Flash Photography

Using the flash unit Konica HX-14 auto with your HEXAR camera

There are three main modes of taking pictures with this flash unit:

• Full automatic, full flash output with automatic adjusted aperture
• Automatic, fixed aperture and variable flash output depending on subject distance
• Manual, nothing automatic

* When mounting your flash unit to the camera be sure that both camera and flash unit are switched off.

Full automatic
Available light, subject distance and camera-shake critical speed is taken into account to get a correct exposure. The flash unit is set for maximal light output.
The picture is made by an exposure with the available light and then immediately changing the aperture of the camera to a value which gives a correct exposure with the full flash output fired just before closing the shutter.

How to:

- Mount the flash unit on camera

- Set camera to mode P

- Set flash unit to mode P-FULL

When the flash unit is completely charged a [FL] message appears in the LCD panel and the pilot lamp on the flash unit is burning*.

- Press the release button

* If the flash unit is not fully charged a picture is made only with the available light and the flash does not fire.

Automatic
The flash light output is changed depending on subject distance. The aperture setting is fixed.
The HX-14 flash unit is now functioning like a normal electronic flash light.

How to:

- Set flash unit to mode A

- Set camera to mode A or M

- Set the aperture on camera depending on filmspeed


Film speed (ISO)	aperture
50	2.8
100	4
200	5.6
400	8.0
800	11

- Press release button

*In poor light conditions always use a tripod to support your camera.

M mode
Nothing automatic. Flash unit is set for maximal light output. You have to set the aperture on your camera manually to a value calculated by the following formula:

F = GN / m

F = aperture

GN = guide number of your flash unit (14 for HX-14 with an ISO 100 film)

m = distance to subject in meters

* Important when the distance changes to your subject you have to recalculate the aperture value.

(see also Flash distance range)

How to:

• Set flash unit to mode P-Full
• Set camera to mode A or M
• Calculate and set aperture on camera (e.g. Film ISO 100, GN=14, m=5 then F is 2.8)
• Press release button

*If the flash unit is set to mode A the available light is not measured.

Using other flash units
Almost any flash unit can be used with your camera.
Only automatic and manual flash mode are available for non HX-14 flash units.

Fill-in flash
Set camera to mode A.
Choose a correct aperture for the available light and use the same aperture value for your flash unit.
To get a more subtle effect set the work aperture on the flash unit one or two stops larger than the aperture on your camera. E.g. camera aperture F8 set flash unit to F5.6 or F4.
Depending on your flash unit you may also reduce the flash output instead of changing the aperture.
Try different combinations of aperture settings on your camera and flash unit to see what is best in your situation.
This mode is very well suited for outdoor photography with fill-in flash.

Saving battery lifetime.
When not using the flash unit for a long time switch of the power of your flash unit.

Table of Contents