Using a Nikon SB 22 on a Leica M2

Benjamin

Benjamin

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I've just been given a Nikon SB 22 Speedlight (not the SB 22s), and I just wonder what it is exactly that I need to use it on my M2?

I will probably use it on my Nikon FM2 and FE as well, but it would be nice to be able to use it with the Leica.

So from what I understand all that I shall require is a sync cord and an adaptor, right?

Anything else that I should be aware of?

From reading the PDF and the back of the flash gun itself it all seems pretty simple to use it manually. The only other thing being that it says that it has a built-in wide angle diffuser, but I don't really get how to set it, if necessary, and just how wide a lens it can be used with. Any ideas?

Thanks for reading,

Benjamin
 
You need a sync cord and a sync adapter, if a standard flash sync hasn't already been fitted on your camera.

It might be a good idea to tape the contacts on the flash so they will not short on the accessory shoe when you fire the flash but I'm not sure on that since I never use flash on my Leicas.

Happy shooting!
 
Thank you for the reply CLE RF.

Any ideas as to where I should look for the correct adaptor? I don't know if they are specific to Leica cameras, but I'm not having a great time looking for them on the net.

Also is it really necessary to isolate the contacts of the flash, when mounted on the camera?

Thanks again,

Benjamin
 
Hi Benjamin,

I use an old SB22 (non 22s) on my M6, it's my low light kit 😀
I sometimes use it on camera but most of the times I use it off camera with an off shoe cord.
AFAIK, your M2 doesn't have a hot shoe for a flash so you will have to buy a sync cord. From the flash, either from the flash hot shoe or the sync terminal on the left side of the SB22 body, this sync cord will go to socket on the back of the camera body.

The wide angle diffuser is to be used when you use a wide angle lens ( I think it's 28 mm) but it can also be used with non wide angle lens, you only have to set the aperture accordingly. I myself never use the diffuser.

Using the flash is really simple, set it at A1 or A2, bounce the flash with a bounce card (or better yet use the flash off camera), set the speed at 1/30 or slower and open the lens aperture about 1 stop wider than the number on the aperture selection/shooting distance range panel on the back of the flash suggested. The numbers on the panel is for direct flash. So if you bounce the flash open the aperture about 1 stop wider. For instance, if the chart suggest f/4 with ISO 400 film, set the aperture to f/2.8.

I do not tape the contacts on the flash and I do not have any problem so far.

Have fun with your flash.

Bob
 
What Bob said 😀

Personaly I use the tiny Nikon SB-30 on all my manual cameras, including the Leica M2, Canonet en my manual Nikons (EM, FM, FM2, FE). Works like a charm when even fast film and a fast lens don't cut it anymore.
 
I think even the modern Nikon flashes will work on Leicas. The little SB-800 has a non-TTL auto mode and should work just fine. Nikon flashes are very good.
 
Hello sorry to drag this back up, but does anyone know of anywhere in the UK that I might be able to get the correct flash sync adapter from? I have an M2, which hasn't been converted to the standard PC socket.

I've searched Google, eBay, etcetera but to no avail.

All the best, Benjamin
 
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