casey_dougherty Posted July 22, 2003 Share Posted July 22, 2003 I typically use my Mamiya 645 AFD in natural lighting situations, but unemployment is leading me to wedding photography. I have been trying to find an appropriate flash for my AFD that is well suited for wedding photography, but I have found the internet's resources exceedingly confusing. It seems that Metz, Quantum (and Lumedyne?)are all compatible with the AFD, but most of the flashes seem like overkill. Also, can someone please clarify what all of the adapters are for? I know that I need the SCA3952 with Metz flashers, but what are the additional SCA converters and connecting cables for? Please, point me in the right direction: A flash suited for wedding photography. Is a shoe mount or handle-mount best? A bracket for horizontal and vertical orientation? Forgive my ignorance, I just need some advice and direction. Casey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_henry1 Posted July 22, 2003 Share Posted July 22, 2003 If you buy a Metz from the SCA 3000 system, you will need a Metz module to mate it with your camera for TTL flash control. Off-camera, i.e., on a bracket, there is a module (SCA 3008A, and the earlier SCA 3007A) that mounts on the flash and provides a dead shoe mount to the bracket and connects by a cord to a module that accepts the camera-specific module that fastens to the camera hotshoe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_henry1 Posted July 22, 2003 Share Posted July 22, 2003 The Metz 54 MZ-3 would be a good choice, and can be mated with the SCA 3008A for bracket mounting. It is a shoe-mount, so for bracket use, you will need a more substantial bracket than you would for a handle- mount flash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_carlsson Posted July 22, 2003 Share Posted July 22, 2003 Forget the Metz. The Quantum and Lumedyne units are not overkill in any sense. They work really well, and there's plenty of power when you need it. I can personally vouch for the Quantum Q2 and T2 units used with the AFD, I've rented this set-up many times, and it is excellent with TTL all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_walton2 Posted July 23, 2003 Share Posted July 23, 2003 Quantums are nice if you like shooting with auto and other settings. The Q flashes are decent with great coverage but if you can spring for the T version and get the additional 200w/s booster giving you a 400w/s flash. You don't need all the adapters for TTL and can easily shoot with just a synch cord with great results... in fact, I did tests with TTL adapters and prefer not to use them because there are situations where the camera will be set for something you might not want automatically! Also, with added connections you have one more thing to worry about when shooting and something goes wrong... which it will eventually! Lumedynes are your basic powerful, manual flash (get extra batteries!!!) although they do make an adapter to automate it a bit as are Norman 400B's and 200B's (manuals). With wedding shooting, I take the Quantum and a Norman 400B as a back up and have always loved shooting with a softbox. If your shooting with a softbox and the Quantums, you will need the off camera sensor. Plug it in to the flash and mount it in your shoe on the camera or on your bracket. It isn't a hotshoe just a sensor the read the light which is covered by the softbox on the actual flash. I would recommend getting a bracket for your camera/flash to get the flash over head to drop the shadows back behind the subject. For your camera, a good one would be a bracket that rotates the camera so the flash stays in the same place all the time. The Metz flashes (potatoe mashers) are very reliable flashes but with them slightly off center, you will always have a shadow that is on the opposite side of the person... unless you put it on a bracket above the camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elliot_n Posted July 23, 2003 Share Posted July 23, 2003 'most of the flashes seem like overkill' You want something cheap, simple and relieable? A Vivitar 283/285 works fine with the Mamiya 645AF (and any other camera, of course). Stroboframe brackets are well made and do what they are supposed to do - but I think the whole concept is over-rated... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toney_hall Posted July 23, 2003 Share Posted July 23, 2003 I use a Metz 45CL4 on a bracket above the camera because I can put 6 nimh batteries in the flash (I HATE external batt packs) and rarely have to change them. Maybe once on A long day with a lot of family shots.I like to shoot manual on the camera and the flash since most everything is shot at either f5.6 or 8 .It is very consistant , unlike the 550 and 10D I use for PJ . The Mamiya is used mostly on the tripod so the weight is not a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry_lambert1 Posted July 25, 2003 Share Posted July 25, 2003 the Q-Flash X is the one capable of 400+ watt seconds, not the T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now