Leica M8 with a Leica CF-20 flash?

[LukasLoSpecchio]

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Hello internet,

 

I want to start using a flash for my street photography. I mainly use my Leica M8 and sometimes a Minolta (film). I want to use the CF -20 Leica flash because it is small, looks cool and is surprisingly cheap, considering that it has the red dot!!!

However I heard that some types of flash can damage your camera. Is it going to be problematic for the M8 and do you guys think it could actually work for street photography.

The fact that I need to have the guts to flash strange people in their face is another story.

 

Thanks for the help and cheers,

Lukas

[Loren]

Hello internet,

 

I want to start using a flash for my street photography. I mainly use my Leica M8 and sometimes a Minolta (film). I want to use the CF -20 Leica flash because it is small, looks cool and is surprisingly cheap, considering that it has the red dot!!!

However I heard that some types of flash can damage your camera. Is it going to be problematic for the M8 and do you guys think it could actually work for street photography.

The fact that I need to have the guts to flash strange people in their face is another story.

 

Thanks for the help and cheers,

Lukas

 

I bought the SF-24D used for about $120. That has more reach and it is a TTL flash that may serve you better.

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[Thomv]

It works quite well. No need to spend more $$ on TTL.

[LukasLoSpecchio]

It works quite well. No need to spend more $$ on TTL.

 

I never used an off-camera flash. Do you think I can react fast enough without TTL when shooting street? Would you preset it manually or rather put the flash on auto?

Thanks for the reply

[madNbad]

The SF-20 is a TTL flash. It was released in conjunction with the then new M6 TTL in 1998. It should be just fine with your M8.

[LukasLoSpecchio]

The SF-20 is a TTL flash. It was released in conjunction with the then new M6 TTL in 1998. It should be just fine with your M8.

 

Yeah I'm aware that the Sf20 is TTL but I was wondering if I would be fine using a non TTL flash like the CF 22 for street photography...

Thanks for the reply!

[madNbad]

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Sorry, didn't realize you meant the little one meant for the D-Lux cameras. The contact pin layout is different so it won't be TTL but no reason you shouldn't be able to use it in either auto or manual mode. Photographers were using off camera flashes for many years before there was TTL. A little practice and varing distances before heading out will give you a good idea of coverage.

[geotrupede]

The TTL implementaiton is quite slow (on M8 and M9 + 24) so if you are into street pictures you may miss the shot. And even in a party it may be an issue...

Best to go 'auto' on the flash, this is pretty much accurate all time and fast.

Camera in manual is best so that shutter and aperture are set.

 

I am not sure if you need to set iso on the CF20.

On the SF24D the ISO is read from the camera, that may be a difference.

 

Obviously without TTL you need to change aperture on the flash as soon as you change it on the camera and this is with both models.

G.

[Hahaha]

Hi Lukas. On my M8 I use a Leica CF flash. It is the flash that originally came with the Minilux. You can use it without any problems on an M8. It will even recognize there is a Flash present. In it's automatic mode it offered beter results than I would have expected. I bought mine for 10 euro's on the internet. And I'm not the only one that uses it on an M8.. And HERE you'll find another example.

 

 

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[jaapv]

However I heard that some types of flash can damage your camera.

Please read the FAQ in the M9 section. There is a link on top of this subforum. The M8 cannot be damaged by any flash with a trigger voltage up to 600 Volts.

[Everywhen]

When I acquired my M8 I emailed Leica UK asking about safe flash trigger voltages, in particular the Vivitar 283. Below is part of a longer reply:

 

Thanks for the enquiry. It seems the Vivitar 283 was manufactured over almost a quarter of a century, and the design may've been changed several times during that period. A trigger voltage of 24v (max) is considered 'safe' for Leica M digital cameras. So if you're measuring 110v on your 283, I'd say - definitely don't use it with your M8!.

 

So Leica UK say any more than 24v is too much for a M digital camera.