Contax TLA flash cords true ttl?

redstarjedi · Dec 6, 2015

Hello, I have several contax bodies that i use with a TLA 360 flash, and a TLA 200. I use a 139, AX, and G2. The on camera flash is excellent, and i've always been happy with the results. I'd like to do off camera-corded ttl flash. I have the TLA Extension Cord 100S, that i plug into my 360 flash, and then slide the other end onto the camera hot show. Once i turn on either flash i get the flash symbol in the viewfinder of each camera. So theoretically i should have TTL flash now.

However, whenever i take the shot it seems that each flash in the set up above fires at full blast. It's so bad that i have to switch the TLA 360 to auto and not use the TLA 200 off camera at all. Do i have the right extension cord?

I've reviewed this website here and it makes it seem as if i have the correct cord, to give me corded ttl

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/contax/shared/flash/index2.htm

Since this is the case with both flashes i wonder if i have a bad cord, or is it that i should be using the TLA Extension Cord 100 instead?

I eventually do want to do multiple flash, probably more in manual than ttl, and i do have the TLA Multi Connector and the TLA Extension Cord 100SS.

John Koehrer · Dec 6, 2015

From the flow chart in the link the camera you have that's compatible is the G2. I'm assuming the same TLA capability as the G1.
The chart may not have been updated to reflect the AX and the 139 isn't mentioned but the least SLR listed is the 167.

RobC · Dec 6, 2015

is your camera in auto mode (A)?

and I don't think the flash is set when its off the camera. i.e. you need to set the flash to what you want it to do and then ttl will control it.
You really need to read the tla360 mnaual and each camera manual in conjunction with each other.

I was wondering if the 139 would be fully ttl for the flash.

TheFlyingCamera · Dec 6, 2015

In looking over the owner's manual for the 139, it specifically mentions the TLA 20 and TLA 30. The TLA 360, if I recall correctly, is a 5-pin connector, whereas the 139, the TLA 20 and TLA 30 are 3-pin. Trying to get the 5-pin flash to talk to the 3-pin camera may be part of the problem. The TLA 360 may be expecting data it's not getting, therefore defaulting to full power. Or you could just be setting the flash wrong and inadvertently leaving it in manual at full power. Without watching you operate it, hard to tell. I've used Contax off-camera TTL cords before with no problems, either with my G1/G2, my 167MT, my RX or my RTS III. The cheapest diagnostic test would be to get a second TTL off-camera cord and test it. If that doesn't fix your problem, the next step would be another flash unit. The upside of the Contax system being an orphan system is that while the lenses are easy to adapt to DSLRs, nobody cares about the flash units so even their high-end shoe-mount flashes don't command much of a premium. You could always get a TLA 280 for under $50, or a TLA 30 (which at least has bounce capability and accepts a diffuser for use with wide-angle lenses).

cowanw · Dec 6, 2015

I was under the impression that while Contax did claim multi flash TTL for a short while, It turned out not to work and they discontinued the claim.

redstarjedi · Dec 6, 2015

TheFlyingCamera said:
In looking over the owner's manual for the 139, it specifically mentions the TLA 20 and TLA 30. The TLA 360, if I recall correctly, is a 5-pin connector, whereas the 139, the TLA 20 and TLA 30 are 3-pin. Trying to get the 5-pin flash to talk to the 3-pin camera may be part of the problem. The TLA 360 may be expecting data it's not getting, therefore defaulting to full power. Or you could just be setting the flash wrong and inadvertently leaving it in manual at full power. Without watching you operate it, hard to tell. I've used Contax off-camera TTL cords before with no problems, either with my G1/G2, my 167MT, my RX or my RTS III. The cheapest diagnostic test would be to get a second TTL off-camera cord and test it. If that doesn't fix your problem, the next step would be another flash unit. The upside of the Contax system being an orphan system is that while the lenses are easy to adapt to DSLRs, nobody cares about the flash units so even their high-end shoe-mount flashes don't command much of a premium. You could always get a TLA 280 for under $50, or a TLA 30 (which at least has bounce capability and accepts a diffuser for use with wide-angle lenses).

I have a tla 100 cord in the mail. I also have a TLA 30 in the mail, that i can test out with the 139 with the old cord.

redstarjedi · Dec 6, 2015

RobC said:
is your camera in auto mode (A)?

and I don't think the flash is set when its off the camera. i.e. you need to set the flash to what you want it to do and then ttl will control it.
You really need to read the tla360 mnaual and each camera manual in conjunction with each other.

I was wondering if the 139 would be fully ttl for the flash.

I had the cameras in aperture priority mode. I can try X mode and see if it does TTL. From what i read that seems unnecessary.

redstarjedi · Dec 6, 2015

cowanw said:
I was under the impression that while Contax did claim multi flash TTL for a short while, It turned out not to work and they discontinued the claim.

In practice, i'd really use multi flash in manual mode after metering with a flash meter anyway. I'm just wondering if i am doing something wrong.

redstarjedi · Dec 6, 2015

Well I tried it on all three cameras again. Seems that if I jiggle the cord on the side port of the tla 360, I can get ttl. I really hope it's just the cord and not the flash. I'll know when my second flash and different cord come in the mail.

Contax TLA flash cords true ttl?

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