Leica M8 with flash

[IMMAGINIFICO]

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Dear All,

I'm a owner of Leica M8 and I'm going to buy a flash for it.

I was looking at Leica SF58 which seems to be a good flash but I would need to know if there is a TTL sync cord so as I can use the flash detached from the camera.

 

Could you help me, please?

 

I'm looking at different portable flash system as Elinchrome or Quantum in order to be able to use the flash with my other cameras (Mamiya RZ and Toyo 45A). Do you know if those systems are compatible with my Leica M8?? What about Leica SF58???

 

Best regards,

stefano.

[cbretteville]

To take the flash off camera you can use a Nikon SC-17 or SC-28 cable.

Carl

[giordano]

Any currrent or recent Elinchrom, Quantum or similar pro flash gear will work with the M8 same as with your Toyo and RZ, except that you'll need a hot shoe adapter because the M8 and M9 don't have PC synch sockets.

 

But if you want "TTL" and other fancy stuff you need to use one of the Leica dedicated units or a Mecablitz with the right SCA adapter.

[IMMAGINIFICO]

OPS!!!! I didn't know it was so easy!!!!

Thank you so much!!!

 

Stefano.

[IMMAGINIFICO]

Any currrent or recent Elinchrom, Quantum or similar pro flash gear will work with the M8 same as with your Toyo and RZ, except that you'll need a hot shoe adapter because the M8 and M9 don't have PC synch sockets.

 

But if you want "TTL" and other fancy stuff you need to use one of the Leica dedicated units or a Mecablitz with the right SCA adapter.

 

 

Actually I don't need TTL and other fancy stuff because I normaly work in manual, but all fashes had losted the sync plug and I guess the only thing to do is using a TTL sync cord eventhough I don't use the ATTL or Auto mode.

 

Thank, you so much for your Help!!!!

[giordano]

If you don't want TTL it is a waste of money to buy a SF-58.

 

Just get a new sync cord for your existing flash unit, plus a hot shoe adapter like this one Hama | Universal Flash Adapter | HA-6950 | B&H Photo Video

[Islandmike]

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I'm using an inexpensive wireless control to allow my M8 to trigger flashguns off the camera. They do a version for studio flash, too.

 

If the guns are of the type that go to sleep, it's occasionally necessary to press the manual button on the sender, to wake them up.

 

I bought several items from this guy and he has been totally reliable. But bear in mind that goods from Hong Kong to Italy take a long time to get through Italian customs.

 

Link to wireless flash triggers

[wilfredo]

Would any of these devices allow me to use a Canon flash on my M8. I don't need the TTL.

[Islandmike]

Would any of these devices allow me to use a Canon flash on my M8. I don't need the TTL.

 

If your flash has a hot shoe, Wilfredo, I see no reason why not. I have used them on a regular basis with Nikon SB600s triggered from the M8 and also one evening with one of my evening class member's Canon dedicated flash (but not a Canon make).

 

The seller quotes the receivers as suitable for various Canon flashes. I can't see how they could do any harm, as they're just remote switches, but I wouldn't take responsibility for any problem arising from these comments.

 

Cheers

 

Mike

[Jamie Roberts]

Would any of these devices allow me to use a Canon flash on my M8. I don't need the TTL.

 

Wilfredo,

 

Any off-camera cord (Canon's, Nikon's) or any pocket wizard will allow you to use your Canon flash in manual mode off the camera.

 

I use a mix of Metz, Canon and Nikon remote flashes with my M8 all the time. In fact, I generally use either a 580v2 or a Metz 54 in the M8 hotshoe when I need a competent bounce flash (the SB900 Nikon will fire ok, but won't lock in the stock M8 shoe. Drag).

[menos I M6]

Wilfredo,

 

Any off-camera cord (Canon's, Nikon's) or any pocket wizard will allow you to use your Canon flash in manual mode off the camera.

 

I use a mix of Metz, Canon and Nikon remote flashes with my M8 all the time. In fact, I generally use either a 580v2 or a Metz 54 in the M8 hotshoe when I need a competent bounce flash (the SB900 Nikon will fire ok, but won't lock in the stock M8 shoe. Drag).

 

I use my SB-900 on a M8.2 sometimes. It fits perfectly - is the M8 hot shoe tighter, so it doesn't work there?

[Islandmike]

A quick addendum to my post above re the inexpensive version of pocket wizards I use with the M8 for off camera flash.

 

When they arrived, the plastic shoe to fit into the camera was a bit too tight and I had to reduce its size a little with a file.

 

Not a problem, but forewarned is forearmed. ;-)

[jaapv]

I don't have the courage to try this one...

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[Anguish]

M9 w/ 90 mm Summicron, 1 white lightning w/ soft box, 1 white lightning w/ grid, 3 pocket wizards, one assistant pressman.

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[Jamie Roberts]

I use my SB-900 on a M8.2 sometimes. It fits perfectly - is the M8 hot shoe tighter, so it doesn't work there?

 

I honestly don't know, to tell you the truth. My three SB900s simply won't lock in either my M8 or M9 shoe (the M8 / M9 hotshoe "screw" gets in the way). It fits, but it's floppy But my SB900s are pretty "old"--just after they came out. Maybe the shoe lock has changed?

[menos I M6]

I honestly don't know, to tell you the truth. My three SB900s simply won't lock in either my M8 or M9 shoe (the M8 / M9 hotshoe "screw" gets in the way). It fits, but it's floppy But my SB900s are pretty "old"--just after they came out. Maybe the shoe lock has changed?

 

Jamie, I checked back and found, that the locking pin will not engage on mine either.

The flash sits snugly though and will not slip out, if not put serious force in the right direction.

 

The two pressure pins do their job and hold the flash.

The flash itself is not wobbly, but can be rotated by 0º or so, if force applied.

[robert ford]

Hi, I'm new to this after purchasing a M8.(March 2010)

 

I find the camera a totally different beast to an SLR outfit. I feel its metering balance nearly does away with the need for flash. I sometimes use the SF 24D for fill in and adhoc indoor pictures. (Nikon off camera lead helps for bounce etc.) They come out ok. although I prefer to use a small pocket reflector instead of fill in flash.

 

My old SLR outfit was a nikon D700 and SB900 and SB600 and RCR1 flash units. Disposed of as too heavy with various lens for my tender age.

 

From my experience of flash photography you get what you put in. The Nikon flash and camera were made to work together and produced a very good result. (iTTL)

 

I assume the same principles work for Leica cameras.

 

That is if you want complex lighting system then the leica compatable flash units (Metz make them I understand) should be the best as they were designed to work with the camera TTL control etc. (The M8 has a very specfic metering balance so TTL may be the best way forward) If you don't need TTL and are metering with a flash meter then I guess any flash unit that won't distroy your very expensive camera's electrical system will do.

 

I would stick to Leica units or Metz as I cannot afford to replace my M8 just yet! Never mind the replacment cost for you lucky people with an M9!!!!

 

keep up the good chats.

[Jamie Roberts]

{snipped}

I would stick to Leica units or Metz as I cannot afford to replace my M8 just yet! Never mind the replacment cost for you lucky people with an M9!!!!

 

keep up the good chats.

 

Hi Robert--

 

In my experience it's the exact opposite The M is a perfect manual tool. You can, in manual, use almost whatever and whoever's flash you like and have to hand.

 

My ideal flashes right now are Canon 550s. They're workhorses, they're powerful, they bounce, they have a lot of manual control, and triggered from a pocket wizard on the M8 / M9 or directly from the hot-shoe they're great.

 

Having said that, the Metz flashes are also great, but I still use them on manual. One of the benefits of digital is that you can quickly check ambient plus flash exposure and compensate in ways you never could with film!

[coliva]

Hello,

 

I recently bought a used M8. I have the Pocket Wizards Mini TT1 and FlexTT5 for Canon. I've tried using this with my Canon 580 EXII to trigger off camera and it doesn't work. I contacted Pocket Wizard support and they just told me to change the setting to "basic trigger mode" (flash in manual mode). I tried several times and still no luck. Any suggestions on other settings?

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[tbarker13]

I use my M8.2 with an elinchrom skyport transmitter to fire my monolight or either of my speedlights - a Vivitar 285 and a SB800. (those two equipped with a skyport receiver)

 

Works great. No cords. (of course, it costs about $200 to remove the cords)