Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/09/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> > I would like to learn about flash photography. I have an M2 (with PC > sockets) and an R7. The R7 has TTL flash, but I don't have any dedicated > flashes. > > So, I'd like to learn how to do flash as main light and fill light with a > manual unit, without having to pull out a calculator and surveying equipment > each time I wish to take a picture. I'm positive that there must be tricks > that you 'old guys' used to use before the advent of TTL matrix flash > metering, which allowed you to get good pictures without constantly fiddling > with the camera and/or flash. Please share some of those tricks. > > M. Martin, I am no expert at flash photography, even though I do quite a bit of it. I use a Metz 45CL-4 on a Nikon F3 or FM2n, when travelling light I will use a Vivatar. The Metz has three modes, TTL, Automatic and Manual. I always use Automatic which once the settings are made, f-stop, ISO, nothing else needs to be done. I found out a long time ago that with the TTL setting the recycle time is very, very slow. With the Automatic mode, recycle time is very quick, so quick that I can fire three rolls of film with the F3 motor drive on continous shoot. Also the recycle time is also dictated by the f-stop so I shoot mostly at 5.6 and once in awhile a f 8. I have a 28mm wide angle attachment for the Metz and Vivatar but have sometimes gotten away with using a 24mm or even a 19mm lens. Both flashes use double AA batteries (Metz, 6 and Vivatar 4) and Energizer brand batteries by far out perform other brands. Personnaly I hate using flash but sometimes there is no choice like tonight where I will be photographing a Film Festival Awards Banquet. Lately when doing these kind of things I have started to use the Nikon w/flash and Leicas without. And if you would like to see an example go to http://www.icommag.com go to 'back issues' then 'august issue' scroll to bottom of page and click on 'WIVF Gala' you will easily see the difference. Steve Annapolis