I need a new flash... any ideas?

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Hi everyone, this is my first question to the forum.

I've been a Leicaflex SL user for 8 years and used an old Sunpak flash unit for most of that time. Sadly it appears to be on the way out (severely underexposed shots). Do any of you kind souls know of any suitable new flash units for my beloved Leica?

-- Philip Woodcock (phil@pushbar.demon.co.uk), November 12, 2001

Answers

Big one or small one? I bought a Metz 34 CS-2 because it's small, relatively powerful and comes with a PC cord so I can use it on my old Leicas and Leicaflexes. It has a diffuser that will permit coverage up to 84 degrees (24mm lens). It can also operate as a slave. It lacks a bounce capability.

When I need to do some serious work I get out the big Metz 45 CT-4. I'm a big fan of Metz flash products.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), November 12, 2001.


Philip,
If you go to the Accessories section of the site, and do an on-screen find with your browser, you'll find at least a couple threads on this topic.

www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=005WRO
www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0051gk


-- Tse-Sung Wu (tsesung@yahoo.com), November 12, 2001.


The SL doesn't have a hot-shoe so you either need a flash that takes a PC cord or else you'll need an adaptor that has a hot-shoe and a PC cord. Shoe-mounted flashes that come immediately to mind are the Vivitar 283 and 285, and the Sunpak 383-Super. Both are GN 120 units of legendary durability. Advantage of the 283 is ability to dismount the flash but keep the sensor on-camera via an adaptor cord; ditto the 285 which adds a zoom flash head as well. Advantage to the Sunpak 383 Super is that it can swivel as well as bounce. Either of these units are under $100 at the NYC discount mailorder stores. Another solution is to prowl your local camera stores for used flashes. You can pick up very nice auto-sensor-type flashes for $5- $25.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), November 13, 2001.

Philip

I suggest the Vivitar 283 or 285. You camera has non TTL flash and the Vivitar is powerful and cheap and has been around for at least 20 years - a testament to its rugged sensible design. I have the 285, which I had exchanged for a 283 in a fit of whimsy. In my opinion the 283 is better as it has no zooming function for different focal lengths and hence it is simpler. I also always use some kind of diffuser on my flash so the zooming function is moot. Still if you think you will not always have it diffused and want to do "Press" type flash photography then the 285 is more versatile.

They only cost about $80. You will need the separate sync cord as you do not have a hot shoe.

You can also spend a lot more money on a Metz flash, but they are a lot more expensive and their real value is that they are TTL compatible, which is not an option for you. The Vivitars are unbeatable value, which is why they are still around.

-- Robin Smith (smith_robin@hotmail.com), November 13, 2001.


Wow! thanks for the quick replies everyone!!!

I'm going on a shopping expedition on friday and I'll probably go for the Vivitar 283, it sounds quite similar to my old sunpak

Thanks again

-- Philip Woodcock (phil@pushbar.demon.co.uk), November 13, 2001.



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