Flash for M6ttl

[RobertS]

HI ALL,

Needing advice on a flash unit to use.

I have been lurking long enough and finally had the time to become a registered user of RFF. (BTW->> Great job to those who moderate and run this deal!!)

It is pretty obvious that questions are welcomed-- and answered with tact & honesty here by folks with experience!!

Sooooooooooo, I will jump in with a Q and bother with intros later. [how rude]

BUT WAIT:
A little about how/ what I shoot to preface the question.

I mostly use my m6ttl with a 3rd gen 35mm summicron. Maybe 15% with a 90mm 'cron from 1958. I have only shot available light... never use reflectors or flash.

I botched a project and wanted to try flash as an alternative to pushing film so hard.

HERE IS THE Q:

Is there a dedicated flash that was partnered with M6ttl (Metz?)? Are there others that can be suggested by the group i.e. better/ cheaper/ easier to use? Please share experiences using flash at 1/50 sync.

thanks.

 

[rover]

The Leica SF 20 ws built for the M6TTL. Costs about $200. The Metz units will work with the appropriate module, but will run a bit more than the Leica (how did that happen?).

 

[scottmcl]

I got an SF24 for Christmas and it does a credible job. Much, much better results than the little Oly S20 manual flash unit I was using before.

I'm spoiled by the Nikon flash system and an SB800, which I find produces spectacular on-camera flash results (or raised a bit with a stroboframe).

I also received a vivitar 285 with the cool little extension cord for experimenting with auto-flash and bounce. I haven't really taken the time to master the thing yet, though.

Ultimately, I think a nicer, big Metz unit on a brack of some kind with the right TTL module would likely produce great results. I sometimes wish I had blown the dough on this option from the beginning, but my photo budget is focused elsewhere at this point.

In sum, I've found the TTL options produce much better results and more conveniently.

Scott

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Robert, I echo Rover's suggestion. Why go the third way if there's a dedicated flash, and if it can be found used at decent prices? Either the SF20 or the SF24 will fit the bill for whatever job you want.

Now... I think the M7 has a faster synchronized shutterspeed with flash, but if you, like some of us, own the M6, get the SF20, a bracket and a SC-17 Nikon extender cable, which works perfectly well communicating the camera and the flash. I know it from experience. Besides, with the stroboframe bracket you can compensate the flash's lack of tilt-and-swivel... or at least tilt.

BTW, I'm also a big fan of the Nikon flash system, but the Leica, like the Nikon, has the TTL technology, and that alone works wonders.

Now... have fun shopping!

 

[tajart]

flash

flash

i have two metz flash units, well maybe another in a drawer...
i use a 32Z-2 w 3502 sca foot, on my M7, and
an older 32CT3 w 351 sca on my R7. they are pretty much the same flash, ttl, tilt, swivel, fairly compact. if i need off camera i use the nikon cord with the 3502 on the M7.
i have the sunpak 1600 which does a credible job and is so sweet for being a small unit.
i also have the sf20 and it is great though not as strong as the 32 series metz. in fact i bought the nikon cord to use w the sf20 since it lacks the tilt feature. these ttl flashes work wonderfully, even though, who wants to use flash- love/hate etc.
as we all know, flash is very tricky and usually very unflattering in portraits. but you can turn these down or use them as fill and they are pretty wonderful.
the other metz i have is older and bigger and came out during the R4 series time period. i used it on my R5 but it wasn't ttl. i don't use it any more since i have these others. if any one is interested in more info on it feel free to contact me or watch for it to appear soon on the classifieds.
tom

 

[mad_boy]

When I just got my m6 TTL I only had available my 20 years old Osram C180 flash.
This is a rock standard flash which uses the centre contact and has build in exposure control.

The quality of the pics was very good. Only disadvantage of these kinds of flashes is that in automatic mode they need a certain blend value (mostly 5,6) so you can not vary this unless you use the manyal mode.

I would buy one of these for 10 dollar for the time being and safe till you can get the dedicated leica one (if you buy a metz now you'll never get the leica one).
For the leica ones I would redommend the new SF24D, If there will ever be a digital M it will be tailored to that one probably.

Mad_boy

 

[rover]

I just ponied up for the SF 20.

Will the SC-17 Nikon extender cable allow TTL control of the flash?

 

[scottmcl]

Yup, it works just dandy. But it's not a super powerful flash as far as bouncing is concerned. A regular low ceiling does the trick.

I also just dev'd some pics taken with the Vivitar 285 with the cool extension cord that puts the auto sensor on the hotshoe. All bounce flash shots. They came out surprisingly nice! I might try out this little rig with an M6TTL on a stroboframe and shoot a few rolls and see what I get back. Not a very compact flash, though, to say the least.

Scott