Contax G2 + off-brand flash units (Sunpak 383)

[Alexz]

I'm enetering Contax world soon, intend to acquire some nice G2 setup.
I'd like to know whether G2 will handle fine off-brand flash units such as Sunpak 383 that I own.
Will be grateful for a personal experiences in similar matter.

Thanks, Alex

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

It should, but... you probably won't be able to get TTL with the Sunpak, unless it has a dedicated module available for the Contax. Look around for a pre-owned flash for the G-series to keep it light and compact, I think the TLA 200 is the best model for it. Also look for an off-camera TTL cord, since the TLA 200 is quite squat, and keeps the flash uncomfortably close to the lens axis.

 

[Alexz]

Thanks.
Its clear indeed for me that there will be no TTL, I intended to use the Sunpak in its auto mode (set the required aperture and fire, flash's own sensor will cut the output).
Somehow I assumed (never tried though) the TTL flash metering of Contax to be much inferrior to what I used in Canon EOS 3 and 1V systems which are capable of very nice, precise fill-flash... am I wrong ?
Is G2 in conjunction with, say, TLA 200 (according to what you said) smart enough to provide a reliable TTL flash exposures even for fill flash ?

Yes, I never favored much on-camera flash, thus used to use brackets and flashes on cords. I also intend to do the same with G2, though have the feeling my current bracket (used it with my EOS3+booster system which is getting sold these days) is too large for it...

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Yes, you can get decent fill-flash with it. If you get a G2, you'll have a fast-enough shutter speed for flash sync that you can use it outdoors in reasonably bright light so long as you're not using fast film. The lenses are so good, you won't really need to use much other than 100 speed film anyway.

 

[raucousimages]

I use a Contax G2 with a Sunpak 522 all set manualy with no problem.

 

[bjorke]

Sunpak makes a dedicated unit for the G2. I have one, but rarely use it with my big Sunpak (a 544 potato masher). I used to have a Metx 23C which was FANTASTIC with the G2 but died eventually and Metz stopped making it, the jerks.

G2 TTL is older than EOS A-TTL and E-TTL but is okay. But why are you using flash in auto, anyway? tsk

 

[Mike Kovacs]

Just be careful not to use old flashes with high trigger voltage on cameras with TTL flash metering like the Contax G2.

You can fry your camera.