Olympus FL-900R Electronic Flash User Manual
Brand: Olympus
Important Safety Instructions
When using your photographic equipment, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following:
- Read and understand all instructions before using.
- Close supervision is necessary when any flash is used by or near children. Do not leave flash unattended while in use.
- Care must be taken as burns can occur from touching hot parts.
- Do not operate if the flash has been dropped or damaged - until it has been examined by qualified service personnel.
- Let flash cool completely before putting away.
- To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not immerse this flash in water or other liquids.
- To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not disassemble this flash, but take it to qualified service personnel when service or repair work is required. Incorrect reassembly can cause electric shock when the flash is used subsequently.
- The use of an accessory attachment not recommended by the manufacturer may cause a risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
The following importer description applies to products imported into the EU directly by OLYMPUS EUROPA SE & Co. KG only. OLYMPUS EUROPA SE & Co. KG, Wendenstrasse 14-18, 20097 Hamburg, Germany.
Product Overview and Identification
This section identifies the main parts of the Olympus FL-900R flash unit.
Key Components:
- 1. Wide Panel: Used to expand the flash coverage.
- 2. Light Emitting Area: The main flash head.
- 3. Remote Control Sensor: Receives signals for wireless operation.
- 4. AF Illuminator/LED Window: Provides autofocus assistance and status indication.
- 5. Slave Sensor: Detects flash signals from other units.
- 6. Light Catching Panel: A reflector for bounce flash.
- 7. Control Panel: Displays settings and mode information.
- 8. MODE Button: Cycles through flash modes.
- 9. CHARGE/TEST Button: Fires a test flash and indicates charging status.
- 10. OK Button: Confirms settings.
- 11. Bounce Lock Release Button: Releases the flash head for tilting/swiveling.
- 12. AUTO CHECK Lamp: Indicates flash readiness.
- 13. ON/OFF Button: Powers the flash on and off.
- 14. Lock Release: Releases the flash mounting foot.
- 15. Lock: Secures the flash to the camera's hot shoe.
- 16. Dial: Used to adjust settings.
- 17. Flash Bracket FLST-1: For mounting the flash.
- 18. Bounce Adapter: Softens and diffuses light for bounce flash.
- 19. IR Filter: Used for wireless control.
- 20. Flash Case: For storage.
Getting Started
Battery Preparation and Loading
The FL-900R uses AA batteries (NiMH or Alkaline). Do not use Manganese batteries.
To Load Batteries:
- Open the battery compartment cover.
- Insert batteries, observing correct +/- polarity.
- Close the battery compartment cover.
Connecting to Camera
Ensure both the camera and flash are turned off before connecting or disconnecting. Connecting or disconnecting the flash while the camera or flash is powered on may cause malfunction.
- Press the lock release button (14) and slide the mounting foot to unlock and retract it.
- Insert the flash into the camera's hot shoe until it clicks into place.
- Slide the mounting foot to the lock position (15) to secure the flash.
To remove the flash, reverse the locking procedure.
Operating the Flash
Powering On/Off
Press the ON/OFF button (13). The control panel will illuminate. Press again to turn off.
Battery Indicator: If the CHARGE lamp does not illuminate within 10 seconds (NiMH) or 30 seconds (Alkaline), replace the batteries.
The flash enters sleep mode when the camera enters sleep mode. It will also automatically shut off after approximately 60 minutes of inactivity. Press the ON/OFF button to turn it back on.
Basic Photography and Settings
Shooting:
- Use camera controls to select the flash mode. Refer to your camera's manual for details.
- Select the flash control mode (e.g., AUTO, MANUAL).
- Press the shutter button halfway. The camera and flash will exchange information, and the flash range will be displayed on the control panel.
Flash range varies based on camera settings like ISO sensitivity, aperture, and focal length.
Test Flash
Press the TEST button (9) to fire a test flash. The AUTO CHECK lamp (12) will illuminate for approximately 5 seconds, indicating a successful flash.
Flash Control Modes
Select the appropriate flash control mode based on your subject and shooting conditions.
Selecting a Mode:
- Press the MODE button (8). Settings will appear.
- Use the dial (16) to select the desired mode. You can also select modes by pressing the MODE button repeatedly.
- Press OK (10) to confirm.
Mode Descriptions:
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| AUTO | Flash output is automatically adjusted based on the camera's light metering. The flash adjusts to the brightness level detected by the camera's lens. Suitable for general use with cameras that can communicate exposure information. |
| MANUAL | Allows manual adjustment of flash output. You set the flash output level manually. |
| FP TTL AUTO | TTL automatic flash control for high-speed sync (FP), allowing flash synchronization at shutter speeds faster than the camera's standard sync speed. |
| FP MANUAL | Manual flash control for high-speed sync (FP). You set the flash output manually for FP sync. |
| MULTI | Flashes multiple times at a set frequency and duration. You can select the flash output level, frequency, and number of flashes. |
| RC | Remote control mode for wireless operation. Allows control of the flash from a compatible Olympus camera's RC function. You can set GROUP and CH (Channel) for wireless communication. |
| SL AUTO | Slave AUTO mode. The flash fires wirelessly in sync with any flash from another unit. |
| SL MANUAL | Slave MANUAL mode. The flash fires wirelessly in sync with another flash unit, allowing manual control of the slave flash. |
Advanced Features
Wireless Flash Control (RC Mode)
The FL-900R offers wireless control with compatible Olympus digital cameras supporting RC mode. It can also be used to control multiple external flashes remotely.
Setup:
- Set your camera to RC mode.
- Select [RC] as the flash control mode on the camera.
- Use the flash's MODE button and dial to set the flash's GROUP and CH (Channel) for wireless communication.
- Press OK (10) to confirm settings.
You can adjust individual flash settings for each group from the camera, including flash control mode, flash output level, and flash compensation.
Bounce Flash
To create softer, more diffused lighting, the flash head can be tilted or swiveled. Press the bounce lock release button (11) and adjust the head angle.
Bounce Adapter (18): Attach the bounce adapter by inserting its tabs into the corresponding slots on the flash head for a softer, wider light spread.
Wide Panel (1)
Pull out the wide panel to cover the flash head for wider illumination, especially with wide-angle lenses (below 24mm). The ZOOM display will show a wider angle when the lens focal length is less than 12mm.
Light Catching Panel (6)
Pull out the light catching panel to reflect light for fill-in effects.
Menu Settings
Access the menu system using the MENU button (16) to customize settings for easier operation.
Navigating Menus:
- Press the MENU button (16). The menu will be displayed.
- Use the dial (16) to highlight options and adjust values.
- Press OK (10) to confirm changes.
Key Menu Options:
- AF Illum. Mode: Controls the AF assist illuminator (Auto/Off).
- LED Mode: Controls the LED light (Auto/Manual/Off).
- LED Brightness: Adjusts the brightness of the LED.
- Front Charge Ind.: Indicates flash readiness (Auto/Off).
- Back Light Mode: Controls the backlight for the LCD panel (On/Off).
- Back Light Timer: Sets how long the backlight stays on before automatically turning off.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model Number | FL-900R |
| Product Type | External Electronic Flash for Digital Cameras |
| Guide Number | ISO 100: 58 (with wide panel: ISO 100, 14) |
| Angle of Coverage | 12-100mm lens coverage (equivalent to 24-200mm in 135 format). With wide panel: 7mm lens coverage (equivalent to 14mm in 135 format). |
| Flash Modes | FP MANUAL, FP TTLAUTO, MANUAL, AUTO, TTL-AUTO, SL MANUAL, SL AUTO, RC, MULTI |
| Flash Emission Duration | Approx. 1/20000 to 1/500 sec (except Super FP flash) |
| Number of Flashes | Approx. 200 times (with NiMH AA batteries) / Approx. 160 times (with Alkaline AA batteries) (when fully activated) |
| Recycle Time | Approx. 2.5 sec (with NiMH AA batteries) / Approx. 4.5 sec (with Alkaline AA batteries) (until CHARGE lamp lights up) |
| AF Illuminator Range | Approx. 1-5m (varies by camera and lens) |
| Ingress Protection | IPX1 (Internal measurements) equivalent to IEC60529/JISC0920 |
| Operating Environment | Temperature: 0-40°C (32-104°F), Humidity: 30-90% |
| Dimensions | 81.2 (W) x 121.4 (H) x 125.2 (D) mm (excluding protrusions) |
| Weight | 382g (without batteries) |
Note: Measurements are based on internal tests by Olympus. Actual figures may vary depending on shooting conditions. Specifications are subject to change without prior notice.
Customer Support
For technical support in Europe, visit the Olympus website or contact them:
Website: http://www.olympus-europa.com
Freephone: 00800-67 10 83 00
Paid line: +49 40 - 237 73 899
This symbol ♻️ indicates that this product should not be disposed of with household waste in the EU. Please use available return and collection systems.
