Olympus FL-36 Electronic Flash for SP series, C7070, E1, E300 & E500 Cameras Reviews

• Flash adds creative options

  
  By A1IQXVN4WN7O0V on 2005-10-07
  People who use Pns cameras don't know what they are missing with a flash like this. Bouncing light off of walls and ceilings allows for great flexiblity. I once spent a whole evening pointing this flash in different directions and admiring the the sometimes profound differences it made.
  
  The E-300 Camera already has a popup flash which is good for pointing directly at people. But the thing is, that is all it can do. The FL-36 can light up whole rooms.
  
  The flash has a bunch of modes. The two that I find the most useful are Auto TLL. This is basically fully automatic and as foolproof as you can get. Note: the wheel does not function by default in Auto TTL
  
  Since I like trying different stuff, I find the so-called manual to be the most useful. When you use manual, the flash display indicates the power of the flash (guide number) and the expected useful distance. The wheel on the flash allows you to dial in the amount that you need. Take a picture, see how it comes out, adjust accordingly.
  
  Pros:
  * Brings numerous creative options
  * Lights up stuff that the built in popup can't
  
  Cons:
  * Buttons can be hard to press. Wheel is a bit too stiff
  * The manual covers all the modes of all sorts of different cameras. It is easy to get information overload from it.
  
  

• good light

  
  By A35VOMDKKO3TOY on 2006-05-17
  Good extra light to have if you take a lot of indoor pictures. My friend had one and I borrowed it for my e500. Great result, bought one for myself at B&H Photo for $179 + shipping.
  
  Update:
  At the end of 2007, I decided to upgrade to FL-50. I had a lot of great shots with FL-36. FL-36 is not a bad flash unit but I found FL-50 is a lot more powerful with no or little recharge time. A set of 4 new batteries on the FL-50 will last you 120+ indoor shots with no or minimal recharge time where FL-36 only lasts about 30 shot with 2 batteries then the recharge time starts to get too long and I often would miss good shots. If you have couple hundred dollars more to spend I would recommend FL-50 for one time investment.
  
  

• Great Flash

  
  By A1IUSN5J2T2MEO on 2006-11-06
  This is the mid level flash for Olympus SLR's. It does everything you need for a digital flash and more. It can be used with the onboard flash as well. It takes some time getting used to all of the functions so I recommend taking a couple days practicing using it in different levels of light. With any digital product read the manual closely. This baby can do more than you think. Have fun.
  
  

• Perfect!

  
  By A2OWIB1MOZ7IR0 on 2007-02-14
  I recently purchased this item for my Evolt 500 and all i can say is wow. I went to camera store and held both the fl 36 and fl 50 and decided to go with the fl 36. The fl 36 was alot smaller which I liked. I'm gonna mainly use it for vacation pictures, birthdays and holidays. So i really don't need the fl 50. My opinion, if you're not gonna be shooting weddings, you really don't need the fl 50. I've noticed that E 500 always had problems focusing in low light. The camera would search, fire the af illuminator off like crazy, and it still wouldn't focus. Even just focusing in regular indoor lighting was a problem. This completely solves this problem. I was able to focus on my girlfriend in complete darkness.. Accurately and quickly. I was already thinking about getting a different camera in a year or so just because of the low light focusing issue. But now.. I'll probably use this camera for a good five years, if not more. Even if you weren't looking for an external flash... buy it. Just the improvement in low light focusing alone is worth the money. Recycle is great, i threw in cheap dollar store batteries just so i can use it the first day i brought it and the recycle time is fast enough. I'm not really trying to shoot night pics at the INDY 500. Stop searching and buy this item. I also recommend the Sto_Fen OM-600 omni-bounce diffuser. Its made for the Nikon SB600 but if fits perfect on my FL-36. Nice and snug. It makes a big difference. TRUST ME, YOU'LL THANK ME IN THE COMMENTS LATER!!!!!!!
  
  

• Excellent product

  
  By A21MVJTCE7KU3I on 2006-06-29
  I've always been a Nikon user. I needed a prosumer digital camera; so instead of getting a Nikon again, I wanna try out the Olympus since people tells me that the Olympus camera and accessories are great. It's true! With this compact FL-36, I get all the features as I'm using my SB-28. It's light, takes only 2 batteries, and have an excellent range.
  
  I will definitely recommend this product to other people.
  
  
• Good but slow
  By A2RNYTY5IVNS78 on 2007-11-26
  I agree with a lot of people about the "light quality" of this flash. It has a good light range (not long, but it is what I expected from this price). But I must warn you: it is EXTREMELLY SLOW recharging. I really did not know that the flash worked on only 2 AA batteries (this would have been a good hint about the recharging speed); and there was no information about the recharging time nor in Amazon nor in the Olympus site. A fully discharged flash (because of a full flash shoot) charges in about 7 to 10 seconds using 2700 mAh, brand new and fully charged NiMH batteries. It is too slow to get the action from those concerts that my kids use to offer with their school classes.
  
  Since I live in Argentina, it is very difficult for me to return it, so I will live with my mistake. I just want to warn the people looking for advice: if you pretend a "shot-after-shot-after-shot" performance, look for other flash. If you only want the AutoTTL (very nice for my Olympus C-730UZ), fully adjustable flash head (useful in "portrait" photos) and the Olympus Brand, then go for it.
  
  
• FL-36 and Pansonic FZ50 Camera
  By A37XHO6HYMWQ46 on 2007-01-28
  This is just to let others know that the FL-36 Flash and the FZ50 are completely compatible! I did a lot of searching to find this info, so I thought I would make it easier for anyone shopping for a good flash for their FZ50. (I bought both from "Amazon".)
  
  
• olympys fl-36
  By A15XSFOEV4YP5P on 2006-07-12
  The flash works great on my c-8080. The control panel was very easy to use,and i was very impressed with all its features.
  
  
• Olympus FL-36 Electronic Flash for SP series, C7070, E1, E300 & E500 Cameras
  By AVHIF8YWD8BCJ on 2007-03-10
  I am extremely pleased with this flash. Olympus is well ahead of the curve in digital camera, lens and flash integration. The FL-36 can achieve beautiful photographs that appear to be taken in natural light. I am just beginning to discover its capabilities. You have to spend some time with the manual to fully utilize its features. Before purchasing, I had read complaints about the fact that it utilzes only two AA battries and short battery life. I haven't found this much of a problem, using 2400 mah NI-MH batteries. They're cheap, easy to carry and can be recharged quickly with a fast-charger. It's not cheap or disappointing. I highly recommend.
  
  
• Muy buena relación calidad-precio
  By A1QXQIIBXWQE9B on 2006-07-26
  He probado el FL-36 con una cámara Olympus E-1 y estoy muy satisfecho con el resultado.
  Considero que se trata de un buen flash a un precio muy asequible.
  Es de pequeño tamaño y cómodo de transportar siempre con la cámara. El panel de control es fácil de manejar y ofrece multitud de opciones creativas de iluminación.
  Estimo por lo tanto que se trata de un producto de calidad y que es una buena compra
  
  
• good flash light if you know how to use it.
  By A1Q4WFWRABIMS3 on 2006-08-01
  A rather good flash light at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, it does not come with a handy user's guide. Otherwise it is perfect.
  
  
• Great and relatively inexpensive flash
  By A3VU1GZBQ1ER9Q on 2006-11-09
  Its much more useful than the FL-20 which I had before, and the bounce and flash zoom work great on my E-1, C-5050, and C-750. It could recharge a bit faster, but that could be a physical limitation from having only 2 batteries instead of 4 as in the FL-50.
  
  
• Great Flash!
  By A2AL3G901ZFFVE on 2007-04-02
  Bought this flash with my EVOLT 500. Great flash for most types of typical low light situations and for fill-flash. It offers all the advanced features for creative lighting such as bounce, diffused light and the angled bounces. Allows manual settings and works incredibly well in auto settings with camera. Olympus makes several accessories for this flash to help you get this off the camera and for multiple flash or slave set-ups. For more power and throw distance, and complete professional capabilities, go with the more expensive FL-50.
  
  
• Patience
  By A2P2GJ0AH35FPE on 2007-05-12
  I wish I had saved a little longer and purchased the FL50 which has a higher recovery speed and can be used with external battery packs like the quantum.
  
  
• Very Good
  By A19QPZX5RRX8CV on 2007-06-27
  I really enjoy using the flash, i have an evolt 500 and the flash works great with the camera. Pictures come out great indoors with limited lighting. The only knock i have on the flash is that it uses batteries very quickly. It took about 20 pictures with very little wait between picture taking, but after that it took much longer. I will carry at least 6 rechargable batteries with me next time i plan on using it indoors with the intent of taking a lot of pictures. Other than the battery issue, this flash works great. I'm happy with my purchase.
  
  
• How did I photograph without it?
  By A37UPG8GRJ81YW on 2007-01-05
  I always had wondered why professional photographers used such flashes. My wife uses our Olympus C770 to take a lot of posed shots of our children, and the flash is perfect for such uses. By bouncing the light off the ceiling, the lighting is warmer and the shadows are diminished. We were totally convinced after trying several shots with the camera's built-in flash and then with the FL-36.
  
  
• Excelente flash!
  By A14GJJGQ4ABRJS on 2007-04-10
  He adquirido este flash para completar mi cámara Evolt E-500 y considero que es la combinación perfecta. Se requieren de conocimientos adicionales de iluminación y fotografía para obtener las mayores prestaciones que ofrecen ambos equipos. Altamente recomendado!
  
  
• It just get the job done
  By A35IHJMPZI2XF6 on 2007-01-09
  This flash really do the job very well. I'm happy about the products performance and results it is money well spent.
  
  
• Lit up 222 pictures in 1 hour
  By AJ1ETLOCTAGVU on 2008-06-04
  I found myself on stage and being responsible for this flash working on each cadet as they approached the stage to receive various awards for their accomplishments over the past year of ROTC activities at Hagerty
  High School Yes,it worked fine and made my job easier,my only remark is
  that I dont know how I shot 5000 pictures in 2006-7 with the small flash built into the camera and not really offering enough light to properly
  flood the area.It really makes my confidence shoot up now and for the future.I am a retired Military man and 76 years old and all my pictures are placed on disc and donated to the cadets.This is my way of paying back and also my hobby.It also makes me feel good to be able to look back over the past three years at the School and say I have never taken a penny for my services and never will.Thank you for allowing me to run
  my mouth and speak for the flash.
  Sincerely,Ronald J Nogle
  Winter Springs Florida
  
  
• great flash
  By A3FT19E6OH4HCV on 2007-03-09
  have had it for a few weeks and glad I brought it great procuct
  
  
• Used for Panasonic FZ-30
  By A30L3BM6VOXN0X on 2007-04-22
  It's a great Flash.
  
  I got it today, still trying to figure out features. It has lots of features to grow with.
  
  It looks like Panasonic FZ-30 has limited internal communication with the FL-36. "TTL Auto" and other advance features are not available with this camera.
  
  The AUTO setting does a great job. But it would have been great if FZ-30 would have the capability to communicate to get TTL feature.
  
  Overall, it's great flash. Charges fast even with regular AA batteries.
  
  
  
• Flash Works very well
  By A2ZOPSZMJO8WH8 on 2007-08-06
  It is very fast between charges however keep in mind that you should have spare batteries if you plan to take a lot of shots with it.
  
  It is very powerful
  
  You can move it in any direction (horizontal and vertical).
  
  It is worth every dollar spent.
  
  
• Works Well With Panasonic FZ-50
  By A3ASVM6OMV1LNG on 2007-08-09
  I bought the Olympus FL-36 Flash for use on my Panasonic FZ-50 and it works great. It is not quite a 100% perfect match as I think the IR focus assist built in to the Olympus flash only works on an Olympus camera but the important stuff (i.e., TTL flash monitoring) seems to work perfectly. Overall, I definitely think it was worth the money saved over the way too pricey dedicated Panasonic flash. On the other hand, if I had no money concerns I'd probably buy the Panasonic -- but there is a BIG price difference.
  
  
• Great little flash unit.
  By AIEOH19T22OQC on 2007-09-11
  I bought this Olympus FL-36 flash light for my Olympus E-1 and E-330. It proofed to be a great buy. It only takes 2 AA batteries and is capable to give out decent output for normal use. You can adjust the flash head to different angles for bounce illumination (perfect match with E-330). It communicates with the camera and adjust the zoom flash head according to the zoom position that you use on the camera. Needless to say it will do all sorts of TTL features that you can think of. Excellent built quality, reliable performance---a great buy!
  
  
• GREAT little flash
  By A11B1Y0UFRH165 on 2007-10-10
  I love this flash. It is amazing. The only reason it did not get 5 stars was because it is a little slow to recycle. It is not too long, but it can get annoying. Other than that, it is great. The construction of the flash is very professional. It feels like a solid pro flash. It tilts, it rotates, it has TTL control, plus manual. It really works nice with my E500 camera.
  
  
• Great flash for the size and money
  By A3R2R1ZV41RN05 on 2008-01-02
  I was a little nervous to buy this flash after reading some comments that it can be slow to charge. I'm glad I listened to the positive reviews. This flash is powerful, works great, and is not that slow. Using rechargeable NiMH AA batteries, I took just under 200 pictures on a single set of batteries, and they seemed to still be going strong. Flash recharge speed seems to depend on the amount of light in the room. The brighter the flash, the longer it takes to recharge, but it never seems to take more than a few seconds. A guess professionals may need a faster flash, but I don't, and I like the smaller size.
  
  
• Works very well with E-Volt series!
  By A2KP8UNH6V4124 on 2008-03-21
  This flash works very well with the Olympus E-volt Digital SLR cameras. You can pretty much set both the camera and the flash on "auto" and take great shots all day long (provided you have plenty of batteries, that is!). Or, it also allows you to manually override settings like ISO, zoom, etc.
  
  On the negative side.. I only tend to get about 60 flashes out of a set of Energizer alkaline batteries. Glad it only takes 2 AA's.
  
  
• Perfect for me
  By A23J396VL9T5ME on 2008-08-01
  I have an Olympus E-510 camera, and this flash unit is just what I needed. It has all advanced functions, like tilting head, different shooting modes, including TTL-auto (my favorite). It communicates flawlessly with all e-volt series cameras.
  I really liked the light bulb zoom function. It detects the focal distance of your actual lens, and adjusts the flash accordingly, illuminating just the zone that will be actually captured by the camera sensor.
  It takes some seconds to charge, but once it's charged and unless you use the maximum power of the flash, the recycle time is very fast.
  
  
• EXCELLENT FLASH, VERY POWERFUL!
  By A2WL3O0VFMZXTO on 2007-03-08
  I'M VERY SATISFIED WITH THIS PRODUCT, ENHANCE HIGHLY THE PICTURES SHARPNESS IN LOW LIGHT CONDITIONS, I'VE A OLYMPUS SP-350, AND TAKES PICS LIKE PROFESSIONAL CAMERA WITH THIS FLASH!, I HIGHLY SUGGEST THIS PRODUCT FOR EVERYONE THAT DESIRE BETTER PICS IN LOW LIGHT CONDITION! THIS FLASH REACH MORE THAN 30MTS LONG!
  
  
• Flashdance
  By A2B7VGGHJ44L13 on 2007-04-02
  The flash works wonders. My wife and I bought it for my son's 17th b-day and for passing his driving test with one take. He enjoys the flash as it creates nice picture with his new Olympus camera that he got for X-mas.
  
  

• Olympus B80SU NiMH Overnight Battery & Charger Set for D425/D395/D535/D540/D545/D580/D595 Digital Cameras

• Olympus Evolt E510 10MP Digital SLR Camera with CCD Shift Image Stabilization and 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 Zuiko Lenses
• Olympus BLM-01 Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery for C7070, C8080, E1, E300 & E500 Digital Cameras
• Olympus RM-1 Remote Control for Olympus Stylus Digital Cameras
• Sto-Fen OM600 Omni-Bounce Diffuser
• Tiffen 58mm UV Protection Filter