Flashing with the visoflex?

[Pelu2010]

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Hey, 

Say I would like to shoot a model with a 75 mm 1.2 and I date to do so against the light source. Say sun. 
I would like to flash to get some nice light in the face of the model. 
 

how can I do this with a visoflex attached? 
if the visoflex does not have a sync …. 
the camera has no sync …. 
 

are there any Leica flashes that magically attach to the system? 
 

or is there a double visoflex flash sync adapter? 
 

do we flash? 
 

don’t we flash …. 
 

 

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[Photoworks]

reflector soft silver LOL

I proposed a simple USB-D adapter for sync cable to Leica .

Other have built a sync cord socket in to the older visoflex 020 by using the middle pin. it would be manual only but a valid solution for me.

[DenverSteve]

There are many, many multi-purpose hot-shoe adaptors that we have used since the '70s.  Many have a hot-shoe on top and a pc sync-cord adaptor on the side.  Canon has them, Nikon has them, there are third-party versions...... Your best bet will be to purchase 5, or 6, and try until you find one that will allow for manual control of the sync-cord through the port and the Visoflex on the top shoe.  It's very possible that none will work, but one might. 

Edited February 10, 2023 by DenverSteve

[Anakronox]

None of those options will work with the Visoflex however, since they don’t pass through all of the additional electronic contacts recessed into the shoe for the EVF.  There was a user that hacked a PC port into their Visoflex 20 - I’d suggest searching the forum for that.  Otherwise there is no alternative solution at this time.  

Nikon had an interesting system for some of their cameras.  There was an accessory port on the body (not the hotshoe) that could accept a proprietary wireless flash trigger.  You could use this to trigger Nikon branded wireless flashes and still leave the hotshoe open.  The downside to it was that you were locked into Nikon speedlights only and couldn’t use actual strobes.  I used this for a while with the D850 and Z6 and it was okay but I felt too limited by the Nikon flashes and prefer more powerful, controllable lights.  It might be nice if Leica were to build in something similar to this, but with a different wireless protocol such as Profoto’s. 

[charlesphoto99]

Perhaps some sort of monocular loupe rig for the Live View on the back, so you'd shoot it kind of like an slr, your eye to a hole through the back. That would leave the hotshot open for flash, trigger, whatever. Looks like they're actually made. Will probably have to jerry rig to an M11 though.

Yeah, Leica have left flash photographers behind that's for sure. Even not shooting with an EVF, I found it frustrating trying to use a wide lens and flash. Just have to forgo the finder and guesstimate the framing. 

https://www.amazon.com/Hoodman-H32MB-HoodLoupe-Outdoor-Screens/dp/B074N4Z4J1

[Pelu2010]

Is there no Multifunction Grip with a c sync port? Like the Leica 14495 Multifunktions-Handgriff M for the m 240 ? 

[RvN]

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maybe not ideal but skip the visoflex and use the leica Foto's app? and use the hotshoe for the flash?

 

or use a lcd loupe viewfinder and liveview?

 

 

Edited December 10, 2024 by RvN

[Knightspirit]

I would Iike a better flash connection solution from Leica for the M11 - and they really should address this for the M12. Even a sync connection on the back like the old M3 had would be a better solution than nothing! I have a pc connector for the hot shoe but it doesn’t work for me on the M11. I just ordered a different one in hopes that I can trigger my strobes. Even one of the old infrared senders that fit into the hot shoe would work for me - but they don’t even sell those any more. I just ordered a used one from EBay, so will try that. I thought that the Godox trigger for Leica would send an infrared signal, but it doesn’t, apparently. Very awkward solutions!

[jaapv]

If truth be told Leica regards the Visoflex as an auxiliary to the real viewfinder. In my mind justly so. So the real solution would be to use the viewfinder. If you do need boththe Visoflex and flash, I fear that an M is simply not the tool for the job. 
I think that creating an adapter would be too expensive 

[charlesphoto99]

13 hours ago, Knightspirit said:

I would Iike a better flash connection solution from Leica for the M11 - and they really should address this for the M12. Even a sync connection on the back like the old M3 had would be a better solution than nothing! I have a pc connector for the hot shoe but it doesn’t work for me on the M11. I just ordered a different one in hopes that I can trigger my strobes. Even one of the old infrared senders that fit into the hot shoe would work for me - but they don’t even sell those any more. I just ordered a used one from EBay, so will try that. I thought that the Godox trigger for Leica would send an infrared signal, but it doesn’t, apparently. Very awkward solutions!

I don't have an M11, but would assume the hot shoe is the same as the M10-R, but I could be wrong. There are plenty of options out there, pro and generic, to fire a strobe wirelessly using a transceiver on the hot shoe and a receiver on the flash end. Personally I use a Profoto A1X with the Connect puck, which is of course proprietary, but I've seen the likes of Bruce Gilden using a Vivitar 285 wirelessly with a digital M. Perhaps with something like this: https://www.amazon.com/MEDALight-Wireless-Trigger-Transmitter-Receiver/dp/B0DKJGM74V/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1O21956MB0RD4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2Z9IfpJufTBUBazObtuy-ZtZL1AE_YgpKYTkQyoox63wwv_E4M07PUtscHhfKe7TYvlIlSXlshqnEg3XvsuFMC2dSuvxerUysW79SCoFLNbnurlTgfR55rSbBrPCUdBanoiaDr26BLd4KZo_FK8-Y458iXEQuDwPi0dJVtoxOaFhiJQh4VmCbFQj3RM3jsgJG7028a05xFcz8D8ZhorUKhAOPDFItIzroPc-OvKAAUg.mq3TDyD8id6IBvUErZyQhZ2LrpOgNoQ_Gp71PsGbjyc&dib_tag=se&keywords=wireless+camera+flash+trigger&qid=1734360854&sprefix=wireless+camera+flash%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

[Photoworks]

13 hours ago, Knightspirit said:

I would Iike a better flash connection solution from Leica for the M11 - and they really should address this for the M12. Even a sync connection on the back like the old M3 had would be a better solution than nothing! I have a pc connector for the hot shoe but it doesn’t work for me on the M11. I just ordered a different one in hopes that I can trigger my strobes. Even one of the old infrared senders that fit into the hot shoe would work for me - but they don’t even sell those any more. I just ordered a used one from EBay, so will try that. I thought that the Godox trigger for Leica would send an infrared signal, but it doesn’t, apparently. Very awkward solutions!

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1119628-REG/vello_hsa_pvu_hot_shoe_adapter.html

you can't use the infrared to trigger godox. that is for AF in all the later models.

you can get started on making this one for M11

 

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[Knightspirit]

1 hour ago, charlesphoto99 said:

I don't have an M11, but would assume the hot shoe is the same as the M10-R, but I could be wrong. There are plenty of options out there, pro and generic, to fire a strobe wirelessly using a transceiver on the hot shoe and a receiver on the flash end. Personally I use a Profoto A1X with the Connect puck, which is of course proprietary, but I've seen the likes of Bruce Gilden using a Vivitar 285 wirelessly with a digital M. Perhaps with something like this: https://www.amazon.com/MEDALight-Wireless-Trigger-Transmitter-Receiver/dp/B0DKJGM74V/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1O21956MB0RD4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2Z9IfpJufTBUBazObtuy-ZtZL1AE_YgpKYTkQyoox63wwv_E4M07PUtscHhfKe7TYvlIlSXlshqnEg3XvsuFMC2dSuvxerUysW79SCoFLNbnurlTgfR55rSbBrPCUdBanoiaDr26BLd4KZo_FK8-Y458iXEQuDwPi0dJVtoxOaFhiJQh4VmCbFQj3RM3jsgJG7028a05xFcz8D8ZhorUKhAOPDFItIzroPc-OvKAAUg.mq3TDyD8id6IBvUErZyQhZ2LrpOgNoQ_Gp71PsGbjyc&dib_tag=se&keywords=wireless+camera+flash+trigger&qid=1734360854&sprefix=wireless+camera+flash%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Interesting - but this would not trigger a strobe pack, only another shoe mount flash. 

[Knightspirit]

1 hour ago, Photoworks said:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1119628-REG/vello_hsa_pvu_hot_shoe_adapter.html

you can't use the infrared to trigger godox. that is for AF in all the later models.

you can get started on making this one for M11

 

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!

 

I have the Wein version of that connector coming- should work with a cord. Maybe Leica will make a Visoflex with a built in radio trigger that could be turned on or off. That would be awesome - we need to request that!

[charlesphoto99]

1 minute ago, Knightspirit said:

I have the Wein version of that connector coming- should work with a cord. Maybe Leica will make a Visoflex with a built in radio trigger that could be turned on or off. That would be awesome - we need to request that!

The Wein should work (I have one sitting in my 'junk' drawer). And yeah, sorry, missed the PC connection thing. But you should be a blue to find a wireless device that has a PC connection on the receiver end. 

[charlesphoto99]

Google this and you'll get some options:

flash wireless receiver with pc socket

 

[Photoworks]

20 hours ago, Knightspirit said:

I have the Wein version of that connector coming- should work with a cord. Maybe Leica will make a Visoflex with a built in radio trigger that could be turned on or off. That would be awesome - we need to request that!

that will never happen.
just not practicable. plus they have not come out with a flash in a long time...

 

I thought a USB dongle with PC sync would be cool. I have no idea if it is even possible.

[Knightspirit]

4 hours ago, Photoworks said:

that will never happen.
just not practicable. plus they have not come out with a flash in a long time...

 

I thought a USB dongle with PC sync would be cool. I have no idea if it is even possible.

That’s a great idea - since the usb port is right there. I wonder if they could incorporate that in a firmware update, but of course someone would have to make such a dongle…

[charlesphoto99]

16 minutes ago, Knightspirit said:

That’s a great idea - since the usb port is right there. I wonder if they could incorporate that in a firmware update, but of course someone would have to make such a dongle…

No, that will never happen as there's no guarantee the flash is sending back 5V. USB ports are too easy to fry, and can fry the motherboard behind them. Plus, the USB would have to already be a way to trigger the shutter (like in tethering). Not sure if the M11 shutter can be triggered by LR or C1. 

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[Photoworks]

21 minutes ago, charlesphoto99 said:

Not sure if the M11 shutter can be triggered by LR or C1. 

it does

[Stevejack]

I used the M11M for some studio portraits and I really missed having the visoflex for waist level shooting and accurate framing but I made do with the rangefinder - it's quicker and faster to focus using the rangefinder but just a little more awkward to use in some situations, you need to contort yourself a little more in tight spaces.  

On a side note; The vertical swivel function of the visoflex makes it my absolute favourite EVF on any camera system, and I do miss it when I'm shooting with other brands.