PaulN Posted October 27, 2006 Share #1 Posted October 27, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi folks, Can people comment on their experience with TTL Flash Photography on the DMR and how it may work on the M8? I currently have multiple flash setup on my Canon DSLR (2 580ex's) that I use with a softbox, etc. I love the setup, but hate the bulk of the DSLR. Can I build a similar setup with the M8 utilizing Metz Flashes? Ideally I am looking for the "580ex" equivelent for the M8. Do the Metz flashes support wireless TTL, and will this system work with the Leica's internal flash TTL system? How are people performing flash photography with multiple flashes on the DMR? How accurate is the DMR's TTL system? Thanks, -Paul Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 27, 2006 Posted October 27, 2006 Hi PaulN, Take a look here M8 & (multiple) Flash Photography. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
robsteve Posted October 27, 2006 Share #2 Posted October 27, 2006 The DMR does not do TTL flash. I think you can achieve what you want using the Metz Mz54 series and one of their "SCA-3083 digital" Slave Adapter . The main flash on the M8 would have the Leica 3502 mod 4 or 5 foot and the slave flash would have the slave foot. The flash on the M8 would then also control the output of the slave flash using infrared communication. Metz - always first class. - Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted October 28, 2006 Share #3 Posted October 28, 2006 Paul-- The M series has been more oriented toward photojournalism and less toward studio. I don't think that TTL is possible on the M8. You can download the M8 instructions at http://www.leica-camera.us/service/downloads/rangefinder_cameras/m8/index.html but I'm afraid the camera won't fill that aspect of your needs. One thing that I think distinguishes Leica from the Japanese cameras is the fact that Leica tends to design for image quality and ergonomics, while the rest of the world concentrates on doing everything even if not making particularly good images. Personal opinion, of course. --HC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted October 28, 2006 Share #4 Posted October 28, 2006 Hi Howard, It's a slightly different kind of TTL but there is indeed a TTL system on the M8. Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulN Posted October 28, 2006 Author Share #5 Posted October 28, 2006 Paul--The M series has been more oriented toward photojournalism and less toward studio. I don't think that TTL is possible on the M8. You can download the M8 instructions at http://www.leica-camera.us/service/downloads/rangefinder_cameras/m8/index.html but I'm afraid the camera won't fill that aspect of your needs. --HC It is possible; refer to page 110 of the manual. The M8 supports Flash-TTL through the use of pre-flashes to determine flash power prior to opening the shutter. Canons do something similar, which is why I'm curious to know if I'll be able to get similar functionality (multiple TTL wireless flashes) with the Leica. Metz has wireless capable flashes, and I'm curious to know how successfully they communicate the TTL information from the M8. Sean, if you see this thread, any chance you can get ahold of some of the M54 Mecablitzs and try it out? If this really works out, the M8 may be the ultimate camera. Capable of studio style work AND the ultimate in portable/travel/pj style photography. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted October 28, 2006 Share #6 Posted October 28, 2006 I've contacted Metz for review samples but I haven't heard anything. That may mean that the e-mail didn't reach them. I'll call Monday. Cheers, S Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lxlim Posted October 28, 2006 Share #7 Posted October 28, 2006 Advertisement (gone after registration) What about the Quantum flashes? They have a wireless TTL flash system thats suppose to be quite good and they recently launched some new flashes. No personal experience with it, but I have heard good things about them. Downside would be their considerably heavier and more bulky specs compared to a 580EX. A poor trade off if mobility and compactness is your overall kit consideration. Alex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ho_co Posted October 28, 2006 Share #8 Posted October 28, 2006 I'm glad to be corrected so gently! Thanks, Paul and Sean. Since the instructions say to set the flash for GNC (guide number control), I didn't think of the system as TTL. Mea culpa! --HC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulN Posted October 28, 2006 Author Share #9 Posted October 28, 2006 What about the Quantum flashes? They have a wireless TTL flash system thats suppose to be quite good and they recently launched some new flashes. No personal experience with it, but I have heard good things about them. Downside would be their considerably heavier and more bulky specs compared to a 580EX. A poor trade off if mobility and compactness is your overall kit consideration. Alex Hi Alex, I'm not sure about Quantum flashes. I know that Leica is specifically working with Metz to develop Leica compatible flashes. Infact, beyond the SF20/24D, Leica recommends Metz for the M7. At the very least, the Quantum could be used in a fully manual mode, but given that there is no PC socket, it will be tedious at best. That is why I was hoping for a wireless TTL system so that I could fully abandom my DSLRs. I've flipped through the manual some more, and the flash system seems a bit akward. On page 112: 1. Before taking each flash picture first perform exposure metering by gently pressing the shutter release button, so that the display in the viewfinder shows the shutter speed or switches over to the light balance. If this stage is missed out by fully depressing the shutter release button in one quick movement, the flash unit will not fire even if required. D'oh. Then again, this is for "camera-controlled automatic flash mode". If I have the camera in manual mode and am adjusting the shutter speed & aperture for ambient lighting already, I wonder if the camera will need me to meter anyways. Sean - I'm curious to see how tedious a multi-flash setup is in real life. If you do get the Metzs, can you try a simple setup with an off-camera key flash, and an on-camera fill flash? I'm hoping the Metz system will allow for simple lighting ratios, etc. Also, it seems as if the camera may always be in an automatic "fill flash" mode. Can you see if you can trick the camera by dialing down the camera exposure compensation to -2 and then take a shot? On a Canon atleast, you will get a predominate flash picture, verse using the flash for simple fill. Not to sidetrack my own thread, but I'd love it if Canon were to come out with a rangefinder. I'd have the canon sensor, the canon tech, and flashes. -Paul P.S. Thanks for the all of the great infos & reviews Sean! Your site is excellent, and the fact that you are accessible for questions/comments/requests makes it all more worth the trivial sign-up fee. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lxlim Posted October 30, 2006 Share #10 Posted October 30, 2006 Paul, Could you give us an idea how you intend to use the TTL setup of 2 580EXs? I have a similar set with the 550EXs but I need consistent exposures( to reduce post production) so what I do is to set up in manual power the background flashes and use the main flash(non-Canon flash) on auto or manual. Ambient is usually about minus 1 to 2 stops. Less fluid setup but more consistent exposures especially if there is lots to shoot at on location. In fact I prefer this setup even when its only one shot to be done. TTL is definitely faster though ; ) Alex Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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