The ME Super syncs to 1/125th both in auto and manual mode I'm afraid. The other setting (125X, that rescues you if the battery goes flat) simply ignores the flash unit and will not fire it. Thanks again for the replies.

Thanks Matt - there's a couple of things I don't really understand though! Regarding my indoors example above, the correct metering suggests 1/125th at f2.8 for ISO 400 film. Simple so far, but if I set the flash to the same ISO rating as the film, as you suggest, the scale on the flash unit tells me I need to set the camera to f5.6. So the flash will totally overpower the scene right? And why do I need to reduce the camera aperture, if I've metered correctly for ambient light I want to keep the suggested aperture - the problem is I can't get this particular flash unit to do that fill-in thing.


Also, I've just realised, I don't think this particular flash unit adjusts its output when I change the film speed setting, it merely tells me to reduce the camera aperture.

jps - my problem is one that you recognise then? I'm not just dumb after all! With my set up there is no way that on any setting the shutter speed is allowed to be anything other than 1/125. And that's the big problem I think.

In summary - I'm going to have to buy some more hardware????

The manual is here if that's any help

http://www2.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Cobra%20D400%20Manual.pdf

Hi Matt
here are the other settings
ISO 400 - f5.6 or 11
ISO 200 - f4 or 8
ISO 100 - f2.8 or 5.6
ISO 50 - f2 or 4
ISO 25 - f1.4 or 2.8

Also, as far as I'm aware this combination of body and flash does not allow me to change the shutter speed once the flash is switched on. It's 1/125th, nothing else. I think this is why I'm having problems.

Thanks for the replies. I'm afraid I'm not much further forward in understanding the issue though! Here is an example that hopefully illustrates the problem.

Let's say I'm taking a portrait from a distance of 3 m indoors with some natural light and then outdoors in fairly bright light, using 400 ISO film. The flash sync is 1/125th, giving an aperture setting of f2.8 indoors and f22 outdoors to expose correctly for ambient light. If I set the flash to 1000 ISO (the fastest setting) the flash requires the camera aperture to be set at f8 or f16, depending on which power setting I choose; if set to manual mode the required aperture is f22. And it's about now that I gaze skywards blankly, index finger gently tapping my chin. I'm sure the answer will come to me if I wait here long enough, unless you guys can give any further assistance ... please!!!
Thanks.

Thanks for the replies. Would it be true to say that in order to successfully use fill-in flash, I first need to become more familiar with the exposure options offer at 1/125th shutter speed? (I normally use auto mode). Once I get a good feel for what the camera,s gonna do at this shutter speed I can just pop the flash on top and compensate accordingly - I'm thinking out loud here, but is that basically correct from a technical point of view.

By the way, the flash I'm using is a Cobra D400. It offers two set appertures and the head scratching manual mode.

Matt - which flash are you using please?

Sorry if these are basic questions. I'm a total novice when it comes to flash photography.

At best a migraine inducing flurry of measurements and calculations, at worst a complete lottery. Am I correct? Is it time to upgrade to the Pentax LX I've been promising myself?

thanks George!

If I want to use the film rated at ISO 50, do I set the dial on the camera to 64 and then to one notch lower - a position that has no number on it, just a little dot? (the next little dot would therefore be 40 and and then the number 32 will follow). This is quite difficult to explain but I'm sure anyone familiar with the camera should understand. Thanks for any help you can give.

very well looked after lense, many thanks!