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Flas Bracket
- Thread starter colin
- Start date
Yes, with both finders.
It is extremely well built, except for the entry point plug of the sync cable, which occasionally pops out.
It places the flash low to the side of the camera and not over the lens, and when shooting in the portrait orientation is positioned even worse.
It's an overpriced, stupid design. Mine is destined to sit on the shelf for the rest of eternity (next to my number one stupid Contax purchase: the LCD viewfinder). I wouldn't try to sell it to even my worst enemy.
It is extremely well built, except for the entry point plug of the sync cable, which occasionally pops out.
It places the flash low to the side of the camera and not over the lens, and when shooting in the portrait orientation is positioned even worse.
It's an overpriced, stupid design. Mine is destined to sit on the shelf for the rest of eternity (next to my number one stupid Contax purchase: the LCD viewfinder). I wouldn't try to sell it to even my worst enemy.
garyfergus
Member
Yes, I agree with Marc's review. It's beautifully built...and practically useless!
In fact it rubs salt into the wounds because Contax clearly devoted a great deal of time to designing this accessory, so where are the leaf shutter lenses they promised us five years ago? Where's an "HS" flash unit that synchs beyond 1/125? And where's a solution for vertical tripod mounting?
However, unlike Marc I have absolutely no scruples, so make me an offer and I'd be delighted to off-load my flash bracket!
In fact it rubs salt into the wounds because Contax clearly devoted a great deal of time to designing this accessory, so where are the leaf shutter lenses they promised us five years ago? Where's an "HS" flash unit that synchs beyond 1/125? And where's a solution for vertical tripod mounting?
However, unlike Marc I have absolutely no scruples, so make me an offer and I'd be delighted to off-load my flash bracket!
jsteinberg48
Member
Its ok, but I don't understand why contact didn't make the flash shoe with 5 pins like the top of the camera so that you could preserve TTL flash with the TLA 360. It really doesn't make any sense and I have not thought of a reason why they wouldn't do it this way other than cost.
In terms of ergonomics, the handle is very good. It gives your left hand something to do while your right hand is in the strap.
--Jeffrey Steinberg, Scarsdale,
In terms of ergonomics, the handle is very good. It gives your left hand something to do while your right hand is in the strap.
--Jeffrey Steinberg, Scarsdale,
Colin, you are correct and Jeffery is mistaken... the Contax 3 pin off camera accessories do maintain TTL... but that's all.
As I've mentioned previously, the TLA 360 and it's accessories are in need of updating. A camera as sophisticated as the N1/ND and C645 deserve a more advanced dedicated TTL flash system like that of Canon.
High speed sync, multiple flash radio slave capability, focal length/distance communication when off camera. BETTER built shoe at the bracket end to secure the TLA flash.
QUESTION: has anyone tried the Nikon off camera TTL cord
with their Contax N and TLA 360? The Nikon unit is one of the better made, more rugged ones on the market. I believe the TLA360 was a Nikon designed unit. I also know that with Leica you can use either Contax or Nikon off camera cords. Also, does Metz make a better C/Y dedicated off-camera cord with a beefy shoe at the bracket end?
As I've mentioned previously, the TLA 360 and it's accessories are in need of updating. A camera as sophisticated as the N1/ND and C645 deserve a more advanced dedicated TTL flash system like that of Canon.
High speed sync, multiple flash radio slave capability, focal length/distance communication when off camera. BETTER built shoe at the bracket end to secure the TLA flash.
QUESTION: has anyone tried the Nikon off camera TTL cord
with their Contax N and TLA 360? The Nikon unit is one of the better made, more rugged ones on the market. I believe the TLA360 was a Nikon designed unit. I also know that with Leica you can use either Contax or Nikon off camera cords. Also, does Metz make a better C/Y dedicated off-camera cord with a beefy shoe at the bracket end?
jsteinberg48
Member
Thanks for correcting me. There is some function that is not carried over with the 3 pin. I thought it was TTL. Is it lens zoom setting?
Regardless, why would they not put a 5-pin
Regardless, why would they not put a 5-pin
jsteinberg48
Member
Thanks for correcting me. There is some function that is not carried over with the 3 pin. I thought it was TTL. Is it lens zoom setting?
Regardless, why would they not put a 5-pin
Regardless, why would they not put a 5-pin
albert4321
Well-Known Member
Steve,
Lately, I have been shooting a lot with the Custom Bracket, which does not support the MP-1 grip, but it works very well with my C645 + 45-90mm zoom combo. The Custom Bracket is cool especially it let you sit the camera down on the floor (or any flat surface). Best yet, if you mount it on the tripod, you just rotate the camera without re-postion the tripod when you switch V/H position.
You may check out the "Really Right Stuff" L bracket at
I have also just purchased the Quantum T4D with the Turbo compact battery, plus the FreeWire tranceivers. I can now, in theory, shoot wireless QTTL with the Freewire tranmitter mounted on the Custom Bracket.
The Quantum is right on the dot with the wired TTL cable (D24). I will try out the wireless QTTL this summer.
Albert.
Lately, I have been shooting a lot with the Custom Bracket, which does not support the MP-1 grip, but it works very well with my C645 + 45-90mm zoom combo. The Custom Bracket is cool especially it let you sit the camera down on the floor (or any flat surface). Best yet, if you mount it on the tripod, you just rotate the camera without re-postion the tripod when you switch V/H position.
You may check out the "Really Right Stuff" L bracket at
I have also just purchased the Quantum T4D with the Turbo compact battery, plus the FreeWire tranceivers. I can now, in theory, shoot wireless QTTL with the Freewire tranmitter mounted on the Custom Bracket.
The Quantum is right on the dot with the wired TTL cable (D24). I will try out the wireless QTTL this summer.
Albert.
albert4321
Well-Known Member
C-645 owners:
I got an e-mail from Custombrackets as follows:
In response to your email:
QRS-35-EV with camera mounting plate C35-CD for your Contax if using the
hot shoe of the camera. If not using the hot shoe, since I'm not sure what
flash you will be using, choices would be QRS-35 or QRS-35-H along with
the C35-CD camera mounting plate. Also, QR quick release receiver for
your tripod.
Anyone tried this model with C-645 & MP-1????
Albert how much does your bracket weight????
Sincerely,
Steve
I got an e-mail from Custombrackets as follows:
In response to your email:
QRS-35-EV with camera mounting plate C35-CD for your Contax if using the
hot shoe of the camera. If not using the hot shoe, since I'm not sure what
flash you will be using, choices would be QRS-35 or QRS-35-H along with
the C35-CD camera mounting plate. Also, QR quick release receiver for
your tripod.
Anyone tried this model with C-645 & MP-1????
Albert how much does your bracket weight????
Sincerely,
Steve
albert4321
Well-Known Member
Steve,
My bracket is weight about 10-16oz. But it is relatively light comparing to my C645 + 45-90 + flash, which is over 6 lbs alone. The bracket is pretty ergonomic and I can hold the camera with one hand on the shutter and the other hand on the zoom. However, one of my lady shooter friend has to use both hands on the camera and on the bracket, leaving no hand to move the zoom or change aperture. The zoom itself is about 2.8 lbs itself. Using other lens will be more hand-held-able.
I am very skeptical about the QRS-35-xx and C35-CD combo since they are primarily designed for 135 camera. judging from the web picture of the C35-CD camera plate, it does not have enough room for the camera body and film back. I could be wrong. The dedicated camera plate for the C645 is for the medium format bracket which has two pins to avoid body twist.
Albert.
My bracket is weight about 10-16oz. But it is relatively light comparing to my C645 + 45-90 + flash, which is over 6 lbs alone. The bracket is pretty ergonomic and I can hold the camera with one hand on the shutter and the other hand on the zoom. However, one of my lady shooter friend has to use both hands on the camera and on the bracket, leaving no hand to move the zoom or change aperture. The zoom itself is about 2.8 lbs itself. Using other lens will be more hand-held-able.
I am very skeptical about the QRS-35-xx and C35-CD combo since they are primarily designed for 135 camera. judging from the web picture of the C35-CD camera plate, it does not have enough room for the camera body and film back. I could be wrong. The dedicated camera plate for the C645 is for the medium format bracket which has two pins to avoid body twist.
Albert.
Dear Friends
RE: Contax 645 Preflash vs manual mode
I am tring to get a good exposure using a Metz 54mz-4 flash with contax module on C645 on a custom bracket.
While the C645 is in maunual mode (A-5.6/S-1/60) and Metz flash is in TTL, with no film in the camera; I fired the shutter.
The Metz 54mz took about 4 seconds to recover, no exposure O.K. light on the Metz, and the C645 view finder's flash signal (that looks like a lighting) disappeared and came back in about 4 seconds as well.
I guess this means under exposed result according to metz & C645.
However (in same setup a-5.6/s-1/60, flash in ttl); when I pulled the Pre-flash lever-every thing was O.K. Flash recoverd instantly, Exposure O.K. light lit on the Metz, flash exposure light in C645 blinks saying good exposure.
Can anyone explain the difference????
I do not have a digital back to check this.
Can anyone check this with a digital back and let me know please.
It doesn't make any sense why the flash would take less time to recover and say good exposure when the pre-flash lever is pulled but under exposed in manual mode.
Thanks
Steve
RE: Contax 645 Preflash vs manual mode
I am tring to get a good exposure using a Metz 54mz-4 flash with contax module on C645 on a custom bracket.
While the C645 is in maunual mode (A-5.6/S-1/60) and Metz flash is in TTL, with no film in the camera; I fired the shutter.
The Metz 54mz took about 4 seconds to recover, no exposure O.K. light on the Metz, and the C645 view finder's flash signal (that looks like a lighting) disappeared and came back in about 4 seconds as well.
I guess this means under exposed result according to metz & C645.
However (in same setup a-5.6/s-1/60, flash in ttl); when I pulled the Pre-flash lever-every thing was O.K. Flash recoverd instantly, Exposure O.K. light lit on the Metz, flash exposure light in C645 blinks saying good exposure.
Can anyone explain the difference????
I do not have a digital back to check this.
Can anyone check this with a digital back and let me know please.
It doesn't make any sense why the flash would take less time to recover and say good exposure when the pre-flash lever is pulled but under exposed in manual mode.
Thanks
Steve