Looking for a compact non-TTL auto/thyristor flash for fill use
Asked 8/13/2010
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2 answers
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I’m looking for a small, portable flash with an auto/thyristor mode, not TTL, because I want to use it across different cameras. My typical use is with wide to normal lenses, mostly for direct fill, and compact size matters more to me than features like zoom or bounce.
For size reference, flashes like the Vivitar 283/285 and Canon 580EX are larger than I’d like. I’m willing to give up a lot of power if it means getting something significantly smaller. What compact non-TTL auto flashes should I look at?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
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Have you looked at the Sunpak lineup? Some are TTL, but I think they have non-TTL and you can often find them on Craigslist.
To add from my comment, a very popular one appears to be the Sunpak 383 Super which is non-TTL. It's discontinued, but appears to be available on places like EBay. Anyways, BH lists the dimensions as 4.4 X 3 X 2.8" (WxHxD).
Another, similar, would be the Metz 36 Series C-2. Dimensions for that is 2.80 x 4.3 x 3.4", so a little bigger on some dimensions. The Metz 20 C-2 is 2.55 x 3.85 x 2.12", so small.
By the way, I'm not finding much smaller without going to the LED ones. They are an option as well.
Originally by user472. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user472
16y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A few commonly recommended options are older Sunpak and Metz auto flashes.
The Sunpak 383 Super is a popular non-TTL unit with auto operation, and it’s often suggested as a simple cross-platform flash. That said, it’s still not especially tiny, so it may only be a partial improvement over larger classic flashes.
If your top priority is compact size, the Metz 20 C-2 stands out from the suggestions as a smaller option. The Metz 36 C-2 is another possibility, though it’s a bit larger. In general, once you want true auto/thyristor operation in a hot-shoe flash, there aren’t many dramatically smaller choices than these without moving away from traditional flash designs.
So, based on the answers: start by looking at the Metz 20 C-2 if small size is most important, and the Sunpak 383 Super if you want a widely used non-TTL auto flash and can accept something a bit bulkier.
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