Studio umbrella and remote trigger

[arthury]

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What are the options available to set up flash units that are triggered remotely in umbrellas and soft boxes using a Leica M-240?

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[swamiji]

PocketWizard works fine. I use the plus III.

[mwilliamsphotography]

What are the options available to set up flash units that are triggered remotely in umbrellas and soft boxes using a Leica M-240?

 

Assuming the "flash units" are strobes not speed-lights … then any radio trigger will work using the proper connections to the lights.

 

However, many makes of strobes can come with radio receivers built-in. For example, Elinchrom strobes can come with their "SkyPort" radio system receiver built-in, and you use their SkyPort transmitter in the hot-shoe of any camera. Profoto lights come with Profoto AIR radio, Hensel with Strobe Wizard, and so on.

 

For the Leica M cameras, I lean to using the Micro Sync radio because it is tiny compared to my Pocket Wizards and more appropriate for a smaller camera like the M.

 

MicroSync II VM2TR Wireless Transmitter/Receiver Kit VM2TR B&H

 

If you are talking about using speed lights in soft boxes or with umbrellas, then you'll need a transmitter in the hot shoe, and a receiver for each separate lighting set-up.

 

Paramount Cords specializes in all the needed pieces to work with Speed-lights and radio systems … and specifically skews to Pocket Wizard solutions:

 

Paramount Sync Cords for Professional Digital and Flash Photography

 

 

Hope this helps a little,

 

-Marc

 

Oh, and BTW, Leica makes a base for the M240 that has a PC cord outlet … which would allow you to keep the hotshot clear to use the EVF.

[swamiji]

The only real advantage to PocketWizard is when you have a Sekonic meter with the built in wireless trigger. They only support PocketWizard.

 

Else wise most any brand will do.

 

Leica's multifunction grip has a PC port, does exactly what Marc says.

[arthury]

Thanks, Marc and swamiji, for the info. They are very helpful.

 

The reason why I asked is that I already have a bunch of Nikon Speedlights driven by a SU-800. Was hoping to re-use these on the M but I guess I would have to invest in the PocketWizard setup in order to use them.

 

Questions:

1) PocketWizard or MicroSync should be able to drive the Nikon Speedlights on the M platform, correct?

2) Once Speedlights are driven by a 3rd-party product (non-Nikon-CLS), pre-flash and iTTL are all thrown out of the window, right? Which means I need to do trial+error shooting until I like the output before the real shooting begins? I am new to this.

[Leonil]

Questions:

1) PocketWizard or MicroSync should be able to drive the Nikon Speedlights on the M platform, correct?

2) Once Speedlights are driven by a 3rd-party product (non-Nikon-CLS), pre-flash and iTTL are all thrown out of the window, right? Which means I need to do trial+error shooting until I like the output before the real shooting begins? I am new to this.

 

1) Yes, just choose one brand, stick with it and it will work. PW are Tranceivers, so when you pop it on your camera it knows its a transmitter and the others know they are receivers when attached to speedlights.

 

2) Its all thrown out the window unless you are using the Mini or the Flex by pocket wizards or a brand that sells TTL transmitters (like Kody or Aperture, but these are Chinese brands, cheaper but starting to grow in popularity)

 

You don't need to do trial error unless you have a light meter. Or already understand power ratios for flashes. In any case, yes, you may need to do trial error if all else fails.

[sanyasi]

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+1 for pocket wizard, but I assume other systems work.

[swamiji]

I use Sekonic 758dr which has a PocketWizard trigger built in. I simply take a meter reading, which triggers the flash. The meter comes back with my camera setting as well as the percentage of ambient light.

You can also calibrate the meter to your camera, for better accuracy. I know this is not the same as TTL, but in use it's better.

[Leonil]

+1 for pocket wizard, but I assume other systems work.

 

For the money, other brands do TTL triggers better than PW for the money.

 

Sure it may not be 99% reliable like a PW, but if you think about it - PW Plus X and plus II and plus III triggers are non TTL, and almost all the other comepetitive Chinese brands do TTL, for sometimes less than 10% of the price of a PW.

 

I am by no means suggesting Chinese brands are better, but as a working pro, PW are great for studio strobes, but if I was using speedlights you get more bang for your buck with non PW brands - Im not surprised that PW is seeing bad times....

 

A lot of my friends will look at the best non-PW brand, and buy a set of 2 triggers, and 5 receivers for the price of ONE Plus III. Imagine doing a 3 light set up, and you have 1 trigger and 2 receivers spare.

 

Also, PW is outdated in terms of what they offer for the price - I for one still don't understand why PW plus models still don't have hot/cold shoes so they don't hang off my speedlights. What I found infuriating about my PW Plus III is also their inability to stay connected to the cable that came with it when they hang off my strobe lights in studio. They keep falling off.

 

And speaking of outdated, I bought a flex to replace my Chinese triggers, only to have sent them back because I didn't realise they still use those circular batteries... Its like paying for reliability in the shell of 80s technology. Id rather have 95% reliability for an entire system of back ups and contingencies.

 

I still love my PW, but I hope they offer more for the price point they are asking for - especially when the Chinese is stealing a HUGE share of the market from PW.

[lethbrp]

For the money, other brands do TTL triggers better than PW for the money.

 

Sure it may not be 99% reliable like a PW, but if you think about it - PW Plus X and plus II and plus III triggers are non TTL, and almost all the other comepetitive Chinese brands do TTL, for sometimes less than 10% of the price of a PW.

 

I am by no means suggesting Chinese brands are better, but as a working pro, PW are great for studio strobes, but if I was using speedlights you get more bang for your buck with non PW brands - Im not surprised that PW is seeing bad times....

 

A lot of my friends will look at the best non-PW brand, and buy a set of 2 triggers, and 5 receivers for the price of ONE Plus III. Imagine doing a 3 light set up, and you have 1 trigger and 2 receivers spare.

 

Also, PW is outdated in terms of what they offer for the price - I for one still don't understand why PW plus models still don't have hot/cold shoes so they don't hang off my speedlights. What I found infuriating about my PW Plus III is also their inability to stay connected to the cable that came with it when they hang off my strobe lights in studio. They keep falling off.

 

And speaking of outdated, I bought a flex to replace my Chinese triggers, only to have sent them back because I didn't realise they still use those circular batteries... Its like paying for reliability in the shell of 80s technology. Id rather have 95% reliability for an entire system of back ups and contingencies.

 

I still love my PW, but I hope they offer more for the price point they are asking for - especially when the Chinese is stealing a HUGE share of the market from PW.

 

I'd be surprised if you'd find a remote trigger that will run TTL on a Leica

[Leonil]

I'd be surprised if you'd find a remote trigger that will run TTL on a Leica

 

I have a set of Aputure triggers that seem to work fine - albeit buggy, but its enough for me for what I do - although, the flash is definitely not consistent

 

I think the trigger makes up a TTL setting using a guesstimation and sends it to the flash. Its very odd. Like I said, Chinese brands are trying all sorts of things, but not like I use them anyway, I like everything manual.

[arthury]

For those who are planning to do this with the MicroSync2 (MS2), you will also need to get a cable to hook up the Receiver of the MS2 to the SpeedLight's PC-socket. It's not included in the MS2 kit.

[sillbeers15]

I'm using a pair of Lumopro LP180 manual flash as my main and suplimentry light source coupled with PW plusiii triggers.

 

At times, I add my direct mounted SF58 as TTL fill in flash to reduce shadow over manual flash lights.

[thighslapper]

I'd be surprised if you'd find a remote trigger that will run TTL on a Leica

 

...... which is why I have just bought 3 Yongnou Speedlights .... with wireless triggers built in..... and the matching transmitter ... and a few spare triggers ..... all for less than the cost of a pair of PW3's.......

 

for occasional off camera flash use I cannot see the point of any of these pricier combos with a Leica .......

[arthury]

For those who are planning to do this with the MicroSync2 (MS2), you will also need to get a cable to hook up the Receiver of the MS2 to the SpeedLight's PC-socket. It's not included in the MS2 kit.

 

My PC-to-MS2 cable arrived and I tested it.

It works. No TTL, so ... I am armed with my old Sekonic Light Meter.

The tripping of SpeedLight seems a little sensitive to the angle between the transmitter and receiver. Need to get to know it.

[arthury]

So, here it is ... old Nikon SB-800 through an umbrella ...

M240 + MS2 + SB-800 + Noctilux-M ASPH + LiveView

 

That's the look on the first day of Spring Break playing video games on the TV.

[DigitalHeMan]

So, here it is ... old Nikon SB-800 through an umbrella ...

M240 + MS2 + SB-800 + Noctilux-M ASPH + LiveView

 

That's the look on the first day of Spring Break playing video games on the TV.

 

Looks like they're working well for you...... Just wondering if you tried to get the SU-800 wireless commander from Nikon to work, if you have one? I've tried connecting mine, and although the M-E recognises it as a flash, it fails to trigger it...... Probably something unique that means it only works with Nikon bodies, but I would have thought it would be able to recognise a simple trigger request...

[arthury]

Looks like they're working well for you...... Just wondering if you tried to get the SU-800 wireless commander from Nikon to work, if you have one? I've tried connecting mine, and although the M-E recognises it as a flash, it fails to trigger it...... Probably something unique that means it only works with Nikon bodies, but I would have thought it would be able to recognise a simple trigger request...

 

Hmmm ... that's a suggestion. Yes, I do use the SU-800 from time to time.

What's the risk of damaging the electronics in the M240?

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[arthury]

A direct mount of Nikon's speed lights onto the M8 worked for others but the SU-800 does not seem to work.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/27571-use-nikon-su-800-manual-m8.html

[DigitalHeMan]

Thanks for finding that, your search skills must be better than mine

 

 

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