Why no PC jack on M8?

[craigrmurray]

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Perhaps this has been discussed here or in other fora, but I'm looking for speculations as to why no PC jack was provided on the M8. I suppose the PC jack suggests a camera for studio use, but every other M camera has one. Plus, I most often have an auxilliary viewfinder attached to my Ms, and must either hand-hold or stand-mount my strobes when I need more light.

 

I know many people use the Wein Safe-Sync and other similar devices, but since both Leica's and Metz's strobes use a low-voltage trigger, why would the PC connector have been so difficult to incorporate into the M8's design?

[khanosu]

Hi Craig,

 

This has been discussed off and on here and at other forums but as far as I know no one has given a convincing reason about why a PC jack was not incorporated in the M8 design. This design decision along with not including ISO settings from a dial are two big M8 design mysteries for me

 

Furrukh

[Guest guy_mancuso]

You can buy nikon as-15 hot shoe PV adapter if you need a PC outlet . Most everyone these days uses a Pocket Wizard or Micro Sync radio control transmitters for there strobes. i use the Microsync

[rvaubel]

...... why a PC jack was not incorporated in the M8 design. This design decision along with not including ISO settings from a dial are two big M8 design mysteries for me

 

Furrukh

 

Also a +,- EV dial would have been nice. I still want a Captain Nemo analog dial like the RD1 and a manual shutter wind for silent action.

 

But the M8 is still great

 

Rex

..ARF!

[larry]

Although it wouldn't be cost efficient for Leica, there could be any number of variations on the basic M8 incorporating many of the suggestions proposed in this forum. As long as the the camera doesn't lose its "M" character, this could result in a very interesting line of cameras.

 

For those who seem to want a totally modern rangefinder camera with features such as autofocus, live view, etc., maybe Leica could offer a new platform based on a four-thirds sensor. However, this would no longer be an M. I've often thought the Contax G system would have made a good starting point for such a system, although I never liked its slow, noisy autofocus.

 

I'm with Craig on the sync-cord connection. I get by with an adapter, but I miss having the plug built in.

 

Larry

[geoff]

Guy,

 

I was looking at the specs for the MicroSync and noted the max sync speed of 1/180 sec. How do you work it with the M8, and it's flash sync setting of 1/250 sec? Do you just set the shutter speed to between 1/250 sec and 1/125 sec, or will it work at 1/250 sec?

 

I just picked up two PocketWizard Plus IIs, which work fine, sync wise, but since I am shooting out in the field live, rather than in the studio, I could really benefit from the smaller size of the MicroSync solution. I have my M8 in one hand and a flash in another and I am constantly swinging both arms up, down and around as I move through an event environment.

 

Using a sync cord presented two main issues for me. First, all of my movement was loosening the flash’s sync socket off the circuit board. I actually thought of epoxying the cord and flash unit together except for the second issue in which, given some of the environments and events I shoot in, I didn’t want to risk getting the sync cord tangled up in something, like a human neck.

 

Presently, I have a PocketWizard Plus II Velcroed to the back of my handheld panel flash, which is pretty awkward given the size, weight and balance. Especially in the mosh pit where everyone’s slamming into everyone else, you and your equipment. The MicroSync receiver looks less likely to get stuck in someone’s armpit. Actually, I almost poked a soundman’s eye out with the PocketWizard’s long flexible antenna, the other night.

 

I originally tried a Wein SSR Transmitter, given that my flash has a infrared receiver buit-in. This would had provided a streamline solution. However, I quickly discovered the need for line of sight and the fact that the infrared signal didn’t reflect to well off of black walls.

 

Getting back to what I think is the original inquiry of this thread, I think the real issue with the M8 and no sync socket is the fact that when one deploys a Wein Safe Sync or wireless transmitter, you lose the hot shoe mount for other important hot shoe mount devices, such as a wide-angle viewfinder or leveler. Yes, the Wein offers a mount on top, but it can really start to offset the parallax view given one’s distance from the subject. For some of my type of work, this could be a real hindrance to others given the need to work with both an extreme wide-angle lens, very close to the subject, and flash at the same time. Actually, for me, I’m learning to shoot like a pistol, with no scope at all, and still hit my target.

 

However, even if the M8 offered a separate sync socket there would still be an issue, at least in my situation, where I would still be using a hot shoe mount wireless transmitter and potentially have the need for a wide-angle viewfinder at the same time.

 

Just about all of my indoor work is currently made with the M8 and my flash setup. One can view samples at:

 

www.myspace.com/geoffotos

[Guest guy_mancuso]

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It works at 1/250 on both the DMR and the M8. I will double check it though just to be sure

[geoff]

It works at 1/250 on both the DMR and the M8. I will double check it though just to be sure

 

Thank you Guy. I'm very interested in knowing.

 

If it works, I'm put the PocketWizards up for sale. After getting the MicroSync and testing it out myself of course.

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Great safety feature on the M8 will not let you shoy faster than 1/250 with strobe. I like that , i have slipped the dial a few times on the DMR anyway they both work at 1/250. Just tried them

[craigrmurray]

Thanks, everyone, for all of your intelligent comments. I'm with Rex concerning the manual wind lever, too.