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[OM] Re: Vivitar 550FD M/P/O discussion

Subject: [OM] Re: Vivitar 550FD M/P/O discussion
From: "Wayne Culberson" <waynecul@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 20:34:14 -0400
Thanks for the report. It's always good to hear of someone actually using it
the way I intend to, without problems.

The Vivitar 550FD has a GN of 24, versus the T20's GN of 20. That would be
some advantage, except that the 550FD's angle of coverage is for a 50mm
lens, whereas the T20 is for a 35mm lens. So there is some advantage to the
Olympus flash in angle coverage, but it lacks the bounce capability. Also I
like the Olympus' auto settings of f4 and f8 for 100asa better than the
Vivitar's f2 and f4 auto settings. Also, the Olympus flashes send the
blinking light confirmation to the viewfinder of the OMPC, etc., whereas the
Vivitar doesn't. The other two advantages the Vivitar has is that it has a
test button, which is nice for confirmation tests in auto before firing the
shutter, and it gets the flash higher above the lens. So as usual, it is a
tough call as to which is actually best all round.

As far as comparing it to a T32, the T32 wins hands down, as it's GN is 32,
versus 24, plus the T32's angle of coverage is for a 28mm lens (some have
said 24mm, but the book I have says 28mm). Both have bounce of course, but
the GN advantage of the T32 is huge, if you need it. And it has 3 auto
settings and two manual settings, and tips down 15 degrees for macro.

Wayne

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lawrence Woods" <lmwoods@xxxxxxx>
To: <olympus@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2005 7:32 PM
Subject: [OM] Re: Vivitar 550FD M/P/O discussion


> This is my field usage report:
>
> I got a Vivitar 550FD with an OM-PC, I think in 1985, and have
> never had any problems with it or cameras using it.  I have
> used it on  OM-1, OM-PC, OM-2n, 35RC, and a Pentax KM
> (mechanical, non-TTL like an OM-1).  I have also used it
> off-camera in TTL mode on the 2n with a TTL cord using the T20
> adapter.  I picked up a T20 relatively recently, but its size
> advantage doesn't make up for its lack of bounce capability,
> and I rarely use it.
>
> Other than the ability to use a Bounce Grip 2's battery pack
> and a different Guide Number, I don't see what a T32 would
> give me that  I don't already get from the 550.
>
> ==============================================
> List usage info:     http://www.zuikoholic.com
> List nannies:        olympusadmin@xxxxxxxxxx
> ==============================================


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