M8 with flash -- 2 questions

[lars_bergquist]

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A person using flash with an M camera seems to be regarded as an apostate, or worse. I remember however that when Gene Smith was asked if he always used available light, his reply was "yeah, all the light that's available". So, on that authority, I use flash whenever I need it to get the picture I want.

 

Given that, I have two questions. First, will IR filtering be necessary with flash? I know, electronic flash is daylight-balanced, but there is quite some output of radiated heat too.

 

Second, when I use flash with an M, I usually want to hold it away from the camera. The M8 however has no P/C connection, only a hot shoe. Are there any solutions available that will work in the field?

 

The old man who still doesn't know all the answers

[woodyspedden]

A person using flash with an M camera seems to be regarded as an apostate, or worse. I remember however that when Gene Smith was asked if he always used available light, his reply was "yeah, all the light that's available". So, on that authority, I use flash whenever I need it to get the picture I want.

 

Given that, I have two questions. First, will IR filtering be necessary with flash? I know, electronic flash is daylight-balanced, but there is quite some output of radiated heat too.

 

Second, when I use flash with an M, I usually want to hold it away from the camera. The M8 however has no P/C connection, only a hot shoe. Are there any solutions available that will work in the field?

 

The old man who still doesn't know all the answers

 

Lars

 

I have no idea about the IR filter issue with flash. Perhaps someone who has an IR cut filter would be kind enough to take a couple of imagea using flash with, and without filter.

 

I would recommend that you get a metz 54 flash and the SCA 3502 module for the M8. This is a really great flash unit and can be used off camera with the 3502 module.

 

Best of luck

Woody

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Yes use the IR filter with flash for indoor event stuff been using it all along and my blacks are black. Flash throws out IR light also.

 

You can simple buy nikon PC hot shoe connection or similar tool . Just hot shoe device with a PC outlet

[jaapv]

I find flash pictures without filter show rather gruesome IR contamination.

[jscottyk]

Second, when I use flash with an M, I usually want to hold it away from the camera. The M8 however has no P/C connection, only a hot shoe. Are there any solutions available that will work in the field?

 

I don't know about the M8 (still saving a few pennies before I make the leap) but I've used a Nikon SC-17 hotshoe sync cord for several years with my M6TTL and a SF-20. Works great. Full TTL control of the flash just as if it is mounted on the camera.

 

SK

[grober]

Makes sense to me to filter any harmful voltage from the flash to the M8's hot shoe. (I'm not going to let a $60 flash blow out the electronic brains of a $5000 camera. Duh.) To wit: I've ordered a Wein Safe Synch and won't use any flash on my M8 until it arrives.

 

Regarding flash equipment: I would like a unit with a semi-articulated head as a minimum. I define sem-articulated as being able to tilt the shoe-mounted flash head with the unit's sensor still facing straight ahead (ala Vivatar 283 and others). A fully articulated flash would not only tilt but rotate as well (ala Sunpak 383 and others.) Leica's existing flash units are boringly uninteresting to me. Shooting flat flash directly at the subject is of little use IMHO.

 

Metz makes good equipment but they're over-priced and simply too bulky. I hope Metz may introduce a smaller unit compatible with the M8 at a more attractive price but still with some articulation. If they build it; I'll buy it.

 

-g

[ho_co]

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Lars--see also the thread http://www.leica-camera-user.com/digital-forum/10148-sb800-m8.html#post103213, where someone else also recommends the same Nikon cord that Scott mentions above.

 

Seems that the only flash that currently takes advantage of all the M8's capabilities is the SF-24D (and maybe SF-20D), and maybe some of the Metz units. If the Metzes don't yet do everything the M8 wants to do, they may soon have a version that will.

 

And I think I read somewhere that by mid-2007, Leica intends to have its own more functional flash for the M8.

 

Hey, man, didn't you save some of that flashpowder for when you need it?

 

--HC

[marknorton]

If you regard 6v from a Nikon SB800 as harmful voltage, then I suppose it pays to be cautious! I doubt there's a problem with any good quality modern flash out there... IR triggering is attractive.

 

I agree that the existing Leica flash is over-priced and under-specified and also that the Metz flashes are bulky. It's said they are coming out with a dedicated flash for the M8, we'll see.

[herbkell]

A person using flash with an M camera seems to be regarded as an apostate, or worse. I remember however that when Gene Smith was asked if he always used available light, his reply was "yeah, all the light that's available". So, on that authority, I use flash whenever I need it to get the picture I want.

 

Given that, I have two questions. First, will IR filtering be necessary with flash? I know, electronic flash is daylight-balanced, but there is quite some output of radiated heat too.

 

Second, when I use flash with an M, I usually want to hold it away from the camera. The M8 however has no P/C connection, only a hot shoe. Are there any solutions available that will work in the field?

 

The old man who still doesn't know all the answers

 

 

I am using the Lecia 24D with a Nikon SC17 off camera cord with pretty good exposure results. The IR issue is still a factor though

[jscottyk]

For me the SF20 (and SF24D) are great partners for the M cameras because they are small. Considering their size, they pack a punch. While they don't have a telescoping and swivel head they are very controllable. Trim in 1/3 of a stops up and down three stops. I haven't look at the playing field lately, but when I purchased my SF20 several years ago, there was no other option that offered such, with TTL control, for the M6TTL in such a small package.

 

What can a photographer do with such control in such a small package? Check out what possible from a master like David Alan Harvey here...

Cuban Soul by David Alan Harvey - image 2

Cuban Soul by David Alan Harvey - image 8

Cuban Soul by David Alan Harvey - image 17

Cuban Soul by David Alan Harvey - image 31

 

I'm not sure what DAH is shooting with currently, but all this stuff in Cuba was shot with an M6 and a small, off-camera compact flash.