Which flash? A Leica flash?

[sergiofigliolia]

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Hi Jamie, thanks for your answer.

So I can put a Leica (or Metz or Canon or Nikon) flash on top of the TT1 set to Manual mode, and still fire 2 or three other flashes remotely. 3 or 4 lights with no hassle.

This one raises a question I actually already had in my mind. If I put say a Nikon SB-900 on my M8 can I use the on camera flash to trigger the other flashes using Nikon CLS without any radio transmitter?

Now, if the M9 had a PC socket, then I could do what I'd really like: put an SF 58 on the shoe in TTL mode *and* fire wireless remote flashes via a PocketWizard at the same time.

 

ae you saying this because the SF58 has only light(not radio) trigger. Also for Nikon SB-900 it is actually a light trigger although you can set it up to commander mode to avoid light trigger to affect the exposure and lighting.

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[Jamie Roberts]

Hi Jamie, thanks for your answer.

This one raises a question I actually already had in my mind. If I put say a Nikon SB-900 on my M8 can I use the on camera flash to trigger the other flashes using Nikon CLS without any radio transmitter?

 

I don't know for sure, to tell you the truth. If it's a straight optical trigger, then yes, but of course it would only be manual and--more importantly for me--only work in a "line-of-sight." And it might work with Nikon flashes since they're not really "controlled" through the camera. You should try it and let us know

 

Of course, it would all be manual flash.

 

ae you saying this because the SF58 has only light(not radio) trigger. Also for Nikon SB-900 it is actually a light trigger although you can set it up to commander mode to avoid light trigger to affect the exposure and lighting.

 

Yes, exactly.

 

I'd like to have an SF 58 shoot TTL through the M9's hotshoe *and* have the camera also trigger a manual set of radio controlled flashes around a room. Or simply turn off the TTL flash on the shoe and just use the remote flashes.

 

The only way to do that right now is to use the PocketWizard MiniTT1 because it has a manual pass-through on the hotshoe.

 

There are other more convoluted ways, but that one actually works pretty well

[sergiofigliolia]

coming back to the idea of a Metz flash, would this work with a M8/9? I've read this before and wanted to understand if it does and the limitations. Also which version to buy? the one for panasonic/olympus/leica or also the one for nikon would work? As I said before I have a Nikon SB-900 but it is too big and moreover doesn't work in TTL on a leica m8. What about this? Product information: Metz Has anyone got any experience with either of these: System Flash Units: Metz

[Jamie Roberts]

coming back to the idea of a Metz flash, would this work with a M8/9? I've read this before and wanted to understand if it does and the limitations. Also which version to buy? the one for panasonic/olympus/leica or also the one for nikon would work? As I said before I have a Nikon SB-900 but it is too big and moreover doesn't work in TTL on a leica m8. What about this? Product information: Metz Has anyone got any experience with either of these: System Flash Units: Metz

 

A Metz flash--depending on the model--will work with the M9 in manual mode.

 

Some--like the 58--will also work in Auto mode (you set the aperture and the flash "adjusts" based on a sensor in the flash). For best functionality, you need to get it with the SC3502 adapter (the one for Leica--what it gives you is status indication in the viewfinder, mostly).. If you want to use it for iTTL on the Nikon too, then I'd get the Metz for Nikon flash--it'll should still work on the M9 in manual (I used a Metz/Canon flash--the 54i--on the M8).

 

None will work with the M9 in TTL mode. Only the Leica flashes currently do that.

[Tom M]

The Leica CF flash (for the Leica Minilux) works very well on the M9. The CF is about one-third the size of the Leica SF20. In practice, the output of the CF essentially matches that of the SF20.

 

I use the CF at a shutter speeds of 1/125 sec or lower. It does not work consistently with the "A" or "lightning sign" shutter speed settings.

 

Be advised, that the flash exposure with the CF will not register in EXIF and will say: "flash did not fire".

 

Tom M

[sergiofigliolia]

The Leica CF flash (for the Leica Minilux) works very well on the M9. The CF is about one-third the size of the Leica SF20. In practice, the output of the CF essentially matches that of the SF20.

 

I use the CF at a shutter speeds of 1/125 sec or lower. It does not work consistently with the "A" or "lightning sign" shutter speed settings.

 

Be advised, that the flash exposure with the CF will not register in EXIF and will say: "flash did not fire".

 

Tom M

 

does this work in TTL mode?

[sergiofigliolia]

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I've seen the Metz 24 and 36 yesterday and there are no controls on their backs but only a TTL light. This probably means that being there no TTL compatibility on the M8/9 side then it will fire always at full power?

 

Similar for the Leica CF for Minilux in which there are manual controls but no switch for TTL(I guess this means there is no TTL at all)

 

What about an old Metz flash with a SCA adapter for Leica?

Would this allow TTL when mounted on a M8/9?

[Luke_Miller]

I believe only the Leica SF-24D or SF-58 will give you TTL on an M8/M9.

[viramati]

Just got the SF 58 and traded in old Dlux-4 and SF24d to pay for it. it seems to be a very good unit and not really as huge as I thought it would be in use. Anyway my understanding is that some of the Metz units will give you ttl to a degree but you won't be able to adjust the flash output to a less level if you wish to use it for a little bit of fill. if you want it all it has to be the SF58. I agonised over the cost but having sold other stuff to pay for it I don't feel so bad!!

[Tom M]

does this work in TTL mode?

 

No, it does not. The CF flash has a MANUAL and two AUTOMATIC modes.

 

T.M.

[billib]

How many of you are using the "Auto White Balance"

setting? I am. apparently when using the "Auto White

Balance" setting and you attach a non-SCA

Flash or a non-Leica Flash you must change the WB

from Auto to Flash.

 

That makes sense but how many of you

are leaving your White Balance set to Auto

even while using a non-SCA or non-Leica Flash?

 

Is this a common mistake? Does it really matter?

Just curious.

[sergiofigliolia]

if you are not using gels then you can still do this in post production if you are working in digital

[billib]

Since I shoot RAW it doesn't seem to matter.

When the color temp. isn't right you just make

it right. Still, I wonder how many attempt to

set the White Balance.

[Jamie Roberts]

{snipped}

 

What about an old Metz flash with a SCA adapter for Leica?

Would this allow TTL when mounted on a M8/9?

 

 

Didn't I just answer this question? LOL!

 

NO Metz flash--Leica SCA adapter or not--will give you TTL on the M8 / M9.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/124821-flash-leica-flash-5.html#post1835053

 

Clear enough? You need a Leica branded flash for TTL on those cameras.

[Jamie Roberts]

Since I shoot RAW it doesn't seem to matter.

When the color temp. isn't right you just make

it right. Still, I wonder how many attempt to

set the White Balance.

 

It totally matters if you want consistent colour....

 

I never use AWB; I always set it manually in degrees K, just so I have a decent preview.

 

If you're using a typical flash, balanced for daylight more or less, and you're shooting in tungsten or other non-daylight balanced ambient, then the ambient will have one colour and the flash will have another.

 

That's ok if you like the colour mismatch--and mixed light can be cool--but if you want uniform colour you either gel your flash or change the lights (they do this for movies) AND set white balance accordingly either in camera (I do) or in the RAW converter.

 

There's nothing you can do in a RAW converter to change the temperature of multiple lights. If the lighting is consistent then of course you can adjust the WB appropriately in post.

[sergiofigliolia]

if you are not using gels then you can still do this in post production if you are working in digital

 

I guess mine answered it! :-)

[billib]

It totally matters if you want consistent colour....

 

I never use AWB; I always set it manually in degrees K, just so I have a decent preview.

 

If you're using a typical flash, balanced for daylight more or less, and you're shooting in tungsten or other non-daylight balanced ambient, then the ambient will have one colour and the flash will have another.

 

That's ok if you like the colour mismatch--and mixed light can be cool--but if you want uniform colour you either gel your flash or change the lights (they do this for movies) AND set white balance accordingly either in camera (I do) or in the RAW converter.

 

There's nothing you can do in a RAW converter to change the temperature of multiple lights. If the lighting is consistent then of course you can adjust the WB appropriately in post.

Damn........I hate it when you make sense.

In the old pre-Digital age I used a Minolta Color Meter and

carried a set of Color Correction Filters for the 45 & 60 CT Metz .

I don't have any of that stuff any more, bad back. With this new M9

I have to change my mind set and think about balancing Color Temp's a

little better............DAMN. Need to shop for Color Correction Filters for the

Leica SF 24D Flash. Any suggestions where I could find a compatible set?

 

Wait.......I know........I'll just shoot Black & White and teili everyone I'm an artist.

 

he, he, he. oh my

[lars_bergquist]

To clear up some questions about older SCA flashes on the M9: I have an old Metz 40MZ-3i flash with a SCA 3502 Leica adapter and the rig is now in use on its fourth M camera (they have been M4-P, M6TTL, M8 and M9). I get the following functions with the M9:

 

• Upload of ISO

• Upload of focal length (with coded lenses) and reflector adjustment

• Flash ready signal

• Flash OK signal

• Flashlight exposure compensation (in the adapter)

• Auto exposure (external sensor)

• Manual exposure (with fractional dosage)

• Secondary flash reflector (not used – too close to lens, so gives redeye!)

 

This should be what other SCA-compatible flashes do, too. This is all right for occasional use when you need something with more Joules in it than the SF24D.

 

The old man from the Age of Flashpowder

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[Jamie Roberts]

Damn........I hate it when you make sense.

In the old pre-Digital age I used a Minolta Color Meter and

carried a set of Color Correction Filters for the 45 & 60 CT Metz .

I don't have any of that stuff any more, bad back. With this new M9

I have to change my mind set and think about balancing Color Temp's a

little better............DAMN. Need to shop for Color Correction Filters for the

Leica SF 24D Flash. Any suggestions where I could find a compatible set?

 

Wait.......I know........I'll just shoot Black & White and teili everyone I'm an artist.

 

he, he, he. oh my

 

LOL!

 

I use one of these things:

 

Speed Strap

 

And just cut my own gels out of large (and cheap) sheets of gel material. Any pro photo store should have that stuff It's cheap, and you could use tape, but the Honl thing is nice to have...

[Jamie Roberts]

{snipped}

This should be what other SCA-compatible flashes do, too. This is all right for occasional use when you need something with more Joules in it than the SF24D.

{snipped}

 

...and you're content to use manual or auto flash. No TTL with the digital Ms, as mentioned before.