Best Flash For M8 for Shooting Music?

[ali_baba]

Topic says it all.
I wanted to spring for a Metz 54 mz-4i but the
reviews I have found are mixed.

It seems that the leica sf24D is more lauded?

I'm generally going to use it for stage shooting with 35-90 lenses on the m8.

thanks!

 

[ali_baba]

nobody knows?

 

[Photon42]

Of course we know 😀 It's all there already. Lot's of forum members think, flash is close to a sacrileg on a rangefinder body, so you collect much more replies when asking for opinions on a high speed lens. Personally I think a flash has it's uses, especially if used properly.

For the m8, I'd skip any idea with TTL and the Metz 54. Doesn't work reliably here. More importantly, pre-flash is evil in real live shooting and unneccessary in still photography. Really.

My recommendation for M-Flashes (admittedly a vee bit Nikon-leaning)

SB-22(s) (for it's size), three f-stops, if you're willing to take the "motor" stop, AA battery form factor. US$ 20-30 used

SB-27 (for the best compromise), five or maybe six f-stops, beam splitting (really works to some extend), AA battery form factor. US$ 50 used

SB-26, SB-800, MZ54i (for the best features), all possible f-stops, slave mode - forget the Metz in dedicated TTL mode. US$ 100 used and up , much more for models still in production

I've got a SB-22, 24, 27 and a MZ54i.

Rgds
Ivo

 

[Anupam]

SB-28 - the widest range of manual power adjustments of the Nikon film flashes, bounce head etc.

 

[ali_baba]

so stay from leica flashes is what you're saying?
i have not used a flash yet with my m system,
but i would like to have the option to freeze some longer stage exposures.
thanks

 

[Richard Marks]

SF24 definately not powerfull enough.
TTL flash is not brilliant on the M8 as it has a really intrusive pre flash which delays the actual exposure and half blinds your subjects, so you can look at pretty much anything with an auto flash mode.
I have the SF24 which offsets some of its inadequacy by being small and light. I personally want something a bit more flexible. I am even toying with a 45CL4. It will handle like a brick but I think it will get the job done.
Also curious about 60CT4 but not sure if it is OK in terms of voltage triger on an M8

Richard

 

[sirius]

nikonwebmaster, it was David Alan Harvey who changed my mind about using a flash with an RF camera. He does it soooo well, while still mastering the natural light work. It's just a tool, and a useful one, that needs to be used intelligently.

See examples from Divided Soul

See him in action here.

 

[WoolenMammoth]

shooting music? how about no flash? nothing more anoying than being on stage and looking at flashes. From a photographers point of view, I'll never understand people's gravitation towards using a flash to shoot something that is lit... Ive been shooting music for 20 years and cant recall a single incident where I needed a flash.

 

[oftheherd]

shooting music? how about no flash? nothing more anoying than being on stage and looking at flashes. From a photographers point of view, I'll never understand people's gravitation towards using a flash to shoot something that is lit... Ive been shooting music for 20 years and cant recall a single incident where I needed a flash.

That's an off beat but interesting thought. Natural light is often the best to use.

I have another off beat thought. Unless you will be doing a lot of it, consider Winogrand. Bulb flash gives a lot of light and is more natural if you aren't too close and personal. Not an answer to your question here, but something to consider for a future try.

 

[Richard Marks]

I much prefer to avoid flash but there are times when you have to use it.
I think that is the point of this thread.
Richard

 

[ali_baba]

shooting music? how about no flash? nothing more anoying than being on stage and looking at flashes. From a photographers point of view, I'll never understand people's gravitation towards using a flash to shoot something that is lit... Ive been shooting music for 20 years and cant recall a single incident where I needed a flash.

what do you shoot music with out of curiosity?

i havnt used a flash yet but sometimes i wish i had one with me incase, really just to freeze some more dimly lit situaitons.