POLL: Do YOU use flash with a Bessa L? I don't

CameraQuest · Dec 18, 2006

Hi Folks,

today I was happily shooting with the Bessa L and a 15/4.5.

a Nikon SB26 flash was in my camera bag from a previous shoot, but I wasn't going to be using it with the L.

but it got me thinking.
I have NEVER used flash with a Bessa L
I just don't think of it as a good flash camera.

so I am curious, how many of you

1) never use flash with your Bessa L
2) hardly ever use flash with your Bessa L
3) use flash with the Bessa L just as often as you use flash with your other cameras.

Thanks,

Stephen

Bryce · Dec 18, 2006

Stephen-
I use the L and 15 with flash MORE often than my other cameras. I bought it for underground work where I just couldn't step back any farther. Of course it sees use elsewhere too...
This one's been posted before, sorry. It's the only one I have handy at the moment. Lit by (multiple, open) flash plus a little help from a flashlight.

drewbarb · Dec 18, 2006

I'd like to use flash with my L, but the sync doesn't work. Anybody know who can fix it? Is it even worth it?

kshapero · Dec 18, 2006

would a Vivitar 283 work with the L?

pvdhaar · Dec 18, 2006

Although I don't have an L, the Bessa-T puts me in a similar situation, what with its shoe mounted finders. I use the T as an available light camera only as I find flash with cables a royal pain.

If I need to do flash, I go the whole hog, and shoot with a dslr and sb-800 which can be triggered remote without any of those glitchy cables..

NL2377 · Dec 18, 2006

My L was always for experimentation... of many sorts, and flash was one of them. I rarely ever use flash on my SLRs unless it's for a snap-shot, but on the L, I probably used it 50% of the time!

Bryce · Dec 18, 2006

Akiva-
Yes, your 283 will work on your L. Since the shoe is cold, you'll have to use a synch cord, and you'll be finderless unless you can rig a second shoe somehow. I haven't found "finderless" to be a huge issue. Another problem is flash coverage area- most (and definitely your 283) don't evenly illuminate the whole frame of even a 25mm frame, let alone 15mm. Placing a diffuser over the flash head helps dramatically.

lZr · Dec 19, 2006

I don't have L, but with my R I use SB 80DX's Nikon flash for groups of celebrating people. I want lightweight 100 gr flash, but can't find one like the Contax G1/G2. It is only TTL flash.

Dougg · Dec 23, 2006

Not many responses to this question, maybe indicating a low number of Bessa L cameras here? I do have an L but have never used flash with it, so that puts me in category 1 above... But I fit category 3 also, since I don't use flash on other cameras either. 🙂

Bertram2 · Dec 23, 2006

If I use flash on my L depends solely on the mounted lens and has nothing to do with the camera itself.

traveller · Dec 23, 2006

With the 15 or 25 mm? If I would do underground work like Bryce or would use it in another cramped situation it would be a option, but otherwise no.

Valder · Dec 31, 2006

I just got my L and never intend to use a flash with it. If I want flash I put the 580EX on the Canon SLRs I have. I really like the ETTL II flash system that Canon has.

Darrin

POLL: Do YOU use flash with a Bessa L? I don't