Hexar rangefinder flash

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Cindy Flood

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I have been hired to shoot a rehearsal dinner in a very dark venue. I would like to use my M6 and M8. I'm sure I'm going to need some flash. I have a flash bracket and a Metz 54. but it is so heavy and unbalanced on my bracket. I also have the Leica 24D, but would like to find something that tilts. I read that the flash from a hexar rangefinder might work. Does anyone know if this is true? Where would I find one to buy? Any idea how much one would cost?
 
Hi Cindy-that flash does not tilt (for bounce) it's cute and works ok for emergency use but it recycles slowly, etc etc. Quite underpowered for the sort of use you anticipate at this event.
 
Why not buy a Vivitar 285HV? They cost about $100 used, and offer substantial power. They are fully manual flashes, with no flashing lights or other newfangled gizmos.
The only caveat is that they are pretty large, and will make your M very top-heavy.
 
I have a Hexar RF flash that came in the kit. It is very small. It may be fine for direct flash but I don't think it would have enough umph to bounce off a ceiling. What are the characteristics of the venue's ceiling? (height, colour) Perhaps they also make a larger flash?
 
It is a low, wood ceiling. I will probably have to use the Metz. The Metz has the power and the swivel. I would just like to find a smaller, lighter solution.
Thanks for setting me straight on the hexar flash. I appreciate the information.
Cindy
 
Low is good, wood - not so much. Less reflectivity than a white plaster ceiling. A Vivitar 283 or 285 would work. Just be sure it has the green sticker on the battery cover indicating a lower trigger voltage than previous units. An electronic camera like the Hexar RF can be fried by a high flash trigger voltage.
 
I use the Metz 54 with the Joe Demb diffuser/ card with a lot of success. The Metz is just heavy and clumsy for a long shoot. The Sf 24D is a nice size, but doesn't bounce. I put the Joe Demb diffuser on the front and that helps, but I was looking for something more functional in the SF 24D size.

I do appreciate all of the suggestions.
 
Without even looking at the link above, I can tell you I began using a 4x6 index card secured to a 283 flash 25 years ago to get the extra 'pop' I needed from a bounce flash while shooting weddings and such. I still use this set up for flash. It's enough without being too much.

Don't mount these flashes to your camera's shoe. Either hold them or use a grip. No reason to stress the camera or scratch it up any more than needed. The grips are also available with swivel shoes for non tilting flashes though if you do this, you can't use the flash sensor and automatic for faster recycling.

The 283 can also use the HV battery pack should you need that kind of recycle time. You just need an HVP-1 cord for it. I was lucky in that I bought the RB-510 for mine since I haven't seen a 510v battery in years and if I did, I'd hate to see what it cost today.

Edit: Holy cow! $85!
 
spyder2000 said:
Without even looking at the link above, I can tell you I began using a 4x6 index card secured to a 283 flash 25 years ago to get the extra 'pop' I needed from a bounce flash while shooting weddings and such.
Click to expand...

I suggest looking and keeping in mind the wooden ceiling.:p
 
The Hexar RF (I assume you meant the RF?) isn't even TTL flash, so I don't think the flash is, so I would go with something, strong, high, and with bounce.... the 283/285, Nikon SB-20 that people have suggested are all great options, even better with a bracket if you can carry it.

btw, the Hexar flash looks suspiciously the same as the Olympus FL-20 (which does TTL to my C5050).
Separated at birth? You decide. :)

http://photo.net/bboard-uploads/00BSNN-22290384.jpg

http://www.pictureline.com/products/928/Olympus_FL-20_Flash/#

Bill
 
Thanks Henry, I already have the adapter on my Metz and really like the Metz on my M8. It is just top-heavy and just plain heavy for an long session. It is great for a short session. I was hoping someone knew of a flash that was small like the Leica SF24-d, but more flexible. I don't mind using a flash on auto or gnc.
 
erikhaugsby said:
Holy cow! $85 for what?
Click to expand...

$85 for a 510 volt battery (#497).

These batteries operated at flashtube potential voltage. (Virtually) Instant recycling and no toroid coil whining.

They used to be made out of stacked and soldered PX-13 batteries. I know because I mostly disassembled a "dead" one to see what was inside. That "dead" battery bit the begeezus out of me.
 
About the Nikon SB-20:


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I regard it as the largest flash unit I would trust shoe-mounting on an M-mount RF. It can bounce, but doesn't swivel (fine with me). There's a slot that can be used for a bounce-reflaector card (which helps in the case of high and/or dark-colored ceilings). It has settings for wide, normal, and tele lenses. In the case of the Hexar RF, it can also automatically set the proper sync speed (1/125 on the HRF). With the appropriate Nikon bodiy, it can also handle TTL flash. Full manual operation is available, including fractional output control.

I bought mine used a few years back for about $90. Worth it.


- Barrett
 

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Hi Barrett, after just having the top off my Hexar to adjust the focus I was surprised to see that the hot shoe is not mounted to anything, just srewed to the thin top panel. I'd be hesitant to mount anything up there that weighed more than the factory flash. By the way, is that a SAFROTTO bag or the real mac coy?
Cheers Andrew.
 
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