[Leica] ND filters

[henry <henry@henryambrose.com>]

Jim wrote and others have opined similarly:
>There is nothing to be gained from using ND filters to rectify slow flash
>sync problems.

If you are outdoors with a 400 speed film a 2 stop ND will get you into 
the sync range of under 1/50th. (otherwise the lens does not stop down 
enough)
Your new effective film speed is 100 - set your flash as if you were 
using 100 speed film. You'll be at f11 or 16. If your flash only goes to 
f8 at 6 feet, GREAT you're one or two stops under for fill, maybe just 
what you want - or maybe 2 or 3 stops under the ambient could be better, 
YMMV.

If you have 100 speed film a ND will get you to a wider aperture in sync 
range.
1 stop gets you to 50, 2 gets you to 25. (Your flash probably has 
markings for these effective film speeds)

Put on the filter, translate the new effective film speed (400 with a 2 
stop ND=100) to your flash , figure your fill amount and shoot!

Certainly it reduces your range. 
Its not as good as an R8 or Nikon or Canon. 
But if you are there with your M6, flash and ND you can do it.
Trust me it works.

It does not have to be a real powerful flash either. I have two twinkies 
that will put out enough light. A big flash like the 283 or a big Nikon 
or Canon will certainly put out enough light.

Now as to whether or not Dan should buy an R8 -
well thats another story.
: >)

Henry