Flash suggestions for Contax SLR

[Camerarabbit]

Hello all! I’m looking for a flash for my Contax 139q. Ttl isn’t necessary (but would be nice) I’m looking at a Contax 140, and a Contax TLA 20. I have the TLA 200 for my G, and don’t really like it with other non-Contax cameras (it’s too harsh, gives red eye often and briefly blinds my subjects it’a so bright)


The TLA20 looks cheap and cheerful though maybe a bit heavy with 4 AA batteries

Hoping someone could tell me about a flash in the $20-40 range that takes AA batteries, recharges quickly and can give me a nice direct flash look. If anyone has opinions please let me know!

 

[Alan Gales]

Redeye is created when the flash is too close to the lens. Even when you don't get redeye, a flash on the hotshot facing forward is unflattering. It's always best to bounce the flash off the ceiling or wall or onto a diffuser. I used to own a Contax 139. It came with the TLA 20 flash. I bought a Contax brand cable that connected the base of the flash to the hot shoe of the camera so I could use the camera in one hand and the flash in the other since it had no bounce head. I later bought a Sunpak 444D TTL flash which was way more powerful. It had a swivel bounce head. I also bought the Sunpak umbrella kit that mounted onto the flash head which really softened the flash.

I've never heard the TLA20 being described as heavy. I always thought it was light compared to my Sunpak 444D which also took 4 AA's.

 

[AgX]

I got no idea why you consider a Contax flash at all. But I cannot evaluate the US situation. Over here you can get locally good SCA flashes for a few Euros. The bigger problem here though would be to get the SCA-Contax adapter. Once you got that you can use nearly all advanced west-german flashes of the respective period (SCA systems 300 or 3000).

I never came across any Contax flash, thus my remark.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

TLA 30 is a good option - has bounce capacity as well as TTL. I have one I used with my 167mt's and my RX. I also have a later TLA 240, but that's probably more complication than you want or need.