Issy
Well-known
What other flashes are available that TTL flash expose with the Contax G besides the TLA140 and 200, either Contax or 3rd party?
the TLA360?
the Metz SCA-382 TTL Module (for which flash body?) Any others?
the TLA360?
the Metz SCA-382 TTL Module (for which flash body?) Any others?
Jarvis
in quest of "the light"
When I need flash I use my Metz 50 with the 382 adapter, it is slightly out of proportion but offers a great deal of possibilities. And when I use it I shoot and pop manually most of the time, I love the G2 but I don't think it's ttl is state of the art .... Not only with the metz but also with the TLA's
jdos2
Well-known
I've the Metz SCA54 which came with a free shoe for Contax cameras.
On cameras where the TTL works, the TTL works well. My G2 is going back to Kyocera, as it's TTL doesn't, always firing full bore even when wide open facing a mirror...
On cameras where the TTL works, the TTL works well. My G2 is going back to Kyocera, as it's TTL doesn't, always firing full bore even when wide open facing a mirror...
S
Socke
Guest
I'm happy with an old Contax TLA30.
skimmel
Established
I have a Contax TLA 280. Is is better than the TLA200, mostly because it can bounce (only horizontally though). I agree Jarvis: G2 is a great camera, but the TTL flash isn't this greatest -- for me it's more of a natural light camera.
S
Sergio
Guest
Issy said:
I bought a TLA360 about 6 months ago. Very powerful, works well with the G2. No red-eye issues. Works well with or without a diffuser.
It is considerably heavier than the TLA200, although not as heavy as the 3rd party flashes, so you can't pretend it isn't there from a weight/balance perspective. If you need the extra power or want to bounce/diffuse the flash's light, it is the best I know of for the G2. (The very rare off-camera TLA480 is extremely costly and only available in Europe, I think.) Check bhphotovideo.com or adorama.com for current prices; they have been coming down.
Good Luck.
oftheherd
Veteran
Sergio said:
Does the tla360 work with the Contax SLR (and therefore with the Yashica) line of cameras which use ofp flash?
I know the ofp metering of the Contax 139Q was spectacular.
S
Sergio
Guest
oftheherd said:
I believe the TLA360 was developed for use with 35 mm Contax SLRs. I understand that it communicates best with the newer ones in TTL mode. In addition, it is the recommended unit for the Contax 645. By the way, the TLA480 appears to be available in the US now as well but may be an overkill for most of us; it requires a power pack with 8 D cells and would run you about $1000 (including the power pack). The TLA360 costs about $450 new currently.
Issy
Well-known
The TLA360 looks an aweful lot like a Nikon SB-24 (without the front fill flash).
Are they the same flash? Did Nikon make it for Contax?
Are they the same flash? Did Nikon make it for Contax?
S
Sergio
Guest
Don't really know. I understand that the TLA480 is very similar to a Matsushita/Panasonic flash sold in Japan, so I suppose it is possible...
garth42
Newbie
Two More Choices
Two More Choices
I've used both the Sunpak 444D with Contax/Yashica "foot" and the Nikon SB30. I use the Sunpak with a bracket and a Contax TLA100 coiled flash extension cable, the Nikon as an on-shoe flash. Both have worked well. The guide number for the Sunpak is about 2x the Nikon's. The Sunpak with Y/C foot is about $130 ($90 + $40) at B&H, the Nikon about $80. The Nikon runs from a single 123A lithium cell. I use a Quantum Battery pack for driving the Sunpak, although AA alkalines are it's native source.
BTW, I originally purchased the Nikon SB-30 to solve the redeye problems I had with a Nikon CoolPix digital. It has proven to be a very versatile flash that I've used on many different cameras, mostly film type. Being not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes and 80 bucks, it may not have sold well but it has 5 different operating modes, does a great job within its GN rating and doesn't require learning a 50 page manual to operate, either.
garth42
Two More Choices
Issy said:
I've used both the Sunpak 444D with Contax/Yashica "foot" and the Nikon SB30. I use the Sunpak with a bracket and a Contax TLA100 coiled flash extension cable, the Nikon as an on-shoe flash. Both have worked well. The guide number for the Sunpak is about 2x the Nikon's. The Sunpak with Y/C foot is about $130 ($90 + $40) at B&H, the Nikon about $80. The Nikon runs from a single 123A lithium cell. I use a Quantum Battery pack for driving the Sunpak, although AA alkalines are it's native source.
BTW, I originally purchased the Nikon SB-30 to solve the redeye problems I had with a Nikon CoolPix digital. It has proven to be a very versatile flash that I've used on many different cameras, mostly film type. Being not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes and 80 bucks, it may not have sold well but it has 5 different operating modes, does a great job within its GN rating and doesn't require learning a 50 page manual to operate, either.
garth42
Issy
Well-known
but are they TTL?
but are they TTL?
But do they TTL meter off the film plane? I use a Nikon SB-20 now in auto mode which works very well, but was looking to get something "dedicated" -- lights the flash indicator in the viewfinder, meters thru the lens/off the film, etc. but has more power than the TLA140, and sits higher over the body than the TLA200.
but are they TTL?
But do they TTL meter off the film plane? I use a Nikon SB-20 now in auto mode which works very well, but was looking to get something "dedicated" -- lights the flash indicator in the viewfinder, meters thru the lens/off the film, etc. but has more power than the TLA140, and sits higher over the body than the TLA200.
garth42
Newbie
Sunpak & Nikon with the G's
Sunpak & Nikon with the G's
Issy,
Both the Nikon SB 30 and the Sunpak 444D support TTL flash control operating mode. The metering and subsequent flash control functionality is of course the responsibility of the camera body and both of the G's offer this.
I dragged out both flash units and tested them with my G1 and both flashes provide viewfinder window "flash ready" indicator control.
According to the B&H website, the TLA 200's GN is 68 at 45mm. The Sunpak is 120 at 50mm, the Nikon's is 52 at 28mm. I don't know the GN spec for the TLA 140.
The Sunpak will sit miles higher than the TLA 200. In fact, it overwhelms the G1, thus my decision to mount mine on a bracket and control it through a TLA 100 extension cable (which passes the TTL control circuit on to the flash unit). The Nikon sits 3.3 inches high which I suspect is slightly higher than the TLA 200. It makes a nice shoe mount arrangement and imbalance is not a problem.
If you are looking for considerably more pop than the Contax flashes 140 & 200 provide, you're probably going to end up with a unit that will totally imbalance the camera. Given that and the current state of corporate flux with Contax availability, I'd suggest picking up a TLA 100 extension cable now while you still can. $25 or less on e-Bay should do it. I'm not a brand name purist, but I strongly recommend sticking with this particular cable because I know that it works. "Works" means not only the right pinouts in the right location but also physical compatability with the camera's shoe.
Good luck,
Dave
Sunpak & Nikon with the G's
Issy,
Both the Nikon SB 30 and the Sunpak 444D support TTL flash control operating mode. The metering and subsequent flash control functionality is of course the responsibility of the camera body and both of the G's offer this.
I dragged out both flash units and tested them with my G1 and both flashes provide viewfinder window "flash ready" indicator control.
According to the B&H website, the TLA 200's GN is 68 at 45mm. The Sunpak is 120 at 50mm, the Nikon's is 52 at 28mm. I don't know the GN spec for the TLA 140.
The Sunpak will sit miles higher than the TLA 200. In fact, it overwhelms the G1, thus my decision to mount mine on a bracket and control it through a TLA 100 extension cable (which passes the TTL control circuit on to the flash unit). The Nikon sits 3.3 inches high which I suspect is slightly higher than the TLA 200. It makes a nice shoe mount arrangement and imbalance is not a problem.
If you are looking for considerably more pop than the Contax flashes 140 & 200 provide, you're probably going to end up with a unit that will totally imbalance the camera. Given that and the current state of corporate flux with Contax availability, I'd suggest picking up a TLA 100 extension cable now while you still can. $25 or less on e-Bay should do it. I'm not a brand name purist, but I strongly recommend sticking with this particular cable because I know that it works. "Works" means not only the right pinouts in the right location but also physical compatability with the camera's shoe.
Good luck,
Dave
Issy
Well-known
Dave,
Thank you for the detailed response. I don't use flash a lot, so the awkwardness of the high flash is not as critical, versus preventing red-eye.
Also, is it true that the TLA140 does not use AA's? How about the TLA200?
Thank you for the detailed response. I don't use flash a lot, so the awkwardness of the high flash is not as critical, versus preventing red-eye.
Also, is it true that the TLA140 does not use AA's? How about the TLA200?
garth42
Newbie
Lithium Batteries
Lithium Batteries
Bill,
Unfortunately, neither flash uses AA's. Both use lithium 3 volt batteries. The TLA 140 uses one CR123A, the TLA 200 uses two CR2's just like the camera body. While it's convenient to have only one battery type to haul around, the CR123A can be had for a lot less money if you know where to look. It's a much more popular battery due undoubtedly to its use in the new generation of small, high output flashlights.
The Contax battery story can be found here:
http://www.kyoceraimaging.com/battery.asp?batterytype=contax
I don't know the number of flashes one can expect from the two battery types when used with the TLA's. With the Nikon SB-30, Nikon claims 250 flashes from a single CR123A but I don't know the underlying use assumptions for that service life.
This I do know: I've paid as much $8.95 for a pair of "Photo Grade" Eveready CR2's at retail (at CVS Pharmacy late one night and desperate) and as little as $1 each for the Toshiba CR123A when purchased on sale in a lot of 20 from an Internet site. Of course, the true cost of operating the two flashes may or may not resemble the 9:1 price ratio. Buying 20 doesn't carry much risk of spoilage because the lithiums have a 10 year shelf life and, in my case, I have several flashlights that use them too.
Dave
Lithium Batteries
Bill,
Unfortunately, neither flash uses AA's. Both use lithium 3 volt batteries. The TLA 140 uses one CR123A, the TLA 200 uses two CR2's just like the camera body. While it's convenient to have only one battery type to haul around, the CR123A can be had for a lot less money if you know where to look. It's a much more popular battery due undoubtedly to its use in the new generation of small, high output flashlights.
The Contax battery story can be found here:
http://www.kyoceraimaging.com/battery.asp?batterytype=contax
I don't know the number of flashes one can expect from the two battery types when used with the TLA's. With the Nikon SB-30, Nikon claims 250 flashes from a single CR123A but I don't know the underlying use assumptions for that service life.
This I do know: I've paid as much $8.95 for a pair of "Photo Grade" Eveready CR2's at retail (at CVS Pharmacy late one night and desperate) and as little as $1 each for the Toshiba CR123A when purchased on sale in a lot of 20 from an Internet site. Of course, the true cost of operating the two flashes may or may not resemble the 9:1 price ratio. Buying 20 doesn't carry much risk of spoilage because the lithiums have a 10 year shelf life and, in my case, I have several flashlights that use them too.
Dave
Issy
Well-known
So, I know the TLA280 works (have one).
I noticed the TLA20 and TLA30... the 20 definately has "Auto", but nothing on the flash indicates that it would support TTL (off film reading quenches the flash).
Supposedly the TLA30 does? Both run AA's, correct? I also saw a reference from someone that they felt the 30 was a battery-eater versus the 20.
Looking for a small, TTL alternative to the TLA140 that doesn't use CR123's as power (AA's)
I noticed the TLA20 and TLA30... the 20 definately has "Auto", but nothing on the flash indicates that it would support TTL (off film reading quenches the flash).
Supposedly the TLA30 does? Both run AA's, correct? I also saw a reference from someone that they felt the 30 was a battery-eater versus the 20.
Looking for a small, TTL alternative to the TLA140 that doesn't use CR123's as power (AA's)
S
Socke
Guest
The TLA30 runs from 4 AAs and does TTL on the G1 and G2, I use mine with NiMH rechargeables and get a lot of flashes out of them.
OTOH, the TLA30 is everything but small
OTOH, the TLA30 is everything but small
Issy
Well-known
well, small as compared to the TLA360 or TLA280... as with most things, everything is "relative".
S
Socke
Guest
ok, it's a bit smaller than the G2
I find it a bit top heavy but got used to using it.
One thing, it can't do 2nd curtain sync!
I find it a bit top heavy but got used to using it.
One thing, it can't do 2nd curtain sync!
Issy
Well-known
garth42 said:
So after revisiting this thread after more than a year, this just struck me... Was/is Dave suggesting that the TTL system of the G2/G1 and Nikon are compatible (re: SB-30)? Heck, I have a ton of Nikon TTL flashes I could use...