stuny Posted September 19, 2007 Share #1 Posted September 19, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Help! Barbara just told me that when we’re in Africa on our next holidays we’ll be doing some night safaris. Since getting my DMR I’ve not used my flash (Metz 3000 with SCA 3501 module), and experimenting with the rig tonight shows me I haven’t a clue how to do this successfully. So, as this paragraph started, “Help!” Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 19, 2007 Posted September 19, 2007 Hi stuny, Take a look here Help! DMR & Flash. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
psquared Posted September 19, 2007 Share #2 Posted September 19, 2007 Stuart, I use a Metz 54 MZ-4i with the SCA 3502 M4 module. It works well with the DMR. You just have to set the flash in the "A" auto mode. It will do the rest. I usually have the camera in manual exposure mode. If you're using long lenses for the safari, then you'll probably need more than just a flash. A flash extender like the Better Beamer (Model FX-3 for Canon 580 EX) works well with the Metz flash. Sounds like a great trip coming up. Enjoy! Peter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted September 19, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted September 19, 2007 Peter - Thank you. I'll try it tonight. I had not tried manual exposure on the camera,. though I did try A, T & P on the camera with TTL and A on the flash. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted September 19, 2007 Share #4 Posted September 19, 2007 Will the safari people allow you to use flash? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted September 19, 2007 Author Share #5 Posted September 19, 2007 Andy - Good question. I'll ask Barbara to check with her contacts. BTW: Gorgeous photos on yur new link: 2007 shots (updated) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted September 19, 2007 Share #6 Posted September 19, 2007 Peter - Thank you. I'll try it tonight. I had not tried manual exposure on the camera,. though I did try A, T & P on the camera with TTL and A on the flash. I suspect that Peter meant Auto on the flash. With my 54 on the M8 in the ttl mode (dng, I think it's called), there is a pre-flash for the camera to figure out how to set up the flash,and that's probably not what you want for animal pix. In Auto, the Metz will think for itself and you can adjust the camera accordingly, based on chimping (which should be appropriate behavior ).. Nice trip! Have a ball. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tummydoc Posted September 19, 2007 Share #7 Posted September 19, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) With my 54 on the M8 in the ttl mode (dng, I think it's called), there is a pre-flash for the camera to figure out how to set up the flash According to the fellows at Leica, whilst the above is true for the R8 and R9 when used with film, the DMR is incapable of TTL flash and the flash can only be used in the "A" or "M" modes. The only problem I can see with a telephoto would be parallax between the auto sensor on the flash, which reads a significantly wider area than the lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgcd Posted September 19, 2007 Share #8 Posted September 19, 2007 Help! Barbara just told me that when we’re in Africa on our next holidays we’ll be doing some night safaris. Since getting my DMR I’ve not used my flash (Metz 3000 with SCA 3501 module), and experimenting with the rig tonight shows me I haven’t a clue how to do this successfully. So, as this paragraph started, “Help!” Hi Stuart - I would use my Metz 40MZ-2 on Auto (A), as you already know TTL is no longer available for the R8/DMR. That's about the only thing I would want extra in a new R10. It is also possible to use the power rating to reduce output in this mode. Cheers, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted September 19, 2007 Share #9 Posted September 19, 2007 Right. Digital cameras don't do ttl. I believe the setting that is similar on the Metz is called GNC (guide number control?). In this mode, the flash sends a (small?) flash and the camera evaluates the returning light and then induces the real flash. Use Auto. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted September 20, 2007 Share #10 Posted September 20, 2007 Could someone who has experience confirm that there is a very limited degree of "true" TTL flash on the R9, though not the R8, using "F" mode and the extra sensor up in the pentaprism that the R9 has got (originally for the HSS feature). Clumsy cludge though for most applications. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsteve Posted September 20, 2007 Share #11 Posted September 20, 2007 Could someone who has experience confirm that there is a very limited degree of "true" TTL flash on the R9, though not the R8, using "F" mode and the extra sensor up in the pentaprism that the R9 has got (originally for the HSS feature). Clumsy cludge though for most applications. Yes, this mode works on the DMR, just like it worked on film. It does not matter if it is a R8 or R9, the F mode flash metering works on the DMR. You set to F, move the stop down lever to the bottom of its travel, and the flash will fire. The R8/R9 will then show the metering for that test fire and you can adjust from there to get a proper exposure. Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgcd Posted September 20, 2007 Share #12 Posted September 20, 2007 Yes, this mode works on the DMR, just like it worked on film. It does not matter if it is a R8 or R9, the F mode flash metering works on the DMR. You set to F, move the stop down lever to the bottom of its travel, and the flash will fire. The R8/R9 will then show the metering for that test fire and you can adjust from there to get a proper exposure. Robert True enough! I forgot about that although I have used it on location shoots, including this past weekend. Cheers, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted September 20, 2007 Share #13 Posted September 20, 2007 I believe that ttl works by metering the reflection of the light from the *Film Emulsion* and that is why this doesn't work with a digicam. The sensor does not reflect light in the same way that the strip of film does. Hence the sort-of-works gnc mode for digital. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted September 20, 2007 Share #14 Posted September 20, 2007 Yes, this mode works on the DMR, just like it worked on film. It does not matter if it is a R8 or R9, the F mode flash metering works on the DMR. You set to F, move the stop down lever to the bottom of its travel, and the flash will fire. The R8/R9 will then show the metering for that test fire and you can adjust from there to get a proper exposure. Robert That is an extremely helpful tip, Robert. I assume that the flash gun needs to be up to spec too? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted September 20, 2007 Share #15 Posted September 20, 2007 Hey hey! This works, even with my old 32 Z-2 and the SCA 3501 on the R8 and DMR Thanks for the tips, guys. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgcd Posted September 20, 2007 Share #16 Posted September 20, 2007 Hey hey! This works, even with my old 32 Z-2 and the SCA 3501 on the R8 and DMR Thanks for the tips, guys. Do you set it on manual? I think that's the only way I can foresee it working in the same way as with monoblocks or studio flashes, I am indeed curious. Cheers, Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted September 20, 2007 Share #17 Posted September 20, 2007 I did the "F" setting trick, then used A, with the speed set to 250th. The flash was set to TTL Needs some more experimentation, but it's a good function (Serves me right for buying second hand gear, with no manuals!) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgcd Posted September 20, 2007 Share #18 Posted September 20, 2007 Are you getting consistent results or does your lighting fluctuate in this manner? I'll try on my side and see what that gives with the 40MZ-2. Cheers, N.B. Here are the links for the instructions manuals for the R9 (no R8) and the DMR respectively: Leica Camera AG - Photography - R9 Leica Camera AG - Photography - Digital Modul R Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted September 20, 2007 Share #19 Posted September 20, 2007 When I have more time I will play with it some more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsteve Posted September 20, 2007 Share #20 Posted September 20, 2007 The SCA flashes like the Metz will do TTL on the R8/DMR combo, but the results will be inconsistent. There was something about the R8 that did not allow Leica to disable TTL mode when a DMR is mounted, like is done on the R9. Using the F mode, all you need is the shutter speed to be 1/250th or slower and any type of flash connected to the camera. The F mode will meter whatever flash level your unit puts out. For example you can have the flash on Manual or lower power ratios such as 1/8th and when the metering process is done, it will display the reading if you are with three stops of the correct reading. If you have an automatic flash on Auto, it will just meter the amount of light your auto flash put out before quenching. Using it this way , it may show you if the auto on the flash is under or over exposing the metered area. You can then adjust accordingly. I think with the DMR, people would just use the histograom rather than the flash meter mode to fine tune their Auto flash exposures. Robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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