[Leica] R8 Hi Signal when Shooting Metz 40MZ-2 TTL Flash in Shadows

["James R. Nelon" <JamesNelon@compuserve.com>]

I just got back from a five week shoot of ethnic tribes in Thailand and t=
he
Philippines during which I would frequently get an annoying - and picture=

ruining - Hi sign in the viewfinder. The indicator would light up when I'=
d
be shooting in the shadows or in other relatively low light scenes. The
shutter speed would still be showing a comfortable 60th of a second or so=

and I'd be typically using a 35mm Summicron lens. The R8 was in T mode,
using a Metz 40MZ-2 in TTL mode. In these shadowy circumstances, the flas=
h
was delivering too much light, even though I had minus 1-2/3 f-stops of
reduced light dialed into the SCA 3501to presumably keep the flash from
becoming the primary light source. Why, when there's still plenty of ligh=
t
can not the flash still stay 1 & 2/3rds f-stop below the ambient light. A=
ll
I want is a bit of sparkle and a freshening up of the light from the flas=
h,
not a blast to ruin the scene. Any ideas? Both of my R8's behave the same=

way.