Flash for Mamiya C330?

[malinmalin]

Hello MF people,

If I wanted to get a flash unit for a Mamiya C330 (to be used as a fill flash for
portraiture) what would you recommend and what models should I stay away?


regards,
jf

 

[MattKing]

Hello MF people,

If I wanted to get a flash unit for a Mamiya C330 (to be used as a fill flash for
portraiture) what would you recommend and what models should I stay away?


regards,
jf

As there are no fancy electronics like TTL with a Mamiya C330, the only requirement for the flash you choose is that the flash be triggerable with a PC cord. The rest of the criteria will depend on your preferences, how you work, and any grip you might have and want to use.

I never use the cold shoe on the side of my C330, but I seem to recall that some of the Mamiya TLRs have it configured in a way that makes it difficult to slide some flash shoes into it (the "stop" is not where you might expect it to be).

FWIW I have used a number of portable flashes in the 25+ years I have had my C330 - Vivitar 283, Metz 202, Metz 402, Metz 60 CT1, Metz 60CT2, Olympus T32, Olympus T20 and others I can't remember - and other than the fact that the Olympus flashes require a hot shoe to PC adapter, they all have worked fine. It really depends on what you like.

I might mention that I most often use a Mamiya grip with a built in trigger and cold shoe. It has been specially modified to allow the camera bracket for the Metz units to screw into the bottom of it. This means that the flash head is to the side, somewhat, but for fill flash, I find it workable.

One useful reminder though - be sure that the sliding switch on the lens is set to X-synch. There is a reason why many of the old lenses have the switch glued there :rolleyes:

Hope this helps.

Matt

 

[kb244]

You can get a basic flash bracket, put a PC-Sync -> Hotshoe adapter on it, and put just about any manually controlled flash on top of that, then connect the bracket to the lens via the PC Sync cord. Or do the samew ithout the adapter if you got a flash that can take a PC Sync direct such as a Vivitar 283. Just match the aperture of the flash to the lens, and yer good to go, since the lens are leaf shutters they sync at all speeds, so just use the shutter to gather 'ambient' light.

 

[Bighead]

I have used a Vivitar 285 with great success.........

 

[Blighty]

I use a Metz hammerhead for weddings and such and a little Cobra unit that fits on my trigger release bracket (Oooh! Matron!!) for more informal stuff

 

[k_jupiter]

I have used a Vivitar 285 with great success.........

The 285 is a great flash for getting it done quick. I've used mine quite a bit when I don't want to mess with calculations, etc. When I do want to utilize flash for fill, I have one of those big Sunpacks from the mid 80's. I have a universal foot adapter that has a PC cord adapter in the side. It gives me enough control to balance ambient with 1/2 or 1/4 stops fill flash. Great for bright California sunny days. It's offset with a L (flash)-bracket

1.) Choose an aperture (f16 persay). Set this on your lens.
b.) Choose a flash setting 1 or two stops less (f11 for 1/2 stop fill, f8 for 1/4 stop fill) for your film speed/distance. I use 1/2 stop for bright sun fill in, 1/4 stop for under a deep shade tree or similar.
3C.) Choose a shutter speed based upon an ambient light reading from your light meter at your aperture setting.

tim in san jose

 

[Papa Tango]

pentax af400t

Here is a good flash to consider. About 100ws (GN 40), scalable down to 1/16 for fill, option of power supplies (AA handle pack, or Quantum 2 battery), tilt, swivel, and a great quick detach system that works well with TLR's. Oh, and three levels of automated flash for fixed speed/aperature work. Works well up to 1/125, have not used it above that range. I have two and they can be easily synched with a slave or pc/pc cable to jigger up a quick and workable portable studio flash setup.

http://www.cameratech.net/used_pentax35/px1014.html

Keep an eye out for them on the bay. Price is generally around $100, and try for one that has the Quantum adapter.

 

[malinmalin]

Thanks to all for the tips!
It never ceases to amaze me how knowledgeable you people are!

regards, jf