Thinking the unthinkable - should I use a flash ?

[colonel]

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I have been really enjoying my new 18-56mm lens with the CL

I am normally a prime shooter, but its great to have the range in a lightweight combo and the 18-56 is pretty much sharp across the range, (although requiring non-trivial distortion PP under 30)

I was thinking, for a travel combo, of adding a 23 f2 for night time shooting, but then I thought flash!!

Not talking about a well know NY street shooter who uses one for "in your face" but I thought at night, or when ducking indoors during the day, I can use 3.5 and -1/3 or -2/3 or a SF-40 flash

The limitation is in museums where they don't allow flash, and unecessary attention, but I wonder how many of you CL/TL2/TL/T use flash ? and what you think of it with these cameras ?

 

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[bags27]

sure, why not? I have the SF-40 that, when used TTL, is a no-brainer with the 18-56. OTOH, I have a Zeiss 50 f/1.5 (and a Q) that with very high ISO generally preclude the flash. The 23f/2 is a great lens, but maybe an ever faster (say) Voigtlander, Zeiss , or even an older Leica 35 f/1.4,  if you don't mind manual focus.

[ynp]

I own the SF-40 and if I want to use it as an off camera flash, I use a Kenko Nikon cord and hold it in my left hand. Works well with my CL. The bigger flashes are uncomfortable.

 

[jankap]

I don´t like flash. Never use it, despite my camera has a built-in flash.

[wda]

I have no need for flash these days, so 23/2 lens would be my first choice to the meet the situations you cite.

[ramarren]

I use flash and small continuous LED lights occasionally. The results are often quite different in feel from ambient low-light work, but as long as you learn how to get what you want, there's nothing to say against it. 

[jaapv]

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I mostly use flash in high contrast situations, for instance indoors with a bright window behind. Fill-flash. In the dark I find it unnatural.

[david strachan]

I think fill flash is very valuable too.

And flash for macro or microphotography.

And for foreground illumination in evening landscapes, or star trails.

For studio photography and portraiture.

Sometimes i use it for special effects.

Learning to use flash properly is important for photographers.

...

[g2van]

Sure, flash and why not? Some don't think Leica cameras should ever use flash but I disagree. It's not the camera brand that dictates flash or no flash. You own the camera, do whatever makes you happy, even close up direct flash at strangers, so what? Any action can be rude and obtrusive, flash, camera or no camera. 

I do use flash sometimes especially indoors with bad lighting. Sometimes I will use the Fuji EF 20 which is tiny (manual only) or sometimes the SF40, which is very good. 

Flash away! 

[nicci78]

yes, use whatever is needed to get a great picture

Leica users can love to use flash. 

But Leica hates them and do not make them properly

 

Edited July 17, 2019 by nicci78

[stevegaskin]

I had one upcoming situation where I needed flash so didn’t want to spend a lot. I bought a pre-owned SF26 which works great and is so compact you can carry it almost everywhere.  I’ve since used it on numerous occasions and whilst the range is limited, it’s proved great for those situations when available light is poor and high ISO isn’t desirable.

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ight is poor and high iso isn’t desirable.

[rob_w]

Excellent shot.  Love it when fill flash is so subtle you don't notice it unless your attention is drawn to it.

[saintsteve]

There is nothing inherently wrong with using a flash. That being said it must be used correctly and a balanced well exposed flash photo is better than than a poorly lit blurry and noisy available darkness photo. It should not be a choice between a 23 f2 and a flash. They are both part of a photographer's toolkit, you should have both. It's no different than a plumber choosing a plunger or a snake, you use the right tool for the job.

My travel kit consists of the Cl, 11-23, 23, 18-56, 55-135 and an sf24. It is compact and light enough to fit in a small shoulder bag and take with all day without compromising my options and has the advantage of having the proper option available to me at all times. 

Edited July 18, 2019 by saintsteve

[colonel]

I am trying to decide between a SF26 and a SF40. They are very similar price second hand.

The SF26 is newer and is smaller, but the SF40 is higher power and looks better made

Any comments on what you guys' use ?

 

 

[jaapv]

I have the SF26 in the Metz Panasonic version and the Leica/Nissin SF40. The SF40 is far superior in build quality and functionality.

[nicci78]

both are very thin cheap plastic made. Nothing to rave about. Nothing like real Leica products. Only 50% markup rebranding.

[jaapv]

You are certainly right about the SF 26. It lacks decent controls as well. But the SF40, although Leica-overpriced, is solidly built and fit for its purpose. A small camera like the CL gets unbalanced when you mount heavy professional level flashes which are outside the concept of the system.

[lct]

My SF 26 looks well built and works fine with my CL and manual lenses (no experience with L ones). It is compact, can be tilted easily and i find its AAA batteries and LED light source very handy. I don't use flashes much though so take what i say with a lump of salt.

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[Jake]

Is the SF26 in the Metz Panasonic version able to be used wirelessly with the CL? Read a review and they were using it with the lumix gx7. Can any of the leica flashes be used wirelessly?

[lct]

The Leica SF C1 remote control works with Leica clones of Nissin flashes AFAIK, which includes neither the SF 26 nor its Metz version, but i have no experience with it.
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