john_j Posted November 26, 2009 Share #1 Posted November 26, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Greetings- I've been using my M8 with a Metz 54i happily with the flash on auto and and setting the sync speed and f/stop accordingly manually. Has anyone noticed when using a similar set-up an advantage to using the TTL module in TTL mode? Thanks from a guy who'd still be using a 283 from '75 if it weren't for the high sync voltages. Happy Thanksgiving, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 26, 2009 Posted November 26, 2009 Hi john_j, Take a look here M8/Metz 54i. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Nicoleica Posted November 26, 2009 Share #2 Posted November 26, 2009 Whilst I haven't used a 54i on my M8, I understand that the TTL module can help with more complex lighting situations. You can still use your Vivitar if you want to. Just add a 'Wein Safe-Sync' or similar device in between the flash and the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_j Posted November 26, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted November 26, 2009 Thanks for the reply Nicole. I have used a Wein adapter with my older flash units but after a while I began to have miss fires. I have read this is due to the flash overheating from to much continuous usage (no film to change etc to give it a rest period). I also found the build quality and durability of the Wein a problem; it fell apart. Thus I bought the Metz just not sure now how much I really need the additional ttl mode. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_Miller Posted November 27, 2009 Share #4 Posted November 27, 2009 I just shot with my M8.2 and SF24D in TTL yesterday evening. The advantage of TTL in my opinion is that you can change ISO and aperture as the scene requires and not worry about forgetting to change the settings on the flash. Helps if you are working quickly. Also I used my Nikon SC-28 cord to take the flash of camera and to bounce it. This will not work well if I used Auto mode. The only downside I experienced was operator error. A couple of times I did not pause momentarily at the half-press point and let the pre-flash fire. I just did a full press, which seems to cause the flash to skip the pre-flash and fire at full output. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT07 Posted December 3, 2009 Share #5 Posted December 3, 2009 I've been using the 54i with my M8 for a few years now and have been very pleased with the results. I'm not a professional, just a serious amateur but I've had very good luck just using the 54i in "A" mode. I have actually never used the TTL mode. As I understand it and other members will know this far better then me but I believe it's not a true TTL mode as we're accustomed to with a DSLR. I believe it fires a small quick "pre flash" to read the available light and some users may have complained that subjects often think the photo has already been taken before the actual flash and exposure fire off. I'm doing this all off memory so please double check me but when I first began experimenting, I believe Bill Parsons here on the forum posted a lot of very useful information and knowledge regarding the Metz / M8 set up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted December 3, 2009 Share #6 Posted December 3, 2009 John, I use my 54 the same way with my M8. I don't like the GNC mode (no TTL available) because the pre-flash signals to the subjects that the picture is done and then when it is actually taken their expressions are lousy. I also have an M9 and understand the there is a shorter lag between the pre-flash and the actual flash. I will experiment. This is reportedly true with the new, Leica 58 flash. I will see what my 54 does. The M9 software, or some portion of it, may be coming to the M8. The shorter pre-flash stuff might be one of the things getting upgraded. My only complaint about the 54-M8 combo is that I must depress the shutter slowly because the camera is thinking. If I slam the shutter down, the flash doesn't go off. Bummer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photon42 Posted December 3, 2009 Share #7 Posted December 3, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just like Bill, I don't like the preflash. In addition, the 54 does not allow to fire the aux flash along with the main flash, when using TTL/GNC. I've also got the problem, that the flash occasionally won't fire. My guts feeling was that is was more when I've experimented with TTL. But I saw this effect in Auto, too. Not sure if the speed of depressing the shutter is changing anything here. Regards Ivo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_j Posted December 3, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted December 3, 2009 All, Thank you for your replies. Between them and other threads, namely one on the M9 area I've been able to make a decision right for me. I am going to continue to use my Metz on auto and not get the 3502 sensor. As long as I am careful to turn on the camera then the flash and then press the shutter release half way, it all works well and the manual adjustments do not bother me. Bill, I especially found your information in the M9 area on this topic helpful. Thanks for taking the time to share it and all the other input you give to the Leica Forum. Best, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted December 4, 2009 Share #9 Posted December 4, 2009 All, Thank you for your replies. Between them and other threads, namely one on the M9 area I've been able to make a decision right for me. I am going to continue to use my Metz on auto and not get the 3502 sensor. As long as I am careful to turn on the camera then the flash and then press the shutter release half way, it all works well and the manual adjustments do not bother me. Bill, I especially found your information in the M9 area on this topic helpful. Thanks for taking the time to share it and all the other input you give to the Leica Forum. Best, Thanks, John. I like my Metz 54 a great deal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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