Leica LTM leica IIIf: flash firing multiple times on shutter release press

[f1.0]

I am trying using a remote flash trigger on a IIIf.

The trigger works on other cameras fine. But when I connect the transmitter to the Leica IIIf via a PC cord, the flash fires as I start pressing the shutter release and then fires again when I fully press it and shutter opens and closes. Finally, the flash again triggers as I am letting the release button come back up.

Looks like the flash contacts get activates twice as the release buttons travels down.

I have tried this with various speeds, 1/25, 1/30 and at various delay settings, 0 and 2 and others. No luck.

What am I missing here?

 

[charjohncarter]

I use the Paul Buff Cybersynch CST and it works on my IIIf (no repeat flashes). I just tested it to be sure.

 

[f1.0]

I use the Paul Buff Cybersynch CST and it works on my IIIf (no repeat flashes). I just tested it to be sure.

I have tried again but to no avail. Either I am missing something very obvious or very subtle, or the IIIf I have cannot fire a modern flash properly. Sigh.

 

[charjohncarter]

Have you tried a flash with just a PC cord? I have the 'red scale' and I use 20 and shoot at 1/50. I read that that works and it does on my camera.

 

[f1.0]

Have you tried a flash with just a PC cord? I have the 'red scale' and I use 20 and shoot at 1/50. I read that that works and it does on my camera.

I just tried that. Still get multiple flashes (PC chord, camera to flash direct). I am on the verge of giving up on the Leica with a speedlite, perhaps this camera's PC connections are broken(?).

BTW, this Leica (black synchronization dial) does not a speed of 1/50. The nearest I have is 1/60. Why have I seen so many people mention 1/50 on IIIFs?

 

[Robert Lai]

From Leica guides, for the black dial IIIf, you can only use 1/30 second, with the synchronizer on 2 for electronic flash.
All other settings are flash bulb settings which will cause the flash circuit to close BEFORE the shutter fires. Bulbs take a few milliseconds to ignite to full brightness. That delay time varies with the type of bulb.

Finally, from what I recall from my IIIf red dial, I think the flash circuit stays closed circuit after firing. With electronic flash, this causes the flash to keep firing, once the capacitor is charged up enough to fire again. With flash bulbs, if you try to change bulbs without winding you may burn your hand as it goes off when you put the new bulb in.

At least, this is how my Kiev IIa works. Until you wind the shutter, the flash circuit remains closed circuit. So with that camera, I immediately wind prior to changing bulbs, or as soon as the electronic flash has gone off.

West German Zeiss fixed this with the Contax IIa / IIIa. On these cameras, the flash circuit opens after the shutter finishes firing. Leica M cameras also open the flash circuit after the shutter completes the run. I have a IIIg, but it's not at hand so I don't know if it opens the flash circuit or not after firing.