flash on cold shoe leicas

[Michael I.]

Hey guys and gals,


I am a longtime user of leica m4 and m2(as well as a bunch of nikons etc) and lately started using flash, a lot. My solution is to use a pc sync cable and pc sync to hot shoe adapter (since I use a cableless sb30 flash). No matter what adapters and cables I use there's a weak point as the cable dislodges or moves a bit from the pc sync connection while hanging on its strap missing every 3rd shot or so, there's no guarantee it will fire each time, as the connection isn't perfect.

Any ideas how to have a more reliable connection(besides selling my cameras and getting something with a hot shoe)?


I am aware its not a specific leica M issue, as it applies to any cold shoe camera


Thanks,
Mike

 

[Phil_F_NM]

You could try a very small amount of a product called bulb grease but only on one of the poles of the cable. I'd put a tiny bit into the female end on the camera but be careful not to inadvertently close that circuit. Also crimp the end of your cable a bit to tighten it up more.

Phil Forrest

 

[madNbad]

http://www.paramountcords.com/

 

[Michael I.]

I am pretty sure one could design a 3d printable solution to this, an adapter with a hot shoe that slides into the cold one and has a connector that attaches to the pc sync in a single solid unit

 

[Timmyjoe]

I use something similar to this:

PC tip conditioner

To tighten up the PC tip on my flash cables. It makes the cable "hold on" better to the cameras PC pin.

I'm not a huge fan of PC-Hotshoe adapters as I alway feel the flash-to-hotshot adapter-to-camera is a mechanical weak link. A couple years ago I picked up a Metz 20 C-2 (which I just realized is no longer made) that came with a short PC cable and fits securely on the cold shoe of my Leica M3 and my Nikon S2, and has an auto setting, and it's small. It works great with both cameras. You can probably still find a small auto flash that comes with a short PC cable and it certainly simplifies your set up, and feels as stealthily convenient as the camera by itself.

Best,
-Tim

 

[charjohncarter]

The Minolta 320x has the possibility of a cord from flash to PC. It is a big unit though; much too big for my IIIf but I still use it sometimes. My IIIf has a PC on the back with what looks like it would accept a locking cord, but I can't find one. I know what you mean about the reliability of cords and hotshoe converters. It drives you crazy

 

[Dwig]

I use something similar to this:

PC tip conditioner

To tighten up the PC tip on my flash cables. It makes the cable "hold on" better to the cameras PC pin.
...

++1, IMHO this is an essential accessory for anyone using PC type sync cords.

 

[Michael I.]

Thanks for the advice, I spread the outer shell of the connector a bit, now it sits tighter, hope it will work in real life situations!

 

[matteiflex]

Hi Mike,
I like your blog.
I missed shots too before I got a proper M3/M2 connector.
Dont think of getting a new leica just for the hotshoe, keep your accessory shoe for finders not flashes.

 

[shimokita]

I am pretty sure one could design a 3d printable solution to this, an adapter with a hot shoe that slides into the cold one and has a connector that attaches to the pc sync in a single solid unit

Kaiser PC to Hot Shoe Adapter

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/109454-REG/Kaiser_201301_PC_to_Hot_Shoe.html

Alternatively it's possible to mount a small wireless trigger in the cold shoe with PC cable and attach the reviver to the bottom of a hand held flash.

 

[peterm1]

When I was shooting Leica M film cameras with cold shoes I bought a small (which suited the camera's own size) manual flash which had a built in sync cable for use with on camera PC plugs. It worked fine - just required the correct shutter and aperture to be manually set (which I had to do anyway). I think I picked the (old) flash up for five bucks or something like that. I still have it in my camera locker somewhere and no doubt it still works.

My favorite though (for camera models with a hot shoe) was a tiny and old but very competent Nikon SB 9. It had 2 auto settings and was tallish thereby avoiding red eye. But it was tiny enough to look good on any small camera. Best of all its sensor seemed very accurate and I seldom got a dud exposure when using it. http://www.bythom.com/sb9.htm

 

[Ronald M]

pc reconditioning tools for the PC male.

As a safety, I wire the cable to the strap lug so there is no tension to pull it out. Fancy connectors that do the same are sold for big profit.

M2 & M3 originally had screw in sockets, but I like others converted to M4 style.