TTL Flash for Micro 4/3

[CSB]

I've been used to using a Canon 430EX with my 550D and I'm looking for something with similar functionality for my Panasonic G6.

What is everyone else using/recommendations please?

 

[HarveyM]

The Lumix G6 supports the Olympus wireless flash protocol, the first of the G series to do so, which enables a compatible flash to be used on or off the camera. Although it is called wireless, it's really an optical light system and will not work in bright light and depends on line of sight. There is no true simple radio transmitter system available like those readily available for Canon or Nikon. I use an Olympus 36R and 2 X M/43 dedicated Metz 48 AF-1 flashguns, all bought secondhand and all work perfectly. All support High Speed Sync (FP TTL in Olympus speak) and can be used off the camera using the built in flash to set off the remotes.

I use the Olympus 36R with my Olympus Pen, it's small and doesn't upset the balance of this small camera too much. Recycle time is quite slow though as it only has 2 batteries. The Olympus 36 and 50 non R versions do not support off camera use but go for less money compared to the R version.

I really like the Metz flash guns, quite simple to use and typically much cheaper secondhand compared to Olympus/Panasonic offerings and I use them with my GH3. I think that the AF 48 and upwards all offer HSS and remote slave cabability and user upgradable firmware, I have upgraded both of mine to the latest version via the mini USB socket. Anything below the AF 48 series loses functionality. They use 4 batteries and so the recycle time is much better than the 36R.

Other options are the very expensive Olympus 50R and Lumix equivalent and Nissin. I personally have no experience of these and the Nissin is too recent to fall within my budget.

 

[juggler]

I have the Olympus FL600R, which works ok and is a nice size for the OM-D E-M5.
However I struggle to get consistent results with TTL in general and off-camera TTL in particular; I've no idea whether it's me or the Olympus system.
There's no good radio-based system which supports Olympus HSS yet.

The FL600R is really expensive compared to my Yongnuo 560III workhorses. Do you really need TTL?

 

[markrichardson]

I'm using the Nissin i40 on Fuji which gives impressive results on TTL and a surprising amount of light out of a small body. (Virtually the same amount of light output as your 430ex but about half the size).

It won't give you the wireless off-camera TTL, but most people would probably recommend manual flash off-camera anyway.

(Obviously I'm using it on Fuji rather than Four-Thirds, but I can't imagine the quality of the flash is much different)

 

[Paul-H]

As said above their are a few TTL flashguns available for the m4/3 system not only from Panasonic or Olympus but a small band of Third Party makers as well but in your search you may come across the meike brand, stay away from them as the m4/3 implementation is faulty

 

[CSB]

Thank you all for the replies, I had considered the Nissin i40 but I've read that the markings rub off the dials way too easily, although I do like the small size.

I may just settle for a cheap manual flash like the YN560 but I was curious to know what everyone else is using.