because the CP950 is so
> boneheaded. Even my 25-year old Nikkormat FT2 works with the SB-28
> repeating flash mode, but not the 1999 ultra-high-tech Coolpix 950.
> (*grrr!!!*) You use the camera's TTL metering and nothing else.
You're not getting TTL, either. You are getting the auto mode, not TTL.
Frank S
just not meant to be.
-Frank
Josh Carter <jo...@spies.com> wrote in message
news:josh-13099...@192.168.0.3...
> Hi Frank,
>
> > Does the CP 950 have a "standard" flash sync outlet to allow using an
> > external, normal photographic, auto-exposure flash?
>
> The 950 has a weird three-pin connector on it, and they say you can only
> use a certain set of Nikon flashes with it. While I'm sure some of this is
> just jacking the consumer around, trying to make them buy a new Nikon
> flash, I went the safe route and bought an "approved" flash (the SB-28).
> You can get a 3-pin to standard hot-shoe connector (the ES-900 I think it
> is), but it seems you can only get this by buying the SK-E900 flash
> bracket, which is extremely lame as flash brackets go. Still you're only
> supposed to use "approved" flash units.
>
> And, if that weren't enough, you also get hosed on flash features. The
> CP950 will send fire and squelch signals, and that's it. I can't even use
> some of the _manual_ features of my SB-28 because the CP950 is so
> boneheaded. Even my 25-year old Nikkormat FT2 works with the SB-28
> repeating flash mode, but not the 1999 ultra-high-tech Coolpix 950.
> (*grrr!!!*) You use the camera's TTL metering and nothing else.
>
add...@hotmail.com
wrote:
>
>
>Josh Carter wrote:
>
>> Hi Frank,
>>
>> > Does the CP 950 have a "standard" flash sync outlet to allow using an
>> > external, normal photographic, auto-exposure flash?
>>
>> The 950 has a weird three-pin connector on it, and they say you can only
>> use a certain set of Nikon flashes with it. While I'm sure some of this is
>> just jacking the consumer around, trying to make them buy a new Nikon
>> flash, I went the safe route and bought an "approved" flash (the SB-28).
>> You can get a 3-pin to standard hot-shoe connector (the ES-900 I think it
>> is), but it seems you can only get this by buying the SK-E900 flash
>> bracket, which is extremely lame as flash brackets go. Still you're only
>> supposed to use "approved" flash units.
>>
>> And, if that weren't enough, you also get hosed on flash features. The
>> CP950 will send fire and squelch signals, and that's it. I can't even use
>> some of the _manual_ features of my SB-28 because the CP950 is so
>> boneheaded. Even my 25-year old Nikkormat FT2 works with the SB-28
>> repeating flash mode, but not the 1999 ultra-high-tech Coolpix 950.
>> (*grrr!!!*) You use the camera's TTL metering and nothing else.
>
>You're not getting TTL, either. You are getting the auto mode, not TTL.
>
>>
>>
>> Needless to say, I'm 'disappointed' with the CP 950's support for using an
>> external flash. (See also threads about mounting it on a Stroboframe
>> bracket.) But still, it's better than not having _any_ external flash
>> support, like so many other digicams. Also, unless you're doing something
>> weird, the camera's metering works well and I almost always get good shots
>> with my 950/SB-28 setup.
>>
>> Best regards,
>> Josh
>
well, there is a way to use the 950 with pro lighting and it has been
discussed a few times. personally i hate the look of on-camera flash
so i'm always looking for ways to simulate the look of natural or
ordinary light. i've been using the 950 for location work with both
hot lights or speedotron strobes. all my lighting setups are bounced
either off a white ceiling/walls, or out of one or more umbrellas. for
hot lights i use lowell fresnel---for strobe i use a speedotron setup.
of course for hot lights the setup is straight-forward and i just use
spot metering in M-Rec and bang away---sometimes i have an assistant
hold a reflector to get more fill.
for strobe work i still try for a very natural look. the trick i use
is to have the camera flash fire a slave which pops the big speedotron
strobe. the problem is that if you work in close your on-camera flash
will blow out your skin tones. so, what i do i put a couple strips of
black plastic electrical tape over the on-camera flash to only allow
about 1/8th-1/4 inch of flash to expose---then i put a peanut flash
slave on a 10-foot extension PC cord which plugs into the speedotron
powerpack---in this way i can keep the flash slave peanut very close
to the camera so it will see it, but also the on-camera flash is so
weak on the subject that it will not impact the lighting at all---even
in macro less than a foot away from the skin.
for strobe work i set the camera to aperture mode and then use a flash
meter (i use sekonic 308) to position the strobe(s) to get what i
need. usually i'm always at the wide angle setting or working with a
wide angle adapter so i'm generally setting the strobe head to give me
f/7.4---if i go to telephoto i raise the flash power to f/11---no
biggie---you just read your LCD screen and give your camera what it
says it needs.
a potential downside to this strobe setup is that you're usually
working at 1/30 sec if you are in aperture priority---so if your
models are wiggling around when you are shooting you will see some
ghosting---for our work (we shoot for "adult entertainment" websites)
this just adds some visual tension to the image and i think it works
artistically---so we just let the models wiggle as need be.
i'm always interested in what others are doing with re: to pro
lighting and the N950 so please share your tips with us.
thanks!
if you are not offended by naked women you can see some tech samples
of what i'm talking about here:
http://eurobahia.cavecreek.net/photo/nikon950/
#3815----single Lowell fresnel hot light bounced out of white
umbrella--spot metering---white balance incandescent
#4540,4688,4720,4813---single speedotron strobe bounced off white
ceiling/wall intersection---M-Rec mode, aperature priority, wide angle
attachment f/7.4, 1/30 sec flash sync---white balance flash
all images VGA fine setting, copyright Eurobahia Partners, Ltd. 1999
Josh Carter
Gotta eat some of my own words...
I said:
> You use the camera's TTL metering and nothing else.
Quick test, equipment as follows:
Coolpix 950 in M-REC, internal flash disabled
SB-28 flash in TTL mode
SC-18 cable connecting them
In environment with reasonably high light, hold a gray card in front of
the flash's light meter (below flash tube), snap a picture. Flash fires at
low power. Now hold card right in front of the camera, but not obstructing
the flash's meter. Flash fires at full output. Obviously the camera is
doing the metering, _not_ the flash.
Now put the flash in auto mode (using its own meter), test results are the
opposite -- the flash is now indeed doing its own metering. Needless to
say, I was wrong. TTL _and_ A modes work as expected.
FWIW, after some more experiments, parts of manual mode work, too. Basic M
mode does the right thing, but I still can't figure out a way to make
M-repeating mode work.
Dave Morrison said:
> You're not getting TTL, either. You are getting the
> auto mode, not TTL.
"TTL" mode in this case is indeed not real TTL. The camera is doing the
metering, yes, and the flash is in TTL mode, but the meter in question is
actually beside the camera lens. I did a variation on the test above,
holding the card to the left of the lens (where the meter is), and over
just the lens with the left side uncovered to verify this. Indeed, the
metering for the flash is coming from the sensor _beside_ the lens, not
through it.
-Josh