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Strobes & M8 compatability?


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Probably 95% of my shooting with the M8 is available light, but there are times when bouncing a light off a wall or ceiling would be prefered, if not necesssary. Other than purchasing the Leica strobe, does anyone have any knowledge of strobes that might be compatable or avoided?

 

I read on another site someone has had good luck with the Sunpak 383 Super, but I'm wondering about voltage issues. I'd hate to have a $75.oo strobe screw up a $5000 camera.

 

I'm aware of the circuit protector doodads that slip in the hotshoe, but would like to avoid that route if I can.

 

Thanks-

-Skippy

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Guest guy_mancuso

I bought a SB 600 and took it back. You can't set the ISO or F stop on the flash. you have to find a older flash that has A mode , ISO, F stop controls. The new one you can't set that on the flash the Nikons want to set everything for you with there camera's. You needtotal control of the flash itself so you can match what your doing on the camera. the Metz 54 with the 3502 module is the one i use all the time but was looking for something smaller also and backup

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I would also be wary of any dedicated flashes going directly into the hotshoe. I bought a sunpak 433D dedicated to Nikon for use off camera with the pentax off shoe cord that was described on another thread. It works properly in A mode off camera like that on the cord, but if you put it on the camera, the infrared focus lights come on and stay on, which is not right.

 

I have a little (discontinued) Sunpak 144D that has a bounce head, and two auto apertures, and a fair bit of oomph. Something like that would be fine. A lot better than the SF24. Three auto apertures would be nice, but often in compact flashes like that they don't offer that. Metz has a little flash with a bounce head ( mecablitz 20 C-2) but it also only offers two auto apertures.

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I tried the 580ex and no go.

 

Bummer. I'm also looking for bounce --- and my SF20 won't even do TTL -- just "A". Maybe I'll try the Konermann Shade. No body seems to have a flash they really like for the M8. As of now, I have pretty much abandoned the idea of flash if you're working quickly. When I have the need, I am reverting to the 5D which is very quick and easy with flash.

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Guest guy_mancuso

The Metz 54 works great but it is bigger than the damn M8 . it's like a truck up there but i have no choice , I shoot a bunch of corporate events and it works great but a monster

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Guest guy_mancuso

No Guy i did not try that one but if you could check it out when you get a chance that would be great. in the old days we were able to control the flash today there letting the camera's set everything. Bummer

 

For the M8 we will need ISO , F stop, A mode, zoom control, and moveable head . Plus not fry the M8

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if you can find one of these used, the sunpack 444D has all the above, 3 auto ranges, a zoom head, bounce and the little flap thingy. It has been discontinued, but ebay?

 

I think currently the 433AF for Nikon is the same, but as you see below, the af IR sensors are activated. But it works otherwise, you could tape over the sensors I guess, or get tricky and open up the unit and disconnect them.

 

nice thing about the 444D is that it has a sync-in phone plug, for use with a radio slave.

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Here's the little 144D with the bounce head and two auto ranges. Pretty compact. Guide no about 56 in feet.

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just for kicks, the pentax off shoe cord, my 21 elmarit, and zeiss finder atop the pentax off shoe-shoe. Mount the strobe of your choice. Still looking for a wrist strap a la Sean Reid.

 

Larry Fink showed a glove once he used, a golf glove, with velcro, which he had mounted a vivitar 283 onto, for use with his mamiya 6 in those days. the auto sensor goes on the camera. The glove allowed him to focus and the flash was velcro'd to the backside of the left hand.

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Probably 95% of my shooting with the M8 is available light, but there are times when bouncing a light off a wall or ceiling would be prefered, if not necesssary. Other than purchasing the Leica strobe, does anyone have any knowledge of strobes that might be compatable or avoided?

 

I read on another site someone has had good luck with the Sunpak 383 Super, but I'm wondering about voltage issues. I'd hate to have a $75.oo strobe screw up a $5000 camera.

 

I'm aware of the circuit protector doodads that slip in the hotshoe, but would like to avoid that route if I can.

 

Thanks-

-Skippy

 

I just realized the sunpack auto 383 is the same as the 444D I pictured above, its the newer version, minus the interchangeable module system they seem to have done away with. So the answer, is yes it works.

 

you can get the zoom diffuser for it, it bounces and swivels, has 3 auto apertures, and also has a pc sync input on the foot. All for 80$.

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