Leica M5 - flash rec..

[gregnzphoto]

Hi all,

How dare i ask this question but on occassion i do need something artifical. Can someone suggest a companion flash that is compact, and adjustable for an M5.

I thought that the considerable knowledge from Rff members could provide some options. I have little knowledge of flashes in the non-ttl catagory and their compatability with Leica cameras (nikon user eleven years).

Thanks for any advise


Greg

 

[ChrisN]

Hey - a Kiwi! Welcome to the forum Greg! I can't answer your question about flash, but I thought I'd throw out the welcome mat anyway. Someone will be along shortly to answer the question, I'm sure. M5 - don't hear too much about those. How do you like it?

 

[mac_wt]

I own an M5 and I have used a flash on it, but I can't help you. I own several old flashes (including a Panasonic and an Agfa), but I barely understand how to use them. I use them in circumstances where the light is just to low to catch the action, even at f:1,2 and with 3200 asa film. In these conditions I learned that the brand of flash is not as important as getting it as far as possible from the lens (i.e. on an arm, not in the hotshoe). Offcourse, if you want to use bounce flash or fill flash, that is another story and way beyond my knowledge.

Wim

 

[Ben Z]

The M5 has a standard non-TTL one-contact hot-shoe. Any shoe-mount flash will work, but there's no reason to pay for one with TTL capability. Usually at camera stores or swap meets you can find an assortment of non-TTL AUTO flashes for anywhere from $5-$25. These quench the flash when a predetermined quantity of light is reflected back into a sensor on the flash body. The better ones have 2,3 or more choices of apertures you set on the lens and flash, heads that tilt and twist for bounce flash, and a few even let you remount the sensor to a cord that fits the hot shoe, so that the flash exposure is read from camera position even if the flash itself is held some distance away. The ubiquitous Vivitar 283 and 285 models are such.

 

[gregnzphoto]

Thanks for the help all.

Pretty new to forums and Rff is the best for passionate photographers who prefer the analogue approach.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the welcome. It is so relaxing to just appreciate the process again. Been digital for four years through commercial necessity but really the digital process and its characteristics are still lacking for a photographer who was trained the traditional way. Not photographing for commercial gain anymore but for myself and friends. Sooooooo much better.
As for the leica I have a wee admiration for finely engineered cameras that my wife has little concept of. At least cost wise. Always dreamed of an M5 or M4-p so I've sold the rest of my studio gear and its back to what I've always aspired for.

Take it easy. Feel free to drop a line when ever.


Greg

 

[anglophone1]

If the vivitar 283/285 seem too big and unwieldly, take a look at a vivitar 2500.
Smaller,less powerful, and only two auto stops as opposed to four.
Good uncomplicated old tech kit ,tough, reliable, and for nothing on e*bay.
I have 8 283s [two converted for bare bulb] and 2 2500s, lit a whole wine cellar earlier this week with 6 283s!
Clive

 

[mad_boy]

I',m with Ben Z.

For years I have used a n Osram C180 during holidays.
It is compact, dirt cheap (10 dollar or so) and produces quite good results.
Just go for a used automatic flash.

mad_boy.

 

[Nick R.]

I'd recommend the NIkon SB-15. They're pretty cheap right now and they fit well on the Leica. Here's a couple of shots using one on my M4-P:
The first is direct flash. The second is bounced off of a canopy.

 

[gregnzphoto]

Great info .... thank you all.