Flash

photolady95 · 07-02-2009, 06:25 AM

needed by September, need input on which one.

I used to use a Metz 45-cl4 handle mount of course. I sold it in 2004 because I was in a slump and didn't want to do photography anymore......so I thought at the time. Now I'm needing another flash, prefer off camera. Another handle mount would work, but hear non handle mount work well also. Keep in mind, I can't afford to spend thousands of dollars on a flash. And please don't point me to a hotshoe cheap vivitar one either.

GoldenWreckedAngle · 07-02-2009, 11:39 AM

Originally posted by photolady

needed by September, need input on which one.

I used to use a Metz 45-cl4 handle mount of course. I sold it in 2004 because I was in a slump and didn't want to do photography anymore......so I thought at the time. Now I'm needing another flash, prefer off camera. Another handle mount would work, but hear non handle mount work well also. Keep in mind, I can't afford to spend thousands of dollars on a flash. And please don't point me to a hotshoe cheap vivitar one either.

Are you saying you specifically don't want a hot shoe flash or that you specifically don't want a Vivitar? Are you shying away from replacing the Metz because of price or are you just looking for the best bang for the buck in that price range? Do you want small, light and mobile or are you looking for the power of a small monoblock?

So far I've been pretty happy with the results from my Sigma 540FGZ Super and collection of Vivitar 4600's with Vari-power Slave modules with radio triggers. I know the modern 285HV's have had some bad press but there is nothing cheap about the older Vivitars. Mine were all made in the 80s and they still stand up to fairly heavy use. I imagine they will outlast the Sigma I bought last year.

SOldBear · 07-02-2009, 12:33 PM

Since you mentioned handle mount flash....

KEH currently lists (among other units):

- Sunpak Flash 4205G AUTO (544) WITH BRACKET, CORD (GN160) / BOUNCE, SWIVEL, HANDLE MOUNT FLASH. EX grade. $69.00.

I think the Sunpak 544 and 555 have low trigger voltage. You may want to do a search to be sure.

- Sunpak Flash 3600 AUTO ZOOM WITH BRACKET, CORD (GN120) / BOUNCE, SWIVEL(EUROPEAN 522), HANDLE MOUNT FLASH. BGN grade. $41.00

If you decided on a Sunpak 522, you should get a remote sensor as well (the 544 and 555 don't have remote sensor):

- Sunpak Flash REMOTE SENSOR RS-005 651-787 (522). EX grade. $5.00.

The only problem is that the Sunpak 522 with the remote sensor RS-005 has a trigger voltage of about 200V. I can add a small circuit inside the remove sensor to bring the trigger voltage down to 7.5V. If you get the RS-005, I can do this mod for you. In fact, since I'm using the Sunpak 522 only as a back up (I have 4 other handle mount flash units), I can send you my modified RS-005 to try out. If you like it, you can send me your unmodified RS-005.

You can also get a Metz 45. But their prices seem to be higher than those of the Sunpak, especially the newer CL series with low trigger voltage. The old CT series can have high trigger voltage. My CT-4 is 24V and my CT-1 is 220V. I added the aforementioned circuit to bring it down to 7.5V. Remote sensors for Metz are also very difficult to find.

Send me a PM if you'd like more details.

photolady95 · 07-02-2009, 02:19 PM

GWA, I guess I didn't make that part clear enough. I refuse to use anything associated with Vivitar...

What I'm wanting is, and I should have said, I prefer handle mount. So now I'm saying that very thing.

SOldbear, thank you. I'll pm you.

Last edited by photolady95; 07-02-2009 at 04:30 PM.

photolady95 · 09-03-2010, 05:33 PM

Hate to bring up an old thread but I'm in need of help again. When I started this thread I was using a film camera. Now I have the K100D, I need to find a handle mount flash that will work with my DSLR. KEH has several in this flavor:

Metz Flash 45 CT-1 (GN148) / BOUNCE, SWIVEL WITH BRACKET, CORD, AA BATTERY HOLDER, HANDLE MOUNT FLASH - KEH.com

Will they work on my DSLR?

redeleon · 09-03-2010, 06:47 PM

Any review of the new Yongnuo YN 560?
its darn cheap..

photolady95 · 09-03-2010, 09:43 PM

Does not seem to be what I'm looking for. This isn't a handle mount flash redeleon.

But there is a review on it at speedlights. Here:

Yongnuo YN-560 Speedlite Review | Speedlights.net

Still it doesn't help me any. Did you mean to post in my thread?

Steinback · 09-03-2010, 10:48 PM

Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

FAQ: Metz

Looks like the 45 CT-1 may have an unsafe trigger voltage, so probably not a good choice unless you are willing to modify it in the manner that SOldBear used to update his high voltage sync flashes. Supposedly the rest of the 45 CL and 45 CT series are safe for digital cameras.

photolady95 · 09-03-2010, 11:25 PM

Thanks Steinback. I see what I can do next month on the 45 cl-4 or 45 ct-4.

photolady95 · 05-12-2012, 05:46 AM

It's been three years since I asked my question about a shoe mount flash. Here's the end result. Wensday of this week, I'm buying a Penttax AF360FGZ. So problem solved.

photolady95 · 05-16-2012, 05:36 AM

Ordered and on its way. Will be here Monday.

adwb · 05-17-2012, 03:45 AM

Hi I use a a Metz cl45 digital [current version] with k5 and or kr/k10 I dumped the supplied recharge battery as it never seemed to last and bought two battery cages for reusable or disposable AA cells.

the cl45 as the name implies is not the most powerful flash on the market BUT it does have a huge coverage left to right and I far prefer at weddings to use it rather than the Metz 48 I have or the yn560 [2off] that I have.

Using the cl 45 on its supplied bracket avoids red eye and that harsh head on flash look. I have never used it remotely triggered as if i do that I use either the yn560s on stands with wireless triggers or this MagneFlash Splash - Portable photographic flash for the studio and outdoors - Home specifically the 30e model.

any other question please ask.

photolady95 · 05-17-2012, 03:55 AM

I don't do people except for the occasional shot of family. I don't do weddngs, and I usually shot nature. I like the AF360FGZ because it has the HSS capability, in other words, the shutter speed can be upped from 1/180s to, I believe, 1/500s. Useful for bugs that continuely move.

The Pentax flash will be here Monday.

photolady95 · 05-20-2012, 03:22 AM

Actually, the flash arrived yesterday, and I've been studying the manual since then, except for a few hours sleep.

**JimJohnson** · 05-20-2012, 05:05 AM - **1 Like**

While you are pouring over the flash manual, have your camera manual open to the sections on flash also. There is a lot of interaction between the two units and using some functions mean changing settings (plural) on each unit. From my experience, each unit's manual will concentrate on just that unit with only vague references as to the changes also needed on the other unit.

07-02-2009, 06:25 AM	#1
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Flash needed by September, need input on which one. I used to use a Metz 45-cl4 handle mount of course. I sold it in 2004 because I was in a slump and didn't want to do photography anymore......so I thought at the time. Now I'm needing another flash, prefer off camera. Another handle mount would work, but hear non handle mount work well also. Keep in mind, I can't afford to spend thousands of dollars on a flash. And please don't point me to a hotshoe cheap vivitar one either.

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07-02-2009, 11:39 AM	#2
GoldenWreckedAngle Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 339	Originally posted by photolady needed by September, need input on which one. I used to use a Metz 45-cl4 handle mount of course. I sold it in 2004 because I was in a slump and didn't want to do photography anymore......so I thought at the time. Now I'm needing another flash, prefer off camera. Another handle mount would work, but hear non handle mount work well also. Keep in mind, I can't afford to spend thousands of dollars on a flash. And please don't point me to a hotshoe cheap vivitar one either. Are you saying you specifically don't want a hot shoe flash or that you specifically don't want a Vivitar? Are you shying away from replacing the Metz because of price or are you just looking for the best bang for the buck in that price range? Do you want small, light and mobile or are you looking for the power of a small monoblock? So far I've been pretty happy with the results from my Sigma 540FGZ Super and collection of Vivitar 4600's with Vari-power Slave modules with radio triggers. I know the modern 285HV's have had some bad press but there is nothing cheap about the older Vivitars. Mine were all made in the 80s and they still stand up to fairly heavy use. I imagine they will outlast the Sigma I bought last year.

07-02-2009, 12:33 PM	#3
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Since you mentioned handle mount flash.... KEH currently lists (among other units): - Sunpak Flash 4205G AUTO (544) WITH BRACKET, CORD (GN160) / BOUNCE, SWIVEL, HANDLE MOUNT FLASH. EX grade. $69.00. I think the Sunpak 544 and 555 have low trigger voltage. You may want to do a search to be sure. - Sunpak Flash 3600 AUTO ZOOM WITH BRACKET, CORD (GN120) / BOUNCE, SWIVEL(EUROPEAN 522), HANDLE MOUNT FLASH. BGN grade. $41.00 If you decided on a Sunpak 522, you should get a remote sensor as well (the 544 and 555 don't have remote sensor): - Sunpak Flash REMOTE SENSOR RS-005 651-787 (522). EX grade. $5.00. The only problem is that the Sunpak 522 with the remote sensor RS-005 has a trigger voltage of about 200V. I can add a small circuit inside the remove sensor to bring the trigger voltage down to 7.5V. If you get the RS-005, I can do this mod for you. In fact, since I'm using the Sunpak 522 only as a back up (I have 4 other handle mount flash units), I can send you my modified RS-005 to try out. If you like it, you can send me your unmodified RS-005. You can also get a Metz 45. But their prices seem to be higher than those of the Sunpak, especially the newer CL series with low trigger voltage. The old CT series can have high trigger voltage. My CT-4 is 24V and my CT-1 is 220V. I added the aforementioned circuit to bring it down to 7.5V. Remote sensors for Metz are also very difficult to find. Send me a PM if you'd like more details.

07-02-2009, 02:19 PM	#4
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	GWA, I guess I didn't make that part clear enough. I refuse to use anything associated with Vivitar... What I'm wanting is, and I should have said, I prefer handle mount. So now I'm saying that very thing. SOldbear, thank you. I'll pm you. Last edited by photolady95; 07-02-2009 at 04:30 PM.

09-03-2010, 05:33 PM	#5
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Hate to bring up an old thread but I'm in need of help again. When I started this thread I was using a film camera. Now I have the K100D, I need to find a handle mount flash that will work with my DSLR. KEH has several in this flavor: Metz Flash 45 CT-1 (GN148) / BOUNCE, SWIVEL WITH BRACKET, CORD, AA BATTERY HOLDER, HANDLE MOUNT FLASH - KEH.com Will they work on my DSLR?

09-03-2010, 06:47 PM	#6
redeleon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Albums Posts: 226	Any review of the new Yongnuo YN 560? its darn cheap..

09-03-2010, 09:43 PM	#7
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Does not seem to be what I'm looking for. This isn't a handle mount flash redeleon. But there is a review on it at speedlights. Here: Yongnuo YN-560 Speedlite Review \| Speedlights.net Still it doesn't help me any. Did you mean to post in my thread?

09-03-2010, 10:48 PM	#8
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages FAQ: Metz Looks like the 45 CT-1 may have an unsafe trigger voltage, so probably not a good choice unless you are willing to modify it in the manner that SOldBear used to update his high voltage sync flashes. Supposedly the rest of the 45 CL and 45 CT series are safe for digital cameras.

09-03-2010, 11:25 PM	#9
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Thanks Steinback. I see what I can do next month on the 45 cl-4 or 45 ct-4.

05-12-2012, 05:46 AM	#10
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	It's been three years since I asked my question about a shoe mount flash. Here's the end result. Wensday of this week, I'm buying a Penttax AF360FGZ. So problem solved.

05-16-2012, 05:36 AM	#11
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Ordered and on its way. Will be here Monday.

05-17-2012, 03:45 AM	#12
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636	Hi I use a a Metz cl45 digital [current version] with k5 and or kr/k10 I dumped the supplied recharge battery as it never seemed to last and bought two battery cages for reusable or disposable AA cells. the cl45 as the name implies is not the most powerful flash on the market BUT it does have a huge coverage left to right and I far prefer at weddings to use it rather than the Metz 48 I have or the yn560 [2off] that I have. Using the cl 45 on its supplied bracket avoids red eye and that harsh head on flash look. I have never used it remotely triggered as if i do that I use either the yn560s on stands with wireless triggers or this MagneFlash Splash - Portable photographic flash for the studio and outdoors - Home specifically the 30e model. any other question please ask.

05-17-2012, 03:55 AM	#13
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	I don't do people except for the occasional shot of family. I don't do weddngs, and I usually shot nature. I like the AF360FGZ because it has the HSS capability, in other words, the shutter speed can be upped from 1/180s to, I believe, 1/500s. Useful for bugs that continuely move. The Pentax flash will be here Monday.

05-20-2012, 03:22 AM	#14
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712 Original Poster	Actually, the flash arrived yesterday, and I've been studying the manual since then, except for a few hours sleep.

05-20-2012, 05:05 AM - 1 Like	#15
JimJohnson Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Summer:Lake Superior - Michigan Winter:Texas Hill Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,774	While you are pouring over the flash manual, have your camera manual open to the sections on flash also. There is a lot of interaction between the two units and using some functions mean changing settings (plural) on each unit. From my experience, each unit's manual will concentrate on just that unit with only vague references as to the changes also needed on the other unit.