Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/04/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> Why did Leica screw up the shoe and put in those 4 TTL contacts then? > Surely that would have reduced the price of the camera by 2 or 3 Euro. > Come to think of it, a cold shoe would be such an anomaly that the > price may have actually gone UP. > > Sometimes flash is necessary. > Sometimes it's not necessary but adds so much more to the final image > that not using flash would make the image just boring or not able to be > seen at all. > > This whole idea of not using a flash with a Leica is just hogwash > anyways. When the system was still in the Barnack stage and during the > M days prior to the Nikon F taking over, every photojournalist out there > who needed to get a shot to feed themselves used a flash when it was > necessary. Flashbulbs at that. Know your guide number, find your > distance, set your aperture, expose perfectly. > > We've lost a bit of capability in these late years by not embracing > flash. In the days of the CEYOO and FP bulbs, the camera could be > synched for accurate flash exposures at 1/1000 second. No camera does > that now. With slow enough film and the right aperture, one can turn > day into night and have a perfectly lit subject in the foreground. > > A lot of creative process has been forgotten or set aside for the sake > of the snapshot. I'm as guilty as anyone since I rarely use flash, but > I know it well and if I need it, it's there. > > Apologies for the lengthy rant. > Phil Forrest > > > On Wed, 7 Apr 2010 07:17:58 +0200 > Nathan Wajsman <photo at frozenlight.eu> wrote: > >> The M9 is not meant to be used with flash. The thing at the top that >> looks like a hot shoe is meant for accessories such as external >> viewfinders for wide angle lenses. >> >> Nathan >> >> Nathan Wajsman >> Alicante, Spain >> http://www.frozenlight.eu >> http://www.greatpix.eu >> http://www.nathanfoto.com >> >> Books: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/search?search=wajsman&x=0&y=0 >> PICTURE OF THE WEEK: http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws >> Blog: http://www.fotocycle.dk/blog >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On Apr 6, 2010, at 2:28 AM, Geoff Hopkinson wrote: >> >>> Leland if you are happy to use your flash the older fashioned way >>> (not using the GNC) then any modern unit should be fine with camera >>> set to the flash sync speed and exposure control by flash. Modern >>> to ensure that you don't risk high triggering voltages. I'd pick >>> something that you can select variable power settings for more >>> versatility (1/16 power, 1/8 etc for a blink of fill in). Just pick >>> which features you'd like, tilting head for example? The Metz stuff >>> is very good. Also the old Nikon and Contax off camera leads do >>> work if you are looking for more options with a bracket or >>> bouncing, say. >>> >>> Cheers >>> Geoff >>> http://www.pbase.com/hoppyman >>> >>> >>> On 6 April 2010 01:28, Leland Deane <lmdmd at att.net> wrote: >>> >>>> Can anyone recommend a good small flash for the M9. I don't like >>>> by old SF flash and can't see going for the bulk and expense of >>>> the larger Leica flash. I have minimal requirements so it can be a >>>> small manual flash and doesn't need to be TTL. >>>> Thanks, >>>> Leland >>>> >>>> I am very pro flash. A Leica M is a less obvious choice for flash but I used them just the same. Extensively with studio strobes. And with a shoe mounted Metz 32 Z-2. I also have a 20 BC 6. There will be situations going down that without flash you're just not going to get and you need to decide if that's ok with you to just say goodbye to them. A lot of cream of the cream top photographers take anti flash stances; HCB and the Mangham mindset. But the vast majority of serious and professional photographers would not dream of having a flash mot be a part of most cameras systems they have. You buy a camera you get the flash. When shooting with my M's there have been times I've left my flash and home and just kicked myself. High speed glass even ultra high speed glass is no replacement for a flash. My pop up flash on my my DSLRS have saved my ass numerous times. I'm glad there is no chance of my leaving home without them. [Rabs] Mark William Rabiner