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M9 Flash Extension Cord

Jon Pop

By Jon Pop
in Leica M9 / M-E

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Jon Pop

Jon Pop

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I'm sure there's a thread somewhere, but can anyone recommend an extension cord for me to connect to the hot shoe on my M9 to a flash so I can do the handheld/Bruce Gilden thing? I'm currently (on rare occasion) using an old flash (some no name thing that was given to me in a bag of old camera junk from the later 70s) which triggers fine when connected directly into the hot shoe, so I'm just looking for an extension cord. For occasional use, mostly for fun....I don't plan on ever getting into flash in a big way, and prefer available light 1000 to 1, and don't really plan on ever learning advanced flash techniques and knowing why I obviously should get a new, impressive flash. Just looking for a basic extension cord that will work, if anyone knows of one...one that's not linked to some annoying proprietary setup of special Canon vs Nikon vs etc. etc. pin combinations and so forth.

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MartinL

MartinL

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Hope I deleted this question as a separate thread. Posting it here, figuring anybody who can answer Jon Pop's Qs might answer mine also. Might be the same question:)

 

I haven't used flash at all on my M8----New M9-P to arrive in days.

I like hand hold the flash, off camera.

I have a Metz 54-3 with SCA 3502 foot.

Recommend a set up?----cable? remote?

Must be TTL, Nice to keep HSS.

 

I also have a Nikon SB-28 that I actually prefer if there's a way to use it

 

Thanks for your thoughts.

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A 3502 SCA flash will not do TTL. The only fully compatible flashes are the Leica SF 24 and SF 58.

 

Bogen, the US agent for Metz, told me they can update my 3502 module so it will do TTL flash with the M9. They do it for free. I never bothered because the auto eye sensor gives me excellent exposure (albeit not off camera) and the old module still transfers the zoom and ISO values.

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jaapv

jaapv

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Hope I deleted this question as a separate thread. Posting it here, figuring anybody who can answer Jon Pop's Qs might answer mine also. Might be the same question:)

 

I haven't used flash at all on my M8----New M9-P to arrive in days.

I like hand hold the flash, off camera.

I have a Metz 54-3 with SCA 3502 foot.

Recommend a set up?----cable? remote?

Must be TTL, Nice to keep HSS.

 

I also have a Nikon SB-28 that I actually prefer if there's a way to use it

 

Thanks for your thoughts.

?
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MartinL

MartinL

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Bogen, the US agent for Metz, told me they can update my 3502 module so it will do TTL flash with the M9. They do it for free. I never bothered because the auto eye sensor gives me excellent exposure (albeit not off camera) and the old module still transfers the zoom and ISO values.

I have used the Metz almost OK/good-enough on my M8. But the combo gives me an aesthetic and ergonomic problem: turns an engineering masterpiece into top-heavy, unbalanced clunker.

 

Some good things to explore here. The 24D makes a nice package with the M9. Plus whatever other functionality I can get from my biggies-----might get me close enough. I'll be watching for posts from folks who do hand-held with the later Ms.

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MartinL

MartinL

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Lars_Bergquist has posted frequently on the subject. You might consider using the search function.

If I search for his name and the key words "flash cord" I get 39 results.

 

Thank you. I had done a bunch of searching, but much more focused to use the particular name/keyword "advanced" function you recommend.

So far I have learned:

1. "Nikon SC17 and SC28 cords work well with compatible flashes."

I am still not 100% sure the extent to which my particular Metz and Nikon are fully "compatible." With M9 in hand I'll try them out at store.

2. Lars is someone to pay attention to for M9 flash info

But also because his shooting preferences (biases) are similar to mine. In particular, it's reassuring that he often strongly prefers flash off the camera.

3. Some people don't have much use or need for TTL

I've flash shot mostly in A and M modes. But I'm not a highly experienced flash user. My combo of EOS 1D Mk II + 580EX gave competent and reassuring exposures under rapidly changing conditions--leaving me only to swivel the bounce. If possible, it would be nice to have some of that functionality in reserve with M9.

4. HSS not available with M9.

I've made good use of this function in the past, though there don't seem to be many complaints about not having it. With strong back light, HSS gives control over background with the option of darkening it. Without HSS, sometimes only option is to blow out background. Or what am I missing here?

5. I've been reading the online users manual. What a concept:)!

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bocaburger

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This is complete news to me. Does that mean that all SCA 3000 flashes have the ability to do a preflash?

 

No, just the 54MZ3 and later. For the M9 it requires the latest version of the module (forgot the number, either M4 or M5). As I said it's a free upgrade at least in the US.

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I have used the Metz almost OK/good-enough on my M8. But the combo gives me an aesthetic and ergonomic problem: turns an engineering masterpiece into top-heavy' date=' unbalanced clunker.

[/quote']

 

I stopped using my 54MZ3 on my M9 after Jaap illustrated how much flimsier the hot shoe-to-top plate design is compared with the M7. True he did sit on it, but the Metz is both much heavier and taller/more leverage than his 24D. I have a Sunpak 383 Super that is lighter if I need something more powerful than the 24D. And aside from travel, I prefer my Canon system anyway, which has a pro-quality hot shoe design as well as a much more sophisticated flash feature capability.

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lars_bergquist

lars_bergquist

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The reason he Nikon cords work is because they are fully wired.

 

Yes, Leica and Nikon have the same number of 'function contacts' in the same positions in the flash shoe and foot. This does not mean that they are using them for the same functions (except for the large central one, which continues to release the flash, as it has done since time immemorial – the M5). But this does not matter as long as the cord properly connects each contact with its proper counterpart. Whatever function each contact carries, it will be carried along to its destination by the cord. Just like a common household extension lead.

 

The cords I have tried out are the Nikon SC15 and SC17, and the Nissin SC001 (which is supposed to work for Canon too – I don't know if it's still available). Later Nikon cords have various other doodads built into the camera-end connector; as long as these do not interfere with the basic transfer function of the cord, the extras do no harm.

 

The business of connecting system-compatible flashguns with the camera is nowadays mainly the business of the camera maker. So I have repeatedly urged Leica to provide a cable for the SF24D and the SF58. I would say that apart from specialities like macro and the like, the main functional advantage of TTL flash is that this is the best way to use flash off camera. No matter where you point the flash, exposure will be correctly metered and governed. This is true even for swiveling and tilting units.

 

The old man from the Age of Flashpowder

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