Recommendations for simple flash for SL 601

[Big John]

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Read all I can on here but still in need of some advice pls. Am still using original 601 and need a simple and low cost flash solution for very occasional use (family events etc).  I have a Nikon SB25 speedlight from my film days so could use that - but think it would need an optical trigger etc. I don’t know much about flash TBH. 
 

Recommendations pls for a safe and simple set-up?  Thank you. 

[JohnathanLovm]

Depending your definition of simple and low cost, Godox Lux junior. It’s small and easy for personal uses. 

[Luke_Miller]

Your SB25 should work fine on the SL.  I have one and, while I've not used it on my SL, I have on my digital M bodies.  Put the SB25 in "A" (auto-Thyristor) mode and enter the shooting ISO and aperture values on the camera.  The flash will then control the flash exposure.  If you want TTL flash exposure I suggest the Leica SF-40.

[Big John]

3 hours ago, Luke_Miller said:

Your SB25 should work fine on the SL.  I have one and, while I've not used it on my SL, I have on my digital M bodies.  Put the SB25 in "A" (auto-Thyristor) mode and enter the shooting ISO and aperture values on the camera.  The flash will then control the flash exposure.  If you want TTL flash exposure I suggest the Leica SF-40.

Thank you. Will try that!

[Big John]

Just checked max output voltage of SB25 is 3.68V. Anyone know max input voltage for the SL (using a flash in auto)?  Thanks. 

[Big John]

On 4/18/2023 at 8:20 PM, Big John said:

Just checked max output voltage of SB25 is 3.68V. Anyone know max input voltage for the SL (using a flash in auto)?  Thanks. 

No need to answer this question as took the plunge and tested the SB25 on the SL, no major problems.

One thing I need some advice on pls is how to set the shutter speed on the SL. As it doesn’t appear to be properly communicating (if at all) with the flash, the camera aperture/shutter/ISO combo (in aperture priority) appears to be no different whether a flash is connected or not.  Only trying to get a set-up that works for fill-in flash. Appreciate any advice pls. Thanks. 

[Luke_Miller]

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There will be no communication between the SB25 and the SL other than the trigger signal from the center contact in the hot shoe. The SL will not recognize the presence of the flash. I suggest putting the SL in Manual exposure with fixed ISO to achieve the desired ambient light exposure on the subject. Then put the SB25 in A mode and enter the SL ISO and aperture.  Make sure the SL shutter speed is within the flash sync range.  Then the flash should provide a correct flash exposure.  For fill flash it might be a bit too much, so fudge the flash exposure by setting a larger aperture or ISO on the flash to reduce its output.

Edited April 22, 2023 by Luke_Miller

[Big John]

1 hour ago, Luke_Miller said:

There will be no communication between the SB25 and the SL other than the trigger signal from the center contact in the hot shoe. The SL will not recognize the presence of the flash. I suggest putting the SL in Manual exposure with fixed ISO to achieve the desired ambient light exposure on the subject. Then put the SB25 in A mode and enter the SL ISO and aperture.  Make sure the SL shutter speed is within the flash sync range.  Then the flash should provide a correct flash exposure.  For fill flash it might be a bit too much, so fudge the flash exposure by setting a larger aperture or ISO on the flash to reduce its output.

Thanks Luke, you have been very helpful. I have tried this and the result is quite good. What do you mean by the flash sync range pls?  Thanks. 

[Luke_Miller]

I believe the SL will sync with electronic flash at shutter speeds up to 1/250.  Faster and you can get incomplete exposure of the frame. 

[Pelu2010]

Hi, 

 

Godox V350 

Godox MF-12 (can also do macro) 

godox xpro II L (as the trigger) 

or 

 

Godox Lux Junior 

Godox Retro Lux Senior 

 

i think all of these speedlight are quite small and will work good with leicas. 
 

i am sure you will find a store near by you and then I would test it with your camera. 
 

I would do this with every speedlight or strobe I buy. I go to a shop and I test it. 
 

with digital cameras it’s much easier than with SLR‘s. 

 

 

[Big John]

Thanks @Pelu2010.  I have been experimenting with my my SB25 as suggested above but it is proving to be too much for fill-in use.  I am quite inexperienced in using flash and am getting deep underexposure behind subject but slight over exposure of the subject.  Will take a look at the ones you mention.  Thanks again.

[Pelu2010]

Hey,

put the camera in manual

get the exposure without flash

dial it down a stop

put the sb25 in the lowest config 

And  flash

 

(disable autoISO) 

 

 

 

[Pelu2010]

7 minutes ago, Pelu2010 said:

Hey,

put the camera in manual

get the exposure without flash

dial it down a stop

put the sb25 in the lowest config 

And  flash

 

(disable autoISO) 

 

 

 

 

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[Pelu2010]

With the iris you control the flash and with the exposure time the background

[Big John]

Thanks @Pelu2010, much appreciated. 

[Luke_Miller]

5 hours ago, Big John said:

I am quite inexperienced in using flash and am getting deep underexposure behind subject but slight over exposure of the subject.  

This is one of the "features" of direct flash.  The light from the flash falls off quickly, so the background will be much darker than the subject.  This is the reason I use ceiling bounced flash (flash is pointed at the ceiling) when possible.  The ceiling acts as a diffuser and spreads the light more evenly in the scene.   Flash Auto mode assumes the light from the flash is the primary illumination.  For fill it will be too strong.  What I do for fill is to lie about the aperture to the flash.  If I'm shooting at f4 I set f2.8 as the aperture on the flash. Then adjust if necessary.

This site is the best I've found for learning how to get the most out of flash photography:

https://neilvn.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/

 

Edited May 4, 2023 by Luke_Miller

[Big John]

Thanks @Luke_Miller and for the link too.