[Leica] good small flash for M9

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca)]

Philip Forrest offered:
>>> > This whole idea of not using a flash with a Leica is just hogwash
> anyways. <<<

Hi Philip

Now Philip that isn't quite true! Yes I agree in some, very very small 
situations, usually family happy snaps and the very odd situation, a flash 
is an assisting element. But to refer to it as "hogwash?" One might consider 
that a little on the harsh side.

May I suggest you have a look at my three books of the medical profession at 
work, where everything is strictly "Leica available light" images! For 
example, "Women in Medicine. A Celebration of their work." I shot 500 rolls 
of Tri-x using 3 M7's and never used a flash. And every frame was properly 
exposed.... "not necessarily a solid picture!"  You don't see those! :-) The 
book is a smash hit with both photographers and medical professionals. 
Another, "Doctor's Work" is in a class by itself in using only available 
light as one views the scene!

Both Sandy Carter and myself never had a flash with us at any time 
throughout the weeks of shooting the women, nor did I ever have a yearning 
... "if I only had a flash it would've been better." Quite frankly using a 
flash in documentary real life photography can, in most cases, destroy both 
the actual light that is motivating you and also becomes a major distraction 
to the subjects you are shooting. Then everyone knows when the annoying 
flashing light goes off! You interrupt when you are supposed to be as silent 
and unobtrusive as possible!

> Sometimes flash is necessary.
> Sometimes it's not necessary but adds so much more to the final image
> that not using flash would make the image just boring or not able to be
> seen at all.<<<<

Did I always shoot without flash during my 60 year career? Nope! Like many 
others, when I started "flash was expected and used." Certainly using a 4X5 
Speed Graphic shooting news paper assignments. But as I became a Leica user 
my greatest influence in shooting were some of the greats long gone from 
LIFE magazine. And I became a better recorder of what was motivating me to 
shoot. The Light, as I saw it on the sunject.... not a flash.

In the BRAVO TV  film doumentray about my life as a photojournalist I make a 
strong point ..... "If you can see it! You can shoot it!" By the same token 
one needs to believe in their ability to shoot in that fashion, as well as 
having the technical ability to handle a camera sometimes at considered 
"slow shutter speeds."

Have I screwed up because I didn't have a flash? Yep! I'm the first to admit 
it! But the photographer standing beside me tripped his flash on the count 
of three and I tripped my shutter at precisely the same time the flash went 
off adding extra illumination and saved me ass! ;-) Quite honestly more luck 
than good management! ;-)

I still don't own one and it's highly unlikely I'll ever at this late 
miserable stage of life.  :-(

I don't see your post as a rant, rather a difference of opinion and style of 
shooting. As in, "too each his own."

cheers,
Dr. ted