Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/10/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Here is some info from the archives - Vivitar 2800 Though if you look him up under photographers on the magnum site, he says Vivitar 2500! (I think it is the 2500? of course he could use both! I think the point being that it is a small, simple flash) http://www.magnumphotos.co.uk/magnumphotos/ Tim A "I notice that flash solutions for the non-ttl M6 classics are popular topics here on the LUG. Up until recently, I have used my M6s primarily as existing light cameras, turning to my EOS equipment when fill flash is needed. I had dismissed using the M6s with flash for a variety of reasons including a distrust of non-ttl flash units, 1/50 synch, etc. However, I spent some time recently really trying to get a good, compact flash solution worked out. In an interview with Bob Krist a couple of years ago, David Alan Harvey revealed that he uses a small flash, a Vivitar 2800 for fill in low light. He also talks about using a little warming gel on it which, I assume, is the one that ships with the flash. I had tried it a few times and didn't like the excessively orange results. If you look at Harvey's fill flash shots in Natl Geo, you'll see the same effect. The Vivitar 2800 is a compact auto thyristor flash with a bounce and swivel head, and two auto settings. With ISO 100 film, these are f2.0 and f4.0. This little flash recycles quickly, has decent power, and is very lightweight, especially if you use lithium batteries. And it's very inexpensive at around $29.95! Next, I picked up a Lumiquest "Pocket Bouncer" and a pack of reflectors and rigged the velcro up on the Vivitar. Fits perfectly and costs around $17 from Cameraworld.com. With the gold reflector on the Lumiquest, and the camera set up to expose for ambient light at an aperture 1 to 1.5 stops smaller than the (recommended) auto setting on the flash (i.e, set the flash for an f2.0 exposure, then make sure your ambient exposure is 2.8 or 3.5), I have been getting beautiful, natural-looking results. The whole contraption looks a little odd on the M6 (unnaturally tall), but it is very light weight, and compact enough for the flash + Pocket Bouncer kit along with a little Bogen table top tripod to fit in just one of the front pouches in a Domke F-803 satchel. It's not perfect, and your Canon or Nikon is going to be alot more flexible with thier higher synch speeds and multi-zone TTL capability, but it works perfectly with an M6 as a lighting supplement in existing light. If your subject is at least a foot or so away from a wall, you will generally not see any shadows at all. The gold reflector gives a nice warm look and even with E100VS, skin tones look good. All in all, I am very encouraged with the results. So, for less than $60, I have a flash solution for the M6 that produces beautiful results. Try it, you'll like it! Other observations/thoughts on this setup: 1) The Lumiquest consumes around 30% of the flash's output, which makes it possible to work closer to your subject. The scale on the Vivitar 2800 (set at the f4.0 setting for 100ISO) shows the minimum distance at 7ft. I have tested this setup as close as 3.5 ft, with excellent results. You could work in even closer by using the little 28mm diffuser that comes with the flash. Of course, this power reduction also limits your max working distance. But with the M6, I am generally working close in anyway. 2) I assume the flash's auto thyristor sensor measures a fairly broad angle of view. Could this be an advantage when working with wide angle lenses, where the subject is off center? I understand the M6ttl measures flash center weighted, so if you're shooting with a 28, and your subject is off to the side, is it possible that the non-ttl flash will give a more accurate exposure? 3) Compared to modern electronic cameras, the effective range of uses for this setup is clearly more limited. For example, as fill flash in broad daylight, it is virtually useless. This is for fill flash in low light. In terms of ambient lighting, you can use this rig whenever a good ambient exposure can be made at 1/50th of a second or slower, and f5.6 and wider apertures." - -----Original Message----- From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of Michael Borring Sent: October 26, 1999 3:07 PM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: [Leica] D.A Harvey`s flash Hi Knows anyone which Vivitar Flash David Alan Harvey uses? Michael excuse my bad English