In anticipation of receiving my new R2, I was thinking about a compact flash for the camera. I don't want to spend a ton of money for one, either. Thanks, John

-- John H Osterholm (Barjo4@attbi.com), May 08, 2002

Answers

Olympus S-20. That's the same unit that comes in Hexar RF kit and is sold under Leica name for Minilux. Nice small unit with 35mm/24mm coverage, runs on 2 AA batteries, has 2 auto settings (f/2.8, f/5.6 with ISO 100 film). Costs under $50.

-- Alexander Grekhov (grekhov@wgukraine.com), May 08, 2002.

There is a little metz one that I used to use with leica Ms Can't remember the model though. think it was only £20-30 UKP

B

http://www.briandavidstevens.com

-- brian (briandavidstevens@talk21.com), May 08, 2002.

I didn't know the R2 was a digital camera. ;-)

Seriously though, I have the Sunpak Softlite 1600A, probably the smallest flash with a tilting head. GN 16 @ ISO 100/metres, runs on 2 AA cells, 2 auto apertures f/2.8 and 5.6. Very handy and cheap.

-- Andrew (mazurka@rocketmail.com), May 08, 2002.

Canon Speedlite 011A

-- adam g. lang (aglang@hotmail.com), May 08, 2002.

How about the smallest flash with varipower?

-- Tse-Sung (tsesung@yahoo.com), May 08, 2002.

I think the smallest flash with varipower is a Vivitar 283 which isn't very small.

-- Steve Rosenblum (stevierose@yahoo.com), May 08, 2002.

Nikon's new SB-30DX. Looks great for the price.

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), May 08, 2002.

what you want it for? occasional head-on fill flash in a pocketable package, go as small as possible, and the little sunpak 1600 mentioned does have a tilt head for bounce in limited spaces. USed, you can get these smaller flashes (guide number around 12-16 in meters), less than $20. I don't think the brand really matters, as much as it used to. They now have "digital" flashes, that seem essentially the same -- small, pocketable, but less than real powerful.

real heavy use, more serious intenet to have better flash pictures, go larger, get a big guide number (>30 in meters, 100 in feet, ASA 100), and tilt/swivel, so you can bounce off ceilings. But, these don't exactly fit in a pocket as a "just in case" item.

so, with a r2 (non TTL), I would recommend some auto settings on the flash, choose small size or large power, and a little tilt/swivel if you are going for anyhting but direct on.

Incidentally, the Lutz Konermann Sfill attachment for the SF-20 works fine on most any flash, even the small ones (though you lose auto settings, unless the sensor can be shielded), loses less than 1/2 stop (great for the tiny flashes), and packs perfectly flat. Makes an artocious head-on flash at least tolerable as a wider area, diffused source. Better than the usually marketed add-ons.

-- l smith (lacsm@bellsouth.net), May 08, 2002.

Mostly I just wanted a small strobe for basic indoor use. I have a few older Minolta strobes which would work manually. I haven't bought any 'new' stuff for a while, so I was just checking what was out there now. Thanks for all the help! John

-- John H Osterholm (Barjo4@attbi.com), May 08, 2002.