nickma Posted February 6, 2012 Share #1 Â Posted February 6, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Guys, Â I just wanted to share with you all how truly fantastic is the Metz mecablitz 28 CS-2 digital with the X1. Â I had used the SF 24D flash (that I'd got as part of a second hand/user kit purchase) which was fine but a little top heavy, prone to burning out subjects at close quarter, and which realised a shockingly good second-hand price when sold. Â I had heard the Metz was good, so before I sold the SF 24D, acquired the Metz first to compare the two units in same/ similar settings. Â The Metz delivered results that are as good, output is very controllable, and because it can be operated at a modest distance from the camera rather than right on top of it, creates very natural results. It is very easy to set up and worked more or less flawlessly on Easy Auto shot after shot; on the odd occasion it doesn't get it quite right, it's very easy to boost or knock-back to create a perfect second take. Â It is half the price of the used price of the SF 24D and more importantly, can be operated with the viewfinder in situ, as it attaches to the tripod thread on an extendible arm, which is light but very well made. Â I use the VF almost all the time, and got fed up with having to take it off for flash shots. Â Yes, the Leica is all about natural, available light photography...I do agree! But sometimes it's damn useful to be able to take snaps with flash fill, and gives you the choice of low ISO in low light and higher speeds if and when the need or desire arises. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 6, 2012 Posted February 6, 2012 Hi nickma, Take a look here Great Alternative Flash for the X1. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
robert blu Posted February 8, 2012 Share #2 Â Posted February 8, 2012 I agree with you, the small metz 28 CS 2 is an excellent companion to the Leica x1, I very oft use it bouncing on the ceiling or on the wall on my back. I set the x1 flash at - 3 . A couple of the shots just to fine tune the exposure and it works very well ! robert PS: I'm busy now, but I'll post a couple of shots later. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted February 8, 2012 Share #3  Posted February 8, 2012 This is my small Metz which I usually have on a Gorilla.  second photo was taken bouncing the flash on the back wall, iso 100 ; f=4 ; 1/30 sec. third photo (self with wife) was taken bouncing it on the upper side of the back wall, iso 400 ; f=5,6 ; 1/30 sec.  in both case the x1 flash was set @ -3  I hope this helps, robert 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/172155-great-alternative-flash-for-the-x1/?do=findComment&comment=1921728'>More sharing options...
angusbeare Posted February 27, 2012 Share #4 Â Posted February 27, 2012 this is probably a daft question but since I never use flash and am considering exploring it for use with my M9 I thought I'd ask. Â If the flash is not attached to the hot shoe then how does it fire? Â I don't have a socket for a slave unit on my M9 as far as I can tell. Â The Mezt mecablitz 28 CS-2 looks ideal but how does it work? Â TIA Â Gus Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickma Posted February 27, 2012 Author Share #5 Â Posted February 27, 2012 In terms of the practical steps to using the Metz: Â 1. pop UP the flash on the X1 (it's the flash on the camera that fires the Metz slave), 2. you can choose to adjust the X1's flash compensation setting to a minus setting, to further reduce the power of the inbuilt flash and minimise any direct flash reflections 3. Hold the Metz to one side, arms length, attach it to the camera's tripod mount, or wherever you fancy putting it within reasonable distance of the camera, and light the scene predominantly using the Metz's flash. Â You need to programme/ train the Metz first to synch with the X1, which is a trivial task and takes a few seconds. The manual is very clear, so just follow the instructions. Â The only possible drawback to the flash (subject to the type of photography you do) is that you can't mount it on a tripod, as it doesn't have a hotshoe mount. Maybe someone can say if there's an adapter that solves this little shortfall? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted February 27, 2012 Share #6 Â Posted February 27, 2012 Â The only possible drawback to the flash (subject to the type of photography you do) is that you can't mount it on a tripod, as it doesn't have a hotshoe mount. Maybe someone can say if there's an adapter that solves this little shortfall? Â I set the Metz on a Gorillapod as you can see in my first photo, but than you need "something" to fix it, I found in a shop an old accessory for flash from Rowi which works well to tighten the screw. Â robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted February 27, 2012 Share #7 Â Posted February 27, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) There are useful tripod attachments made for Manfrotto, and also products by Hama, which allow one to attach a slave gun to a tripod screw. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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