Konica Hexar AF: Flash questions (HX-14)

[filmfan]

So I now own my first flash, the Konica HX-14 for the Hexar AF, and I would like to learn how to use it properly. I intend on using it in two situations: 1) fill flash outdoors, 2) dragging the shutter indoors (long exposure then burst of flash).
Can anyone advise me on how to use the flash for these two purposes?
Please note-- seeing as this is my first flash, please keep the verbiage as simple as possible for I do not know what a guide number is or any of that.
Thanks in advance,

-S.

[sniki]

Have a look at these links:

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/fill.html
http://www.dantestella.com/technical/sb20.html

[filmfan]

Originally Posted by sniki

Have a look at these links:

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/fill.html
http://www.dantestella.com/technical/sb20.html

Thanks. Although somewhat helpful, I am really trying to get some information on the Hexar flash in particular. Did I misread something? It's happened before...

[KoNickon]

Here's a pretty exhaustive review of the Hexar that discusses the dedicated flash: http://photo.net/photo/hexar.html

[filmfan]

Originally Posted by KoNickon

Here's a pretty exhaustive review of the Hexar that discusses the dedicated flash: http://photo.net/photo/hexar.html

Great. I am there right now and yes, it is exhaustive (as well as exhausting).

[daveleo]

There is a user manual at this website:

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/konica/...nica_hexar.htm

I have actually never used the flash, so cannot advise anyone on that topic.

[filmfan]

So I have come to the conclusion that I will just use the HX-14 flash on P mode (in conjunction with the Hexar AF in P mode) for most flash use. I am just not into all the techie flash stuff, so I will settle for the easy way.

However, I really want to be able to "drag the shutter" with the Hexar AF's flash. I want to be able to have visible movement using a slow shutter speed, but also freeze the subject at a point in its movement using the flash. How would I accomplish this?
Thanks,

-S.

[filmfan]

BUMP.
I experimented with the flash on P mode (w/ the Hexar on P mode as well) and the results were mixed. It seemed to just fire off the flash at full power no matter how close or far the subject was from it. As a result, the images look very flashed, and I was hoping to avoid this.

I am now going to experiment with the flash in A mode (with the Hexar in A mode as well)...

Can anyone tell me how to "drag the shutter" with this flash?

[daveleo]

There is a way to manually set the GN of the attached flash. Something like hold the select button down then turn the camera on to P mode then set the flash GN (in meters).
I **think** this is something like an automatic fill flash process.

Maybe that helps you . . . .? . . . maybe not . . .?

[KoNickon]

If you're looking for the slow flash synch effect (I forget what the standard term is), I think the camera should be set to A -- which will give you shutter speeds slower than 1/30 if the ambient conditions call for it. Controlling the flash output is a challenge, though, and I'm not sure what to suggest for that -- I don't recall whether the flash lets you adjust the ASA/ISO.

[filmfan]

Originally Posted by KoNickon

If you're looking for the slow flash synch effect (I forget what the standard term is), I think the camera should be set to A -- which will give you shutter speeds slower than 1/30 if the ambient conditions call for it. Controlling the flash output is a challenge, though, and I'm not sure what to suggest for that -- I don't recall whether the flash lets you adjust the ASA/ISO.

Thanks. This is the information I was looking for.
Yes, the standard industry term for the slow flash sync effect is "dragging the shutter".
Cheers.

[dogbunny]

Originally Posted by KoNickon

If you're looking for the slow flash synch effect (I forget what the standard term is), I think the camera should be set to A -- which will give you shutter speeds slower than 1/30 if the ambient conditions call for it. Controlling the flash output is a challenge, though, and I'm not sure what to suggest for that -- I don't recall whether the flash lets you adjust the ASA/ISO.

And would the flash also be set to A? This flash having P or A settings?

[dogbunny]

I'm interested in this as well. From my limited experience with the flash you are using, the camera will indicate overexposure while using the flash while in P mode based on the focus distance. Here are two pictures using P-full on the flash and P mode on the camera. I'd be interested in other ways of utilizing this flash with the camera.







This is with Kodak Ektar, so at the vary least you know what the results may look like.

Cheers,

db

[foto_mike]

The HX-14 has two modes, P-FULL (otherwise known as manual or programmed-full power) and Automatic (f/4 @ 100 ISO). The flash effect is different, depending on the selected camera mode (P, A, or M).

Here's a nice table that summarizes the differences.

The Hexar AF is a little bit unique (in a good way) among older film cameras in allowing rear curtain flash sync in all modes. Simply, the flash fires just before the shutter closes instead of the more common case of firing just after the shutter opens. This doesn't matter for faster shutter speeds, but it allows the "frozen" (by the flash) image to be at the end of the blurred motion rather than the beginning for slow shutter speeds that include more ambient light. Modern DSLRs and flash units often have rear curtain sync capability, but it was rare in the film days.

By the way, understanding flash guide numbers are important for what you're trying to do. They're not hard to understand. Google the term for lots of easy explanations.

[dogbunny]

Mike, thanks for the chart. Easy to understand.

Cheers,

db