Flash for TLR

[joeyk49]

I've noticed that most people shoot available light when using their TLRs and that they are used, most often, outdoors.

With the scarcity of vintage flash units for these cameras (and the bullbs that got with them) is there a way to use a more modern flash unit with a TLR???

 

[Foto Ludens]

Sure, just make sure the shutter has an x-sync (right?) and use a sync cord to connect the modern flash to the camera. The flash should sync at all shutter speeds, since TLRs use leaf shutters. I've used TLR with study flash before (same deal as compact flashes, really) with no problems at all. Just make sure that your camera does indeed have a flash sync, and that the pc connector (where the sync cord plugs in) is clean.

 

[Eric Rose]

I use a flash on my Rollei TLR all the time.

 

[Robert Kennedy]

And the nice thing is that the taking lens is low so it is easier to get the flash up a bit.

 

[joeyk49]

I love this site!!!

Thanks for the info.

I was hoping that I wasn't going to have to troll flea markets for a flash and bulbs for the thing.

 

[glbeas]

Nice thing is flash manufacturers like Sunpak make what I call "hammerhead" style flashes and the right kind of bracket to screw on the bottom plate of the TLR very similar to the way the old flashguns mounted. It makes a very nice handle when shooting that can be swung left or right handed and balances well. Check out a 511, 522, or 622 flash system. The older ones can be had fairly cheaply. Metz makes some as well as a few other manufacturers that I'm not so familiar with.

 

[ksmattfish]

I use a Vivitar 285 on a DIY flash bracket with my Rollei. I wanted a bracket that was smaller and more sturdy than I was finding, so I went to the hardware store and for $10 was able to get enough materials to make 3 if I had wanted.

 

[127]

Nice thing is flash manufacturers like Sunpak make what I call "hammerhead" style flashes

I use a couple of different flashes on my baby tlr's.

Most (except the Rollei) have a cold shoe on the left hand side. This makes it easy to mount a small flash there, with a PC->hot shoe adaptor. The trouble is my small flash "bends" to the left, so if bent that puts the flash DOWN, right next to the taking lens, and stops me getting to the focus knob.

Interestingly my Haco has the cold shoe on the right. I haven't treid this with flash yet, but it means the flash will be higher, and won't block anything (the winder is on the right but thats not a problem).

With the Rollei (and others when the mood takes me) I've got a Metz 45 Hammerhead. Nice kit, but big and heavy. You can switch sides, but as standard it's on the left. Again this makes focusing a bit of a pain. fortunatly it has enough power that I can stop down, so don't need to tweak the focus too much. It's pretty awkward holding the camera with the flash atatched, and focusing.

Anyone tried switching the Metz to the right, and working that way? It would make focusing easier, but winding harder.

Ian

 

[jeanba3000]

I use a Quantum Qflash X2 with the Qpack battery system. Very powerfull, 200/400 W/s, heavy but still portable. It can use different reflectors, it's more like a portable studio flash. It works in TTL with my Rollei 6008 and in automatic or manual with a classic X sync cable with all my others cameras (Polaroid 180, Rolleiflex, 4x5" chamber, etc).

Before that, I had a Metz 45, a very good flash. The "hammer head" type avoids the red pupil problem with a good distance from the lens. And distant flash from the lens gives better contours.

The only problem with that is the volume and weight around your neck or in your arms.

 

[papagene]

Joey,
Just for your reference, if you hear or read about a "Potato-Masher" type flash, they are referring to the Hammer-head type of flash.
Good luck with your search.
gene

 

[Doug Bennett]

A good flash bracket is a must.

Just to second what Andre said: the ability of a leaf shutter to sync flash at all shutter speeds is an incredibly useful feature. If you do any outdoor, natural light portraiture, you can really have some fun by playing with fill flash.

 

[joeyk49]

Tanx Guys.

 

[Solinar]

Just wanted to note that there are a variety of flash units available new for TLR's. The fly in the ointment is your local camera shop may not stock a wide assortment of PC cords. I remember having to special order one made by Paramount Cords for my Vivitar 283. Also, try looking for a Vivitar flash brack on ebuy. It has a nice handle, the head can rotate from side to side and it allows for a cable release.

With a Fedora and press badge, you'll be set.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Not to hijack this thread but...

I would actually be interested in an inexpensive flashbulb unit for my Yashica-D TLR, but most ones I've seen need some 22.5V battery, and I have no idea if those batteries still exist. I just want to use my M2, M3, and Press 25B bulbs on my TLR because I like them so much on my Brownie Hawkeye.

I'm currently using a simple right-angle bracket with an el-cheapo flash with PC cord on X-synch, but I'd like to do it old school...

By the way, what's the real name for a flash unit made for bulbs? Flashgun? Flash bracket?

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Not to hijack this thread but...

I would actually be interested in an inexpensive flashbulb unit for my Yashica-D TLR, but most ones I've seen need some 22.5V battery, and I have no idea if those batteries still exist. I just want to use my M2, M3, and Press 25B bulbs on my TLR because I like them so much on my Brownie Hawkeye.

I'm currently using a simple right-angle bracket with an el-cheapo flash with PC cord on X-synch, but I'd like to do it old school...

By the way, what's the real name for a flash unit made for bulbs? Flashgun? Flash bracket?

Try to find one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VINTAGE-YASHI...581663354QQcategoryZ30037QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This has the all-important bracket for "normal" cameras - a lot of Graflex flashguns just have fittings to hook onto a Speed Graphic. Flashbulbs will fire on any voltage between 3 and 120, so there's no real need for a 22.5 V battery and a capacitor-type gun. It can be really handy to have a flashgun which takes the big Edison-screw bulbs (E27 fitting) and also has two adapters, one for ASCC bulbs (small center-contact cap-type bulbs) and a second adapter that fits into the first for capless bulbs (PF1, etc.).

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Try to find one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VINTAGE-YASHI...581663354QQcategoryZ30037QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This has the all-important bracket for "normal" cameras - a lot of Graflex flashguns just have fittings to hook onto a Speed Graphic. Flashbulbs will fire on any voltage between 3 and 120, so there's no real need for a 22.5 V battery and a capacitor-type gun. It can be really handy to have a flashgun which takes the big Edison-screw bulbs (E27 fitting) and also has two adapters, one for ASCC bulbs (small center-contact cap-type bulbs) and a second adapter that fits into the first for capless bulbs (PF1, etc.).

Thanks David! I searched for similar items, and they seem to have become pretty expensive (100$!) because kids convert them into starwars lightsabers.

I was looking into something lightweight like the Rolleiflash, but I couldn't find any for sale. I've seen a couple of foldable units that look good, but all these seem to require the elusive 22.5V battery kit.

I'll post a WTB ad, and see if I can find something here.

 

[Chaska]

Photobattery.com has the 22.5 volt for sale now. $12/$13 for one depending on what you need. I have no connection with the site but have purchased from them successfully several times (I got one for my Honeywell tilt-a-mite). Flashbulbs are fun in a goofy sort of way, plus they put our huge amounts fo light form a little package.

 

[leeturner]

Asked this question on a different thread but this seems a better place.
Is the PC socket on a Rolleiflex 2.8C a standard socket? I tried to plug in a sync cord yesterday but it wouldn't fit. The same cord fits my Rolleicord and Yashica TLR's.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

Asked this question on a different thread but this seems a better place.
Is the PC socket on a Rolleiflex 2.8C a standard socket? I tried to plug in a sync cord yesterday but it wouldn't fit. The same cord fits my Rolleicord and Yashica TLR's.

Definitely yes and no! As I recall, the socket has a standard PC connection in the middle but has a surround to accept the custom Rollei bayonet-fitting cable. As a result, it may not be possible to insert a regular PC cord far enough into the socket to connect. A regular PC cord with a straight plug would, again as I recall, fit with no problem.

PS: If all else fails, get one of these:
Dead Link Removed

 

[photobum]

Just a word of warning for all you Rolleiflex shooters out there. Screwing your big flash or flash bracket into the tripod thread is not a good idea. The bottom of the Rollei is not made to take that stress. Use a Rollei tripod quick release. Screw the flash into the tripod mount. What happens is you tend to hold the the camera by the flash. The Rollei mount has two holes that lock onto the pins up front. That places the strain on the frame of the camera, not the unsupported bottom.

Remember this when buying a used Rollei. If the bottom/back is twisted that's why. Pass on a camera with a twisted bottom/back.

 

[BrianShaw]

Photobattery.com has the 22.5 volt for sale now. $12/$13 for one depending on what you need. I have no connection with the site...

Other sources of the battery include RadioShack.com and Midwest Photo Exchange.

Same disclaimer applies.

 

[Nick Zentena]

How demanding is the battery issue? Why not make a battery pack out of AA batteries? Sure it's 15 batteries but they things are common.

 

[dschneller]

Nick, if it's the battery I am familiar with No. 412, it's about the size of a 9 volt with a terminal on either end instead of both terminals on the top. I use one in my Pentax Spotmeter. It's a size/weight issue, much easier to use the proper battery than to make a battery back.

 

[Nick Zentena]

If it's that small you're right. The local surplus electronic place has various batteries holders but they would end up being much larger.

 

[leeturner]

Definitely yes and no! As I recall, the socket has a standard PC connection in the middle but has a surround to accept the custom Rollei bayonet-fitting cable. As a result, it may not be possible to insert a regular PC cord far enough into the socket to connect. A regular PC cord with a straight plug would, again as I recall, fit with no problem.

PS: If all else fails, get one of these:
Dead Link Removed

Many thanks David, the problem is exactly as you described. Only problem is that Adorama want $40 for shipping a piece of wire!!