Flash setup on a IIIF RD

[The Kook]

I am new to the rangefinder and leica family. I have to say I am very impressed with my IIIF. I have a bad feeling this is not the first one I will buy. Anyhow, I am looking for advise on how to best set up a flash unit as I would like to option of using a flash with this camera. How is the flash sync? I have heard it is not the best and not worth using. Is this true? or has anyone got at method which produces acceptable results.

Thanks for any info

 

[pshinkaw]

The fastest sync speed is 1/50th Sec. There is no hot shoe (it was unknown in 1954). If you use a shoe mounted flash, you lose the slot to put an auxiliary viewfinder for a focal length other than 50mm.

Any leaf shutter rangefinder will sync at all speeds. Some go up to 1/500th or 1/700th of a sec. A Retina IIIS will give you 1/500th of a sec plus interchangeable lenses.

There are lots of good reasons to have a Leica IIIf , RD or BD, but flash photography is not one of them.

-Paul