damnsharp Posted March 17, 2010 Share #1 Posted March 17, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Good evening, I don't miss it now but in the near future I am considering an external flash for the X1. I saw a nice second hand Leica CF flash in black (link to a different color: http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/images/minilux-zoom/D3S_5849-flash-back.jpg) Does every flash fit or does I has to be a SF 24D or SF 58? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 17, 2010 Posted March 17, 2010 Hi damnsharp, Take a look here Which external flash for the X1. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jsrockit Posted March 17, 2010 Share #2 Posted March 17, 2010 I'm going to piggy back onto this thread... For the SF 24D Leica's website states: "With the LEICA M9, M8.2, M8, M7 and M6 TTL the light output is controlled by its TTL flash exposure meter; with other Leica M models it is controlled by the automatic flash itself. In automatic mode, six automatic flash apertures 2.0/2.8/4.0/5.6/8/11 are available." Does anyone know what category the X1 falls into? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommm Posted March 17, 2010 Share #3 Posted March 17, 2010 I'll chip in another Q... I fancy holding a flash at arms length with a lead back to the hotshoe... any recommendations? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelbrenner Posted March 18, 2010 Share #4 Posted March 18, 2010 I'll chip in another Q... I fancy holding a flash at arms length with a lead back to the hotshoe... any recommendations? Nikon makes an SC-28 TTL remote cord. Not sure if it will work with the X1, but I intend to find out just as soon as it arrives. I have a Nikon flash. We'll see what happens... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eduardoho Posted March 20, 2010 Share #5 Posted March 20, 2010 Leica does not make any of the strobe lights, they are branded as Leica in name only by third party OEM manufacturers. You do not have to use the X1's TTL either nor the hot shoe feature which is becoming fast irrelevant in p&s type of cameras, which basically what X1 is. I suggest a flash unit based on bounce light technology in lieu of TTL, such as one made by Metz, i.e. model 28 CS2. It is more convenient, it is of a compact design, uses regular batteries, and it is not top heavy as to yank the hot shoe off, and you are still enjoying the pre-flashes features of the X1.You can adjust exactly the intensity of the flashes, the rate of the pre-flashes to suit to your shooting conditions and it even got a diffuser for wide angle applications which is just right for the X1's 35mm focal length. I have used it with great success. There are other ones as well in the market, made by Sony, etc.... but Metz 28 CS2 is ideally well matched to X1. And then, the best of all is that you don't have to pay the exorbitant high priced Leica CF flashes, which by the way is not of that much higher quality than the extensive family of strobes produced by Metz. And still be able to mount the VF in dim lighting conditions in conjunction with flash! 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! 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/115672-which-external-flash-for-the-x1/?do=findComment&comment=1266792'>More sharing options...
damnsharp Posted March 20, 2010 Author Share #6 Posted March 20, 2010 Great Edward! That's a very good tip about the Metz 28 CS2! I've looked it up and in the Netherlands the price is € 105. Also easy that you can use batteries. And indeed still can use the viewfinder which is a big plus. Is it possible that you post a few pictures made with the use of that flash? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted March 20, 2010 Share #7 Posted March 20, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) but Metz 28 CS2 is ideally well matched to X1. QUOTE] I missed something here: how do you synch the Metz to the X1? -g Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eduardoho Posted March 21, 2010 Share #8 Posted March 21, 2010 but Metz 28 CS2 is ideally well matched to X1. QUOTE] I missed something here: how do you synch the Metz to the X1? -g It is a fill in flash, it is a slave bounce flash unit. You may use as the main strobe light, or as a slave. You do not sync with X1, you do not use TTL nor the hot shoe either. The TTL is used to squelch the main puny flash, but it lacks power, so the full lumens is released anyway. The bounced light is then used by the Metz's super sensitive thyristor, to compute precisely the amount of lumens needed to be released on the under exposed subject to be properly exposed. This occurs in a nanosecond at best.There is no connection between the flash unit and the camera. But since the Metz's GN is so much powerful than the puny built in flash it does its job admirably well. The reason I like it is because it address to all the aspects of bounce flash photography precisely. You do not lose any of attributes of pre-flashes, or its intensity either. Go to Metz web site, read everything you want to know about bounce flash, and download the instructions manual so you understand the levels of adjustments allowable. This is not only brand of such type of flash, as matter I was using the one by Sony before I got Metz, for my Sony CyberShot, but I realized that it is suited for X1 as well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted March 21, 2010 Share #9 Posted March 21, 2010 What flash menu selection do you set on the X1? "Forced on?" "Studio?" or other? -g Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
eduardoho Posted March 21, 2010 Share #10 Posted March 21, 2010 What flash menu selection do you set on the X1? "Forced on?" "Studio?" or other? -g My apologies Mr. Grober, for confusing you with my fuzzy usage of technical jargon, I am a hyper geek with fetish on technical details. You use the X1 on settings as normally you would use with flash. The main features of the X1 flash settings remains in full effect at all time... in other words whether you prefer to have as force on, with pre-flashes, etc... When you configure the settings on the Metz, that is when you tell Metz what are the flash settings on your camera.The Metz's thyristor built in algorithm recognizes the settings of the built flash unit of the camera. I hardly use red eye reduction, being myself an Asian most of my subjects are also Asians with dark pupil so that is hardly an issue for my case, but I do use force on. When the camera's flash unit fires and illuminates the subject, the Metz measures the bounced light and computes the amount of lumens needed to properly expose the subject. That is the term fill in flash/slave unit, in our application it is assumed the main puny flash of X1 does not have enough "woomp" to provide appropriate exposure, Mets provides the additional lumens so that the subject can be properly exposed. All this complicated actions and reactions happens within a nanosecond. Sorry, I have not yet played with the studio setting. In my opinion, X1 got a very capable CMOS sensor which is able to take extraordinary low ambient photos, even when max out at ISO 3200 the noise is remarkably low compared not only to other p&s's, but full size DSLR's as well. So I only use the Metz in situations where a strobe light is absolutely warranted. I do not use Metz under 95% of my shooting conditions, only the rare 5% when a strobe lighting is needed, thus my opinionated statement not to spend money for the exorbitant overpriced SF24D Leica branded in name only flash unit. I abhor the unnecessary usage of flash other than ambient lighting. A good photo is the ability of the photographer to capture that magical image, a juxtaposition of mosaic of razor sharp lines combined with blurs and contrasting bright and dark shadows under existing lighting. Then remember too that you gonna effectively kill both the bokeh and DOF by the strobe lighting.That is main reason I felt that the 2K+ I paid for X1 was worthy expenditure, an opinion not widely shared by others in this Forum. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted March 22, 2010 Share #11 Posted March 22, 2010 I too shoot 95% of my shots without any flash. In fact, I made very sure an X1 user could absolutely disable its tiny, whimpy flash for most shooting before I placed an order for this impish but fascinating camera. (One absolutely denies the flash's firing by simply not deploying it from its recessed, stored position.) When I did use flash, I routinely used it in a studio setting where I was able to deploy a radio trigger on my M6, M7 or M8 cameras with one or more remote flashes obediently answering the radio signal from the camera. I chose not to use an optical slave because when others are also flashing away (i. e. weddings) I could not guarantee the timing of my remote flashes. A radio trigger was THE answer for me. When I can carve out some time I plan to insert my trusty radio trigger on the X1, select "studio" on the camera's flash menu and take some test shots. If this doesn't work satisfactorily, I determine the correct exposure with my flash meter and manually set the ISO, shutter speed and f-stop on the camera. The variety or brand of available electronic flash is of little concern to me (in the studio): if I can force it to a full manual firing position and can have a custom cable made to connect my radio receiver to it, I'm good to go. BTW: I have sold all my other M-gear; the X1 is my only remaining Leica. Thanks for alerting me to the "Metz possibility." I had not know about this particular Metz unit before I read your post. -g Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted August 10, 2010 Share #12 Posted August 10, 2010 Good evening,I don't miss it now but in the near future I am considering an external flash for the X1. I saw a nice second hand Leica CF flash in black (link to a different color: http://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/images/minilux-zoom/D3S_5849-flash-back.jpg) Does every flash fit or does I has to be a SF 24D or SF 58? When fitted in the hotshoe, only the SF24D and SF58 will give you full TTL functionality. The small flash you linked probably isn't any much better than the X1's built-in flash, which I've found to be rather powerful for an onboard flash. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted August 10, 2010 Share #13 Posted August 10, 2010 I do quite a bit of event photography and tradeshow work. A flash is imperative for most of these low-light events. I've attempted to use my Nikon SB800 flash. When mounted in the hotshoe, the X1 will trigger it when the SB800 is set to Auto. However, I still had to manually set the exposure, shutter speed and EV on the flash to create a setting that wouldn't just completely blow out every shot. Of course, the SB800 can be set to remote mode, and the X1's onboard flash will trigger it. The catch here is that the sensor on the SB800 has to be somewhere that it catches the light from the X1 flash. Mounted in the hotshoe it is behind the flash and does not detect it when it goes off. I'll probably end up getting an SF-58. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
courtandspark Posted September 2, 2010 Share #14 Posted September 2, 2010 just wondering if anyone knows if there is an issue with any flash being too high of votage for the X1? i am thinking about the metz 48 thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgamsterdam Posted December 1, 2014 Share #15 Posted December 1, 2014 When fitted in the hotshoe, only the SF24D and SF58 will give you full TTL functionality. Not really. Leica X1/2 does not offer TTL functionality with any flash. I have owned both Leica X1 and X2 and tried both with my SF24D flash -> no TTL functionality. Indeed, I agree Metz 28 CS 2 flash is optimal for the X1/2. Personally I am looking for a flash with a larger guide number (e.g. 58) and am considering the Metz Mecablitz 58. Any advice for stronger flashes compatible with Leica X1/2? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted December 1, 2014 Share #16 Posted December 1, 2014 Another vote for the small Metz ! Give a look at post 3 here, I hope it helps. robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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