Canon 580exII on a Mamiya 7

[rphenning]

Would this combo work? Would it work with the OC-E3 off shoe cord that canon sells or would that just be used for cameras that support the TTL metering? Are there advantages to using this combo over the Vivi 283 that I use now?

 

[cabbiinc]

The OC-E3 cord, and it's third party equivalents, would work but you could buy a non-eTTL cord and save some cash. If you plan to use the cord/580 with a Canon camera as well as your Mamiya then get the Canon cord. It'll work for both.

The 580EXii has an auto mode (but not version I or any of the 430EXs, etc...). So you can use non-TTL auto with the Mamiya. Of course you can also use it as a manual flash, the choice is yours.

Please note that I don't own either the camera or flash that you're asking about, but I have drooled over that very flash for a very long time and I've spent more money on "cheaper alternatives" that never seem to fit the bill than if I would have just bit the bullet and bought that flash.

 

[Voyager13b]

The built in thyristor auto exposure sensor system of the 580EXII flash works fine with my Bronica SQ, and Mamiya RZ67 systems. It should work fine with any camera that allows manual aperture setting, and also has an x-sync connection. You can use any standard double ended PC sync cord, or the Canon off camera cord as you please. The Vivitar 283 is a fine strobe, but the 580EXII offers far greater flexibility, more power, features, and control options (even in manual mode). Then again, the 283 is cheap, so that is to be expected. If you shoot Canon though, the 580EXII is a natural choice, and it will cover all of your camera gear in fine style.

 

[rphenning]

nice, thank you both ^. I am interested in getting one because resetting my 283 everytime I move closer / farther to something is annoying as is changing my f-stop or shutter speed.


Voyager would you mind posting examples from your mamiya + canon combo?

 

[DanielStone]

I used(sold the camera) a Fuji 6x7 rangefinder with my Nikon SB-28, worked fine. Flash was ttl, but I just guestimated the flash power, and usually it was fine. If you're a perfectionista, take meter readings of the flash

-Dan

 

[guyjr]

I can't readily provide samples, but I've been using my 580EXii with my RZ67 ProII for the last couple of months with decent results. I've shot a few rolls of slide and neg with it, and generally find that when I set the flash to meter (i.e., set the custom function so the flash lets you input aperture & ISO value), I have to compensate at least +2/3 or +1 to get the resultant flash correct... with Fuji slide film, I add another +2/3. Even still, it isn't always enough - I find that the metering capability of the flash is mediocre at best. (certainly not as advanced as matrix metering on a DSLR).

One of these days I'll figure out how to properly use the flash in full manual mode with my Sekonic meter, but til then I'll keep dialing up the exp and hope for the best.

 

[EdSawyer]

Unless you already have the 580ExII, I'd get something else that's thyristor based. the Canon is not cheap, and using as described (e.g. not on a Canon body) most of the cool features go to waste. There's plenty of auto type thyristor-based flashes out there that are MUCH cheaper than the canon and just as useful on a MF camera like a mamiya 7 or whatever.

-Ed

 

[rphenning]

Ed, such as?

In the future when I am forced to buy a digital camera to continue making photos I will probably choose a Canon system, but by that time (hopefully) they will have 600 EX IIs or something, so right now I am not dependent on any particular system. I am just a little tired of fiddling with the dial on my v283, ya know?

 

[Voyager13b]

Voyager would you mind posting examples from your mamiya + canon combo?

I'll be posting pics as soon as my slides return from India (ScanCafe has a bunch shot with the 580EXII, and the old 533G handle mount).... About mid April. I did order a couple of boxes of Fuji FP-100 instant film from Amazon yesterday though, and I'll be happy to scan some prints made with the RZ67-580EXII combo by the middle of next week.

This shot is to illustrate an issue with using the Canon off camera cord if you also use the Mamiya left hand grip. There isn't enough room for your hand, and for the cord head. A PC sync cable is a must (of course, I failed to plug in the strobe end before I took the shot....I was in a hurry.....

 

[Voyager13b]

Someone mentioned that if you don't already use the 580EXII for Canon gear, that a cheap strobe would be in order. I agree. My favorite combination is the 533G handle mount strobe from Canon. They cost about $50 at a place like KEH, are bullet proof, powerful, bounce, and the tall handle mount fits the RZ perfectly. Even the exposure eye/hotshoe sync cord head clears properly. The grip is also rock solid, and more comfortable than a Mamiya grip. Go figure... You can also use a 577G, but it has an external battery pack (only), so it's not exactly ultra portable....

Voyager

 

[rphenning]

Thanks for all the help. I think I might stick with my 283 for a little bit. I just got back some of the first stuff I have used it for I am pretty happy with what I am getting.

Can't say much about clipping off the fin though. That is going to bug me.

 

[EdSawyer]

I use a Sunpak Auto 383 Super with my Mamiya 7. It's got a tilt/swivel head, 4 or 5 levels of power settings (manual and auto), takes 4 AAs and works fine for me. I wanted something reasonably compact with tilt/bounce capability and this fit the bill.

thanks
-Ed