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Flashes for TTL on the M 8


jimleicam3

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Other than the Leica flash, are there any flashes that can be used TTL? It seems as if the Leica flash is very limited it what you can do with it. Thanks

 

 

The Metz 54MZ I think can do TTL, but it is so large and bulky that it kind of defeats the purpose of the M8- to be a small unobtrusive camera. But you know what? I can hardly tell any difference in my M8 flash pictures betwen those taken with TTL control and those taken on "auto" from any other flash. The TTL function on the M8 is about 20 years behind the times, and with a rangefinder, you cannot have flash options like matching flash exposure to a focus point, etc. I use a Nikon SB20 older flash with a GN of 100 (feet) that has a bounce head, works great, and is more powerful than the Leica SF24D that I own. I also use an old Metz 44MZ which has a bounce and swivel head along with a modeling (wink) light which is smaller than the Metz 54MZ, GN 150 (feet). Nope, we are all waiting for a small Leica dedicated flash unit with a GN of 100-120+ and bounce/swivel movements of the flash tube.

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There's really nothing wrong with the SF 24D. I bounce it to my heart's content with the aid of an old Nikon SB15 cord, which is perfectly compatible, just as is the later SB17. On camera, it lights up the f.o.v. of my 18mm lens without any problems. Power? Only if you believe all the nonsense about what will happen unless you shoot at ISO 160 exclusively. All my old flash gear is lying idle now.

 

The old man from the Age of Flashpowder

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Roland, How do you adjust your aperture with that flash? Do you have to know the distance, and guide #, and then adjust your aperture? I am in such a poor habit of using my Canon 20D with the 580EX and having the camera adjust the flash output. Now that I have to really think about what I am doing, its a whole new ball game. Thanks for your help.

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The M8 will not do TTL. It will do an ersatz ttl called GNC (guide number calc?) and to do this is uses a pre-flash to calculate how much flash is needed.

 

If you can live with a pre-flash, it works.

 

I prefer Auto and choosing the aperture for ambient light in or out.

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The thing is--taking good pictures with flash requires skill. Few people are willing to invest time and energy in skill. Automation reduces the need for knowledge.

 

I have a 54-MZ3, a 43MZ3i (?), and an SF-24D. The one I reach for the most is the SF-24D. It's the hardest to use, but after taking a lot of pictures with it, I think I understand what it's good at and what it's not. It won't fill up a cathedral with light. But it'll do great daylight fill flash with TTL (or not), it'll fit in my bag, and with a cord or some creative diffusion, it'll take a decent near-range photo.

 

Decide how much flash you need, what you're willing to carry, and what you're willing to learn. Those seem to be the parameters at work here. There aren't many choices, so once you figure those out for yourself I think it'll be pretty easy.

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