Larwol Posted March 29, 2010 Share #1 Posted March 29, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Anyone know if it is problematic to use a non-Leica flash with an M8 or M9. Specifically, I was told not to use my older Vivetar Flash (bought for use with film) with either of these cameras because a power surge could destroy the electronics. Thanks Larry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 29, 2010 Posted March 29, 2010 Hi Larwol, Take a look here Using a flash. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
giordano Posted March 30, 2010 Share #2 Posted March 30, 2010 If you search the M8 and M9 forums you'll find some posts indicating that the cameras are designed for trigger voltages up to 230 or 240. Some old electronic flash units, including some Vivitars, put out more than that, so you may like to err on the side of caution and use a "SafeSynch" or similar to ensure that the camera only receives a low voltage. This page Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages has useful information. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 30, 2010 Share #3 Posted March 30, 2010 But note that the safe-sync has a max rated input of 250 V Should a flash produce more, it can give the voltage unreduced. Try the setup out before hooking it up to the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 30, 2010 Share #4 Posted March 30, 2010 For instance this one I only use on film cameras 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/116778-using-a-flash/?do=findComment&comment=1277615'>More sharing options...
Shade Posted March 30, 2010 Share #5 Posted March 30, 2010 I tried fitting a Nikon SB to my M9, but somehow it won't go in, its a bit smaller.. I wonder how you guys fit it? Just force push it all the way? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 30, 2010 Share #6 Posted March 30, 2010 Yes- the hot shoe is a bit tight for some flashes. try rubbing the edge of the flash foot with a pencil. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted March 30, 2010 Share #7 Posted March 30, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Jaap: I'm sorry, but I can't imagine how to rub the flash foot with a pencil.. I mean.. Which part of the pencil? Would it be better if I use a nail file? Also, I've read someone using the sb400 or the m9, since the sb400 doesn't have manual buttons, how do you operate it manually? Does it fire full power all the time and we set our shutter speed? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 30, 2010 Share #8 Posted March 30, 2010 No- the point is to get a bit of graphite on the edges as a lubricant. Shutter speed has no influence on the exposure of a flash, only on ambient light. So you must do a guidenumber calculation and set the aperture in relationship to the flash distance and ISO. And the reflectivity of the subject and surroundings, of course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pelagia Posted March 30, 2010 Share #9 Posted March 30, 2010 Does it fire full power all the time and we set our shutter speed? This above is an important misconception people usually make in flash photography. You can influence flash exposure ONLY WITH LENS APERTURE (i.e. reduce or increase amount of light which enters the lens). Regarding the shutter speed, you can use any speed slower than 1/250 on M9 (notice the red lightning symbol on the dial) with no influence on flash. In this case the shutter is fully open when flash fires. You know, flash light lasts only about 1/4000 of sec or so. Tom EDIT: Oh, I see Jaap already said this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted March 30, 2010 Share #10 Posted March 30, 2010 Right, I get what you guys mean about the flash. But the problem is, on Sb400 there's no control on the flash unit. There's only an on/off button, and a test flash button. Does it go along with the aperture setting on the m9? But I reckon this will not be possible since there's no data communication between the flash and the body or lens. I can easily set my flash power manually, if I was using say sb600 or 800 or 900. But I've read some thread that a person was using his 400. And I'm wondering how to control the flash power on that. On a side note: oh, graphite as lubricant. Neat, I should try that. Another side note, maybe I should just buy the sf58 and get it over with? I hate the bulky size though.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 30, 2010 Share #11 Posted March 30, 2010 If you know the flash guidenumber at a given ISO (read the flash specs) you can easily calculate the aperture and set it manually on the camera. There is NO communication between the camera and the flash other than the fire command. The best flashes to use on the M8/9 are imo the Metz M series ( or, even better, the MZ series), which are dirt cheap on e-bay.Use an SCA 3502 M4 or M5 adapter and you will have communication between the camera and the flash for flash ready, flash successful and focal length. Set the flash to one of the A settings and set the aperture correctly (read from the flash) and you will have arguably the best quality flash images you can wish for. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted March 30, 2010 Share #12 Posted March 30, 2010 Thanks Jaap, I will look into that. I just wish Leica would make a small gn36 flash or gn24 flash that bounce.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 30, 2010 Share #13 Posted March 30, 2010 Yeah - you and a few thousand others - me included:( Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Roberts Posted March 30, 2010 Share #14 Posted March 30, 2010 try this: flash M8 site:l-camera-forum.com - Google Search There are literally dozens of posts on using non-Leica flashes on a digital M. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblutter Posted March 30, 2010 Share #15 Posted March 30, 2010 I tried an old Vivitar 283 with hotshoe to pc adapter - works fine - just a bit of fiddling to get the correct exposure / flash setting right. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted March 31, 2010 Share #16 Posted March 31, 2010 Thanks Jaap, I will look into that. I just wish Leica would make a small gn36 flash or gn24 flash that bounce.. You can use the Leica SD-24 off camera, with a Nikon cord. Got this advice a while ago on the forum and Sean Reid has written an interesting piece on it. Seems a bit tricky at first, but works quite well in practice - even allows you to experiment with different lighting angles that a bounce flash screwed on the hotshoe wouldn't let you achieve. Worth a try IMO. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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