500 c/m handheld flash

[mexipike]

So I've tried all other options and I've decided that for the current project I'm working on I need a flash. So I'm working with a 500 c/m and need to purchase a flash. It will probably have to be used and pretty inexpensive. I thought about buying a used pistol grip at the local shop and hooking up a flash to the cold shoe, but I assume i could get a better flash that's already on a bracket. I'm not sure if i'd actually use the pistol grip without the flash but ir may be good to have anyway. I also will be using the camera hand held and bounce flash is a must.
Any thoughts???

Thanks,
John

 

[eric]

Vivitar 283 on a bracket? What cold shoe? Hasselblads don't have one unless you have a prism. The pistol grip goes under the body. You mean the the left hand side flash bracket with cold shoe?

 

[mexipike]

Vivitar 283 on a bracket? What cold shoe? Hasselblads don't have one unless you have a prism. The pistol grip goes under the body. You mean the the left hand side flash bracket with cold shoe?

sorry, yes I mean the left hand side bracket.

 

[eric]

Ahh. Still, I like the Vivitar 283 or the 285. Basic. High output. Lots of accessories.

 

[bdial]

If you're using a waistlevel finder, bouncing with a flash mounted on the accessory rail doesn't seem too feasible.
If bounce is a requirement, you would probably be better off with a handle mount flash, or a detachable grip with a shoe.
I think there is a version of the sports finder that has a shoe, so you could focus with the screen, then turn the camera sideways to frame and and have the flash pointed up.

 

[mexipike]

do you like the vivitar over the metz options?

 

[sjperry]

Best bet is probably a Metz 45 series. It comes with a base bracket that mounts to the bottom of the camera body and is triggered by the PC contact. I use a 45 CT-4 which I bought new about 25 years ago. Never had one problem with it. I use it with my Hassey and Rolleiflex TLR, as well as a Linhof. The Hassey I generally use is a 503CX, which has the capability for TTL exposure control but you can use the same flash with a 500C/M. You just let the meter in the flash control the exposure.

Steve Perry

 

[eddym]

If you're using a waistlevel finder, bouncing with a flash mounted on the accessory rail doesn't seem too feasible.

It's not too feasible. I have a Sunpack 622, which is a great flash, but if I turn the head up to bounce when I use a WL finder, I would have to use my left eye to focus and frame. I've done this, but it's uncomfortable if you're not accustomed to doing it.

 

[Steve Smith]

Another vote for the Vivitar 283 or 285 here.

I have the 285 my father used to use for weddings 20+ years ago which still works perfectly.

He told me that at the time, it was the only flash he could find which lived up to the manufacturer's stated output.


Steve.

 

[John Koehrer]

Ahh. Still, I like the Vivitar 283 or the 285. Basic. High output. Lots of accessories.

Cheap, readily available too!

 

[mawz]

Nikon SB-24 or 25 rather than the vivitar. More power, tilt/swivel head, better interface, standard PC socket, more accessories than the Vivitars as well. Should run $40ish on the used market.

I own and use a 24, 26 and 28 (the 26 has an optical slave but are pricey on the used market, the 28 is smaller and has improved ergonomics).

 

[mexipike]

What kind of bracket do I need to use with the 283? Should I use the left hand grip?

 

[jamie]

I have a Metz 45 CT-4 that I got off eBay for about $40 and so far it's been working pretty well with my 501CM. If you don't have a prism for your Hassy then get one. I'm using a Kiev NC-2 type 45° prism which is pretty cheap and works perfectly.

 

[eric]

What kind of bracket do I need to use with the 283? Should I use the left hand grip?

I have the fashionable Denis Reggie bracket.

 

[mexipike]

I have an old metered prism, but I can't seem to find sharp focus on it. What is the Denis Reggie bracket?

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Another vote for a Vivitar 283/285, and get a Stroboframe bracket. You can get away with using the standard Stroboframe bracket that is designed for 35mm cameras when using a Hasselblad, even with the WL finder. If you want to get the flash even further above the camera but keep it on axis, you can get a bigger medium-format sized Stroboframe which is more expensive. They even make one that will let you mount a handle-mount flash.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I use a bracket [built for 35mm] that attaches to the bottom and is held in the left hand. The strobe is directly over and above the center line of the camera.

Steve

 

[eric]

I have an old metered prism, but I can't seem to find sharp focus on it. What is the Denis Reggie bracket?

http://www.amazon.com/Stroboframe-Q...1159003?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1189198135&sr=1-9

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

I use a cheap stroboframe bracket, one that is probably designed for 35mm cameras. I use an old Pentax dedicated flash (it's what's handy). It works good. I use the waistlevel too, but a prism might be more comfortable.

 

[Nokton48]

Mexipike,

When I was shooting weddings, I came up with a simple, not too expensive bracket which I could use with my Hasselblads, all made from easily available parts. I started with the Medium Format Stroboframe Bracket ($50 new/ $20 used) and ended up with six of these. I added a Hasselblad Quick Release to each bracket, so I could interchange bodies quickly during a wedding. Finally, I drilled a hole into the "L" base of each bracket, and bolted on a Manfrotto Hex Plate, so I could snap the rig onto a tripod, as required. All of this works well, even under pressure.

The Vivitar 283 is still the best way to go. Get a Quantum Bantam battery (I bolted mine to the arm part of each bracket) if you need really quick recycling. About as good as it gets.

 

[mexipike]

Thanks for all the advice. I think that I'll definitely go with a stroboframe and a 283. It turns out my dad has one lying around that he doesn't use. I think I'll get the quick flip 120, but there's also a good deal on a Deniss reggie. Which one is better suited, would I not be able to use the deniss reggie handheld?

Thanks,
John

 

[Nokton48]

I'm not sure why the Reggie Bracket -is- better. It has -his- name on it

I'd go with the Quick-Flip 120. I was buying these used at Midwest Photo for $20/ea, really nothing to go wrong on these. BTW you won't use the flip-feature, unless you also have a 4.5x6 camera.

I've tried the 35mm Quick-Flip, but I wouldnt recommend that with the 500CM. It has a tendency to come unscrewed at the most -inappropriate- times But I would recommend getting a #45128 Hasselblad Tripod Quick Coupling, to use on your Quick-Flip 120.

I also put a Quantum Radio Slave on each bracket (which fires supplemental lights, called "satellites"), and I would put a diffuser on the 283, for shooting up close, epecially. It really improves the quality of the light. I prefer the "Photoflex XTC-Small" which is inflatable, weighs -nothing-. But young kids at weddings all wanted to "squeeze the funny beachball"

 

[mexipike]

Sounds like a plan, one more question if I get a quantum bantam, do I also have to buy a module or will it work without it?

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

you still have to get the module for the 283. I think the only flash that wouldn't require one would be one of the Quantum Q-Flash units. But I don't think the Q-Flash works with a Bantam anyway. I could be wrong on that though. It's been a while since I looked at their lineup.

 

[Nokton48]

Hi

Yes, you will need the 283 module, which at one end, is a male (locking) plug into the Bantam, the other end replaces the "battery tray" in the 283. You will need a file a -small- slot in the 283 battery cover, so you can close it, without pinching the module cord.

With a Bantam battery, you can do around 150 shots on manual, and many, many, more on automatic. A very worthwhile soup-up. Make sure it comes with the battery charger.