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View Full Version : Best Flash For M8 for Shooting Music?

ali_baba
07-11-2008, 01:08
Topic says it all.
I wanted to spring for a Metz 54 mz-4i but the
reviews I have found are mixed.

It seems that the leica sf24D is more lauded?

I'm generally going to use it for stage shooting with 35-90 lenses on the m8.

thanks!
ali_baba
07-11-2008, 12:40
nobody knows?
Photon42
07-12-2008, 00:45
Of course we know :D It's all there already. Lot's of forum members think, flash is close to a sacrileg on a rangefinder body, so you collect much more replies when asking for opinions on a high speed lens. Personally I think a flash has it's uses, especially if used properly.

For the m8, I'd skip any idea with TTL and the Metz 54. Doesn't work reliably here. More importantly, pre-flash is evil in real live shooting and unneccessary in still photography. Really.

My recommendation for M-Flashes (admittedly a vee bit Nikon-leaning)

SB-22(s) (for it's size), three f-stops, if you're willing to take the "motor" stop, AA battery form factor. US$ 20-30 used

SB-27 (for the best compromise), five or maybe six f-stops, beam splitting (really works to some extend), AA battery form factor. US$ 50 used

SB-26, SB-800, MZ54i (for the best features), all possible f-stops, slave mode - forget the Metz in dedicated TTL mode. US$ 100 used and up , much more for models still in production

I've got a SB-22, 24, 27 and a MZ54i.

Rgds
Ivo
Anupam Basu
07-12-2008, 01:45
SB-28 - the widest range of manual power adjustments of the Nikon film flashes, bounce head etc.
ali_baba
07-12-2008, 12:05
so stay from leica flashes is what you're saying?
i have not used a flash yet with my m system,
but i would like to have the option to freeze some longer stage exposures.
thanks
Richard Marks
07-12-2008, 12:37
SF24 definately not powerfull enough.
TTL flash is not brilliant on the M8 as it has a really intrusive pre flash which delays the actual exposure and half blinds your subjects, so you can look at pretty much anything with an auto flash mode.
I have the SF24 which offsets some of its inadequacy by being small and light. I personally want something a bit more flexible. I am even toying with a 45CL4. It will handle like a brick but I think it will get the job done.
Also curious about 60CT4 but not sure if it is OK in terms of voltage triger on an M8

Richard
nikonhswebmaster
07-12-2008, 13:28
I find it really ugly unless you are Weegee. Then again, the harsh Weegee look can be fun. :p
sirius
07-12-2008, 13:53
nikonwebmaster, it was David Alan Harvey who changed my mind about using a flash with an RF camera. He does it soooo well, while still mastering the natural light work. It's just a tool, and a useful one, that needs to be used intelligently.

See examples from Divided Soul (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUc6uBVVfEE&eurl=http://4edges.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/david-alan-harvey-cuba/)

See him in action here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aES5WD22FBA&eurl=http://4edges.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/david-alan-harvey-cuba/)
WoolenMammoth
07-12-2008, 13:57
shooting music? how about no flash? nothing more anoying than being on stage and looking at flashes. From a photographers point of view, I'll never understand people's gravitation towards using a flash to shoot something that is lit... Ive been shooting music for 20 years and cant recall a single incident where I needed a flash.
swoop
07-12-2008, 14:14
I find it really ugly unless you are Weegee. Then again, the harsh Weegee look can be fun. :p

Ha. Fellig was the whole reason I started using flash.
http://www.kmnyc.com/images/290.jpg



As for me, the flash I use is a small Holga flash. It has one setting.. "On." So the camera has to be set manually. But there is a small exposure table on the back that I have found to be fairly accurate. It's light and small, and balances on the camera well. Uses one AA battery, and if you use a NiMH the recycle time is pretty decent. It was about $18 on ebay. The only drawbacks are that the battery cover is pretty flimsy, it's never fallen off on me. But you get the feeling it might. And that it makes a high pitched whine when using it. Also, I've been asked more than once what kind of Holga I have.

http://www.kmnyc.com/images/flash.jpg
nikonhswebmaster
07-12-2008, 14:15
nikonwebmaster, it was David Alan Harvey who changed my mind about using a flash with an RF camera. He does it soooo well, while still mastering the natural light work. It's just a tool, and a useful one, that needs to be used intelligently.

See examples from Divided Soul (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUc6uBVVfEE&eurl=http://4edges.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/david-alan-harvey-cuba/)

See him in action here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aES5WD22FBA&eurl=http://4edges.wordpress.com/2008/05/21/david-alan-harvey-cuba/)

He uses it for fill in areas with high contrast and dark skin.

I simply dislike flash if it is used in very dark areas, and it becomes the obvious primary source, but as pointed out, the Weegee look can be interesting, sparingly.

There are things I hate much more, like holding your camera at odd angles, now that I can never get behind.
sirius
07-12-2008, 14:53
He uses it for fill in areas with high contrast and dark skin.

I simply dislike flash if it is used in very dark areas, and it becomes the obvious primary source...

Yes, I agree with you. It's using a fill flash which is really cool, from my point of view. There's often enough ambient light around, just not enough light to make a sharp hand-held photo (unless you have a 5D or that fancy new Nikon).

Tilted horizons! Sheesh, I wish I could do that, but my world tends to tip over and spill when I do...

In the end, I really agree with what WoolenMammoth says. I would hate to disturb a dancer or musician with a blast of flash into their eyes. Stage lighting tends to be fantastic since it's often arranged by professionals. I just wish professionals would do lighting for wedding and event podiums! They tend to get shoved into the most convenient dark corner...

cheers
oftheherd
07-12-2008, 14:54
shooting music? how about no flash? nothing more anoying than being on stage and looking at flashes. From a photographers point of view, I'll never understand people's gravitation towards using a flash to shoot something that is lit... Ive been shooting music for 20 years and cant recall a single incident where I needed a flash.

That's an off beat but interesting thought. Natural light is often the best to use.

I have another off beat thought. Unless you will be doing a lot of it, consider Winogrand. Bulb flash gives a lot of light and is more natural if you aren't too close and personal. Not an answer to your question here, but something to consider for a future try.
Richard Marks
07-12-2008, 15:33
I much prefer to avoid flash but there are times when you have to use it.
I think that is the point of this thread.
Richard
ali_baba
07-12-2008, 20:55
shooting music? how about no flash? nothing more anoying than being on stage and looking at flashes. From a photographers point of view, I'll never understand people's gravitation towards using a flash to shoot something that is lit... Ive been shooting music for 20 years and cant recall a single incident where I needed a flash.

what do you shoot music with out of curiosity?

i havnt used a flash yet but sometimes i wish i had one with me incase, really just to freeze some more dimly lit situaitons.
Anupam Basu
07-12-2008, 21:41
I simply dislike flash if it is used in very dark areas, and it becomes the obvious primary source, but as pointed out, the Weegee look can be interesting, sparingly.

True, but somehow RF users associate flash mainly with this kind of harsh lighting - but flash or multiple flashes skillfully used can be wonderful. I feel that many dismiss flash for fast lenses because they don't know how to control flash(es). Lens/film speed and flash are by no means mutually exclusive.

As for the original question, I wouldn't use flash to shoot music unless I were shooting with the performers' permission.

-A