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M6 classic and flash


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<p>I have a Leica M6 classic on its way from CLA. It's been a long time coming, and I'm very excited. I have never used a flash with my SLR setup, a Nikon FM2n, so I don't know much about flash work. This being said, there's an SF20 on sale locally, and I'm probably going to purchase the unit. </p>

<p>Is the classic M6 easy to use with a flash? Any good reference sites for this? It's not something I'll be doing very often, but would like to know how to use a flash in case I ever need one. I also understand that the M6 classic is not the ideal flash camera, but I got it for other reasons. </p>

<p>Cheers, </p>

<p>J</p>

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<p>I used an old Vivitar occasionally as well as an old Metz potato masher on my M6 and my M4. Used both flashes in the auto mode both direct and bounced flash and always got excellent results. The only drawback I saw was that the slow synch speed made fill flash occasionally a challenge. Just get a good book on flash, read it twice, and it is pretty hard to go wrong.</p>
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<p>Unless sold for a ridiculous price, there is no point in buying a Leica brand or dedicated flash for your M6 classic. Buy any flash with a standard hot shoe. Thrift stores are your friend.</p>

<p>K.</p>

<p>EDIT: I've got Sunpak 1600A, a small bounce flash that runs with 2 AA batteries.</p>

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<p>I agree the SF20 is not the best buy if you have an M6 classic. It has dedicated flash circuitry that only works with the M6-TTL, M7, and some R models. On the M6 classic it just behaves like any other standard auto flash, and you can buy more versatile models for less, e.g. a new Metz 36-C2 will often be cheaper than a secondhand SF20: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/273079-REG/Metz_MZ_53622_mecablitz_36_C2_Auto_Flash.html</p>
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<p>Any camera whose shutter can synchronise with flash is a "flash camera". With all the cameras I have used in nearly 50 years, including Leicas for over 20 years, I have sometimes had to use flash: although my preference for decades (and not only with Leicas) has been available light work. My M3 with CTOOM bracket and Sunpak 1600A (same as Koray P. above) makes a formidably handy combination for relatively short distances. There are few suitable flash-guns available new: but there are plenty in the used market.</p>
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<p>I owned and used an SF-20 for awhile...with both my TTL and earlier "straight" M-6. I actually found it to be a little gem of a flash - quite accurate with the old M-6 also, when using with the "auto-eye" non ttl mode. I also got into the habit of connecting the SF-20 via a Nikon SB-16 coiled flash cord, as the connections are the same and work perfectly with either camera. At any rate, with the flash being thus connected, and also being so small and light, I could simply leave the cord with attached flash slung around my neck - out of the way and yet at the ready. </p>

<p>While I, personally, really don't equate my M-camera photography with the use of a flash, I kind of miss my SF-20 on a cord sometimes. It was particularly adept at situations where there was low but adequate ambient light, to which I wanted to add just a hint of flash...not visibly so but just to fill shadows slightly, and/or to add just a hint of sparkle to highlights.</p>

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<p>The SF20 will work quite well with your M6. The SF20 is small, light and completely matches the M6 for most use. Put the SF20 in the AUTO Mode and input ASA, set aperture and match camera aperture, set corect shutter and matching aperture on the M6 and your good to go.<br>

I have a big Metz unit with all the bells and whistles but I only use it off camera on a handle to do flash with an M6 and 21mm f2.8 ASPH. It's a big rig.<br>

The SF24D is a later model with a couple of more aperature settings and updated for later M cameras. I use the SF24D on M6 M7's in TTL Mode a lot and on the M6 in AUTO Mode.-Dick</p>

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<p>Thanks to all who replied, </p>

<p>The SF20 is a good price, so I'll probably get it. I know the seller, and he's going to let me use it first to see if I like it. Obviously, I don't know the first thing about flash photography. Just a few questions;</p>

<p>1. The M6 has a flash sync of 1/50 - is that the fastest shutter speed I can use? <br>

2. Is there any way to get around this, in case I want to use it outdoors on the street for fill?</p>

<p>I won't be using flash much. The opportunity came up and I thought I should have one just in case. </p>

<p>J</p>

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<p>1/50th is it. You'll have to use slower film, and/or stop down, and/or ND filters.</p>

<p>In darker conditions, 1/50th isn't much of an issue since it is usually the short flash duration that freezes the action for subjects in the foreground.</p>

<p>BTW, I use the S-Fill diffuser made specifically for the SF flashes, and one trick I learned for fill use when shooting in portrait mode is to orient the flash to the opposite side of the key light source.</p>

<p>-Marc </p>

<p> </p>

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<p>In t'olden days you could have a sync speed up to 1/1000 (albeit with a lowish Guide Number) by using the right type of slow-burning flashbulb. However, the M6 doesn't have the required M-sync socket which ignites the bulb before the first curtain gets moving, nor are bulbs readily available these days. I remember them from the 1970s, and they were getting to be a niche product then.</p>
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