Question Re Flashes for Contax G2 - Nikon SB-600

[zsas]

Will this work:
G2 + Nikon SB-600?

I am worried about frying up the innards of the G2 if the SB-600 were not set right....

I believe the Nikon SB-600 was the last flash Nikon made that would couple (I think the term is TTL?).

I almost never use a flash so I know very little about them, however, I'm considering buying a G2 and don't want to have to buy that Contax TLA-200 flash if I can get by with the Nikon SB-600?

Any G folks out there? Sean, Rich, others know?

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Buy a nice used TLA-20 or better a 30. Both work great on my G2. A little more bulky but worth it. And both will do TTL. That said the TLA 140 works great, is more compact, and matches the G2 titanium body, if that's important to you.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

I just checked KEH. The 140, 20 and 30 are going for $10-30 tops! Cheaper than the BIN on eBay. Forget the 200.

 

[zsas]

Matching isn't important, I'm most likely getting the black body G2. The flash wd be for the ocassional Xmas party indoor night snap or two. I like the Nikon bounce ability of the SB-600 and what little I know abt the SB-600, it seems like it will work???

Will check out those other flashes too...Thanks Rich!

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Just took this quick shot with my iPhone. Might help you some. The TLA30 has a head that rotates on the up and down, definitely the most off-balance on the G2 of the group but my favorite.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Heck, you could even get a TLA 280 for $19 at KEH. It has bounce, a zoom head (manual zoom, but still) and even has a secondary fill-flash head and second-curtain sync capability. It's similar in size and weight to the TLA 30. I recently got one for my RTS III. While I doubt the SB600 would fry the electronics of the G2 (iirc, the SB600 is meant for use on digital cameras as well as film, so it probably has a lower trigger voltage), it would NOT be TTL with the G2 - you'd have a manual flash with it. May as well shoot a Vivitar 283 at that point. Which isn't a half-bad option because of the power a 283 packs.

 

[zsas]

I have this too (Vivitar 285):

What is TLA vs TTL, vs manual??

I know manual, where I pick the f stop, ISO then the Vivitar has a chart on the side to do the rest?

Sorry folks I am as flash clueless as they come. It's relevant today for me because I'm trying to buy a G2 kit and some offer the flash, some don't and Inwant to spend the least so I can buy lenses, film, etc.

I rarely use a flash but wd consider a Cobtax TLA if it works with the camera better or something??? Forgive my ignorance here....

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

TLA is just a name.

See here for loads more about TTL and flash:

http://www.moosepeterson.com/techtips/flash.html

 

[zsas]

Ok thanks so much Rich and Flying, think I am going to forget the flash for now, figure on those rare occasions when I need the flash, my Vivitar 285 will work just fine. Figure it has better control anyway and I don't have to pay anything for it!

Rich thanks for the link re TTL, my head is sure spinning, I use flash so little that I barly get how it works to begin with.

Hope to have a new (to me) G2 in hand soon....this was the last of my research

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

You'll really appreciate it - it's a wonderful camera. I know I love mine - get either the 45 or the 28 as your first lens for it, then start saving for the 21. You can add the 35 and the 90 later. If you can only get 2 lenses for it, the 45 and 28 are the absolute must-haves.

 

[zsas]

You'll really appreciate it - it's a wonderful camera. I know I love mine - get either the 45 or the 28 as your first lens for it, then start saving for the 21. You can add the 35 and the 90 later. If you can only get 2 lenses for it, the 45 and 28 are the absolute must-haves.

Awesome - Yep the 28 is going to be my first lens. Hope to use it for a while before expanding the kit (trying to keep GAS at bay)!

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

As amazing as that outfit is, fighting GAS will be an extreme uphill battle. Might even see it in the next X-Games.

 

[damonff]

Like The Flying Camera I have the G2 and the RTS III. I use a TLA 360 for both. Awesome flash. I agree that the 28 is a must have. I had the 21 but sold it because it just wasn't that much better than the 28. It is nice though.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Damonff - what didnt you like about the 21? I think it's actually the single most amazing lens in a lineup of amazing lenses.

 

[kanzlr]

shouldn't Metz flashes with SCA feet designed for Contax SLRs work on the G2, too?

could be a cheap, powerful option.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Kan - yes, they would. Powerful? Yes. Cheap? Maybe. Bad match for the camera style? Probably. Most Metz flashes are pretty big and would overbalance the camera. I don't even like using my TLA 30 on my G2 because it makes the camera so top-heavy it wants to fall on its face even when I'm wearing it around my neck.

 

[kanzlr]

sure. was just thinking about it as I already have the flashes and would just need the SCA foot

 

[damonff]

Damonff - what didnt you like about the 21? I think it's actually the single most amazing lens in a lineup of amazing lenses.

I agree but at $800 vs $400 I had to make a call. I definitely will buy one again some day. The 21 is nicer than I am ready to admit to myself.

 

[analoguey]

You can also get a Metz 58 af-1 or 2, Pretty good they're!
And why not get a remote trigger, if using for bounce?

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