Digital cameras 101

[arpege]

I have a Panasonic TZ3 and I want to use a slave flash, which is triggered by a sensor cell (same arrangement as I have used successfully with my film SLR). The slave fires OK when the TZ3 flash operates BUT the slave does not sync properly. The image produced is clearly not benefitting form the additional light. (This is quite apparent if the slave flash is included in the photo being taken). Even after trying all the different camera flash options I cannot get the required result. Any ideas anyone??

[bdery]

There are two obvious solutions to this, that might or might not work.

First, I suppose your slave flash can be triggered after "seeing" one flash burst, or many. Most P&S cameras fire multiple bursts in order to meter the scene before actually taking the picture. Maybe that's why your flash does not trigger at the right time.

Second, maybe your P&S is set so that its flash fires at second curtain (just before the shutter closes, as opposed to first curtain, just after the shutter opens). If that's the case, the slave fires when the shutter is closed again.

Try these two possible solutions, and get back to us with the outcome!

[arpege]

Thanks for your thoughts. My simple slave-trigger arrangement doesn't have the ability to trigger the flash on a specific flash from the camera. If (as it usually does) the camera flash fires twice, the slave gun does too - as long as it isn't set for maximum output.

I have found a partial solution to my problem. The flash is a Vivitar 283 for which I also have a power controller. With the TZ3 set to "slow sync/red eye" and the flash power controller to 50% or less, then the flash occurs when the shutter is open (indicated shutter speed is 1/8 sec).  At which point in the shutter operation sequence the slave flash is actually firing I cannot tell.

BTW does the TZ3 have a focal plane shutter like a tradional SLR?

[ShutterbugGail]

BTW does the TZ3 have a focal plane shutter like a tradional SLR?

I don't believe so. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.