An occasional flash

[rramesh]

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This is what I plan to carry for a trip to Northern Europe in August.

 

• M-9P
  
• 21 Color-Skopar
  
• 35 Summicron
  
• 90 Elmarit-M
  
• Spare battery and cards
  

I don't intent to lug unnecessary equipment, but my question is, this. Should I get a flash for the occasional instances I need fill flash and what would the most compact one to get?

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[erl]

I suppose the question I would ask you is, "do you user flash at home?" If you do, probably you will use one O.S. as well. Personally, I take the view that 'how you see it, is how you get it'. That precludes flash that mostly, will change the visual appearance. Yes, I do know about 'fill' flash, but that is not a high priority when travelling IMO. Many tourist sites (interiors) will prohibit flash while permitting cameras.

 

No, I would not take flash, but clearly others do.

[giordano]

I have an tiny old low-powered Ricoh flashgun that usually sits in the bottom of my bag "just in case". It really is tiny, well under half the size of a SF24 or the smallest current Mecablitz, with one AA cell, so I don't notice the weight. No longer in production, alas. I bought it used for a few dollars.

 

It might be worth looking in your favourite second-hand places for something similar.

[rramesh]

I considered a Leica 24D. Fully compatible with M9. However I found it to be too pricey and restrictive (no tilt/swivel) for the few instances I need fill light (probably 5 out of 100 photographs). Also I don't see a real need for TTL hence open to suggestions.

[250swb]

No TTL, but an Olympus FL-36 fits all your needs, tilt, swivel, small, easily controllable. Don't worry that it is made for 4/3 m4/3, you can switch it over to 35mm format in the menu.

 

Steve

[rramesh]

Just managed to get an Olympus FL-36. Really getting to like it.

[tmldds]

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I like my "Micro" from Litepanels. It is an adjustable LED continuous light unit that allows you to tilt and turn. Another nice flexible unit is the "Gorilla Torch."

[Colin Barnes]

This is what I plan to carry for a trip to Northern Europe in August.

 

• M-9P
  
• 21 Color-Skopar
  
• 35 Summicron
  
• 90 Elmarit-M
  
• Spare battery and cards
  

I don't intent to lug unnecessary equipment, but my question is, this. Should I get a flash for the occasional instances I need fill flash and what would the most compact one to get?

i like the no-nonsense approach...3 lenses and your ready to go.....hope you have a super trip

[bpalme]

Fill flash can and does make some photos better. Much better.

I use the 24D but like the idea of one of those smaller ones. I may have to try them out.

[rramesh]

Have been trying out the Olympus FL-36 on my M9-P for a few days now and it really works well. About the only thing you lose is TTL metering but you don't miss it. Settings are very easy and the compact tilt and swivel is really nice to operate. Best thing is that it fits perfect in my Hadley small together with camera and 3 lenses.

 

For fill flash you cannot ask for more at a really low price since the FL-36 has been superseded by the FL-36R.

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Ramchand,

 

Enjoy your trip

 

Nice choice of camera & lenses. Very versatile.

 

Did you ever consider a small, sturdy table tripod w/ soft non-marking slippers, w/ a large ballhead & a cable release?

 

For many years I have used my own homemade somewhat smaller than Leitz, esthetically challenged, small, sturdy, table tripod w/ soft, non-marking slippers w/ a medium sized Large Leitz ballhead & a 25cm Linhof cable release. It is easy to carry.

 

Against the Top or Side of a doorway or: Against a rock, tree, wall or: Even on a table - It gives me as many stops as I need. F2 @ 1/8 handheld can become F8 @ 2 seconds solid as a rock. A different picture. Also: Against my chest w/ a cable release it gives me + 2 stops. Sometimes using a cable release alone handheld helps maintain steadiness.

 

This combination of tripod, head & release comes apart easily & fits in a small bag, space or pocket & you will find the small size, lack of fanfare & soft non-marking slippers in many instances make it somewhat more welcome than a larger tripod or flash.

 

The more you think about it & the more you use it the more places you find to use it & the more situations you think of to use it in. It has basically replaced a full sized tripod for most of the work I do.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[rramesh]

Thanks Michael. What I did not mention is that I also have in my bag a Cullmann micro tripod with cable release. Very compact. Not the best but I have used it for night photography in my recent China trip. CULLMANN Foto | Video :: PICCOLINO

 

I am exploring other options but I find the Leica tripod too big for my Hadley small.

[algrove]

I was just watching a video of Jacob Aue Sobol using the new MM and APO 50 in Moscow earlier this year. I see he uses a very small looking flash, but cannot identify the exact flash. Since he was using Leica demo equipment it could be a 24, but since I have never seen one in person-don't know. Might be worth a look, plus you can see his results with the flash too.