I've owned a Leica M2R for many years. Love that camera!! Occasionally I have need to use it with an electronic flash (purists -- stop reading here!!) The problem is that the camera doesn't trigger the flash consistently. Maybe 25% of the time, I depress the shutter release, and the flash won't fire. (I've tried a few different flashes - mostly Sunpaks that work fine with other cameras. Same problem.)

I've just purchased a small Metz flash that will work with my Contax RTS camera, but I'd really like to be able to throw it in my bag to use with my Leica. I'll have to use a hot flash adapter with pc cord, and I'll still have the inconsistency problem. The adapter makes me nervous because it doesn't lock down to the camera as I wish. And I don't like the pc cord dangling at the back of the camera.

I'm thinking about asking the Leica service folks if they can modify my M2R to attach some kind of hot sync adapter. Any suggestions out there?

-- David Slawsky (slawsky@mediaone.net), November 04, 2001

Answers

I have/use/like the 34CS2 Metz. I use it with an M6. I don't know the MR2, but I assume the 34CS2 would slide in its shoe, and lock-down with its plastic nut. No hot shoe? Well, there is a remote trigger input on the side of the 34CS2, I'll bet Metz makes an adapter cable that would couple to the sync. connector onthe M2R. If not, I'll bet one could be fabricated with a trip to the photo shop and RadioShack.

-- Dan Brown (brpatent@swbell.net), November 04, 2001.

If the camera does not fire a flash usually it is because of oxidized or corroded sync points. Time for a CLA. It is possible to add a hot shoe using parts from the later cameras. I would just use the accessory sync cord myself. I have converted my flash syncs to the pc type and that helps.

Cheers,

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), November 04, 2001.