Flash for R3M

[kino eye]

I've got a R3M with a 40mm 1.4 but I'm looking to get a flash for it. Anyone have any recommendations? I'm looking at the Lecia flash.

 

[Jason Sprenger]

These days I like the Sunpak DS-20 for my 35mm rangefinders. It's small, takes readily available batteries (2-AA's), has a bounce head, an auto mode and it also can act as a slave flash. With ISO 400 film, it works well for me.

I see that Adorama sells them for $35 US. (http://www.adorama.com/SUDS20.html)

 

[tbm]

I have used numerous companies' flashes, and I have concluded that what I have been using steadily for the last 10 years, Metz flashes, are the best. I use both 44 MZ-2 and 54 MZ-3 Metz flashes with the Leica module (#5402) on my Bessa R3A with complete success. I simply set the flash to 'automatic' since there is no TTL flash capability. I then set the flash's aperture setting to that which my lens' aperture ring is set for. Following that, I set the flash to agree with the focal length of the lens attached to my R3A as well as the film speed, and I am ready to go.

 

[julianphotoart]

I happen to coincidentally use a Leica SD-24 flash with the R3M. It's fine. The SD-24 has two clip-on fittings that go on the front of the flash. One diffuses (for wider lenses) and the other concentrates (for telephotos). The SD-24 with diffuser, and tuned down 1/2 stop, is fine with R3M. For its size the SD-24 is pretty damn strong so I go down 1/2 stop even when using it TTL with M7.