M8 wide angle and flash?

[fnuernberger]

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Since the M8 has no x-synch-connector on the backside anymore, is there any way to use a flash while you have the external viewfinder of the 16-18-21 attached? I remember there was something like an adaptor that practically doubled the flash-shoe. But, I believe, it did not support TTL or was wide enough to carry a large external finder.

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[cme4brain]

Since the M8 has no x-synch-connector on the backside anymore, is there any way to use a flash while you have the external viewfinder of the 16-18-21 attached? I remember there was something like an adaptor that practically doubled the flash-shoe. But, I believe, it did not support TTL or was wide enough to carry a large external finder.

 

Go to Adorama or B&Hphoto and get a Wein "Safe sync". It is a voltage-protector device that prevents older flash units from using too much voltage on a modern hotshoe camera. It also provides a pc sync connector. It does not however provide TTL control for the Leica 24D flash. The flash you use must be "auto" or manual.

[jscottyk]

Use a Nikon sync cord SC-17.

 

Check out this thread...

M8 with flash -- 2 questions

[ho_co]

Frank--

I don't think anyone has found the solution to the problem you raise.

 

Lloyd's and Scott's suggestions above offer good advice, though I don't think they solve the difficulty.

 

The Wein Safe-Sync recommendation is a very good one for safety's sake particularly with older flash units. But the Safe-Sync doesn't have the contacts that provide thru-lens flash metering. It would allow using the flash off-camera by means of the PC connector, and then using the viewfinder on top of the Safe-Sync. That's doable, but adds a lot of parallax; and it requires a synch cord for your flash and possibly a flash bracket.

 

The Nikon SC-28 flash extension cord is the replacement for the SC-17. It maintains the M8's flash automation features while moving the flash off the camera. But it simply takes up the M8 flash shoe in order to put a replacement shoe in your hand or on a bracket; it doesn't give you an additional shoe.

 

I think Cosina-Voigtländer makes a double shoe, but neither shoe is hot.

 

I suppose that someone will soon come up with a solution. Then again, maybe they won't, since there aren't many portable flash units that have enough power and coverage to work with wide lenses. Sorry.

 

--HC

[mwilliamsphotography]

The solution to your problem is a DSLR.

 

Horses for courses.

[fnuernberger]

Thank you all.

Marc, intersting point you raise.

 

But then, what is the right course for the M8?

 

- not the really low light situations - as most prefer a 5D for that.

- not indoor-flash, really

- certainly not useful for tele-work

- actually not outdoor tripod-work (depsite some guys taking their new toys to a national park) - If you were really serious about that kind of work you'd use a digi-back or a large format camera

 

It would have been quite useful to have a PC-synch - or even better - a TTL synch at that camera.

 

Please forgive my bickering, but I had really wished the M8 would work for me - at least as a useful sidekick to my 1dMK2 16-35+1DMK2 70-200.