External Flash Suggestions for G5?

[snegron]

Other than the expensive Panasonic flashes, are there any other flash units you would recommend? I was looking at the Metz 44 AF-1, Vivitar DF 383 and Bower SFD9260.

 

[gnb40]

You can use the Olympus flashes. I picked up 2 used fl-36r's for $125.00 each. These are the same as the Panasonic FL-360. The "r" models feature remote control. If you don't need that, you can pick up the FL-36 for $75.00 to $95.00. The biggest complaint is that it only uses 2 AA batteries so recycle time is a little on the long side. These will give you full TTL auto as well as manual.

 

[snegron]

You can use the Olympus flashes. I picked up 2 used fl-36r's for $125.00 each. These are the same as the Panasonic FL-360. The "r" models feature remote control. If you don't need that, you can pick up the FL-36 for $75.00 to $95.00. The biggest complaint is that it only uses 2 AA batteries so recycle time is a little on the long side. These will give you full TTL auto as well as manual.

Thanks! I hadn't thought about Olympus flashes. Are they fully compatible with Panasonic bodies? Will there be some functions I would loose?

 

[gnb40]

The last Panasonic I owned was the G3. It didn't have the remote capability... not sure about the G5. Everything else worked perfectly. I'm not sure who really made the fl-36 and fl-50 but they are the same flashes as the FL-360 and FL-500, just different names on them. I actually had used these with my Canon equipment too (in manual mode).I do a lot of manual flash (with cheap eBay radio sync units). These are very easy to adjust in manual mode and small enough that I could carry 2 in the space of 1 Canon flash.

 

[snegron]

The last Panasonic I owned was the G3. It didn't have the remote capability... not sure about the G5. Everything else worked perfectly. I'm not sure who really made the fl-36 and fl-50 but they are the same flashes as the FL-360 and FL-500, just different names on them. I actually had used these with my Canon equipment too (in manual mode).I do a lot of manual flash (with cheap eBay radio sync units). These are very easy to adjust in manual mode and small enough that I could carry 2 in the space of 1 Canon flash.

I wonder if I can use my Nikon SB800 Speedlight on my G5?

 

[jziegler]

If you cover the hot shoe contacts other than the center pin, it should work fine in manual mode. It would also work fine on a radio trigger. The TTL system is not compatible across systems, and I don't know if the contacts are in the same position or could even cause damage, which is why you;d want to cover the other contacts.

 

[snegron]

If you cover the hot shoe contacts other than the center pin, it should work fine in manual mode. It would also work fine on a radio trigger. The TTL system is not compatible across systems, and I don't know if the contacts are in the same position or could even cause damage, which is why you;d want to cover the other contacts.

Thanks! Sounds too risky to attempt. I'll keep looking for an alternative flash.
One thing I forgot to mention in my original post is that I would like a swivel head for bounce flash capability as well.

 

[spatulaboy]

I shoot a Metz 50 AF-1. I get good results but it is bulky on the small G5 and feels unbalanced.

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[yehuda]

To put this in context, your typical full featured bounce AND swivel 4AA flash is ungainly on any m43 camera. Heck, from my experience these flashes are ungainly on larger aps-c dslr. My case in point - Nikon D7000 with SB700.

Have you considered giving up the swivel and only having up/down bounce?
If so, I recommend the Metz 24.
For anything indoors up to a moderately sized restaurant it's fine!
Highly recommended, much smaller and cheaper.
Just don't forget to dial up +0.7 flash compensation when bouncing.

 

[ThomD]

I have a Metz (54 I think). Works fine. I would not buy a flash that did not swivel. I use the swivel all the time indoors to bounce off walls or bounce in portrait orientation. The newer 52 has a touch screen, which might be easier to use than the more common LCD with cryptic buttons, but I see the 44 has better buttons than mine. I don't think the 44 has high speed flash sync.

Yes, it looks funny on a G2, but it isn't too awkward. Make sure you get the Pany/Oly version if you get a Metz - they make versions for different camera makers.

 

[colinhester]

Other than the expensive Panasonic flashes, are there any other flash units you would recommend? I was looking at the Metz 44 AF-1, Vivitar DF 383 and Bower SFD9260.

Thanks for asking! Just tuned in looking for the answer to this question. Took my G5 out for a club shoot this past weekend with models in a difficult lighting situation. I was able to salvage a few keepers, but a flash sure would have helped.

 

[trmiv]

Other than the expensive Panasonic flashes, are there any other flash units you would recommend? I was looking at the Metz 44 AF-1, Vivitar DF 383 and Bower SFD9260.

I haven't used it on a G5, but I have a Metz 44 AF-1 for my Sony DSLR (well, SLT) and it's a great flash for the money. I've been really happy with the results right out the box after getting it last week.

 

[scott]

I have two Olympus FL-50s that I use with my G5s. Everything works great so far, and they seem a lot sturdier than either of my other flashes (Zeikos FL-70 and a Yongnuo YN460ii that I use as a slave with my macro setup).