Flash Photography on a rangefinder

[benwal]

Hi Guys,

I own a Bessa 2m and a Canon speedlite 220EX.

Am thinking of coupling the two to try out flash photography on the streets. May I know, any of you have experience with this?

If so, what are the settings since there's no ttl etc? I'm clueless as to the shutter speed and aperture to use...

Appreciate any help possible.

Cheers

 

[Yoricko]

Theres no such thing as a definite no.

I'm not a Canon user so I'm not too sure. I believe that flash model does not have some auto-aperture setting available.
I think you should just get a weak auto flash like the Metz 20 C-2 for example, ISO100 film, set your aperture 2.8 (corresponding with the flash settings), and you're good to go!

I would avoid using the flash once the sun goes down. The flash would be much more obvious and annoying (would probably spark a lot of confrontations). If you plan to use the flash after dark, make sure you smile and be as considerate as possible. By any chance if you were to be attacked, set your flash to full power, fire and run away.

 

[jonmanjiro]

From what I just read on the net, the Canon Speedlite 220EX doesn't have any manual settings so isn't really a good choice. You really want a flash with manual settings, so you can set the output to match your lens aperture and film ISO, then set an appropriate shutter speed, then you're good to go.

Check out this guy's flickr photostream. He's a master of using flash on his Leicas.


Leica MP and Metz by tokyo camera style, on Flickr

 

[benwal]

Ah I see, so the reason my 220EX won't work is because there're no manual settings. Roger that. I guess I will have to think twice again before getting myself a flash to play with.

Thanks for the advice guys.