• Brand
  • Products
  • Store
  • Support

GXR FAQs - By Product

[Question] Details on the GF-1, optional external flash unit.

It is GF-1, the external flash unit that you can use with the GXR.

The Guide No. is 20 (at 24 mm) ~ 30 (at 105 mm), with ISO 100. (At the usage of the built-in wide panel with 24 mm, the G.N. is 16)

The GF-1 is the external flash that supports TTL flash control by pre-flash, especially for the compatible digital cameras listed below. Which has the wide-panel, catch-light panel, and when using the wide-panel, it can cover the wide angle with 18 mm equivalent.

[Compatible camera models]
The digital cameras that has the Ricoh flash interface (hereafter Type R cameras).
  • (* Filmcameras are not supported.)

Product information - Options > External flash

GF-1 and Type R camera that has the Ricoh flash interface.
See the FAQ below for the GF-1 flash shooting operations.

[Details on flash shooting operations with the GF-1 flash unit.]

[For usage of the other camera models than Type R cameras (that is listed above)]

With GR DIGITAL II, GR DIGITAL, GX200, Caplio GX100, this flash unit can be used in Ambient light auto, or Manual flash modes.

 
 

Specifications

Guild No. 20 (at 24 mm) ~ 30 (at 105 mm) (ISO 100)
16 (at 24 mm, using the built-in wide panel
Illumination Coverage 24 ~ 105 mm (18 mm with the wide panel)
Only Type R cameras: Automatically linked to the focal length of the lens as per the auto power zoom
Power Source 4 x AA batteries (not included in a package)
* Lithium batteries and NiMH batteries can be used.
Battery Life Approx. 200 flashes with alkaline batteries (based on Ricoh's own measurements)
Energy Saving Enters stand-by mode after about 2 minutes of the camera entering stand-by mode or being turned off.
Powers off automatically after 30 minutes in stand-by mode.
In slave mode, powers off automatically after 60 minutes without operation.
Flash Interval Approx. 4.7 seconds (with rechargeable Nickel-hydrogen batteries)
Approx. 5 seconds (with alkaline batteries)
Flash Output Adjustment Pre-flash TTL, Ambient light automatic, Manual flash
AF Auxiliary Light Built-in
Color Temperature 5,600K
Flash Duration 1/250 second (full power flash)
1/250 ~ 1/20,000 second (TTL flash)
Slave Flash SLAVE1, SLAVE2 switching
Dimension 65 mm (W) x 95 mm (H) x 80 mm (D)
(2.6 x 3.7 x 3.2 inch)
Weight Approx. 240 g (excluding batteries)
  • * The specifications of the equipment may change without prior notice.

Guide No. Table (ISO 100)

Zoom position
Flash output level
FULL
1/2
1/4
1/8
1/16
1/32
1/64
24 mm
20
14
10
7
5
4
3
28 mm
22
16
11
8
6
4
3
35 mm
24
17
12
8
6
4
3
50 mm
26
18
13
9
7
5
3
70 mm
28
20
14
10
7
5
4
85 mm
29
21
15
10
7
5
4
105 mm
30
21
15
11
8
5
4
  • *All values given at ISO 100. For values at ISO 200 multiply by 1.4x; for values at ISO 400 multiply by 2x.
  • *The zoom position is fixed at 24 mm when using slave flash, or with cameras other than Type R.
The flash will not fire in some conditions, such as;
    • Interval shooting
    • Speed Cont (Hi), M-Cont Plus (Hi)

Name of Parts

Name of parts (front)

  • *Batteries are not included in the package.
  • * See the note on batteries.

Note on batteries for usage

If the flash unit will not charge;
    • Check the polarity of the batteries. If a battery was inserted in the wrong direction, intsert it in the correct direction.
    • Check if the batteries power is low. In such a case, replace with new series of batteries.

Name of parts (rear)

  • *In manual flash output adjustment mode, the two rightmost flash power level indication lamps (1/4 and FULL) will light up. (Only when using Type R cameras)

Mounting / removing the flash

Mounting or removing operations are as follows.
  • * Be sure to turn off the power of both the GF-1 and the camera before mounting or removing.
[Mounting the flash on a camera]
1. Remove the lock ring to loosen it.

Remove the lock ring to loosen it.

2. Remove the hot shoe cover from camera.

Remove the hot shoe cover from camera.

3. Insert the mounting part of the GF-1 into hot shoe on the camera. Securely insert the flash unit all the way into the hot shoe.
Insert the mounting part of the GF-1 into hot shoe on the camera.

4. Turn the lock ring as shown in the figure below to fix the flash unit to the camera.
Turn the lock ring as shown in the figure below to fix the flash unit to the camera.


If the flash will not fire after mounting, confirm the following;
    • Check if the flash unit is correctly attached to the camera. Insert the flash unit all the way into the hot shoe and tightly close the lock ring.
    • If the hot shoe contacts are dirty, wipe them clean with a soft, dry cloth.
[Removing the flash from a camera]

1.Loosen the lock ring completely before removing the flash unit.

Loosen the lock ring completely before removing the flash unit.
See the FAQ below for the GF-1 operations.

Turning on / off the flash

1. Press the ON/OFF button to turn on the flash. When the power is turned on, the PILOT lamp lights up in red and the flash starts to charge.

Press the ON/OFF button to turn on the flash.

2. After a few seconds, when the PILOT lamp turns green, the flash is completely charged and ready to be used.

3. To turn off the power of the flash, keep pressing the ON/OFF button for about 2 seconds.

Power saving mode (Stand-by mode)

To save battery power, the flash unit will automatically enter stand-by mode about 2 minutes after the camera becomes into Auto-power off.
In stand-by mode, the PILOT lamp blinks in red every 2 seconds. If you operate any of buttons on the flash unit, or if the camera becomes activate, the flash will automatically wake up from stand-by mode.
If the flash unit is left in stand-by mode for 30 minutes, the Auto Power off function will be activated and the flash will be turned off completely. To activate the flash unit again from such a case, turn on the power of the flash unit again.
* In slave mode, the flash unit will not enter stand-by mode, but it will turn off after 60 minutes by the Auto Power Off function.

Note on batteries for usage

  • Batteries do not come with the GF-1 package. Use 4 x AA cell batteries, Nickel-hydrogen batteries, or Lithium bateries.
  • Use new cell batteries with all of the same brand and type, or fully charged rechargeable batteries with all of the same brand and type. Always replace all four batteries at the same time. If the batteries are inserted in the wrong direction, the flash will not work.
  • When replacing the batteries right after the flash fired consecutively, the batteries may become hot. Be careful not to burn yourself.

Wide Panel / Catch Light

[Wide Panel]

For shooting angle with 18 mm, use the built-in wide panel. Pull out the wide panel and place it over the flash as shown in the figure below (right).

Wide panel for 18 mm angle
When pulling the wide panel, the catch light panel will be pulled out at the same time. Please push the catch light panel back inside.

[Reference]The wide panel works to diffuse a flash light. It will be also effective when you take a picture with close-up, or want to make a light softer.

[Caution]When using bounce flash(*1), return the wide panel to its home position.

.*1 [Bounce flash]
Mainly indoor shooting, use reflected lights from the ceiling or walls without directly flashing to the subject. Bounce flash will be able to reduce hard shadows and result in more natural pictures.
[Details on flash shooting operations with the GF-1 flash unit - Bounce flash]

[Catch Light]

When using bounce flash, it is used to add a glint in human eyes. It will work in short distance from a subject and by giving some of lights directly to human eyes. This will be effective in brightening their expression.

When you pull the wide panel, the catch-light panel will be pulled out at the same time. Push the wide panel back inside.

Catch-light panel
When using the catch-light panel, set the flash head upward at a 90 ° and use bounce flash.

 
Answer ID: EDXR01065
Date created: April 12, 2010
Date modified: June 7, 2010
Product: GXR (GR LENS A12 50mm F2.5 MACRO), GXR (RICOH LENS S10 24-72mm F2.5-4.4 VC), GXR (RICOH LENS P10 28-300mm F3.5-5.6 VC)
Operating system: --
Category: Accessories
Useful LINKs:

Do you need other information? Please click any link you want from the following.

Page Top