Flash Question

[boomguy57]

So, this may sound dumb--and if this is int he wrong section, then I apologize in advance to the moderators--but I have a question about shooting with a flash. I rarely use flash, and now find myself wanting to try it. But since I haven't ever wanted to, I am now woefully ignorant on how to go about it.

I am looking for a flash that I can use with my M bodies (MP & Zeiss Ikon). Since I would have to buy a flash, and these are film cameras, I'd like to figure out:

a) what I need to buy
b) how to use it once I do 😱

Since it's not digital, it's harder to just fiddle with it, chimp, and try again ad nauseam. What is the TTL speed of my MP and ZI? Can you shoot the flash on any shutter speed, is it all manual, or is it semi-automated? Can these two bodies share an external flash unit?

-So is there a benefit to buying a Leica-branded flash?
-Are there some flashes people like?
-Are there things I should be mindful of when buying, and subsequently using, said flash?

I would appreciate some help from all the knowledgeable people here before I get started.

Thanks in advance, y'all 😀

 

[back alley]

what do you want the flash to do?
i normally don't use flash either but recently decided to get one.
i want it for some very occasional fill flash and even more seldom indoor shooting in very dark spaces.
i bought a small metz 34c2 (iirc) and i think it's perfect for my needs.
there is a new one for sale in the classifieds...last time i checked anyway.

 

[John Bragg]

Hi Boomguy57.
The flash synch speed of your MP is 1/50 second and the ZI is 1/125. I would think the Zeiss camera is better suited to flash as all speeds 1/125 and below are suitable. Most units with auto settings are suitable and offerings from Metz are very good and also the Vivitar 283 is a legend amongst flash guns. An L bracket would also help if the unit is a design for hot shoe mounting.

 

[boomguy57]

If the sync speed of my MP is 1/50, can I manually set it faster?

 

[Bill Clark]

Photography is about light and shadows and other ingredients.

How you position the flash and utilize the patterns it produces can make the difference between a sale and a nix.

The brand of flash doesn't make much of a difference; however, I use Quantum flashes at certain gigs for various reasons, among them quality and consistent light temperature and quick recycling times.

Have you checked this place out:

http://strobist.blogspot.com/

Start experimenting. Suggest you take classes on folks that have got a good handle on flash photography.

On Camera Flash (OCF) is useless to me. It's like deer in headlights. And anyone can make photos (not very flattering) using on camera flash.

I'm still learning and I've been doing this a long time.

 

[John Bragg]

If the sync speed of my MP is 1/50, can I manually set it faster?

In a word no. This is because of the way your focal plane shutter works. 1/50 is the maximum speed where the whole frame is exposed in one go. At faster speeds the shutter curtains are too close together as they move for this to happen.

 

[charjohncarter]

You can only use a shutter speed at or SLOWER than the top synch speed.

You can use manual flashes, auto flashes, and I'm not sure about your camera for TTL flash, but I wouldn't bother with TTL.

If both bodies have hot shoes you can use any flash with a hot shoe, if both bodies have PC plugs you can use any flash with a PC plug (rare now). Or you can if you have a body mix; get an adapter for one body.

No real benefit in buying a Leica flash.

No flashes, but people like a flash that is diffused, which you can do with any flash.

I would get a flash that has manual and auto settings PLUS on manual be sure to get power settings.

If you want some recommendations; PM me. And to learn the basics of flash, first learn fill flash, ambient and flash balance, and cheating or beating sun technique. This is ambient and flash balance:

This is an aside: I've used fill flash at 3 stops less than what I would choose if I had a choice and with flash just slightly less than the f stop for ambient light flash and it works. I have also use for ambient light a flash that is 1 stop over what I should have (I forgot the ISO setting) and I still was good. So from a kiss of flash to more than full Monty it can still work. The hardest is flash on the run. So, learn to preset and when you have time do as great a job as you can. Practice is the best cure for flash jitters.

 

[teleparallel]

Hi

You can buy an Automated flash, which contains a built in sensor to make a proper exposure. You set aperture and ISO speed on the flash, put the camera at sync speed, and shoot away.
You can also get a Manual flash. But It's a little harder to use. You have to estimate your distance to the subject, and determine the aperture, using the guide number. I can explain it better if you want, or you can google how to use a flash on Manual mode.
Now to your questions. You can't use a faster speeds than the sync speed, i.e. 1/50 on the Leica, and 1/125 on the Zeiss. You can use the lower ones, which is useful to preserve ambient light on the exposure, and use the flash to fill and reduce blur. The flash is not affected by the shutter speed, only by the lens aperture.
I advise you to buy a hot shoe flash.
A Leica branded flash will have dedicated TTL autoflash, which is great, and totally automated. But I don't know if MP leicas have TTL flash compatibility. If it they don't, I see no advantage. A big guide number is an attractive point, meaning they are powerful. But they're also usually big, so look at that as well.
Many Nikon flashes are automated, and will work great. They usually have bounce head position, and will work on both cameras. Google Nikon SB-27, SB-28 or SB-30, for instance. I don't know if the current Nikon flashes offer non-TTL autoflash. The Metz C-20 is automated, but only offer two Apertures auto exposure, f/2.8 and f/5.6. I think there is another one tha offer f/2 f/4 and f/8.

Remember, look for Auto flash, not TTL Autoflash.