Leica M7 flash.

[sergiojaenlara]

I am looking for a flash for my new M7 but this is more complicated that I thought before.
I did´'t know that leica cameras only synchronize below 1/50 speed, big mistake I think, and in the other hand for taking profit from high speed synchronisation (1/1000) you need some devices and a special flash.
With the information I have:
- For using ttl capabilites in leica's M7 at 1/50 speed I need one of these flashes, sf20 or sf24, but Can I maintain ttl capabilities and use off camera flash? Any off camera flash cord avalaible?
- What I need for high speed synchronisation and ttl? Metz 54 mz4 + sca 3502?
- What I need for off camera + hss + ttl? Metz 54 mz4 + sca 3502 + sca 3008?

Thank you pals.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Hi,

you almost got all the answers right.
For off camera flash you can use a Nikon cord. The contacts are on the same place. works great with my metz 54. Make sure the 3502 is at least M2.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[sergiojaenlara]

WIth a NIkon cord Can I mantain the ttl capability?

That's great Thanks!

 

[telenous]

The Metz 54mz4 w/ 3502 module sounds right for the M7 but high speed synchronization can't go with TTL or auto, just manual. With HSS you also lose the two mechanical speeds (1/60s and 1/125s), but it's available for 1/250s or faster.

Here's an informative page on M7 and HSS from Nemeng's website: http://nemeng.com/leica/014b.shtml

There's also this older RFf thread that may shed more light 🙂: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58802



.

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

WIth a NIkon cord Can I mantain the ttl capability?

That's great Thanks!

Yes.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[sergiojaenlara]

Excuse Michiel.

Which Nikon cord?

 

[RichardB]

For on camera TTL flash the SF24 works just the same as the SF20 on your M7. The difference between the units is that the SF 24 has more f stop settings for non TTL operation.
I don't know if a Nikon cord will give you TTL capabilities off camera?
For HSS you need a Metz with a 3502 flash coupler preferably an M4 or newer unit. HSS is essentialy useless because its all manual and is only an oddity for the M7. Unless you are trying to do fill flash outdoors or HSS, the SF24(20) or a Metz unit with M coupler is sufficient.
For fill flash or HSS get a new SLR.
For the record I have two M7's, SF 24 and MetZ 40-MZ3 and 3502 M4 coupler. Both work very well for TTL but the Metz is mostly used off camera in AUTO with a 21mm ASPH as thier is no way to have both a 21mm finder and the flash TTL coupled at the same time. -Dick

 

[sergiojaenlara]

I've been searching the web and the cord I am looking for is the nikon sc-17 or sc-19 cord.

It maintain ttl capabilities with leica flashes as it was described in a past leica magazine.

 

[RichardB]

That's great if it works and supports the Leica TTL. My situation was that for the 21mm with flash, a finder blocked access for a synch cord other than the non TTL access.
The Metz unit I have is attached to a Metz handel with a bracket that is attached to the tripod socket. I don't know of any other way to get a solid off camera mount for an M7.-Dick

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Excuse Michiel.

Which Nikon cord?

I think I use a cheap Chinese version of the 19 cord. At least it's Nikon's last version for their ttl camera's
BTW you don't need the 3502 M4, M2 is enough.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[sergiojaenlara]

Any problem for using a canon's 580exII with an off camera cord in manual or auto mode?

 

[Steve Ash]

Fully compatible with your M7 and to digital M's:

http://en.leica-camera.com/photography/m_system/accessories/flash_unit/6300.html

I saw it on an M8 and it actually looked smaller than on the pics in the web.

Regards
Steve

 

[RichardB]

The original Poster queried about off camera operation. I've spent a lot of time researching this type of flash usage for the M7.
The SF58 has no provisions that I can determine for off camera operation in any mode. Older Metz units will fit onto a Power Pack handle and a mounting bracket and with a supplied connector to the accessory mount will allow TTL flash off camera. I don't know of any other units that will support that. Even if using an SF24(20) with the mentioned Nikon cord, how to physically support the camera/flash combination? If there was a way, I think I would have found it.
The SF58 is a very nice unit but does not support off camera flash as well being useful for my M7 and 21mm ASPH so I don't have one. It does appear to support TTL-HSSS for the M7 but so what?
Find a Metz unit with handle and camera mounting bracket and you can do off camera TTL flash with your M7 as long as you don't need to use an accessory finder.-Dick

 

[Steve Ash]

I think off-camera flash operation is quite uncomfortable with a RF if you do not prefocus. With SF 58 you can bounce the flash and utilize the M7 with all its capabilities.

Regards
Steve

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

The original Poster queried about off camera operation. I've spent a lot of time researching this type of flash usage for the M7.
The SF58 has no provisions that I can determine for off camera operation in any mode. Older Metz units will fit onto a Power Pack handle and a mounting bracket and with a supplied connector to the accessory mount will allow TTL flash off camera. I don't know of any other units that will support that. Even if using an SF24(20) with the mentioned Nikon cord, how to physically support the camera/flash combination? If there was a way, I think I would have found it.
The SF58 is a very nice unit but does not support off camera flash as well being useful for my M7 and 21mm ASPH so I don't have one. It does appear to support TTL-HSSS for the M7 but so what?
Find a Metz unit with handle and camera mounting bracket and you can do off camera TTL flash with your M7 as long as you don't need to use an accessory finder.-Dick

Some people just keep a sf24(20) in their hand. Indeed not ideal but you can put the flash in any direction you want.
The nikon cord has a tripod bush on the camera side and therefore you can mount it on a bracket.

Cheers,
Michiel Fokkema

 

[sergiojaenlara]

I think off-camera flash operation is quite uncomfortable with a RF if you do not prefocus. With SF 58 you can bounce the flash and utilize the M7 with all its capabilities.

Regards
Steve

I don't think so Steve, just look to Bruce Gilden photos.

 

[35mmdelux]

I shoot off camera sync cord with Metz 54MZi. Works like a charm. I estimate shooting distance & work within those confines. Occasionally I shoot with SF20 but with only two batteries slow recycle.

 

[sergiojaenlara]

I shoot off camera sync cord with Metz 54MZi. Works like a charm. I estimate shooting distance & work within those confines. Occasionally I shoot with SF20 but with only two batteries slow recycle.

Which cord are you using with metz 54mzi?