Re: [photo-3d] Flash for Realist

[Linda Nygren <lnygren@xxxxxxx>]

I personally use Olympus T20 flashes with my Realists.  I like the
compact lightweight aspect; I hardly notice the extra weight or bulk
when I use it. It takes 2 AA batteries, and it can be used at f8 (or f4)
on automatic with asa 100 film, subject distance up to 8 feet (or 16
feet) giving it a guide number of 64. (aperture times distance). It does
*not* come with a PC cord, nor is one available for it; I have filed the
bump off of each of my Realist hot shoes. I previously used two adaptors
on top of each other which didn't work very well. The T-20 is pretty low
profile so might give you more redeye problems that taller flashes,
although I haven't noticed this. I don't think the T20 is still
available new, although used ones may be available for $40 or so.

Unfortunately most other small lightweight flashes (every one I have
seen) will only give you automatic function options of, say, f4 and f2
(with 100 asa film), even if they have about the same guide number/light
output as the T20. You might find one that will give you f5.6 on auto.
Flash manufacturers apparently assume (probably correctly) that most
photographers prioritize distance of coverage over small apertures.

The larger/heavier/more powerful (4 AA) battery Vivitar 283 will give
you down to f11 at 10 feet (guide number about 110). But it is a
nuisance to carry around and makes the camera much more unwieldy to use
IMO.

I like to use smaller apertures for depth of field, although admittedly
this is less important with flash photography where the background
doesn't necessarily have to be in focus as only the foreground will be
properly illuminated anyway. But it is nice to have f8 or at least f5.6,
so look at whatever flash you are considering with this in mind if you
plan to use it on automatic (I wouldn't do it any other way), and see
what your f-stop options are and the maximum distances, and see if it
looks like what you think you need/want. Or any of a number of smallish
flashes might work for you if you are happy with f4. -Linda

Peter Davis wrote:
> 
> Well, the old Vivitar flash I had been using with my Realist seems to have
> croaked.  I had some batteries leak a little, and now, when I put new ones
> in, the "ready" light never comes on.  This was a Vivitar SMS 40D which I
> bought used for $15, so I didn't mind cutting a groove in the foot for the
> Realist bump.
> 
> So, I'm now looking for recommendations for a replacement flash.  I'd like
> a small, lightweight one that I can fit on top of the camera, preferably
> for less than $50.  I now Ritz has some for $15 or $25, but I don't know if
> those are any good, or if they're powerful enough for taking reasonable
> indoor shots of the family, etc.
> 
> Any recommendations?  I do have the adapters to if I get one with a PC
> cord, I can actually fit it on the Realist without modifying either the
> camera or the flash.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> -pd
> 
> --------
>                                  Peter Davis
>                   Funny stuff at http://www.pfdstudio.com
>                   "The artwork formerly shown as prints."
>             Resources for children's writers and illustrators
>                     http://www.pfdstudio.com/cwrl.html
> 
> 
> 
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