Any advantages of the SF-20 over the Metz CS-2 for non-TTL M6 classics?

The Metz is cheaper, slightly blockier and has a larger GN than the SF-20.

Anyone have a preference?

Thanks in advance.

-- victor (danzfotog@yahoo.com), December 27, 2001

Answers

I've said it before, I'm a big fan of the Metz 34 CS-2. It always seems to get the exposure correct, and is simple to use. I'm not sure about the SF-20, but the Metz has an external sync input jack and can operate in a slave flash mode if needed. It comes with a 24mm and 85mm diffusers that decease/increase range and GN by 20% respectively.

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), December 27, 2001.

Does the SF-20 have a flash cord that connects to the x-sync socket? Or, does it just fit in the hot shoe? Is there a Metz flash that does all that the SF-20 does on the TTL Leicas?

-- Frank Horn (owlhoot45@hotmail.com), December 27, 2001.

"Does the SF-20 have a flash cord that connects to the x-sync socket? Or, does it just fit in the hot shoe? Is there a Metz flash that does all that the SF-20 does on the TTL Leicas? "

Leica does not supply a TTL cord but you can use the Nikon SC-17 cord for this purpose - the pins are in the right position for Leica (but DON'T use Nikon flashguns, they are incompatible).

Metz has several flashguns that are compatible with Leica TTL cameras (M6TTL & R6/7/8), including the Mecablitz 32 Z-2. You need to use an SCA adapter, which Metz also supplies. For M6TTL and R8, use the SCA 3502 adapter; for R6/7 use the SCA 351 adapter. Metz flashguns are more flexible to use because they have swivelling heads. The only advantage I can see with tghe SF 20 is its compactness.

See the Metz web site for more details: http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.php3? link=4&sub=6&linkname=mecablitz

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), December 27, 2001.

The pocket flash I use with the non-TTL M6 is the Olympus S20. It is the exact same unit as the Leica CF (for the Minilux Zoom) and the Konica flash supplied in the Hexar RF kit, except that the Olympus has no dedication (useless anyway on the M6 non-TTL)and costs only $50. Unlike the Leica SF20 it runs on 2 plain old AA's. It has 2 auto apertures and a full-power manual setting, comes with a wide- angle diffuser and a vinyl pouch. Highly recommended.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), December 27, 2001.