Good flash unit for M8

[tim_c]

Hi RFF,

I'm looking for a flash unit at around £200 or less for use with my M8. I have 3 lenses with 28/50/90 focal lengths and I'm looking for something that's compatible. An angle adjustable head is a must, as is a high level of automation with my Leica. Any Suggestions?

Thanks, Tim C

 

[jamato8]

The question gets asked a lot. There are units that can be found by using the search function, which is what I am doing right now. I only want to use a flash for some macro work using the M9, viso I, bellows and the 135 Elmar. The results are excellent but I don't have a flash yet. I did get the Nikon cord, that works fine for the metering of the Leica and will give you some off camera flash. The SC17 Nikon cord can be picked up on ebay for around 29 dollars. I got mine there the other day.

edit: the other day I did a search for a flash unit to use and came up with a number of flashes. Now I can't remember my search words and I come up with very little. lol. . . I need to bookmark my searches as I need a flash also but don't want to pay for a meg Leica flash to the tune of 600 plus dollars.

 

[rickp]

hello tim
i searched for a metz 54 mz-4 flash and the sca3502 m4 module to use with my m8. it has a two-way adjustable head (tilt & swivel), and a small secondary flash for front-fill or for pre-flash with the m8. the zoom function in the flash ranges from 24 to 105mm. there is secondary diffusor in the flash head for even wider angle coverage. i use it with a stofen diffusor just to soften the flash effect a bit.

there are a number of threads regarding how to work around the lack of TTL here or on the leica forum.

i don't use flash much at all, but this setup works pretty well with the m8. it's probably worth a bit more than £200 in the used market.

if i were to start over, i think i'd look for a small nikon or other flash and just use it for fill or occasional direct flash.

greetings from hamburg

rick

 

[robklurfield]

I bought a Metz SCA 3502 M4 adapter for $45 from another RFF member and a Metz 32MZ on ebay for $29. A nice combo for not much scratch. It does all I need from some occasional flash shooting.

 

[jamato8]

So shouldn't any of the Nikon flashes for use with TTL metering work since they have the same connection as the Leica? And any flash, that doesn't have a high voltage output at the trigger would work if the connection is correct or an adapter is used but I would want the metering.

 

[johannielscom]

read this to know more

 

[tim_c]

Thanks for your responses everyone.

I'm shooting a wedding in potentially difficult lighting conditions; the ceremony is happening in a room directly in front of a large South facing window overlooking the sea:-(
I was planning to use the flash to fill so I'm not shooting wide open and the sunlight from the window doesn't flare. I'll be standing off to one side of the proceedings so this will reduce the chance of the flash reflecting in the window. It's all happening in hotel function room so I don't require a really powerful flash to light up the inside of a large church or anything crazy like that.

I'd like a fair degree of automation from the unit as I'll have a lot of things to be thinking about on the day and I don't want to be playing around with the flash to get the correct settings.

 

[jamato8]

So is there a small flash that can use the TTL metering effectively on the M9?

I used to do the calculations etc but no longer care to.

 

[maggieo]

I've found the SF 240 to be idiot-proof, as in, I can use it and not screw up. I also like the Metz 20 C-2 and the big Vivitar 285.

 

[phototektour]

So is there a small flash that can use the TTL metering effectively on the M9?
...

Yes
Metz 44MZ-2 + SCA3502M4

Instead of a expensive SF-58 a Metz 44 MZ-2 with the SCA 3502 works also with full TTL ( and even coded lenses) on M8, M8.2 and M9. Got a used one for 125,-€, a new set will cost around 250,-€. But I like the little 20 C-2 also very much.

(already written here) (in this thread)

 

[chrishayton]

Nikon Sb28. stick it in auto mode pick an aperture (although seems to work if camera and flash are at different apertures :S ) and shoot away, great flash. I payed £90 for mine but its available abit cheaper
Plenty of power too. It also has very easy manual with distance scale on the back

 

[jamato8]

So for a fairly small flash that can be used in TTL on the M9, it appears that only the Leica flashes will work. I refer to the small ones, not with the big swiveling head and mega computer on board. :^) The Metz does look nice but the one that will use the metering is large and for me, I don't need the output.

 

[tim_c]

Thanks for all the help everyone but after much faffing about, asking in Leica shops and finding Metz & Leica Flash units are out of stock, I've been experimenting with my old Canon Speedlite 199a that I bought for my A1 years back but never used that often. I've taken a few shots using it with M8 and have been getting correct exposures.

All you have to do is set the camera to 250, Set the ISO to 160, estimate the distance to the subject and flick the switch to 1 of the 3 different settings accordingly. The chart on the back tells the correct aperture per given distance. It also has a wide angle diffuser to use with focal lengths below 35mm. Obviously not as convenient as a dedicated TTL flash unit but it only cost me £30...