flash for RF cameras

[thawkins]

I have an M3 and several other RF cameras I enjoy using. There are occasions when I wish I had a flash to use on one these cameras. I know the old and out of production Vivitar 283/285 are highly regarded as generic flashes. What is a good new production equivalent flash that would work well in this application? All suggestions and replies are appreciated.

Tom

 

[Paul K]

I like the Sunpak 383. Auto and manual operation, choice of hot shoe or PC cord. Swivel and bounce head, Covers a 35mm field of view.

Paul

 

[Tim Gray]

The new Vivitar 285HV. About $80 and works with my M6.

 

[swoop]

I've been pimping this flash around here for the past month. It's simple, small, cheap, and works.

Goes on ebay for about $20. I use flash about 5% of the time. And I think the same goes for most shooters around here. So why bother with something big, ugly and expensive just because it has more power, bounce, and auto exposure. It doesn't add much style/texture/depth to your photos because it's just direct flash, but at least you get your shot. I've had a 285HV on my M7 before. It's bigger than the camera.

 

[mcgrattan]

I just bought a Nikon SB-20. Cheap [about 20 pounds].

Works really well with my dSLR and I've shot a few frames with it using my Zorki and a pc-sync/hot-shoe adapter.

Dante Stella has a write-up.

http://www.dantestella.com/technical/sb20.html

I can't think of anything I'd like a flash to do that this one doesn't.

 

[akptc]

The SB-24 flash is nice but a bit bulky. Since I got the SB-30, it seems to work v. well on any M body and particularly well on the RD1. But recently I got the SF-24D for my M6TTL, just to try it out, and love it to pieces.

 

[bob cole]

flash for RF cameras

I have an M3 and several other RF cameras I enjoy using. There are occasions when I wish I had a flash to use on one these cameras. I know the old and out of production Vivitar 283/285 are highly regarded as generic flashes. What is a good new production equivalent flash that would work well in this application? All suggestions and replies are appreciated.

Tom

More important than the flash you use on the M3 is that the M3 does not have a PC outlet... So you either have to find a vintage adapter that converts the outlet to PC [ see pix below] or jury rig an old M3 connector to your flash cable...

Once you have either, I believe you can use almost any flash you have...

 

[pevelg]

I use the older Sf-20 and I also "love it to pieces" 🙂 I used to use the Vivitar 285HV, but it is a monster compaired to the SF-20/24. As my M6 is TTL, the Sf-20 is especially nice. From shooting several rolls of film, I've found that I am going to have to underexpose by about one stop when shooting close up shots with my 90mm (1m and closer). Otherwise, my pictures are usually very well exposed. Only thing better about the Vivitar is that it is more powerful and has a longer range.

 

[holgaguy]

I've benn looking for the right adapter but all I see are designed for cameras that have a hot shoe, but do not have a pc sync cord socket. I need it the other way around. My CV Bessa t has a cold shoe and a pc outlet. But my flash is only for hot shoe, no pc cord. I have bought an bracket to attach to the tripod screw on the bottom of the T. But now I need a shoe with pc cord to attach to the cold shoe of the bracket.
Do i make any sence?
thanks
holgaguy

 

[bmattock]

So why bother with something big, ugly and expensive just because it has more power, bounce, and auto exposure.

Um, you just said why. More power, bounce, and auto-exposure!

However, I agree that small flashes have their place. No problem there.

 

[thawkins]

More important than the flash you use on the M3 is that the M3 does not have a PC outlet... So you either have to find a vintage adapter that converts the outlet to PC [ see pix below] or jury rig an old M3 connector to your flash cable...

Once you have either, I believe you can use almost any flash you have...

My M3 does have a PC outlet on the back of the camera. I also have an adapter whether it is vintage or not, I don't know. I have been using an inexpensive Wal-Mart flash for a few years with several of my RF cameras and it works OK but is mostly unsatisfactory. I think I will go with the SunPak. Thanks for all the replies.

Tom

 

[shimo-kitasnap]

if you want to try something funky and cheap, try the lomographic colorsplash flash, it's got has rotating color filters, runs on a single AA cell and costs about $20 off amazon. Doesn't have a PC socket though. Fun for making psychedelic looking pictures. You might want the Holga 120 flash if you just want to do regular flash photography and not spend too much.

 

[payasam]

Holgaguy, you make sense. Few flashes nowadays (or none?) have sync cords. The adapter that Bob pictures can be had from B&H among other places.

 

[Bruin]

I use a Nikon SB-30 with my Zeiss Ikon. I originally got it as a compact TTL flash for my FM3A, but it has three auto modes that work with the ZI. I'd like something stronger and with a swivel, but I like how compact the SB-30 is and its built-in wide flash adapter (17mm coverage).

 

[bob cole]

flash for RF cameras

My M3 does have a PC outlet on the back of the camera. I also have an adapter whether it is vintage or not, I don't know. I have been using an inexpensive Wal-Mart flash for a few years with several of my RF cameras and it works OK but is mostly unsatisfactory. I think I will go with the SunPak. Thanks for all the replies.

Tom

Tom, here's another gadget for your cameras that don't have a hot shoe... You slide the big piece into your camera's flash bracket; it has a hot shoe on the top... and the pc end of the cord into your pc outlet...This one was made by Hama...I have two slightly different but smaller ones that serve the same purpose...

 

[cmogi10]

I use an SF20 and a Nikon TTL cable and get great results.

 

[cmogi10]

SF20 on camera.