Richard Marks
Rexel
I was just wondering about peoples experiences using flash with an M8. I realise that to many this may be unthinkable, but there are certainly situations where it is useful. I am thinking particularly as 'fill in' in bright outdoor conditions, and also interiors with lots of nasty artificial light.
I have been using an SF24d in its non TTL 'A' mode fixing the apperture on the gun and then altering the camera apperture to control the proportion of flash to ambient light. This works very nicely in my opinion and its possible to produce very subtle fill flash
I have been less impressed with the TTL mode. The main problem is it gives a very bright pre flash (seems nearly as bright as the actual exposure) and this process delays the actual exposure producing fairly noticeable shutter lag. Id much rather there was a more subtle pre flash or ability to over ride it! It may be my imagination, but I think the sgutter lag may have improved a bit with the 1.092 upgrade. The exposure compensation is also limiting on the TTL mode and will not go more than 1 stop under exposed at wide appertures.
Given ny reservations about the TTL mode, I certainly would not be rushing to upgrade if i alredy owned an SF20.
The SF guns are certainly very light and convenient, but Im looking forward to Metz producing something new.
Best wishes
Richard Marks
I have been using an SF24d in its non TTL 'A' mode fixing the apperture on the gun and then altering the camera apperture to control the proportion of flash to ambient light. This works very nicely in my opinion and its possible to produce very subtle fill flash
I have been less impressed with the TTL mode. The main problem is it gives a very bright pre flash (seems nearly as bright as the actual exposure) and this process delays the actual exposure producing fairly noticeable shutter lag. Id much rather there was a more subtle pre flash or ability to over ride it! It may be my imagination, but I think the sgutter lag may have improved a bit with the 1.092 upgrade. The exposure compensation is also limiting on the TTL mode and will not go more than 1 stop under exposed at wide appertures.
Given ny reservations about the TTL mode, I certainly would not be rushing to upgrade if i alredy owned an SF20.
The SF guns are certainly very light and convenient, but Im looking forward to Metz producing something new.
Best wishes
Richard Marks
katrak
BennyBlue
AusDLK
Famous Photographer
When I when out with my (former) M8 and the Leica SF24D flash one night and had one misfire after another (the shutter would click but the flash didn't fire), I was appalled and embarrassed. No rhyme or reason. Sometimes it worky, other times no worky.
My friends gave me all kinds of crap about how my new $5000 camera wouldn't take reliable flash pictures.
That was one of the (minor) reasons that I happily abandoned the M8.
My friends gave me all kinds of crap about how my new $5000 camera wouldn't take reliable flash pictures.
That was one of the (minor) reasons that I happily abandoned the M8.
Richard Marks
Rexel
katrak said:
Many thanks
Interesting. Sounds like the TTL flash is not that well received.
Regards
Richard
boilerdoc2
Well-known
The SF 20 sucks on the M8 so Popflash is sending me a SF24. That has to be better!!!!
kbg32
neo-romanticist
I have no problems with the SF20 on the M8.
BerndReini
Member
There is an extensive article in LFI magazine that explains why the flash won't fire in certain situations (flash output and aperture/ shutter speed not within an acceptable range).
Richard Marks
Rexel
Im per4fectly happy using the sf24 in apperture mode. I just dont like the big pre flash in ttl mode and the subsequent shutter lag. That being said if the TTL on the sf24 is not that good, the advantage of the sf24 over the sf20 is not really that great. At the present time, the sf24 is the only flash with ttl function for an M8. I am sure that Metz will get a M8 sca module together fairly soon and that will cerailnly give a much better choice.
ywenz
Veteran
Why doesn't Leica produce a flash with tilt/rotate head?
Richard Marks
Rexel
Hi
The SF24 is fine for a bit of fill flash (say setting it about 2 stops under actual exposure) and this is fine without the tilt and swivel. Also with the diffusor the shadows are pretty soft. But i really dont think it has enough wallop for serious flash illumination. But then again I almost never used flash on my film M. Clearly the limited range of digital does make me reach for fill flash a bit more redilly.
I suspect the main reason leica itself has not done more with flash is that Metz have the initiative on flash. (The sf24 is after all a metz unit inside)
Im just hoping for a decent sca M8 module and then there is plenty of choice.
The SF24 is fine for a bit of fill flash (say setting it about 2 stops under actual exposure) and this is fine without the tilt and swivel. Also with the diffusor the shadows are pretty soft. But i really dont think it has enough wallop for serious flash illumination. But then again I almost never used flash on my film M. Clearly the limited range of digital does make me reach for fill flash a bit more redilly.
I suspect the main reason leica itself has not done more with flash is that Metz have the initiative on flash. (The sf24 is after all a metz unit inside)
Im just hoping for a decent sca M8 module and then there is plenty of choice.