londonuk Posted December 15, 2006 Share #1 Posted December 15, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am currently shooting with Canons (auto this and that ) I have an M2 that I use for my "non work" photography. With the advent of the M8, I wondered how easy it is as a portrait camera (via my 90mm f2) using Elinchrom studio flash (does it have a flash sync connection )? I'm frankly bored with auto focus and instead of upgrading my 1Ds I think an M8 might be a good alternative. Your thoughts much appreciated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 15, 2006 Posted December 15, 2006 Hi londonuk, Take a look here M8 for portraits with Studio flash ?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stunsworth Posted December 15, 2006 Share #2 Posted December 15, 2006 Hi Neil Welcome to the forum A cheaper alternative might be to buy a 90mm Summicron and an R -> EOS adaptor and use that with the Canon. Stop down metering though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lars_bergquist Posted December 15, 2006 Share #3 Posted December 15, 2006 Neil, the M8 has no flash connection at all besides the hot shoe -- a shocking fact. There are of course workarounds. On the bright side, fastest flash sync is at 1/250th. The old fogey from the Age of Flashpowder Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glent Posted December 15, 2006 Share #4 Posted December 15, 2006 One of the workarounds is to use the 'Wein Safe-Sync Hot Shoe to Hot Shoe High Voltage Sync Regulator'. This will protect your M8 when using studio lights. best, glen Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
billh Posted December 15, 2006 Share #5 Posted December 15, 2006 One of the workarounds is to use the 'Wein Safe-Sync Hot Shoe to Hot Shoe High Voltage Sync Regulator'. This will protect your M8 when using studio lights.best, glen I find the lack of a PC connection on the M8 very frustrating. I bought a Wein safe-sync, http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=245292&is=REG&addedTroughType=search But it will not fit into the hot shoe on the M8 (the base of the Wein is too thick). I want to use this flash with the M8, http://homepage.mac.com/billh96007/.Pictures/Elinchrom/Elinchrome-3000-strobe.jpg http://homepage.mac.com/billh96007/.Pictures/Elinchrom/Elinchrome-3000-strobe,2.jpg Any suggestions? This little transmitter looks like it may work, http://www.microsyncdigital.com/index.cfm but I don’t see where to connect a receiver to the Elinchrom unit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glent Posted December 15, 2006 Share #6 Posted December 15, 2006 My Wein connector fits snugly into the M8 HotShoe so it should not be a problem and I have fired a studio flash using this method without any problems. As for the Microsystems device, I do not have one, but I did see a demo of one and the receiving transmitter connects where the PC synch chord goes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
billh Posted December 15, 2006 Share #7 Posted December 15, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) My Wein connector fits snugly into the M8 HotShoe so it should not be a problem and I have fired a studio flash using this method without any problems. As for the Microsystems device, I do not have one, but I did see a demo of one and the receiving transmitter connects where the PC synch chord goes. How "snugly"? I may have been able to force it in with the aid of a hammer, but I was afraid I would never be able to remove it again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glent Posted December 15, 2006 Share #8 Posted December 15, 2006 Actually, by snugly I mean that there is no risk of it falling out and it glides in and out quite smoothly. Maybe if you tried another Wein connector then it could just be the one that you have. I don't know if anyone else is having problems with this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted December 15, 2006 Share #9 Posted December 15, 2006 I use the Micro Sync device on the M8 , works great i gave up the Pocket Wizards for this and like it so much better . Small transmitter in Hot shoe and Reciever in pack. Works great here are different cords ou can attach to reciever for different packs Microsync Digital Radio Remote For Elinchrom Products Just a FYI . If you ever need custom cords than paramount cords is the place to go and they will make anything custom for you. Great place and nice folks also Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eronald Posted December 15, 2006 Share #10 Posted December 15, 2006 Elinchrom have their own wireless radio mini-sync devices now; they allow power adjustmen on the latest series .... I guess the cheap IR-sync units are out with the M8, as they fire a burst of IR. Edmund I use the Micro Sync device on the M8 , works great i gave up the Pocket Wizards for this and like it so much better . Small transmitter in Hot shoe and Reciever in pack. Works great here are different cords ou can attach to reciever for different packs Microsync Digital Radio Remote For Elinchrom Products Just a FYI . If you ever need custom cords than paramount cords is the place to go and they will make anything custom for you. Great place and nice folks also Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Roberts Posted December 15, 2006 Share #11 Posted December 15, 2006 I use the Micro Sync device on the M8 , works great i gave up the Pocket Wizards for this and like it so much better . {snipped} Guy--I've used PocketWizards for years--I know this is OT a bit, but why did you switch? Size? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guy_mancuso Posted December 15, 2006 Share #12 Posted December 15, 2006 Size for sure but i had a lot of trouble with verticals and the PW with miss fire . the Micosync is nice and tight in the shoe and never misses. reall like them on my profoto's Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
londonuk Posted December 15, 2006 Author Share #13 Posted December 15, 2006 Thanks for your help. Is the microsync reliable as my previous experience with these hot shoe connectors has proved to be hot and miss ! On onother note, how do the pictures look when used with studio flash systems ? Most images posted in various galleries show available light shots (obvious for Leica I know) any studio light examples Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted December 15, 2006 Share #14 Posted December 15, 2006 Neil, the M8 has no flash connection at all besides the hot shoe -- a shocking fact. I find that just incredible. Why would Leica produce a "professional" digital camera without a flash sync socket? That makes me slap my forehead! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irakly Shanidze Posted December 16, 2006 Share #15 Posted December 16, 2006 M8, like all rangefinder cameras, is not particularly suited for studio portraiture because with longer lenses viewfinder is too small so see intricacies of facial expression well. Other than that, it performs well. I did not find an absence of a PC terminal a problem. These days only the most stubborn or stingy people do not use pocket wisards or at least IR transmitters. Here is a portrait with M8 and 2/90 Summicron. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/11378-m8-for-portraits-with-studio-flash/?do=findComment&comment=119308'>More sharing options...
Irakly Shanidze Posted December 16, 2006 Share #16 Posted December 16, 2006 this one was shot with 1.4/50 summilux and elinchrom flashes. i detest elinchrom as much as i like leica Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/11378-m8-for-portraits-with-studio-flash/?do=findComment&comment=119317'>More sharing options...
ho_co Posted December 16, 2006 Share #17 Posted December 16, 2006 I bought a Wein safe-sync, But it will not fit into the hot shoe on the M8 (the base of the Wein is too thick). Bill-- Several others had problems mounting various shoe-mount items in the M8 hot shoe, and found that rubbing graphite (pencil lead) on the edges of the item they were trying to mount fixed the problem. They were working with various flashes and finders, though, not the Safe-Sync. Maybe worth a try? --HC Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irakly Shanidze Posted December 16, 2006 Share #18 Posted December 16, 2006 I tried Pocket Wizard, some unknown Chinese radio transmitter and an Elinchrom IR transmitter. All worked just fine with no problems in mounting or anything else. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammam Posted December 16, 2006 Share #19 Posted December 16, 2006 I use the Microsync transmitter all the time. It works very well. The transmitter is nice and smal in the hotshoe, and the receiver has the usual sync jack to plug into your strobe. Just don't forget that the M'icrosync has a max sync speed of 1/180. The Pocket Wizzard is also very good, and it does not have the speed limit of the Microsync. You can also use it on cobra flash units which have a mini-jack port. It's much bigger on the camera, though. I am also appalled that the M8 has no sync connection. This is the first time I'm being made aware of this. I couldn't even imagine it could be the case. Either Leica think everybody has now converted to radio transmitters, or will soon do, or that the M8 is not a studio camera whatsoever. In both cases they may be wrong. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted December 16, 2006 Share #20 Posted December 16, 2006 The M8 hot shoe is a little tight for everything but Wein certainly moves in and out of it. Cheers, Sean Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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