Flash for Film Cameras - Buying Guide

[@bobdots5974]

Thanks Hashem, another great video and I can't think of any better advice than to try the flash with fresh batteries before buying second hand flash units. Unfortunately the capacitors inside flash guns can degrade with time, even if unused - in fact not being used can sometimes do more damage than regular use... It is possible to rescue some capacitors by cycling and 'reforming' them, however this is a hit and miss process and doesn't always work. Another issue to be aware of is that older flash units may not be compatible with modern digital cameras. Many 'no name' brands from years gone by had circuitry that could feed back through the hot shoe/PC port into the camera. In terms of film cameras with limited/no electronics this often wasn't too serious. However modern digital cameras are crammed full of sensitive electronic components and older flashes may wreak havoc on them, so my advice is to be very wary.

[@pushingfilm]

@@bobdots5974 thanks mate! You're right. I glossed over them but could have stressed these points more clearly in the video. I've pinned your comment as a great addendum for anyone looking at old used options.

[@OrangeBrick8]

Yessssss! Thank you! I’ve been looking for a flash for a while now.

[@pushingfilm]

No problem!!

[@j.k5654]

The Rollei SB20 and SB21 for 20-30$ are the best flashes for film. I have both and they have the same power as the 500$ flashes. I love them.

[@LolJordan25]

I think you shoudn't use old flashes from analog cameras on your digital cameras. Something with the voltage is different and it can fry your digital. (sorry if this is mentioned in the video)

[@kristoffergo6294]

I just bought the Godox junior. I am going to use it on my Nikon ZF.

[@AnthonyJGianotti]

The new Godox lux’s from the cadet on up are so good for what they are and they look cool to boot! Heck even with the cadet I was throwing enough light on subjects to get great exposure for people 15-20’ away in a dimly lit roller rink.

[@TheFilmFellow]

Not an easy one to tackle but you did great Hashem! Nice collection of flashes as well. I still don’t understand why so many are intimidated by flash when it opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Personally I’m really loving what Godox is doing. Making great flashes very affordable. That Bell & Howell is really cool! I think if you’re really serious nothing beats TTL. Especially with Nikon but the charm of an old little flashgun is endearing. Enjoy this, well done Hashem!

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks as always! Yeah its great to see Godox continue the Lux line

[@ecem4556]

Great video! I’ve always wanted to try a flash on my mamiya 7 but don’t know where to start

[@jdstrobist]

Hey Hashem, a fantastic Video. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed watching it. 😎✌️

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you!

[@jdstrobist]

@@pushingfilm most welcome✌️

[@shred3005]

That Godox looks to be an exact copy of a flash I borrowed from someone back in the 80s. It was already an old flash back then. Style is fun retro now

[@mr.negative_film_store]

Nice vid. I need to get a flash for my eos 5

[@mynewcolour]

I have bunch of nice ‘speedlights’ but there’s still a place for those dinky $5 Sunpack (and similar) things. You can find then unused pretty easily and I like that they usually have a built in pc cable.

[@Anthony-fz9ye]

I recently got a Contax TLA 360 for about $110 AUD. Used it for the first time yesterday and am waiting for the results. Feels quite heavy when on the camera but wasn’t as bad as I thought carrying it around in my camera bag. The recycle time was a bit slower than I expected so I think I took a few shots without flash by mistake.

[@john_murch]

Which camera are you using the TLA 360 on? I thought this flash and sync cable are proprietary, specifically used with Contax SLR's.

[@TheSecondHandShooter]

Really cool video! I've been dying to learn more about flash photography on film. I have a Nikon FA and the sb30 same model you had in your video. just a question I'm not too sure how to use TTL metering on my Nikon fa when I have the camera and a or p mode it defaults to a shutter speed of 250. I was wondering if it is full auto or do I need to change some settings to compensate if you know? cheers heaps :)

[@pushingfilm]

Hey, yeah 250 is the sync speed of that camera, so that makes sense. I'm not 100% not sure of the functionality with the FA, but it should be full TTL (so just keep subjects within a few meters and let the flash do the rest). It would also be worth looking up the SB-30 on the website "MIR", as it has a full guide and tables showing functionality.

[@TheSecondHandShooter]

@@pushingfilm Thanks a million for the tips!

[@HalfLeftToby]

I gotta ask - what lens are you rotating at 7:26? The depth of field indicator is so cool!

[@pushingfilm]

It's the Thypoch Simera 28mm. I have a video about it on the channel 🙂

[@HalfLeftToby]

@@pushingfilm thank you! ❤️

[@connorflinn8137]

This is gonna sound so stupid, but I’m very new to photography in general. I love taking a film camera with me to vacations, especially when there’s mountains in the background, so what a flash be necessary for those kind of shots? I know on overcast days, it’s needed to get it to be not so dark, but would that be more of a film ISO issue? I have a Pentax ME super, just for context

[@pushingfilm]

Hey, it sounds like you can get away without a flash for the most part! It would be handy to have one, but not necessary for those situations.

[@paolojay]

What’s the chart you have on ur lightpix lab flash if I may ask?

[@pushingfilm]

I just made that my self by writing on a piece of paper and sticking it on 😅. I did some test shots on digital then created a rough guide

[@synkuk]

WOW.. I got the totally wrong idea of the subject ... 'compact flash' really ..... :D:D

[@pushingfilm]

Didn't think of that! I've just changed the title to avoid confusion.

[@areallyrealisticguyd4333]

vivitar 252 is probably the best general use flash I've bought and they're extremely cheap

[@zacharyjames3091]

Applaud the topic, people so rarely talk about film flashes beyond the overhyped and now overpriced contax tla and the similar Fuji xf flash, I do wish someone would take a note that there’s a huge hole in the market (those flashes are getting up to 400 dollars these days!)

[@rayrayg9]

13:20 Example: Nikon SB-400 is i-TTL only and *not* plain TTL. And since it doesn't have any manual controls, it's completely useless on film cameras (except the F6 which works with plain TTL flash). Still a great flash!

[@pushingfilm]

@@rayrayg9 that's an SB-30 I'm showing there. Edit: I think I get what you're saying though! Definitely some variation in compatibility.

[@aaronvanhorne9693]

second hand all day, master your exposure and you will create bangers + save money