Friday, January 25, 2002, 2:14:53 PM, Maciej wrote:
MM> Dnia 25-01-2002 o godz. 5:34 John Glover napisał(a):
>> As far as second curtain sync goes, the ZX-M does not support
>> this feature, IIRC.
MM> ZX-M itself doesn't support neither TTL (for flash) nor 2nd
MM> curtain synh. But, as I was told in the local store, flashes
MM> made by Metz coupled with correct shoe (don't know the exact
MM> name of the part - it's to be placed between flash unit and
MM> camera's hot shoe) has an ability of 2nd curtain synh - there is
MM> a switch on this connector to choose between 1st and 2nd curtain
MM> synh. Don't know if you can get reasonable unit for $100 or
MM> less. The one I played with was aroun $200 but photo equipment
MM> is expensive in Poland.
MM> I suggest you look for a flash that has TTL functionality and
MM> own light metering - if you ever upgrade your camera this might
MM> come helpfull.
MM> AF280T which has been suggested allready seems as a very nice
MM> unit.
MM> Cheers
MM> Maciej Marchlewski
Hi Maciej,
1) I don't know if MZ-M may support 2nd C synch, but a side note -
Even the analog, SCA 300 series (older) flashes support digital TTL
flash on modern Pentax bodies with the correct adapter! The usual
one for the old bodies is SCA 372, which is the LX and Super-A type
of TTL flash, much like AF280T flash. But you can get a 374/2AF
adapter, which was designed to allow the use of SCA 300 series
flashes (35 CT2, 36CT4, 45CT..) on modern bodies from SFX to PZ1p
(maybe even MZ5n/3). Basically, it adds this functionality:
AF assist light (working even without flash attached!!!)
Program TTL flash with slow-speed synch (if I got it right
from the badly translated manual)
Program TTL flash
2nd curtain synch flash
Contrast control flash
So, this SCA 300 adapter offers ALL the functionality of SCA
3000 series flashes (excluding automatic zooming of
flashhead) !!!
Perhaps it could be tested in shop, if an (inexpensive) old
SCA 300 flash would allow 2nd C synch on MZ-M coupled with
374/2AF adapter.
Why SCA 300? Because these older flashes are MUCH cheaper and
usually even better in some features (like Guide number!) than
newer SCA 3000 flashes... I use Metz 35CT2 and 36CT3, and they both
are 1/3 (sic!) the price of used 40MZ3 !!! Offering slightly
HIGHER guide number and many same features with the right SCA. The
36CT3 is unique in some regards, as it offers nearly TTL-like
autoflash mode, in which you can select ANY aperture from 2.8 to 11
REGARDLESS of film speed. Much better than being limited to only f/
8 and f/11 at 400 iso film on the AF280T.
2) AF280T. I personally don't like this flash much. It's very
rugged, yes, offer bounce and swivel, but for me, it's TTL only.
The auto flash aperture selection is limited to too small apertures
for any serious work, especially if bouncing from very high
ceilings. For a TTL flash, it's great, on LX or Super-A.
3) I think the German flashes like Metz offer the best features for
best bucks. E.g. 35CT2 - Auto aperture starting at f/2 for iso 100 film (second
setting is f/4, third is f/8, all at iso 100)(compared to f/2.8 or
even f/4 with most other flashes), GN 35 (in meters) for 35mm lens
coverage, options for off-camera flash, flashgrip with C cells for
better recycling, ... all available cheap. And rugged, too.
Good light,
Frantisek Vlcek
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