Dear allAfter many attempts, I have finally got a ring flash system working for the kind of macro work that I like to do (insects, field). I spent some time working with the Metz Mecablitz 15 MS-1 to see if I can get it to fire and give good results with the S System. Success with a normal Pc flash synchro cable. Working with shutter speeds of up to 1/500 seems OK with my favoured Hasselblad 120 macro (this is a 1:1 lens compared to the Leica 120). If anyone else is thinking of trying this DO NOT do it with the Leica lens. The front element retracts sufficiently far into the barrel that the mounted flash prevents retraction (= whirring and unhappy motor!).
These are work in progress and just indicating that it is possible .. more to follow as I work out the limitations.
Ed
constable;6207 wrote:
Dear allAfter many attempts, I have finally got a ring flash system working for the kind of macro work that I like to do (insects, field). I spent some time working with the Metz Mecablitz 15 MS-1 to see if I can get it to fire and give good results with the S System. Success with a normal Pc flash synchro cable. Working with shutter speeds of up to 1/500 seems OK with my favoured Hasselblad 120 macro (this is a 1:1 lens compared to the Leica 120). If anyone else is thinking of trying this DO NOT do it with the Leica lens. The front element retracts sufficiently far into the barrel that the mounted flash prevents retraction (= whirring and unhappy motor!).
These are work in progress and just indicating that it is possible .. more to follow as I work out the limitations.
Ed
Ed,
Cool stuff, indeed.
One note on the Leica 120mm APO: you are absolutely correct about the retraction of the lens at infinity. This can also pose an issue when using a 4″ filter carrier. Our workaround is a simple, inexpensive and low-tech one. We took a cheap 72mm UV filter and knocked the glass out of it, providing just a spacer ring. You may wish to try this with your ring flash setup.
David Farkas
Red Dot Forum
Leica Store MiamiDavid Farkas;6211 wrote: Ed,
Cool stuff, indeed.
One note on the Leica 120mm APO: you are absolutely correct about the retraction of the lens at infinity. This can also pose an issue when using a 4″ filter carrier. Our workaround is a simple, inexpensive and low-tech one. We took a cheap 72mm UV filter and knocked the glass out of it, providing just a spacer ring. You may wish to try this with your ring flash setup.
Thanks David
I did try this, but I suspect that I didn’t use a cheap enough filter (in other words, there was still a retraction issue. I have got my machine shop turning a custom 5mm spacer ring that should do the job.
My guess is that I will just about get this project completed about the time that Leica announce the CMOS body and throw us all into turmoil again!
Ed
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.