Help with choosing a flash for 503cw (portraits,weddings,still life)

Hi all,

 

I would like to invest into a flash for my hasselblad 503cw. I'm not

too sure which flash to purchase for my needs. I would like to get

into portraits,weddings and still life/abstract.

Would you guys recommend the

hasselblad flash D-40?

metz series flashes?

Could people please give me pros and cons and their experiences with

these flashes or the flashes they use with the 503cw and for which

applications please.

 

Cheers,

Berry

The D-40 is a very simple "bare-bones" flash, it has an on/off switch, you set the ISO on your camera (for fill-in ratio) and that's all there is too it. Simple and efficient, and probably all you need. Having said that, I use a Quantum flash, many more options, (manual, automatic, TTL, strobe effects), but most of the time I find myself simply using the TTl mode. The Quantum, Metz etc. require a SCA adaptor, the D-40 plugs right in. You will need an external power pack and I recommend the Quantum Turbo Z. (If you also have digital camera, you may want to buy the pack that has two power outlets, one for flash, the other to power a digital camera).

On camera flash has its limitations for some of the types of work you mention, especially portraits and still life. You might want to consider studio type units with multiple heads or monolights, with light modifiers (boxes, umbrellas, snoots, barn doors, etc,) and a good flash meter.

 

For weddings you should investigate brackets that place the flash head above the camera about 18" or so. But, again, for the formals and even for 'ambience' for the reception shots more controlled lighting may be beneficial.

Thanks all for the responses so far. I was thinking about the D-40 for taking portraits/candids on the streets. Where I wouldn't have the time or space to set up the lights. And it is quite easy to operate as well.

 

I don't know how well it will do for weddings as no one has mentioned using it for weddings and i'm not sure how powerful it is. And like Fred said off the camera lighting would be better i guess for ambience and formals. But how would it perform for candid shots and photojournalistic style shots? Or would I be better off with a metz type flash?

 

I can probably only afford the d-40 for the time being. Though I would love to be able to get some soft boxes and studio type lights. But I think it's a bit out of my price range as these things are so damn expensive.

 

please keep the replys coming!

 

Cheers all,

 

Berry

Berry,

 

I got a used Proflash 4504 for my 500C/M a while back. I like that it has the bounce &

swivel capability with a secondary fill flash unit built in. It can utilize the 503CW's TTL

capabaility, and I just picked up a 503CW body to take advantage of this capability. I'm

now just waiting on the TTL sync/power cable to arrive, so that I can try out this

combination. The Proflash is based on the Metz 45 series. The Metz 45's would need a

SCA 390 adapter to take advantage of TTL flash metering of the 503CW or other TTL

capable body.

 

Sorry, I don't have much first hand experience to give you any definitive advice, yet.

 

Taras

The D40 is a ripoff, and is not powerful enough. Look at the Quantum T or X units, or

Lumedyne.

I use the metz 45 series and they have enought power and alot of flexibility. The sca module mounts on the sede of the camera body. I also use the older metz 32 and it is good for snaps.

I use Metz 40MZ-3i with SCA 390 adapter, it works great, much better than the D40, Metz is smaller and lighter, easy to carry around, just mought it on to top of your prism finder.