Radio Flash trigger for M9

[jrtbloke]

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HI All,

 

Am hoping to tap into the experience of others here.

 

I recently attended a studio workshop, but to my dismay the radio flash trigger being used to trigger the studio flash units 'went ape' on my M9 and refused to work, i was thinking of buying one for my own lights having seen the benefits, but am hoping to grab some recommendations of relatively inexpensive units that others know work with their leica.

 

Any recommendations?

 

many thanks

JT

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[sanyasi]

I don't use flash on the M9 that much, but I think I had success with Pocket Wizards in the past. They are not the cheapest, but I have found them to be reliable with my Canon DSLRs. Ask or try before you buy. PocketWizard® - PocketWizard Customer Service

[Jamie Roberts]

Pocket wizards work fine, even the little TT1s, in manual mode. I use them all the time.

[La Morte]

I use Pocket Wizards all the time.

Here are two posts of my set-ups;

 

Streamlight Photography: Leica M9 and product photography...

 

Streamlight Photography: Leica M9 shoots Zombies "Strobist" style...

[dwbell]

I use cheap (Nikon) model RF602 from Yungnuo. Anything the size of a pocket wizard I find looks ridiculous on the discreet M body. I'll move up to the 5DII and Ekinchrom system if I want to go "lit" on location. The 602 is enough, with a white umbrella speed light to bring up poor light when shooting rangefinder style. Unobtrusive physically and in terms of image.

[Fang]

I use cheap (Nikon) model RF602 from Yungnuo. Anything the size of a pocket wizard I find looks ridiculous on the discreet M body. I'll move up to the 5DII and Ekinchrom system if I want to go "lit" on location. The 602 is enough, with a white umbrella speed light to bring up poor light when shooting rangefinder style. Unobtrusive physically and in terms of image.

 

Thanks. Got the Nissin SC01 cord.

 

Had to modified it with 2 silk ties.

1. To tie the cables so they don't stick out and hang in front of the camera.

2. Tie the cable to the Eye-cup so that it will not block the view finder.

 

It is a challenge trying to focus and shoot with the flash.

 

Just started a new thread "Tilting Leica SF-24D flash on the hit-shoe". I have made it tilt with my modified Canon 580 ex diffuser - First Photo.

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Edited October 27, 2012 by Fang

[Guest WPalank]

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Thanks for posting Fang.

Can anybody please give me the part number for the Nikon Model. I've been thinking about it for a while now.

 

Also, if using the Nikon (actual product, not a knock-off) does one have to tie the chords like Fang in order to get it out of the viewfinder?

 

If is aware of pictures on the Forum of the Nikon set-up, would you be so kind as to post the url?

[Paul J]

My vote for the Pocket Wizards. Flawless.

[dwbell]

Seriously good flash trigger for the M9 is the Yongnuo RF602 NIKON fit.

 

These triggers work EVERY time and for the price it"s a no brainer - well made excellent piece of kit.

 

For my Leica M9's I use these triggers all the time and have NEVER had a misfire with them. Don't be put off by the cheap price, these triggers work very very well.

 

I have the Pocket Wizard Minniflex ITTL triggers for use on my Nikon DSLR's for ONE reason only, they support ITTL and can therefore be used at shutter speeds above 1/250th BUT the Yongnuo triggers are far easier to use and whats more, much more reliable !!

 

If buying for Leica M's remember that you MUST get the NIKON fit triggers and these have to be the older RF602 type DON'T get the newer RF603 transceivers which work flawlessly on Nikon but won't work on the M9.

 

RF602 is the way to go - one transmitter and two receivers and you can cover virtually any flash setup.

 

Remember all triggers for the M9 work with the flash in fully manual mode, so as long as your flash supports manual shooting then you're in business. I use lots of older Nikon speedlights such as the SB26 and SB25 or SB80. These being older models they won't support the ITTL system of modern Nikons but can be used perfectly in manual mode with the M9 and triggers. You can pick up virtually mint used examples on EBAY because nobody wants them any more - of course though you can use the latest all bells and whistles SB910's in manual mode, but the older non ITTL stuff works just fine.

 

Flash is not an exact science and the best way of exposure is to have a good ball park figure and then adjust accordingly. With a Nikon speedlight set on 1/8 power and the camera set at ISO 400 I find that with the flash firing through a white brolly and about 2m away from the subject in most rooms an initial setting of the aperture at F5.6 works just fine. If the image is a bit dark then you can (1) move the flash a bit closer to the subject (2) open the aperture (3) up the ISO and the reverse if it's a bit light. Once you have the look you want the great thing about manual flash is that as long as you don't move the flash YOU can move around and the exposure will remain the same.

 

Leica M flash sync of 1/180th is a bit limiting outside on sunny days but other than this it all works brilliantly.

 

Yup, exactly this. Have Elinchrom Skyport system for studio and 5DII etc but the 602 is my Leica trigger for all of the above. Very reliable for a much smaller physical and financial foot print.

 

(edit - I super glue a 28mm washer around the test button on the top of the Tx unit. Stops it being pressed when in my Domke F2 front pocket)

Edited October 30, 2012 by dwbell

[algrove]

Thanks for posting Fang.

Can anybody please give me the part number for the Nikon Model. I've been thinking about it for a while now.

 

Also, if using the Nikon (actual product, not a knock-off) does one have to tie the chords like Fang in order to get it out of the viewfinder?

 

If is aware of pictures on the Forum of the Nikon set-up, would you be so kind as to post the url?

 

I bought the Nikon cord that Sean Reid mentioned in his flash article some time ago. I am on the road now and do not have that piece with me, but it seems like it was like SC-12. But that is a guess. It looks like that Nissan one except it is Nikon product.

[Guest WPalank]

I bought the Nikon cord that Sean Reid mentioned in his flash article some time ago. I am on the road now and do not have that piece with me, but it seems like it was like SC-12. But that is a guess. It looks like that Nissan one except it is Nikon product.

 

Thanks, found one at Calumet half the price of the Nikon SC-39. Imperial grand wizard Barton deleted the comment though because I mentioned the exact price.

[Tonki-M]

is there one that works with a canon 5d mk2 and the m9? if i understand correctly, the 602 is for Nikon?

[dwbell]

Nope, you need one for the canon and one for the Leica.

[RoySmith]

is there one that works with a canon 5d mk2 and the m9? if i understand correctly, the 602 is for Nikon?

 

The M9 uses the nikon 602 transmitters. The 602 receivers are compatible with both the Canon & Nikon transmitters. On a 5DMkIII I've used the Canon 602 transmitter in the hot shoe to trigger the flash(s), and simultaneously used the nikon 602 transmitter in hand with a receiver and shutter cable to be a remote shutter trigger. The two sets have to have been set with different DIP switch settings. They are inexpensive and in my experience have been reliable.

 

Roy

[seezee]

If buying for Leica M's remember that you MUST get the NIKON fit triggers and these have to be the older RF602 type DON'T get the newer RF603 transceivers which work flawlessly on Nikon but won't work on the M9.

Rats. Wish I'd read that part before I ordered the RF-603s for Nikon. They just don't work. Have the RF-602 on order now, but it won't arrive till Boxing Day.

 

Arrgh.