Re: [Leica] Using Noctilux with SF20

[John Collier <jbcollier@home.com>]

It depends on what film you are using and what effect you are after. Two to
three stops would give a pretty subtle flash effect. You might want
something a little stronger. Imagine the final look you are after. For the
blur photos is the flash exposure close to "normal" with the ambient blurs
lighter? If so, and you are using chrome, an ambient exposure one stop under
and a full power (strong effect) to -2/3 (softer effect) would work fine.
For the portraits, I would not go beyond -1 2/3 depending on the lighting
direction, If the eye sockets are heavily shadowed, -2/3 to -1.0 may be more
appropriate. It is often easy to solve seemingly complicated problems if you
work back from the desired result. As it is all fairly new to you try a
variety of settings, make copious notes and see for yourself.

John Collier

> From: Rick Dykstra <rdandcb@cybermac.com.au>
> 
> Hi folks,
> 
> I've been invited to shoot a Ball tonight - the end of week ball for a
> convention of the Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society.  Should be
> lots of interesting photo opportunities - colourful kilts, movement,
> shiny buttons on jackets.  I'll be trying for some slow sync flash shots
> of the dancers, to get that blurred background effect with subject
> movement and a little flash induced snap freezing with reflections.
> Might use the R8 with second curtain sync for this.  Second curtain sync
> with an M camera would be better, to enable easier tracking of the
> subject during a longish exposure.  Put that on the wish list!
> 
> I'll also be taking portraits, in fairly dim light.  For these I want
> minimum flash effect, if used at all. Question is, has anyone had
> success using their Noctilux or a 35 or 50 Summilux wide open with the
> SF20 for minimum fill?  What did you set the flash on?  I'm thinking
> I'll expose for ambient and dial in -2 or -3 EV flash or so, to avoid
> overpowering the ambient look.
> 
> Any thoughts?   
>