M8 and Metz 54 flash

[woodyspedden]

There have been a number of questions about using flash with various products, but especially the METZ Mecablitz 54 and the companion 3502 M4 module.

TTL is a simple process for the M8 using the 3502 M4 module. First, it must be used in the GNC mode (Guide Number Control). To set this up you set the flash to the M mode using the mode control on the Mecablitz 54 and while the M is blinking turn the control wheel counterclockwise until GNC appears at the bottom of the screen. After about 5 seconds the M stops blinking and you are set to shoot. You can shoot in manual mode of course but the A position on the shutter speed dial works fine. THAT IS IT!. Shoot away and enjoy.

Another issue is how to use the flash off camera with reasonable control. I use the 3502 M4 module which has a cord to connect from the camera hot shoe to the flash. Mechanically I use an old (and I mean old, circa 1975) Vivitar mount which is basically an L Bar whereby you mount the camera on the horizontal bar of the L and on top of the vertical is a place to mount the flash to a cold shoe adapter. So all control of the flash comes from the M8 through the 3502 module with built in interconnecting cord. I have include an image to show the rig. I doubt that Vivitar is still producing the L Bar, but if not there must be a number of vendors out there who have a similar rig. I will do some work to find an appropriate source.

This rig works very well with the M8 and the flash results are extremely good. Of course you could use another flash, triggered remotely by the 54 to get much better results still. But the L rig and a single Metz 54 procuces flash images that are quite good.

Hopefully others, more skilled with lighting than I will add their thoughts and suggestions here as well.

Cheers
Woody Spedden

[Mark D]

What I want is a flash that is no larger than your module.

But I have not been able to find one anywhere

[woodyspedden]

Originally Posted by Mark D

What I want is a flash that is no larger than your module.

But I have not been able to find one anywhere

Hey, I agree

But the issue I am trying to address is with the Metz 54. The reason this comes up so often is that many LEICA shooters already own this flash as it was de rigeur with the DMR/R8/9. I own and consistently use the DMR/R9 so the METZ flash is quite familiar to me. Interestingly enough, you can't use TTL with the R9/DMR and this flash but it works well in A
mode. The beauty of the M8 Mecablitz combination is that TTL is fully supported. The results prove the worth of this mode of operation.

So while we wait for the ultimate solution (acknowledgeing that the LEICA SF 24D is already a competent small flash) the Metz 54/3502 solution is very very good for stronger lighting needs in a TTL environment.

Best

Woody Spedden

[Woody Campbell]

Thanks so much for posting this. I read the manual with care, but some how I missed the "M" mode instruction. The camera does appear to do a sensational job of balancing flash with ambient light in the newly-discovered (by me) ttl mode. With the shutter speed set on A, which is unheard of in any other camera system that I've used.

Now for the bad news: There is a serious delay between the pre-flash and the flash (feels like an hour but it probably a quarter of a second). This introduces very undesirable shutter lag. Of course the flash works delay-less in the A mode, but without the elegance of ttl meetering.

Again, thanks for posting.

[c6gowin]

I got the Metz 28 AF3 to use as a small travel flash for my Canon 5D. It is great for such a small size. I would be happy if Metz made a version of this flash for the M8. For some reason I can't get it to work on the M8 even in manual mode which is odd because the Canon 550EX works in manual mode on the M8.

[woodyspedden]

Originally Posted by Woody Campbell

Thanks so much for posting this. I read the manual with care, but some how I missed the "M" mode instruction. The camera does appear to do a sensational job of balancing flash with ambient light in the newly-discovered (by me) ttl mode. With the shutter speed set on A, which is unheard of in any other camera system that I've used.

Now for the bad news: There is a serious delay between the pre-flash and the flash (feels like an hour but it probably a quarter of a second). This introduces very undesirable shutter lag. Of course the flash works delay-less in the A mode, but without the elegance of ttl meetering.

Again, thanks for posting.

Hey Woody

I also have experienced the delay and wish we could find a way around it. But at least for now I hope that those with the Metz 54 can work with the M8 as good as the hardware allows.

WoodySpedden