skass Posted August 17, 2006 Share #1 Posted August 17, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) I am looking to buy a flash for my Digilux 2, and I am seeking recommendations/advice. I know this topic has been covered in the old forum (I can't find my way back into it), and my general recollection is that most people had been using one or two models by Metz or the Leica SF 24D. If anyone has any suggestions or can give me the pros & cons of each (or a link to the threads in the prior forum), it would be much appreciated. Thanks. Steven Kass Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 17, 2006 Posted August 17, 2006 Hi skass, Take a look here Flash for D2. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dugby Posted August 18, 2006 Share #2 Posted August 18, 2006 The old forum is found at http://www.leica-camera-user.com/oldforum.php And much is written about the Metz and SF24D flashes. I bought a Metz 40MZ-3i and the mandatory SCA3502-M4 shoe. I can say that the twin reflectors of this Metz is really superb, ie it can send 90% light to bounce, and 10% as fill-in. The Metz 40 range sit's easier on a D2, than the cobra shaped 54 range. The lower profile Metz 40 does not produce any red-eye. The 40 and 54 are almost identical in power output. But the 54 is much heavier than the 40. The 54 is newer and replaced the 40 range. I can also say, do not under-estimate how good the built-in D2 flash is. For shorter distance shot's I prefer my D2 built-in flash. The Metz is too powerful for these close shots, ie less than 3 metres The SF24D does not do bounce, so in one sense, is not as good as the D2 bulit-in flash, except the SF24D is more powerful for straight line flash than the D2 straight line flash. A Metz 40MZ-3i from ebay is about the same price (+/- 25%) as a new SF24D Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timhl Posted August 18, 2006 Share #3 Posted August 18, 2006 For 2 years I have ben using a SF24D with my Digilux 2, and I can recommend the combination. The SF24D is a handy supplement to the build-in flash which by the way is surprisingly good. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP3 Posted August 18, 2006 Share #4 Posted August 18, 2006 This has been discussed to death in the old forum. I got a SF24D at the beginning, then switch to Metz MZ40-2 and could never to better with the Metz. It's powerful, well-balanced in handling, using GNC and A mode and the exposure is simply excellent even in a function hall, not to mention the 90/10 bounce and secondary flash, always give gorgeous result with warm skin tone. What do you ask for more... FYI, AFAIK, you may search ebay for MZ40-2, 2i, 3 or 3i.The difference is minimal only on the flash zoom range. One is slight wider than the other in zoom flash, I cannot remember which. Hope this can help. Best Matthew Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbretteville Posted August 18, 2006 Share #5 Posted August 18, 2006 I use a Metz 44MZ2 and the SCA2502 mod 4 shoe with a Stofen Omni-Bounce OM-MZ2 (not documented as working on a 44MZ2 but it does, and very well too). I also use an SF24D from time to time as well as the built in flash which is an excellet little gizmo within it's limits. I chose the Metz 44 over the 54 based on size and weight, the Omni-bounce takes away some of the longing for the 54's swivel head. I don't long for it's size and weight so no regrets on the choice. - Carl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
burkey Posted August 18, 2006 Share #6 Posted August 18, 2006 I might add that I too highly recommend the Stofen Omni-Bounce regardless of what flash you end up getting. I've been using an old Vivitar 285 with the Omni Bounce with my D2 for the last couple of years and it's function extremely well even though it's not TTL. Good luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted August 18, 2006 Share #7 Posted August 18, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) I agree with everything that Dugby says, including the general usefulness of the built-in flash. I happen to own the Metz 54. Although the Metz units are expensive, if you need a truck, buy a truck. They are enormously powerful devices and unexcelled for quality and features. I use an external battery pack. I add 2 notes regarding problems I have noticed with the internal flash. 1. I used it at a wedding (I was not the designated photog) and although it worked very satisfactorily indoors, in the tent it didn't have the necessary power to turn things into daylight, so I got the color (and haze) from the tent fabric in my pictures. The Metz would have created daylight color balance in my pix. 2. Even when I use the D2 flash in the tilted-up position, I get red-eye when I catch eyes sidewise in my photos. Of course, it can be removed, but that becomes necessary. An external unit raises the flash high enough that red-eye doesn't happen, even sideways into the eye. I do happen to use the internal flash more often than the Metz, but when I need it, the Metz has every answer I want. Note that an external flash unit will only sync up to 1/250. Also, if you place a viewer such as a 28mm viewfinder in the hotshoe, the internal flash is disabled. I still have to experiment to see if the suggestion I got to put a piece of paper under the finder solves the problem. I bot the Metz because I was thinking futures. It meets all my needs and I won't have to buy something more powerful in the next x years. Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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