Flash help

[kinross]

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Hello. Can anyone recommend to me a book on flash photography that explains about the equipment available and how to set it up. I have come back to photography after a long break, (1950's 1960's) and did not do any flash work then. I read the threads on the forum

and I am afraid most of it goes over my head, ie various methods of triggering setting up for remote,wireless etc. Maybe such a book does not exist, but I thought if it does one of the forum subscribers would know.

On my return to the hobby I bought a Nikon D5000. I did not get on very well. All the menus

and goodness knows what put me off. Then I discovered that Leica made a digital camera that still worked like a good old film 35mm. I have not regretted buying my M9.

Thanks in advance for any help I may receive.

I am based in the UK.

Mike

[tobey bilek]

There is a website called Strobist.

[kinross]

Hello tobey. Thank you for your reply to my post. The strobit site is just what I wanted. I have printed most of the text off and will read it at my leisure. Reading my post again I hope I did not seem rude referring to old 35mm cameras. It was just my way of saying how pleased I was at finding a camera that I could relate to. I am in my mid 70's and would have liked to have started back in film,but I do not want to get involved in developing etc. again.

 

Anyway thanks again.

 

Mike.

[ayewing]

Hello Mike,

I hope that you have found the strobist site useful. I make no claims to expertise in the use of flash but I have found that the older thyristor flashes work quite well in auto mode. I use an old Vivitar 2500.

 

If you want the camera to do TTL metering then the Leica SF24D is very easy to use in TTL mode as it is controlled by the M9. It can be used either on the hot shoe or off camera using a suitable flash cord - I use a Nikon SC-17 (the SC-28 also works) and I think there is a Nissin Universal cord that works. The SF24D is quite small but has adequate power for many situations. There is the larger SF58D but it is much bigger, heavier and more expensive.

[kinross]

Hello Archie. Thank you for the information. I have noted the parts for future ref.

I have a Mecablitz 20 c-2 flash which is OK but lacking in facilities.

I have found and ordered a SF58. Ex demo and at a good discount otherwise I would not have spent that much money so soon.

 

Will start to gather other bits & bobs re the strobist site to start me off.

 

Thanks again.

 

Mike.

[ayewing]

Mike, I am sure you will find the SF58 has plenty of power and as it shares the control system with its smaller sibling, the SF24D, it will work very well in TTL mode. You were lucky to get it at a good discount.

[kinross]

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Hello Archie. sf58 arrived yesterday. You are quite right it is a bit large but will be fine for off camera work. The instructions are a little intimidating but I will crack it sometime. I remember as a lad learning to solder. I thought it was a black art, but it holds no fears now.

The flash is the same for me. I am thinking of joining a local photo club. I could well learn a lot. They will probably be all Dslr users and think I walk left footed!!!.

I have joined the Leica society. Am waiting for my welcome pack. Should arrive today.

I have joined because I think they do have meetings in the UK which might be interesting.

Most events to do with Leica are either in Europe or the USA.

 

Thanks for feedback.

 

Mike.

[brill64]

I found the best way to learn about flash & additional lighting in general was not to be afraid of it or believe too much in ttl flash. Buy or borrow a cheap flash, throw away the manual, put it on the camera & experiment. As long as it's an unimportant event, no one is going to mind & you're going to enjoy it. Learning to balance lighting is a lot to do with how you like the look of your finished image. Then read around the subject a bit. It's not rocket science:)