Lionel Squire Posted July 17, 2007 Share #1 Posted July 17, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Can anyone help me with an issue about flash please. Apparently Leica have no plans to produce a professional standard, powerful flashgun with bounce facility etc for the M8. Can anyone suggest which of the Metz range would best suit the camera, or any other make for that matter. Thanks Lionel squire Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 17, 2007 Posted July 17, 2007 Hi Lionel Squire, Take a look here M8 Flash. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
hofrench Posted July 17, 2007 Share #2 Posted July 17, 2007 I'd like to piggyback on this question, and ask whether anyone has experience using the Hexar RF flash with the M8? It's size is perfect, but I'm wary of doing anything that could damage the Leica's electronics. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 17, 2007 Share #3 Posted July 17, 2007 We have a search function, lads. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/digital-forum/12204-flash-recommendations.html Although I am not sure if the Hexar came up. You may want to use a safesync. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted July 17, 2007 Share #4 Posted July 17, 2007 Yes, something's happened because both Metz and Leica told me at Photokina there would be a dedicated flash for the M8 (or, at least, one which would integrate fully with the camera). It was said that one reason to have lenses coded was so that a flash could adjust the reflect to match the focal length - just as you get on a Nikon flash, for example. Nice feature, but pointless if there are no flashes which implement it. I don't use flash with the M8 much but I've pretty much given up with the GNC for reasons we've covered before - the pre-flash is too bright and the delay before the main flash/exposure too long, so you catch the blink response of people you are photographing. So, the fall back is to Auto mode for me - I use a Nikon SB-800 which is just fine. Sadly their IR trigger unit to trigger flashes remotely doesn't work on the M8. Coming back to Metz, I think it's the 44 and 54 models you should be looking at with the appropriate SCA adapter - they are quite big though. a flash designed to work on an dSLR doesn't sit especially comfortably on an M8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hofrench Posted July 17, 2007 Share #5 Posted July 17, 2007 I did a quick search before posting, and unless I overlooked something, did not come across any recent mention of the Hexar flash's compatibility with the M8. If anyone knows anything about this, I'd be much obliged. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted July 17, 2007 Share #6 Posted July 17, 2007 So, the fall back is to Auto mode for me - I use a Nikon SB-800 which is just fine. Sadly their IR trigger unit to trigger flashes remotely doesn't work on the M8. Hi Mark, I have a SB-800. I tried few days ago to use it with the M8. I thought it will be better than the SF-24D. The SB-800 flashes when I set the Manual mode... but I cannot control anything. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted July 17, 2007 Share #7 Posted July 17, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm also surprised that Leica haven't offered a rebadged Metz flash for the M8 other than the already existing (and not very good) SF24. If anything, it would be an opportunity for Leica to sell a mid-range flash worth £150 (as a straight Metz product) for something like £300. I don't use flash very often (especially not with a Leica) but when I do I like to have full swivel and bounce capability. I also like to have the ability to dial back the output in manual mode (I don't care much about TTL or GNC). The SF24 fails on the first count and is not great on the second with 1/64 as the minimum output (compounded by the fact that you cannot swivel the head at all). I've had the Metz 54 flash for a few years and it is fully featured in terms of swivel/bounce and manual output (down to 1/256) but it is simply too big and heavy to use on an M camera - especially in my preferred portrait orientation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cme4brain Posted July 17, 2007 Share #8 Posted July 17, 2007 Can anyone help me with an issue about flash please. Apparently Leica have no plans to produce a professional standard, powerful flashgun with bounce facility etc for the M8. Can anyone suggest which of the Metz range would best suit the camera, or any other make for that matter. Thanks Lionel squire I am an advanced amateur and perhaps like to use flash (for daylight flash fill) more than most on this forum with my M8. For low power situations (indoor) the Leica SF 24D flash seems to do fairly well. For daylight flash fill I use an older Metz 40MZ-31 (for the few weddings that I photograph) which is a lower profile than the Metz 54MZ with a great auto function, bounce and swivel functions, and has a "wink" light. This flash is heavy (as are all powerful flashes) so I have to use the Leica Handgrip for the M8 to hang on to the camera easily and keep it from toppling forward in my hands. I believe that a large heavy flash goes against some cosmic law of the M8- a small and unobtrusive camera needs a small and light flash. While I have access to a large powerful Metz, I have pretty much resorted to the 24D- if the Leica flash can't fill it, then I do without it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted July 17, 2007 Share #9 Posted July 17, 2007 Manuel, Set the flash to A Mode Set the flash ISO to match that on the camera Set the flash focal length the match the lens in use, taking account of crop factor Set the lens aperture to match that displayed on the flash That's it, properly exposed flash images. Great for fill-in plus of course you have all the advantages of the tilting head. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 17, 2007 Share #10 Posted July 17, 2007 For fill-flash - and other "light" flash situations on the 24D, I can fully recommend the"leicagoodies Sfill diffuser. I use it with the 28 mm attachment of the flash with for best results. ( stole the image off the Leicagoodies site...) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/29159-m8-flash/?do=findComment&comment=307910'>More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted July 17, 2007 Share #11 Posted July 17, 2007 Sorry Mark... Stupid ArtZ... I confused the SB-800 with the SB-50 DX I tested with the SB-50 DX which was sleeping in a box since 2004. I don't have anymore the SB-800. Manuel, Set the flash to A Mode Set the flash ISO to match that on the camera Set the flash focal length the match the lens in use, taking account of crop factor Set the lens aperture to match that displayed on the flash That's it, properly exposed flash images. Great for fill-in plus of course you have all the advantages of the tilting head. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted July 17, 2007 Share #12 Posted July 17, 2007 Manuel, I tried an SB-80 and that works fine too. Even an ageing SB-26, which must be at least 10 years old works fine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted July 17, 2007 Share #13 Posted July 17, 2007 So, the fall back is to Auto mode for me - I use a Nikon SB-800 which is just fine. Sadly their IR trigger unit to trigger flashes remotely doesn't work on the M8. Mark have you tried the SB800 in Commander mode with another Nikon flash as a remote? I have a SB800 & 600 but haven't try this setup yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dante Posted July 17, 2007 Share #14 Posted July 17, 2007 I'd like to piggyback on this question, and ask whether anyone has experience using the Hexar RF flash with the M8? It's size is perfect, but I'm wary of doing anything that could damage the Leica's electronics. I use that combination a lot. No damage or even potential for damage (synch is about 5V). The Hexar RF flash triggers the flash-ready indicator and synch speed (in A). The only catch is that it only has two auto modes (and a scale corresponding to 100 and 400 ISO) but you just close down a stop. Flash is very accurate, as far as I can tell. And with two lithium AAs, it weighs nothing. Dante Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted July 17, 2007 Share #15 Posted July 17, 2007 Ed, the Master options disappear from the menu of the SB800 when it is mounted on the M8, so the answer is, Yes I have tried it and No, it doesn't work. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 17, 2007 Share #16 Posted July 17, 2007 I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the March/April issue of LFI yet, which has an extensive review of two Metz flashes on the M8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted July 17, 2007 Share #17 Posted July 17, 2007 Both Leica and Metz are completely tone deaf on this issue. The only answer for me is to become the "smarts" in every shot and continue using what I know: the ancient Vivitar 283 or Sunpak 383 interfaced to the M8 with a Wein SynchSafe unit (to prevent any chance of frying the M8's circuits.) A Stroboframe bracket also helps here to get mandatory separation between the light source and the lens. I wish there were a different answer but using a non-articulated flash OR one that insists on burbing out a very annoying pre-flash will not be done by this photographer. -g Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eikonphoto Posted July 17, 2007 Share #18 Posted July 17, 2007 For fill-flash - and other "light" flash situations on the 24D, I can fully recommend the"leicagoodies Sfill diffuser. I use it with the 28 mm attachment of the flash with for best results. ( stole the image off the Leicagoodies site...) Do you find this combination consistent? Also, is there an hot sync input in that flash? I often slave with quatum radio slaves so that would be helpful. I have the sb800 and the metz54 with the correct shoe, and frankly I think both are pretty terrible. Because of this, I am finding that I cannot use the M8 much once the reception is under way. I am loath to buy another flash, especially one that I have not heard anything particularly good about. This is getting to be a real issue for me. Any advice would be much appreciated. Karen Washington DC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 17, 2007 Share #19 Posted July 17, 2007 Do you find this combination consistent? Also, is there an hot sync input in that flash? I often slave with quatum radio slaves so that would be helpful. DC Yes, when used with M-TTL I do find it consistent, and the results are on a level with a bounce flash. One cannot use the auto-setting, as the flash sensor gets the full blast of reflected light. But it is low power, which means that if one uses it for real flash photography it soon runs out of light and has quite some falloff in the distance. It helps a lot though, to underexpose both camera and flash by 2/3rds of a stop and rely on the shadow recovery of the M8. That gains 1.1/2 stops in guide number. For fill-in flash I find this combination excellent. It has no hot sync input. You'd have to use it as the master unit and have light-triggered slaves. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtZ Posted July 17, 2007 Share #20 Posted July 17, 2007 Manuel, I tried an SB-80 and that works fine too. Even an ageing SB-26, which must be at least 10 years old works fine. Thank you Mark. After your post, I tried again the SB-50DX. Maybe I'm really stupid but I cannot make it working in TTL Mode. As the M8 is not a Nikon, I only have access to "M" and "TTL" modes. In "M" mode the flash fires in full power. In "TTL" mode, the flash fires with extremely weak power (you only can see the light if you have the flash bulb in front of your eyes). I suppose that the SB-50DX is just not compatible with the M8. I've been reading the owner's instructions but I haven't find anything that could help me. It was worth trying though. I will keep using the SF-24D. Thank you for your help. PS: If someone has an SB-50DX and wanna try... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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