Looking for a smaller flash for the FM3A

[philipus]

I have an SB-27 for my FM3A but I would like something smaller and more portable that also has TTL.

I'm not looking anything more powerful than the SB-27 so it seems there are two options, the SB-23 and the SB-30.

I'd be grateful for any thoughts on these (or any other TTL-capable small flash).

Thanks in*advance
philip

 

[Archlich]

The SB-30 is a no-brainer. Has ample power, has TTL, has 4 Auto and 3 manual settings, has on-flash compensation (half stop only), has optical slave mode, is small (actually one of if not the smallest flash around). The only drawbacks are the CR123 battery it uses and the lack of tilting ability.

I have many small flashes, but none is as small or as versatile as the SB-30, especially when paired with the FM3a - which can fully utilize the flash's functions including standby and wake up. It also works well on Leica M cameras. For the Hexar's flashmatic function the SB-30 is a well-known alternative to the original, powerful but somewhat limited HX-14.

 

[kxl]

I have both.

On camera, as fill flash outdoors, I prefer the SB-30.

Off camera, with an SC-17 cord, I prefer the slightly more powerful SB-23.

Really, if you use flash quite a bit, both are so cheap these days that you might as well get both.

 

[philipus]

Thanks very much for the quick replies and information. I think it'll be the SB-30.

Keith, I like the idea with the SC-17 cord and will try that regardless of which flash I buy.

br
Philip

 

[JoeLopez]

I have an SB-27 for my FM3A but I would like something smaller and more portable that also has TTL.

I'm not looking anything more powerful than the SB-27 so it seems there are two options, the SB-23 and the SB-30.

I'd be grateful for any thoughts on these (or any other TTL-capable small flash).

Thanks in*advance
philip

Have you considered the small/compact, TTL and bouncable SB-15?

 

[philipus]

Thanks for the suggestion Joe. I hadn't considered that one but it doesn't look to be much smaller than the SB-27, which I have, though.

Have you considered the small/compact, TTL and bouncable SB-15?

 

[JoeLopez]

Thanks for the suggestion Joe. I hadn't considered that one but it doesn't look to be much smaller than the SB-27, which I have, though.

While not much smaller, it is still a little more compact 🙂

SB-15: Size: 1.7” (42.5mm) tall x 4” (101mm) wide x 3.5” (90mm) deep
http://www.bythom.com/sb15.htm

SB-27: Size: 2.8” (70mm) tall x 4.2” (107mm) wide x 3.8” (97mm) deep
http://www.bythom.com/sb27.htm

The SB-30, while taller, is much less in width and depth. Maybe that is the better choice after all.

Size: 3.3” (83.5mm) tall x 2.3” (58.5mm) wide x 1.4” (36mm) deep

 

[giganova]

I love the Metz 32 CT3, CT4, and Z2. Small, powerful, and dirt cheap these days!

 

[css9450]

I like my SB-23 on my N90S; never occurred to me it would work on an FM3 but evidently it does... It doesn't tilt for bounce-flash so that may be a drawback if that is your style.

 

[charjohncarter]

Also, the old Vivitar 2600d or the David Harvey model Vivitar 2800d. For fill flash set the Auto for say 5.6 then set the camera on 8.0 and the shutter for correct ambient setting (sometimes not easy with SLRs), so use the slowest ISO film possible. Now just walk around focus and shoot. That is what I do with my Olympus 35RC (synch to 1/500). And as giganova says, 'dirt cheap.'

 

[Michael I.]

Another one for sb-30, I use it with my F2 and leica m2 and m4(via adapter) in auto mode - it's tiny and light. Batteries last quite a while.

Used it for magazine shoots on f90x when i needed ttl, worked perfectly. I use it when I pack light and don't need the focus assist of bigger flashes(own a sb23 and a couple of sb26's)

 

[philipus]

Thanks very much for the further suggestions. I'll go for the SB-30. It seems to be a sweet little flash, somewhat comparable to the SF-24D which I have with my M6TTL.

br
Philip

 

[Roel]

I wonder if the Nissan I40 for Nikon would work on the FM3a. I know the A setting on that flash is the same as TTL so if the modern TTL settings wouldn't work on these older camera's, it will be just a manual flash. If TTL works it could be a nice small flash for the FM3a.

 

[Huss]

I use the SB400 w/ my F6
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/sb400.htm

I found the review above very helpful.

I also use the SB500 and SB700, butt those are much bigger.

 

[philipus]

Thank you for the further replies. I received the SB-30 the other day and, wow, it is absolutely tiny. I thought my SF-24D was a small flash but this one is half that size. This is exactly what I was looking for so I look forward to testing it.

br
Philip

 

[Roel]

Thank you for the further replies. I received the SB-30 the other day and, wow, it is absolutely tiny. I thought my SF-24D was a small flash but this one is half that size. This is exactly what I was looking for so I look forward to testing it.

br
Philip

Congrats,
Can you show a picture of the camera with flash?

 

[nlubis]

Putting my vote in for the SB-30 as well. The feature it has and how small it is, works great.

 

[philipus]

Sure thing Roel. Here it is with the TTL and SF-24 plus the SB-27 for comparison.
cheers
Philip

Congrats,
Can you show a picture of the camera with flash?

 

[Roel]

Sure thing Roel. Here it is with the TTL and SF-24 plus the SB-27 for comparison.
cheers
Philip

Wow thank you. Also with the Leica M and the Sf-24 (which i already own). Looks a lot smaller!

 

[philipus]

Yes it is actually a lot smaller. The photo doesn't really show that. But I'd say that it is similar in volume as a cigarette pack, perhaps just a bit bigger.

br
Philip

Wow thank you. Also with the Leica M and the Sf-24 (which i already own). Looks a lot smaller!