lili_elrod Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I am finding lately that sometimes I need a more powerful flash that the on-board flash on my GRD.However the Ricoh suggested Sigma are HUGE.Is there a safe and smaller flash anyone can recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GerrySiegel Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 Check out this tiny units made by Metz. It looks like a versatile little unit you can use to supplement onboard flash and as a slave for better ligthing effectgs. Decent price unless the Euro gets higher... I have a similar Metz model and it is very handy at times. Also check some of the other flashes by Metz. Hope that is useful lead: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/352521-REG/Metz_MZ52822D_28_CS_2_Digital_Slave.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 I use a small Vivitar I paid $15 for a few years ago on my GRD. Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lili_elrod Posted November 17, 2007 Author Share Posted November 17, 2007 Gerry, I just ordered the Metz, just what I wanted, also, being a slave unit there is nochance of it frying my GRD! Thanks for the advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GerrySiegel Posted November 17, 2007 Share Posted November 17, 2007 Lili, do let me know how well you find it works for you after trial use. I was thinking of getting this newer-than- mine (which uses a hard to find non rechargeble battery) pre flash learning model myself. Aloha.gs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lili_elrod Posted November 17, 2007 Author Share Posted November 17, 2007 Gerry, I sadly ended up canceling that order, the flash only covers up to 35mm. Which can be ok for off camera use but such is not my need. Sigh. And searching the metz site I find that all the flashes that cover 28mm or more are as big as the Ricoh approved Sigma EF-500 Dg/Dg Super. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lili_elrod Posted November 17, 2007 Author Share Posted November 17, 2007 So I just orderd the EF-500 DG St sigh monster flash for a tiny camera On the bright side with the diffuser panel this flash covers up to 17mm, so it will be useable with the GW-1 21mm adapter :) Thanks for the advice tho ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awindsor Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 Lili, The flash unit that Gerry recommended comes with clip on panels for 24mm and 85mm. However it is an auto-flash and won't give you TTL metering. Since the GRD has a fully functional hotshoe I would get an appropriate flash that allows you to get TTL metering. Information on the GR-D is a little sketchy. What dedication is the Sigma flash that they recommend? If it is the same model for the Nikon, Canon, or even Pentax then you should have a much wider range of options than you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lili_elrod Posted November 18, 2007 Author Share Posted November 18, 2007 Alistair, Thanks I'd missed that bit about the clip-on panels! As to flash compatibility per the Sigma site as well as the Ricoh folks the only flashes giving TTL flash mettering with GRD are the Sigma EF-500 DG and DG Super set up for the Sigma SLR's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awindsor Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 It is unfortunately the Sigma dedicated flash gun (SA-STTL). As far as I know Sigma are basically the only manufacturer that supports this. Even Metz does not have an option for this. There are some small auto-flashes that might do the trick. The Mecablitz 20 C-2 for example is compact but you will lose TTL metering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lili_elrod Posted November 18, 2007 Author Share Posted November 18, 2007 Alistair I think you are right :( Oh well, I ordered one of these flashes Saturday. I *really* need this light for my project with the Motels of Oak Cliff. TTL metering will be most welcome. The huge flash atop thae tiny camera? Silly looking but needs must right? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GerrySiegel Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 I think you may still be enticed by the ultra small Metz auto flash one of these days. Small is nice,when you can pocket the unit. Oh well, keep an eye on Metz. One of these days they may adapt to your GR.(which I know little about and find it hard to believe in all those goodies advertised int he GRII in a one inch thin package--just amazing. How come no Ricoh teeny but powerful flash to fit in said hot shoe I am wondering?) W respect to TTL metering, it is nice,but I can use A priority and go with auto flash and get OK results Alistair. That is me, grew up on Vivitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awindsor Posted November 19, 2007 Share Posted November 19, 2007 I own two Vivitar 285HV flashes but almost never use auto-flash. Instead I dial in power manually! I am so much more of a Luddite than you, Gerry ;) Since the GR-D has a hotshoe I though a hotshoe unit over the lens would be better than an optically triggered slave to the side. Pity that Ricoh didn't use a more reasonable dedicated flash system. If it was Nikon, Canon, or even Pentax dedicated then there would be many third party flashes. I guess that Sigma gave them a deal on licensing since their flashes are the only ones that will work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lili_elrod Posted November 19, 2007 Author Share Posted November 19, 2007 Alistair and Gerry, Manual flashes hold no fears for me, save for the off chance I could blow up this quite expensive camera. A Vivitar 283HV migth've worked fine, but as long as I was going that big I decided to go with the 'recommended' flash. I do not use flash that much, till this project I worked with avaialble light mostly. Live and Learn though, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awindsor Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Luckily for me there are a variety of flashes that will work on my G9 including small ones. I have a 550EX, which is similar in size to the Sigma units, and it just feels silly on the G9. Very unbalanced forward. The Metz flash that I recommended is a hot shoe autoflash. It is not purely manual flash, it will meter just not through the lens. Gerry recommended a similar model with an optical trigger that mounts next to the camera. One solution to the small camera with the big flash would be a flash bracket with an integral grip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lili_elrod Posted November 22, 2007 Author Share Posted November 22, 2007 Alistair, I tried to find the Metz 20 C-2,I think thats the hot shoe flash you recommended, it seems not be avail through Amazon, however I'll keep looking If a Sigma sized flash is too much on your G9 imagine it on the much tinier GRD! The bracket is a good idea, of course unless it is dedicated then one loses TTL metering :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lili_elrod Posted December 27, 2007 Author Share Posted December 27, 2007 I got a small flash, not the Metz but I like the fact they use the GRD as a Model to display the flash. http://www.intro2020.co.uk/pdf/PF20XD.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lili_elrod Posted December 28, 2007 Author Share Posted December 28, 2007 BTW I did get the 'recommended Sigma', it is huge, heavy and simply not worth the bother. Anyone want a a very slightly used Sigma FLash set up for a Sigma DLSR? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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