Olympus OM system close-up and macro equipment

T28 Macro Single Flash 1

Introduction

The T28 Macro Single Flash 1 is one of 4 macro flash units for the Olympus OM cameras that use the T Power Control 1 and provide automatic exposure using the camera’s TTL flash control, so that you do not need to calculate the additional exposure required by magnification. The flash head can attached to the plug for the Power Control or to the Macro Flash Shoe Ring that fits the filter mount of most of the Zuiko macro lenses.

When used with the Olympus OM-2, OM-2N, OM-2SP, OM-3, OM-3Ti, OM-4 or OM-4Ti cameras, automatic exposure using the camera’s TTL flash control is possible. Other cameras can also be used, but the exposure would need to be determined using a flash meter, trial and error, or the appropriate stick-on label for the Calculator Panels.

First screw the Shoe Ring onto the macro lens, and then attach the flash head by sliding it into one of the shoes on the Ring. The head locks into place using a groove in the base of the foot. To remove the head, push the button on the front face of the shoe in the direction of the white arrow, and then slide out the head.

To attach the plug to the Power Control, align the red dots on the plug and the Power Control, insert the plug, and turn it clockwise until it clicks and locks into place. To disconnent the plug, press and hold the small black button on the front of the Power Control, turn the plug anti-clockwise until the red dots are aligned, and then release the button and withdraw the plug.

When fitted to the Shoe Ring, the flash head can point directly forwards, or it can be tilted inwards through about 65° to aim it at the subject, or it can be tilted outwards through about 45°; there are click stops at 7 positions. The flash head can also be rotated through 360°, with click stops at 45° intervals (rotation is restricted to 45° when tilted inwards at 65°). The shoes can be moved around the Ring when the 2 black buttons on either side are held in; releasing the buttons locks the shoes in place.

When fitted to the Power Control plug, the flash head can point directly forwards, or it can be tilted downwards through about 45° to aim it at the subject, or it can be tilted upwards through about 65°; there are click stops at 7 positions. The flash head can also be rotated through 360°, with click stops at 45° intervals (rotation is restricted to 45° when tilted downwards at 45°).

The accessory foot on the head has a ¼ inch socket in its base that allows the head to be attached to a lighting stand or a tripod.

Rear of T28 Macro Flash 1

Rear of Olympus OM T28 Macro Twin Flash 1

The flash head contains small bulbs that act as modelling lights and can be useful for focusing in dim light and to preview the lighting and any reflections. The modelling lights are much less bright than the flash, and so they do not need to be turned off when a photograph is taken. The socket at the rear of the head for powering the modelling lights is a standard 2.1 mm DC power socket. Power for the modelling lights can be provided from either the 6V Power Pack 2 or the AC Adapter 3. A ring around the power socket can be turned to switch the modelling lights on and off.

By reversing the Calculator Panel at the rear of the T Power Control 1, manual flash is possible, with a choice of 2 apertures.

Guide Number (100 ASA) 28 m
Color temperature 5800° K
Coverage angle 74° horizontal, 53° vertical
US catalog no. 107-010
Introduced  
Discontinued 2003

Versions

Only one version is known.

Accessories

The T Power Control 1 is essential – the Macro Flash cannot be used without it. The Macro Flash Shoe Ring can be used to attach the flash head to the 49mm or 55mm filter mount of a lens. The diffuser and filters in the ND Filter Set T32 can be used to reduce the light output of the flash head. The modelling lights can be powered by either the AC Adapter 3 or the 6V Power Pack 2.

A Calculator Panel for use with 50mm lenses was supplied. Self-adhesive labels were provided with the T Power Control 1 to stick onto a Calculator Panel to provide readings for manual flash with the Zuiko Auto-Macro 20mm f/2, Zuiko Auto-Macro 38mm f/2.8, Zuiko Auto-Macro 80mm f/4, Zuiko Auto-Macro 135mm f/4.5 and 50mm lenses (including the Zuiko Auto-Macro 50mm f/3.5).

Instruction leaflet

Reproduced with permission from the copyright owner, Olympus Optical Co., Ltd

T28 MACRO SINGLE FLASH 1

Combinations

Mounting

Dismounting

Lighting

Modelling Lamp

Filters (usable also for T32 Electronic Flash)

Taking Pictures

Refer to the operation manual provided with the T Power Control 1/T10 Ring Flash.

TTL AUTO

Objective Magnifications F/stop
Macro 135mm 0.2× ~ 0.5× F22
Macro 80mm 0.5× ~ 2× F32
Macro 50mm 0.1× ~ 0.3× F22
Macro 38mm 2× ~ 4× F16
Macro 20mm 7× ~ 9× F4

Any aperture can be used for TTL Auto Flash photography with the OM-2, within the TTL AUTO range.

Care and Storage

Specifications (T Power Control 1 + T28 Macro Single Flash 1)

Type: TTL Centralized Control with single flash unit.
Guide Number: TTL AUTO: 28 (92). MANUAL: HI 28 (92) and LOW 14 (46) at ISO/ASA 100, meters (feet) at 1 m flash-to-subject distance.
Coverage Angle: 53° vertical, 74° horizontal.
Flash Duration: 1/40,000 – 1/1,000 sec.
Number of Flashes: 100 – 500 with AA alkaline batteries on TTL AUTO.
Recycling Time: 0.2 – 10 sec.
TTL AUTO: TTL Centralized Control flash with OM-2 (OM-2N).
MANUAL: Selection of full flash GN/aperture/magnification: Via exposure calculator.
NORMAL AUTO: Sensor built into T Power Control 1 is used. Working range (with flash unit mounted on T Power Control): 0.9 ~ 7 m (3 ~ 23 ft.) at F4; 0.6 ~ 5 m (2 ~ 16 ft.) at F5.6; 0.45 ~ 3.5 m (1.5 ~ 11.6 ft.) at F8 (ISO/ASA 100) (Take care not to obstruct light source with power cord.) Use exposure calculator for T32 with a speeed (ISO) reduced by 1/3 stop.
Illuminators: 8 bulbs built in, operate on four 1.5V D batteries in optional 6V Power Pack 2, or AC Adapter 3.
Bounce Angle: Vertical: 70° upward, 45° downward. Horizontal: 360°.
Spiral Cord Length: Approx. 30cm (1ft.)
Dimensions & Weight: 73 × 32 × 50mm (body only), 110g. (2.9 × 1.3 × 2.0 in., 3.9 oz.)

OLYMPUS
OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO., LTD.
San-Ei Building, 22-2, Nishi Shinjuku 1-chome, Shinjuku-ku Tokyo, Japan. Tel 03-3340-2211

Sales Information File

Main specifications (T28 Macro Flashes + T Power Control 1)

Type: Energy-saving, series-circuit type Centralized Control (TTL Auto) flash units with Manual capability.
Normal Auto flash mode is available when the T28 Macro Single Flash 1 is mounted on the T Power Control 1.
Guide Number: 28m (ASA 100) with one flash head (Single Flash or Twin Flash) or 22m (ASA 100) with two flash heads (Twin Flash).
Coverage angle: 53° vertical, 74° horizontal.
Recycling time: 0.2–10 sec. with AA Alkaline batteries on TTL Auto.
Flashes per set of AA Alkaline batteries: 100~500 on TTL Auto.
Color temperature: 5800°K.
Mounting on lens: with Macro Flash Shoe Ring; 49mm and 55mm filter thread mount provided. 
Mounting on T Power Control 1: only available with T28 Macro Single Flash 1. Allows normal flash photography and additional Normal Auto flash mode.
Electrical connection
Flash to T Power Control 1: the spiral cord of the flash has a connecting plug with bayonet mount that plugs into the T Power Control 1.
T Power Control 1 to camera:
1) clip-on type with hot shoe and lock
2) bracket type with Power Bounce Grip 2 and TTL Auto Cord T
3) free type with TTL Auto Cord 2 and TTL Auto Connector. 
Calculator Panel: Reversible plate type – blank side for TTL Auto mode on cameras that support TTL flash and calculator side for Manual modes.
Available with scale in meters and in feet for 20mm/F2, 38mm/F2.8, 50mm/F3.5, 80mm/F4 and 135mm/F4.5 macro lenses.
TTL AUTO
Aperture setting: continuous, accords with aperture ring setting of camera-linked lens.
Flash confirmation: flash ready and flash OK LED on the T Power Control 1. Viewfinder indication contact provided.
Normal Auto: only available with T28 Macro Single Flash with flash head mounted on T Power Control 1 for lenses used without extension (normal flash photography).
Choice of three selectable apertures: F4 (working range 0.9~7m, 100 ASA), F5.6 (working range 0.6~5m, 100 ASA), F8 (working range 0.45~3.5m, 100 ASA).
Manual flash guide numbers:
Single flash: HI-28 (ASA 100, m) and LOW-14 (ASA 100, m).
Twin flash: HI-22 (ASA 100, m) and LOW-9 (ASA 100, m).
Power Sources:
1) Four 1.5V AA ‘penlight’ batteries (incl. Ni-Cd batteries) inside T Power Control 1
2) Power Bounce Grip 2
3) F.AC Adapter 3.
Illuminators: Eight electric bulbs are built into the flash heads. Power source: 6V Power Pack 2 or AC Adapter 3.
Dimensions and weight:
T28 Macro Single Flash 1: 73×32×50mm, 110g.
T28 Macro Twin Flash 1: 73×32×50mm, 210g.
T Power Control 1: 81×70×104mm, 320g (without batteries).

Exploded parts diagram

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Created 18th May 2001   —   Updated 28th February 2021
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Olympus OM system close-up and macro equipment