Tiny Flash? (6x6 to 6x9 format)

[Robland]

I have a Nikon SB-400 but it's electronic and won't fire with a PC Sync cabled cold shoe adapter. I assume the Canon 270EX would be the same. Neither one has any controls other than on/off.

I want a very small flash to add just a little light to indoor scenes or clean up shadows outside. I understand the reach would be limited.

Preferably it would also be an "auto" flash with some method of shutting down when enough light has bounced back. My Vivitar 225 or Metz 20B5 are OK.

Is there anything smaller? (single AA battery etc?)

 

[ZeissFan]

Make sure that the flash can cover 6x9. That might mean a somewhat larger unit. You'll want to test a roll and see if it's fine.

 

[besk]

About the smallest Auto you will find is an Olympus S20. About the size of a pack of regular size cigarettes. Takes 2 AA's.

The Vivitar 252 is a little larger but comes with it's own PC cord.

 

[dfatty]

The Metz 20C-2 is a small, bounce-capable flash, it takes 2 AA and has a thyristor sensor. It also comes with a sync cable (PC on one end, Metz plug on the other). It's not very powerful but is fine in a smaller room or for a little fill flash like you're looking for. I've used it on a number of film cameras including a fuji 645 and it was fine. B&H has them, but you can also get them new for really cheap on ebay.

edit: just noticed you have the Vivitar 225. the Metz probably isn't any smaller, sorry about that..

 

[FPjohn]

Metz 34 CS-2 is also a good choice.

yours
FPJ

 

[charjohncarter]

Small flashes are difficult to use even with 6x6. You can use these small flashes to accent an area of the 6x9 coverage. I do it on 35mm (the same format). The best methods for full coverage is bounce (indoors): Here are two; one on 35mm film (direct) and the other on APS sensor (bounce):

Bounce:

Direct (20mm lens on 35mm camera):

Whatever you do get the most powerful you can live with.

This is a moderate sized flash with 6x6 and an umbrella:

 

[Thomas78]

Small flashes are difficult to use even with 6x6.

...

I think 6x6 is a bigger challenge for a flash than 6x9

Angles of 50 mm at 24x36 mm:

H(orizontal) : 36.9° V(ertical): 27.0 °

Angels of 75 mm at 56x56 mm:

H: 41.0 °, V: 41.0 °

Angels of 105 mm at 56 x 86 mm:

H: 44.6 °, V: 29.9 °

So the biggest challenge for a small flash would be filling 6x6 in the vertical direchtion.

To cover 75 mm at 6x6 a flash should cover a 28 mm lens at 35 mm film (assuming that the flash illuminates a 3:2 aspect size area). For a 105 mm 6x9 a flash only needs to cover 40 mm at 35 mm film.