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Can the E-3 use a flash with shutter sync speeds higher than 1/250th of a second?
The optional FL-36, FL-36R, FL-50, and FL-50R flash units have a Super FP Flash mode which enables flash sync at shutter speeds higher than 1/250th of a second. This is accomplished by the flash emitting what is essentially a very high-speed stroboscopic “flicker” flash, rather than a single flash of light. Situations in which this would be desirable would be fill-flash outdoors in bright sunlight where high shutter speeds would be needed.
I have E-System flash accessories that I’ve been using with my E-1. Are these compatible with the E-3?
The E-System flash accessories are fully compatible with the E-3. These include:
•FP-1 Flash Power Grip
•SHV-1 High Voltage Power Pack
•FC-1 Macro Flash Controller
•RF-11 Ring Flash
•TF-22 Twin Flash
Can I use my Olympus FL-40 external flash on the E-3?
The Olympus FL-40 external flash is not compatible with the E-3 because it was not designed to work with the TTL firmware in the camera.
I have a third-party electronic flash. Can I use it on the E-3?
Flash units that are not part of the Olympus E-System may pose problems if used on the E-3.
Thyristor-type flash units can be used with the E-3’s Manual shooting mode as long as the sync voltage does not exceed 6 VDC. Third-party TTL flash units will not have TTL capability because the contact pins in the camera hot shoe probably won’t align with the contacts on the flash. In addition, the TTL communication with the E-3 may damage the camera circuitry or corrupt the camera firmware.
Can I use the E-3 with my studio flash equipment?
The E-3 uses an electronic rather than mechanical sync circuit that is rated at 6 VDC maximum sync voltage. Also, the polarity of the studio flash sync pulse may be opposite the polarity of the E-3 sync circuitry.
Studio flash equipment should be connected to the E-3 using the Safe Sync Hot Shoe to PC Sync Adapter. The adapter protects the camera from excessive sync voltage up to 400 VDC, and automatically corrects sync pulse polarity. This item (#200329) may be purchased from authorized Olympus dealers and also online directly from The Olympus Store. To order from the Olympus Store, click here.
How many images can be shot on a single charge of the BLM-1 lithium-ion rechargeable battery?
Although the number of images that can be captured depends upon the shooting conditions and the camera functions used, a fully charged BLM-1 battery should take approximately 400 images before it needs to be recharged.
