Flash for M9

[Dez]

I am looking for a small flash to use with my M9. My big heavy Sunpak 422D works properly using an FE-2D shoe for the Nikon FE, but sadly my little go-anywhere SB-400 does not. The Leica SF24D is small and convenient, but too limited with no bounce capability, and of course the Leica name on it doubles the price.
Any recommendations for a small cost-effective flash to operate in the flash shoe?

Thanks,
Dez

 

[Huss]

FYI I found with the M9, if the camera's battery was either old or not fully charged I would get miss-syncs when the flash fired. Sometimes black frames, other times 1/2 frames. Using two different sf24d flashes.
This went away when I used a new battery (in the camera not in the flash) that was also fully charged. Made me give up on using this camera with flash, for those occasions I use Nikon dslrs as they are seamless and work.

FYI never had flash sync issues using any of my Leica film cameras.

p.s. I always use OEM camera batteries.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

SF24D goes vertical, does the bounce. I use it this way.
New is ripoff, but I was waiting and get mine used, lnib, for 200 or so.
Very cute flash. It also works great with bright led light, two modes.
Very handy in total darkness.
Fresh batteries a must and if you are not watching ready indicator - black frames.
It is not run and gun flash.

If you need ttl which is done via pre-flash, then only meitz made leica will do.
If you are ok with primitive manual, then any small with center contact will do.
I have my old film compact flashes on m-e. It is not bad at all and cost 10 bucks or so, locally.

 

[Dez]

To the best of my knowledge, the SF24D does not have a rotatable head; Are you possibly thinking of a different model?
I am really disappointed that my cool little SB-400 doesn't work with the M9. I have tried changing batteries in both the camera and flash, but no luck.
an anyone recommend a really small flash with a bounceable head, that would work in the hot shoe in TTL mode with this camera?

Thanks,
Dez

 

[dof]

I've used a Nikon SC-17 TTL sync cable to get around the lack of head movements on the SF24D. The pins are the same so it's a perfect electrical pairing.

Admittedly, adding the cable can make for awkward handling, but I've made it work. My biggest issue with bouncing is the relatively low power output. Recycle times can be quite long in low ambient light.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

My bad, I have SF26. It has entire body going 90+ degree.
Then it is vertical and at low shutter speed it balances very well with ambient light.
I will put some examples here later on.

 

[Bill Clark]

Hi Dez.

Nice winter. It was below zero here last night.

What are you going to use your flash for?

Light is very important with photography. Since we only have two dimensions to work with, using either digital or flim, light and shadows are used to give the illusion of three.

Perhaps, from the tone of this little ditty, on camera flash to me is like deer in headlights. You may get lucky but most of the time....well.

 

[Dez]

Hi, Bill,

I am travelling at the moment, but live in Detroit Lakes, so I've had quite enough winter this year! I find low-light pix tend to lack contrast, and the M9's low-light performance is, to be kind, a bit unimpressive compared with a modern DSLR. Then again direct flash provides pretty harsh results, so a compact bounce flash is what I'm looking for, for the few occasions where it is needed. I just saw an Adorama ad for a Mecablitz 26 AF2 flash and bought it on line. Tiny, reasonably cheap, supports TTL, and has an adjustable bounce head, so hopefully it will do the trick. It also uses findable batteries, unlike the little Leitz flash.


Cheers,
Dez

 

[peterm1]

I still use a very old Nikon SB 9 for this. It is relatively tiny and light. It is semi auto with two flash levels and its photo sensor seems remarkably accurate providing excellent exposures. It is quite tall and so provides some protection from red eye. What is more, it is easy to use and it has worked on every camera I have tried it on. Probably best of all if you can find one on eBay (I have not checked) my guess is it will be dirt cheap to buy. I have, incidentally, tried using it on my M8 - works just fine though I seldom need a flash on it. The disadvantages are that it is direct flash only and only has a limited guide number

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Only Leica labeled flash is loaded with Leica M series proprietary TTL flash protocol. It is one of the primitive and limited flash TTL protocols. Megablitz is making Leica branded 26 flashes (two AAA batteries) with Leica label and only SF 26 Leica flash made by Megablitz is going to works as TTL flash on Leica M9.
Sorry for bad news. It was answered by Megablitz already.
Here is another thread on RFF.
https://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=150406

 

[Luke_Miller]

I regularly use a Nikon SB-22 with my digital Ms when I want a light flash. It tilts to the vertical for bounce, but does not swivel. No TTL of course. I tend to avoid using TTL with the M as it is less reliable in some situations than the Auto-Thyrister mode of the flash unit. I also use the SF-40 which is the smallest Leica TTL flash that tilts and swivels. It is TTL and manual only. In some situations with a bright background or light source in the frame I have to go to manual to get proper flash exposure. I find the SF-40 to be a very nice flash as long as one is willing to work around the TTL limitations. When I am lazy I use the SB-22. 🙂

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Here are few examples from M-E with SF26 flash (first version of firmware).
I like to use in the the slave mode at 1/4 power. Strange enough, no difference from TTL mode, but batteries lasts longer. 🙂

Bounced up, with Ultron 28 1.8 as Cron 28.

One second, handheld.

Room with lights turned off. It was very difficult to focus. 🙂

It works best if left on auto ISO and auto shutter. Camera is using 1/30 and low ISO.
And wb is better to have set on flash.

 

[peterm1]

This is a photo of the Nikon flash I mentioned below actually mounted on an M6. I like it for its size which kind of matches the Leica M, its light weight, its lack of pretension and its accuracy in exposure. Some other obvious limitations though.

From this article here:
https://www.designlisticle.com/leica-camera/

 

[drec]

I use the sf-58. It’s TTL. It’s interface is kludgy, not nearly as nice as any current or even older Nikon flash, but it’s powerful

 

[Dez]

Only Leica labeled flash is loaded with Leica M series proprietary TTL flash protocol. It is one of the primitive and limited flash TTL protocols. Megablitz is making Leica branded 26 flashes (two AAA batteries) with Leica label and only SF 26 Leica flash made by Megablitz is going to works as TTL flash on Leica M9.
Sorry for bad news. It was answered by Megablitz already.
Here is another thread on RFF.
https://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=150406

Well, you are absolutely correct there. Like the little Nikon SB-40, it doesn't even fire with the M9. Just another example of Leitz's using something proprietary that forces the customer to pay staggeringly inflated prices for branded products. The purchase is not totally wasted, since I do have a little Panasonic four thirds camera for which it works fine, but I almost never use flash with it, and the built-in has always met my needs.

Cheers,
Dez