[Leica] Re:R digital back

[director at ubi.edu (Lucien)]

Rick Dykstra wrote :

> The lack of TTL flash control is a big issue for me.  I'm often using 
> flash with tiny subjects about 8 meters away.  Auto flash is no 
> solution.  I'll have to use manual calculations, or if possible use 
> the F mode to adjust the flash power, though this only works if the 
> distance and aperture stay fixed.

Rick,

The R9 Digital Back will not work with TTL flash metering because of 
the CCD  reflecting differently than a film, and will also not work  
with "subject distance"  because distance is not transmitted by the 
ROM.

It will only work in A-mode flash metering.

Fortunately, the selection of an aperture on the R9 is transmitted 
automatically to the Metz  54MZ3 in flash A-mode.

> Not too happy about this being left out.  The other pro Digi bodies 
> have TTL don't they?

The other pro Digi bodies are using TTL just before the picture is 
taken via a pre-flash system. Not during the exposure.

The R8 and R9 were not designed to work with a pre-flash. It will not 
be possible to add it later.

By the way, Nikon had to switch to the DX flash system (SB-28DX) for 
the D1 series (and D100) and then to the i-TTL (SB-800) for the D2 
series (and D70).

And Canon had to add the E-TTL II in its latest digital cameras to 
improve flash results.

Lucien