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Thumbs down for the SF-24D


marknorton

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Their is no consistency to the replies on this subject

 

I myself am going to look for a flash for the M8 so I thought I would do some research before buying one.

 

It seems some photographers have success with the Metz 54 or 45 and their 20 models are not recommended to work properly with the M8!

 

Isn't a hotshoe mount remote trigger available that will work on the Leica M8 and if so what brand? And what strobe unit would work in conjunction with the trigger?

 

Also I would imagine using a flash off camera or on a bracket above the camera that could work with cord would be the best option...Metz recommends the 45,54,75 do they work?

 

Many reply's are slanted to not using a flash at all, I have used flash to fill ambient light for years and find no rejection to my images. In fact many times without flash there would not be an image.

 

In closing if anyone could reply as to whether or not they have used any Metz-Nikon-Canon strobe with the M8 that works and how it works I will spend the $500 or less to try.

 

Thanks

Barry

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The D2x is a far worse flasher then the F5 (nikon) so there must be something with digital and flash.

 

Not sure how you come to this conclusion!

 

I am using the D2X and several different Nikon Flashes (all suited to fully work with the D2X) and my experiences are very good - actually I find this the most nature flash system available in this category and at least as good as with the F5 (which I am using since almost 10 years).

 

Even other vendors like Olympus, who are known for their good flash systems do not come close to Nikon.

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Their is no consistency to the replies on this subject

 

I myself am going to look for a flash for the M8 so I thought I would do some research before buying one.

 

It seems some photographers have success with the Metz 54 or 45 and their 20 models are not recommended to work properly with the M8!

 

Isn't a hotshoe mount remote trigger available that will work on the Leica M8 and if so what brand? And what strobe unit would work in conjunction with the trigger?

 

Also I would imagine using a flash off camera or on a bracket above the camera that could work with cord would be the best option...Metz recommends the 45,54,75 do they work?

 

Many reply's are slanted to not using a flash at all, I have used flash to fill ambient light for years and find no rejection to my images. In fact many times without flash there would not be an image.

 

In closing if anyone could reply as to whether or not they have used any Metz-Nikon-Canon strobe with the M8 that works and how it works I will spend the $500 or less to try.

 

Thanks

Barry

 

Barry,

 

I would run a mile from the Metz54 with the M8 unless you are prepared to junk GNC and use A mode the whole time. GNC basically does not work properly on the 54. The exposure control sometimes works and sometimes underexposes hopelessly. There is no EV compensation. Metz gave me my money back. I too wish there was a better alternative than the SF24-D, which is just too harsh and the pre-flash causes problems. The best solution I have come across is to use a Leicagoodies SFILL diffuser with the SF24-D. Given that Metz make the SF24-D for Leica, you would have thought that it was not beyond their capabilities to make a decent Leica flash with a bounce head and small fill-in secondary flash. In other words, a Leica version of the 54Mz-4i

 

Wilson

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wilson thanks for the 411, we can't seem to find anyone will to display one image with a particular flash and a description of the equipment used to make the image. ;)

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I had some problems at first with the SF24D on the M8, but after changing the batteries, and made sure the mode was in TTL it now works just like it did with my M6TTL except for the goofy pre-flash. I found that a -1/3 EV adjustment works very nice for fill without the glarish flash look, much as I used it on my M6TTL.

 

Gene

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Not sure how you come to this conclusion!

 

I am using the D2X and several different Nikon Flashes (all suited to fully work with the D2X) and my experiences are very good - actually I find this the most nature flash system available in this category and at least as good as with the F5 (which I am using since almost 10 years).

 

Even other vendors like Olympus, who are known for their good flash systems do not come close to Nikon.

 

 

I would love to know how you do this, as I have yet to get my SB600 to work properly with my D200. I get exposures all over the map with no consistancy.

 

Gene

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I cant comment on the SB600/D200 performance, but i would reiterate that the D2X and some SB800s is a terrific set up.

However I find that when using the SB800s as remotes with the wireless mode the pre-flash takes too long for portraits, resulting in closed eyes as the subject blinks.

 

Regarding the change in Nikon's from film to digital. On the film camera's the flash exposure is measured by light reflected off the film, ie after the shutter has opened.

On the digitals the measurement is made Before the shutter opens, via 'ore-flash'. This clearly takes some milliseconds more than the film camera set up.

Then if you use the wireless remote set up, there are additional pre-flashes which are the communication between the various units, and hence an additional delay.

 

So, back to flash on the M8! I find it fascinating how the M8 seems to be expanding Leica M system user base, I have never thought of an M as a 'flash' camera, even after the M6ttl... just shows how little I know!

Guy

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I found that a -1/3 EV adjustment works very nice for fill without the glarish flash look, much as I used it on my M6TTL.

I think that's still very bright and won't blend too well. I like to shoot at -1.5EV, but the SF24D only accepts -1 or -2 in A mode. So in indoor or stage light I use -1EV (easier to make it look natural), in bright outdoor sunlight -2EV...

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:confused: If you're trying to be unobtrusive, why are you using a flash??

You don't always need to be unobtrusive. Fill flash will almost universally improve an image in the eyes of the photo editor, so it's a matter of weighing pros and cons. Sometimes the light is so atrociously bad (as in midday open sunlight) you really don't have a choice if you want to produce something publishable.

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Has anyone tried AutoSlowSync with the M8?

 

Does it work? Sounds as if it might help the SF 24D seem a little less harsh for outdoor fill?

 

Or am I as confused as usual?

 

--HC

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Has anyone tried AutoSlowSync with the M8?

 

Does it work? Sounds as if it might help the SF 24D seem a little less harsh for outdoor fill?

 

Or am I as confused as usual?

 

--HC

 

Howard,

 

Outdoor fill in works very well with the SF24-D - it is at its limited best in those circumstances. The M8 turns the power down just the right amount for a fill/highlight. To be fair, the 24-D also has a lot of power when you need it. These NABS (not another bloody springbok) were about 60 metres away. Taken with D2 - hence high noise.

 

Wilson

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Not sure how you come to this conclusion!

 

I am using the D2X and several different Nikon Flashes (all suited to fully work with the D2X) and my experiences are very good - actually I find this the most nature flash system available in this category and at least as good as with the F5 (which I am using since almost 10 years).

 

Even other vendors like Olympus, who are known for their good flash systems do not come close to Nikon.

 

I agree that the F5 has a sublime flah but using the D2x and SB800 at the smaller apertures (below 4) gives over exposed images

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Howard,

 

Outdoor fill in works very well with the SF24-D - it is at its limited best in those circumstances. The M8 turns the power down just the right amount for a fill/highlight. To be fair, the 24-D also has a lot of power when you need it. These NABS (not another bloody springbok) were about 60 metres away. Taken with D2 - hence high noise.

 

Wilson

 

That explains that I am happy with the thing. I only use it for fill -and some DBS family shots.... (DBS=dead bog standard)

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