Flash overexposure on a KM 7D

Hi people,
Got my new minolta 7D today and trying my older gear out on it. I notice
that my flash, a 5200i program flash, appears to produce over exposed images
with the camera, and I mean VERY over exposed, virtually no detail but a
complete whiteout. This is on the Program setting which should, so I
thought, make sure everything is just about right when using the flash set
on TTL metering. Any ideas why this might be? My flash is about 10 years
old but I thought it ought to work according to the sales people.
Apart from this problem, all works just great so far.
cheers
Jasen

"Jasen" wrote in message
...
Hi people,
Got my new minolta 7D today and trying my older gear out on it. I notice
that my flash, a 5200i program flash, appears to produce over exposed
images
with the camera, and I mean VERY over exposed, virtually no detail but a
complete whiteout. This is on the Program setting which should, so I
thought, make sure everything is just about right when using the flash set
on TTL metering. Any ideas why this might be? My flash is about 10 years
old but I thought it ought to work according to the sales people.
Apart from this problem, all works just great so far.
cheers
Jasen

Secondary to this problem, I've just worked out that if I set the level to
1/32, I get lovely images. I supposed problem solved in that sense but it
seems the camera doesn't tell the flash when to turn off or something??
Jasen

"Jasen" wrote in message
news

"Jasen" wrote in message
...
Hi people,
Got my new minolta 7D today and trying my older gear out on it. I
notice
that my flash, a 5200i program flash, appears to produce over exposed
images
with the camera, and I mean VERY over exposed, virtually no detail but a
complete whiteout. This is on the Program setting which should, so I
thought, make sure everything is just about right when using the flash
set
on TTL metering. Any ideas why this might be? My flash is about 10
years
old but I thought it ought to work according to the sales people.
Apart from this problem, all works just great so far.
cheers
Jasen

Secondary to this problem, I've just worked out that if I set the level to
1/32, I get lovely images. I supposed problem solved in that sense but it
seems the camera doesn't tell the flash when to turn off or something??
Jasen


Ah, the web is a wonderful thing. Found out more info. The way a flash
emission is metered is different for digital cameras than it is with film
(something I didn't know about 'til now!). With film, light bounces off the
film and that is what the camera meters. With digital, as far as I can see,
because light is reflected off a CCD a bit like a mirror, you can't do
metering like when using film. Light output is apparently set dependant on
the distance of focus determined by a specific digital lens (ADI capable) or
by a preflash. I am not sure my flash is capable of preflash so I guess
it's up to me to set the levels dependant on the situation, or buy a new
flash!!
Anyone add anything to this, or correct me if I am wrong?

cheers
Jasen

On Wed, 12 Oct 2005 21:52:41 +1000, "Jasen"
had a flock of green cheek conures
squawk out:

Hi people,
Got my new minolta 7D today and trying my older gear out on it. I notice
that my flash, a 5200i program flash, appears to produce over exposed images
with the camera, and I mean VERY over exposed, virtually no detail but a
complete whiteout. This is on the Program setting which should, so I
thought, make sure everything is just about right when using the flash set
on TTL metering. Any ideas why this might be? My flash is about 10 years
old but I thought it ought to work according to the sales people.
Apart from this problem, all works just great so far.
cheers
Jasen


You need to use either a 3600HS(D) or a 5600HS(D) flash for ADI or TTL
auto modes. Read the manual on flash compatibility.

Stephen
--

Jasen wrote:
"Jasen" wrote in message
news

"Jasen" wrote in message
...
Hi people,
Got my new minolta 7D today and trying my older gear out on it. I
notice that my flash, a 5200i program flash, appears to produce
over exposed images with the camera, and I mean VERY over exposed,
virtually no detail but a complete whiteout. This is on the
Program setting which should, so I thought, make sure everything is
just about right when using the flash set on TTL metering. Any
ideas why this might be? My flash is about 10 years old but I
thought it ought to work according to the sales people.
Apart from this problem, all works just great so far.
cheers
Jasen

Secondary to this problem, I've just worked out that if I set the
level to 1/32, I get lovely images. I supposed problem solved in
that sense but it seems the camera doesn't tell the flash when to
turn off or something?? Jasen


Ah, the web is a wonderful thing. Found out more info. The way a
flash emission is metered is different for digital cameras than it is
with film (something I didn't know about 'til now!). With film,
light bounces off the film and that is what the camera meters. With
digital, as far as I can see, because light is reflected off a CCD a
bit like a mirror, you can't do metering like when using film. Light
output is apparently set dependant on the distance of focus
determined by a specific digital lens (ADI capable) or by a preflash.
I am not sure my flash is capable of preflash so I guess it's up to
me to set the levels dependant on the situation, or buy a new flash!!
Anyone add anything to this, or correct me if I am wrong?

Looks like you have it figured out. I have an even older Minolta 4000AF
flash from my film days, it will fire on the 7D, but no automatic
exposure control. The 4000AF zoom head does react to the zoom lens on
the camera, however.

As Stephen pointed out, you will need a current model compatible flash
for full functionality. I have one on my 'eventually' list, just don't
shoot enough with flash to need it now.

Bob ^,,^

"Bob Harrington" wrote in message
...
Jasen wrote:
"Jasen" wrote in message
news

"Jasen" wrote in message
...
Hi people,
Got my new minolta 7D today and trying my older gear out on it. I
notice that my flash, a 5200i program flash, appears to produce
over exposed images with the camera, and I mean VERY over exposed,
virtually no detail but a complete whiteout. This is on the
Program setting which should, so I thought, make sure everything is
just about right when using the flash set on TTL metering. Any
ideas why this might be? My flash is about 10 years old but I
thought it ought to work according to the sales people.
Apart from this problem, all works just great so far.
cheers
Jasen

Secondary to this problem, I've just worked out that if I set the
level to 1/32, I get lovely images. I supposed problem solved in
that sense but it seems the camera doesn't tell the flash when to
turn off or something?? Jasen


Ah, the web is a wonderful thing. Found out more info. The way a
flash emission is metered is different for digital cameras than it is
with film (something I didn't know about 'til now!). With film,
light bounces off the film and that is what the camera meters. With
digital, as far as I can see, because light is reflected off a CCD a
bit like a mirror, you can't do metering like when using film. Light
output is apparently set dependant on the distance of focus
determined by a specific digital lens (ADI capable) or by a preflash.
I am not sure my flash is capable of preflash so I guess it's up to
me to set the levels dependant on the situation, or buy a new flash!!
Anyone add anything to this, or correct me if I am wrong?

Looks like you have it figured out. I have an even older Minolta 4000AF
flash from my film days, it will fire on the 7D, but no automatic
exposure control. The 4000AF zoom head does react to the zoom lens on
the camera, however.

As Stephen pointed out, you will need a current model compatible flash
for full functionality. I have one on my 'eventually' list, just don't
shoot enough with flash to need it now.

Bob ^,,^

Yep, worked it out alright. Just do it manually, however painful it might
be. Saw Ebay has a mint condition 5600HS(D) for $AU199 currently and I'm
sure more will be available later on. The flash reacts to the lens on mine
also which helps at least.
cheers
Jasen