Olympus E-3 User Manual page 63

setting) divide the guide number used in the formula by the
power level setting used before performing the calculation.
As an example, if you decide to use the built-in unit at ¼ power
and an aperture of f=4.0 then you would divide 13 (flash guide
number) by 4 = 3.25. The resultant calculation will then be 3.25
(effective guide number) divided by 4 (aperture in use) = 0.81m.
This is the effective range when no other light is present.
You can, however, use the lower power settings to avoid over-
exposure on close-up portraits or for soft fill-light effects at dusk.
SLOW
This mode offers a means to balance the flash illumination with
the background ambient light at dusk or at night. Normally, a
flash photograph taken in low light will show a well-exposed main
subject (normally the closest object to the camera) with the
background devoid of detail and black. This is so as the metering
system cuts-off the illumination from the flash unit as soon as it
has picked up enough reflected light from the closest object.
If your subject is situated against a night time cityscape, for
example, the fast shutter speed used for normal flash exposures
(by default 1/250
dimly lit buildings to register during the exposure.
If, however, the shutter speed is dropped to a few seconds, there
will be time enough for the dim light in the background to
register and you can thus show your subject in context.
To do this, activate the
control panel or the menu. You will have to place the camera on
a tripod and switch the IS off. Your subject must be briefed to sit
or stand still until the exposure has been completed.
62
th
second on the E-3) is too short for any of the
SLOW mode on the flash via the super