R8 and Studio Flash

[scott_g2]

Hello to All,

 

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For the first time, I will be using my R8 with a studio flash system. Since I purchased my R8 used I do not have the instruction manual and would like to know what technique(s) you might recommend.

 

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For example:

 

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1. Can I use a standard sync cord in the X contact without worry of damage to the camera electronics?

 

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2. If I can use a sync cord, what modes/settings should I operate the camera?

 

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3. Will the R8 sync at either shutter curtain settings?

 

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4. Any other questions I forgot to ask.

 

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The studio equipment I will be using is an Elinchrome Studio Strobe set wihh approximately 2000-watt/sec power.

 

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Many thanks!

[charles barcellona www.bl]

You'd not be bad off using on of the Wein or Paramount cords that have

low voltage conversion circuits. Even for mechanical contact

shutters, why put 300-400 volts (and arcing) on the contacts?

[jay_.]

Don't feel badly you didn't get an owner's manual (it's not very

helpful for your questions) but Leica NJ will gladly send you one for

the asking.

 

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Yes you can use a standard sync cord and not to worry about frying

the electronics as long as you use the PC socket. Voltage problems

with old shoe-mount flashes can even be circumvented by using a PC

cord instead of the hot shoe.

 

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Use whatever mode you want for shooting. The "f" mode turns the R8

into a TTL flashmeter, but you can't shoot in "f" mode. Set the

camera to "f" and press the DOF preview tab while pointing the

central finder circle at whatever you want metered. The flash will

fire and on the rear panel LCD you will see a readout in + or -

however many stops off the reading was. Then change exposure

settings by that many stops to arrive at the correct exposure, switch

to a shooting mode and take the shot.

[markus_tschan]

@Jay

Are you sure you can't shoot in "f" mode?

I do it.

[jay_.]

I never thought to try. I suppose it's just like manual mode, it

probably fires at whatever shutter speed is set. I normally use A

mode with non-TTL flash so that the camera sets slow speeds according

to the ambient light...something impossible with an SCA TTL flash in

A mode on the R8, which defaults to 1/250. One place where Canon and

Nikon bodies are more flexible.

[joseph_barbano]

According to the owner's manual, some versions of the R-8 were

sensitive to flash triggering voltage. I believe the limitation was

about 24 Volts. I was concerned about this limitation on using some

older flash units so I contacted Leica directly via e-mail. After

providing the serial numbers from my R-8s, I was informed that the R-

8s which I owned had been upgraded to withstand 500 volts DC of

triggering voltage. I'd recommend that you measure the triggering

voltage of your studio flashes as well as contact Leica to be safe.

Triggering voltage wasn't such an issue in pre-microprocessor

cameras. In fact, some older Vivitar and Sunpaks had triggering

voltages in excess of 500 volts DC. Even though the amperage was very

small. Good luck.