SCA adapter?

[hleonz]

I am wondering what is the advantage using SCA adapter (lets say for metz 44MZ-2)? I am using F717 and planning to get 44MZ-2 or HVL-F32x).. but confused when I saw this SCA adapter thing.

Thanks.

[SianZronG]

in the standard case(canon,nikon,olympus...etc):

The sca adapter allows you to activate certain features that your cam and the flash has a main one whould be the TTL function.

From wat i heard it dosen't do TTL... but according to the metz webby(under 707)it enables the TTL.... you gotta check that out..

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update..... sony dosen't have TTL leh... how the SCA adapter make it have TTL to the flash? so frankly the funcitons's are quite limited... up to you my friend....

[hleonz]

Hi SianZronG, thanks for your reply.

Btw,

Which one is better for F717? Sony HVL-F32X or third-party product like Metz 44MZ-2, etc? I know there are a few threads regarding these flash thing, but couldn't really see the comparison between these products.

However, I saw in Sony website, HVL-F32X when used in F717, it requires ACC cable. Does it mean it's not attached in the camera's hotshoe, but using the ACC cable instead? Is there any hassle in using the ACC cable? Its features specified in Sony website looks impressive though (fyi, I am a newbie.. so I am not sure if those features are any external-flash standard).

Thanks.

[Edwin]

Originally Posted by hleonz Hi SianZronG, thanks for your reply. Btw, Which one is better for F717? Sony HVL-F32X or third-party product like Metz 44MZ-2, etc? I know there are a few threads regarding these flash thing, but couldn't really see the comparison between these products. However, I saw in Sony website, HVL-F32X when used in F717, it requires ACC cable. Does it mean it's not attached in the camera's hotshoe, but using the ACC cable instead? Is there any hassle in using the ACC cable? Its features specified in Sony website looks impressive though (fyi, I am a newbie.. so I am not sure if those features are any external-flash standard). Thanks.

Hi hleonz,

The F717 only has a central pin on the hotshoe, which I presume can only provide certain limited transfer of info, like flash sync speed etc...
From what I know, the F717 requires the use of the ACC port to pass addition data to the flash head.

So, even if you use the 3602 adapter for the F717, it would still has a ACC cable from the adapter to be plugged into the camera.

One advantage I noticed from using the Sony flashes is that you can use the camera flash setting to control the flash, like low --> normal --> high...

Edwin

[SianZronG]

Originally Posted by Edwin Hi hleonz, The F717 only has a central pin on the hotshoe, which I presume can only provide certain limited transfer of info, like flash sync speed etc... From what I know, the F717 requires the use of the ACC port to pass addition data to the flash head. So, even if you use the 3602 adapter for the F717, it would still has a ACC cable from the adapter to be plugged into the camera. One advantage I noticed from using the Sony flashes is that you can use the camera flash setting to control the flash, like low --> normal --> high... Edwin

yes edwin! he knows it alll excpet he havne't got his adapter yet... maybe can tell you today after he gets it... if it's in stock...
edwin you coming today?

[sequitur]

from my experience
don't get the SCA coz it'd be pointless.

you basically just save inputting the values of aperture and zoom and all that crap into the flash with the SCA.

sony 717 DOES NOT do TTL AT ALL. NO. NADA. ZERO. NO TTL.

yes, NO TTL EVEN WITH SONY FLASHES. (might as well get metz coz it's really good.)

my theory on flashes - you're gonna use them at night anyway, or mostly at night.. so you can fix the aperture value to f/2.0.

i use MANUAL mode all the time. attach an omnibounce and basically the flash will be thrown forward and all over the place. it'll definitely spread out with the omnibounce. so you can set the "zoom" setting to maximum. for "iso" value, you can alter it, but i usually set it to 200. i don't really know what it does, except alter the length that the flash can reach.

manual mode lets you expose the flash in full power, 1/2 power, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/128, you get the idea.
basically this "flash power" is all i change. i use flash mainly for portraits and events photography. you can easily use the flash to check out the distance the light will reach and then you adjust the flash power according to the distance that you've gauged.. always give around 3-4 meters leeway.

i use the metz 44mz2 and it's a darn good flash. it's cheap (around $230) and it can throw really far, much further than a 32mz3. it loses to the 54mz3 by 10 meters yeah, but $250 for an extra 10 meters is not worth it. furthermore lots of features on the 54mz3 that are practically useless coz you'll NEVER use it on the 717. unless you own a SLR or DSLR set up then the 54mz3 would be a dream flash.

the 32mz3 costs around $200.. i think $30 extra for the extra guide number is worth it. just that you can't swivel the camera that's for one.. but you don't really need a swivel with an omnibounce attached.

[Zerstorer]

Originally Posted by sequitur the 32mz3 costs around $200.. i think $30 extra for the extra guide number is worth it. just that you can't swivel the camera that's for one.. but you don't really need a swivel with an omnibounce attached.

Won't really agree with that. Swivel allows you to control the direction of the light where you want it, omnibounce just throws it it all directions. Moreover, the omnibounce on a flash with a 30+ GN drastically reduces its working range.

[sequitur]

Originally Posted by Zerstorer Won't really agree with that. Swivel allows you to control the direction of the light where you want it, omnibounce just throws it it all directions. Moreover, the omnibounce on a flash with a 30+ GN drastically reduces its working range.

chances are if you're taking outdoor portraits there's no side wall to bounce off.

omnibounce acts as a diffuser + bounce.. so you can get diffused effects even if you fire it straight on.

omnibounce decreases range by 2.5 times. i.e. max range is 50m, with omnibounce = 20m.

i guess for my type of photography swivel ain't that all impt. or rather in the instances that i'd use flash.

[Zerstorer]

Originally Posted by sequitur chances are if you're taking outdoor portraits there's no side wall to bounce off.

In such a case a bounce card works much better IMO. It is after all a larger radiating surface compared to an omnibounce.

Quote: omnibounce acts as a diffuser + bounce.. so you can get diffused effects even if you fire it straight on.

Personally I don't really think so, an omnibounce fired straight on has as much tendency to produce hotspots as a direct flash. I'd only use an omnibounce in a small room with low ceiling, anywhere else I'd rather use a bounce card or direct flash.

[hleonz]

Originally Posted by sequitur from my experience .... i use the metz 44mz2 and it's a darn good flash. it's cheap (around $230) and it can throw really far, much further than a 32mz3. ...

Where do you get your 44mz2?
I just got e-quote from CP at $270..

Thanks.

[sequitur]

i got it from CP don't trust their price tag.

go there and bargain the price down to around $230.