Hi,

I intend to purchase a SF-20 flash for use with my R6.2, but don't know if the combination will give me TTL flash metering. Does anyone know?

Thanks.

Logos

-- Maestro Logos (maestro_logos@mac.com), January 23, 2001

Answers

The SF-20 only works as a TTL flash with the R8 and the M6TTL (source SF-20 instruction book). Metz makes a small flash that will work as a TTL flash on the R6.2. Go here for more info:

http://metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.ph p3?link=4&sub=1&linkname=mecablitz

Cheers

-- John Collier (jbcollier@home.com), January 23, 2001.

R5, RE, R7, R6, R6.2 = SCA 351. R8, M6TTL = SCA3501, 3502, SF20. If you use both an R8 and R6.2 (or other earlier TTL R), your only option is a Metz SCA3000-series flash with both modules. If you don't have an R8 and never will get one, you can save a little buying a used SCA300-series that doesn't take the R8 module. There is *no* Metz TTL equivalent for the R6.2 (size-wise) to the SF20. The smallest current Metz unit usable TTL with the 6.2 is the 32Z2, hardly a bantam. The 32CT2 (discontinued, SCA-300 series) is much smaller but lacks the zooming head. All of the Metz units (except the new 54MZ)sit way too close to the lens' axis for efficient red-eye elimination. The older 36CT3 is a cobra-style (a welcome but rare lapse in eccentricity on Metz' part)but hardly a small unit. I always thought it was too bad Sunpak doesn't offer a Leica module, as their line of small, powerful cobra-type flashes is excellent, not to mention their TTL ringlights. Considering the 100 APO-Macro is one of the R flagship lenses, the absence of any currently-available TTL ringlight is conspicuous.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), January 23, 2001.

I agree with the others. The SF20 works fine on the R6.2 but does not give TTL flash. Basically the R6.2 predates the flash so does not contain the necessary circuitry. It is indeed a pity that the Sunpak make no Leica suitable flash.

I have been thinking about buying a Metz 40MZ-i and the comment about red eye is a little disturbing - whilst I probably would use it on a handle or stroboframe there are always times when you don't want to. I have also heard that Metz flashes are "cold" so need warming with a filter on flash or on the lens - anyone hasve any thoughts on that? My current flash is a Vivitar 285 and the light is quite warm.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), January 23, 2001.

As others have stated, the SF-20 only operates in auto-flash mode on the R6.2. However, I use this flash with an M6TTL, Rollei 35 Classic, Minox 35GT-E and now M4-P. It does a great job, the EV compensation for autoflash (0 to -3EV) makes fill flash easy, and the exposures it makes seem right on the money.

Godfrey

-- go3ddog (ramarren@bayarea.net), January 28, 2001.

The SF-20 flash works in automatic mode on cameras other than the R-8 and M6 TTL, but do not set the camera to X synch! I did that with two R5s, and both times the shutter locked open after the first picture. The SF20 instruction book didn't mention that you must set the shutter speed to the manual speed (1/100) in order to use the SF20 in auto mode on a camera that won't accept TTL metering. I returned the flash for another, and the instruction book with that one (no doubt a later edition) mentioned that you mustn't use X synch with auto mode.

-- Paul Hein (pahein@email.com), February 04, 2001.

I have no problems with the SF20 on the R6.2 when set on "X".

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), February 05, 2001.