External Flash for 8M

[jfolmes]

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Before I plunge into buying external flash unit for M8 I thought I might get some of the forum’s members views on the subject.

 

What I need is an external flash unit for remote “studio” set-ups. Right now I’m only looking to purchase one unit but eventually want to expand to 3 for larger set-ups. The main purpose would be single portraiture, fashion and small group portraiture.

 

Any recommendations?

 

Although price is always a concern, for the sake of this discussion lets assume price is no object in this case.

 

Thanks in advance for all your input.

[peterv]

Hi,

 

external flash for the M8 works fine. There are several options.

 

Suggest you do a search on:

 

-Metz 54MZ-4i

 

-Pocket Wizard

 

This thread is also a good starting point:

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/31857-using-flash-anyone-any-recommendation.html

[wparsonsgisnet]

J, when you check out that thread you will see pro's and con's for the Metz.

 

I use the Metz and don't find it too big for the M8. What I do like about it is the enormous power it has. I waited a lot of years to buy a Metz and couldn't be happier.

 

You will see that the M8 offers GNC instead of TTY. The M8 can't meter the flash during the taking of the image, so it uses a pre-flash to see how much light it needs and then flashes again with the correct amound of light during the taking of the picture.

 

I find the pre-flash particularly disturbing for portraits, as the subject thinks the picture is all over by the second flash. I prefer to use the flash in auto mode. The M8 still speaks to the flash for most of the info.

 

I set my M8 to 1/250 and the appropriate f-stop. You should look at this thread

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/23431-f8-last-stop-gas.html

 

that speaks about not using f-stops smaller than f8.