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Which Flash with M9


novice9

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I am wondering what flash folks are using with their M9's. Of course, many might stay away from using a flash at all. But for those that do, are you using the SF-58? Do I need to use a leica flash at all? If not, what are others using? I'm looking for something fairly simlple, compact that works with the ttl and that i can bounce (unlike my old SF-20). Thanks, tony.

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I am wondering what flash folks are using with their M9's. Of course, many might stay away from using a flash at all. But for those that do, are you using the SF-58? Do I need to use a leica flash at all? If not, what are others using? I'm looking for something fairly simlple, compact that works with the ttl and that i can bounce (unlike my old SF-20). Thanks, tony.

 

 

 

There is only two flashes which work in TTL mode with M9. Those are SF-24d and SF-58(so expensive!!).

 

I'm using SF-24d and Metz [54-MZ4i+SCA3502m5]. I'm using metz flash when I need high GN or Bouce. Metz flash only works in A mode which you might set aperture every time for correct flash exposure. This is the biggest diffrence from SF-24d which works in TTL mode.

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The Metz 54 works in TTL mode with pre-flash on both M8 and M9, but you must set it first to 'M', and then dial the wheel until 'gnc' appears.

 

This is not documented in the metz or leica doc, I found this info on this forum (one of the benefits), and it has been reliable for 2 years, 2M's, 1 M9. You must be on at least FW 1204 on the M8, but it worked 'out of the box' on my M9 .

 

The 54 is not only powerful, but has a secondary direct reflector for when bounce is used.

 

I hope this is helpful

 

Regards ... Harold

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I quite like the SF-58, especially the secondary reflector which is great when providing some forward illumination when using bounce. It's outrageously expensive, especially since you have to buy the diffuser separately.

 

The display is puny and the quality of the plastic casing is poor compared to Nikon's SB-900 which would be my flash of choice if only it supported GNC.

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I'm also quite pleased with the SF-58. It's a useful bit of kit. Biggest bonus for me over my usual Metz 54 is that the head swivels properly in both directions but it also has the benefit of a TTL mode which works okay (most of the time). I'm not convinced by the 'S2 style' buttons on the back which utilise a soft key philosophy of changing the purpose of the buttons depending upon where you are in the menu. There's also an annoying requirement to press a button twice before it 'activates' even though though you can lock the keys to prevent inadvertent changes. One other nit I noticed the other night was that the AF assist lamp kept lighting up when I used the flash in manual mode (didn't notice it when in TTL mode). I couldn't find a menu option to permanently disable it.

 

I agree with Mark that it is overpriced but I found it easy to get a 15% discount from the list price which puts it more into the price realm of other top-end system flashes.

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The Metz 54 works in TTL mode with pre-flash on both M8 and M9, but you must set it first to 'M', and then dial the wheel until 'gnc' appears.

 

This is not documented in the metz or leica doc, I found this info on this forum (one of the benefits), and it has been reliable for 2 years, 2M's, 1 M9. You must be on at least FW 1204 on the M8, but it worked 'out of the box' on my M9 .

 

The 54 is not only powerful, but has a secondary direct reflector for when bounce is used.

 

I hope this is helpful

 

Regards ... Harold

 

Harold, glad to see a posting from someone who is actually using a Metz flash in that way.

If you don't mind answering a question, how short is the interval between the pre-flash and the regular flash when the Metz 54 is used with an M9? I have seen it reported that with the SF-58 the interval is so short that the fact that a pre-flash has taken place is not even noticed. Is the Metz also that quick?

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chuck:

 

Yes it is that quick. On M8's it was a slow delay prior to FW 1204 but is fine on the M9 (at FW 1.02).

 

Nikon has been using preflash for years with similar results.

 

My only complaint is that the Metz 54 is bigger than an M9 and looks silly on the camera.

 

Regards ... Harold

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I have the SF58 and used it on my M8.2. I consider it almost idiot proof. I am not a big user of flash so it really helps to have one that do a lot of thinking for me. My only problem is that I do not have an M9 and my M8.2 is sold and shipped.

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