OK I did check the flash archives for this but didn't get a clear answer.

Does anyone besides Metz make a TTL dedicated flash for the M6 TTL?

Is the Metz 3 series the only Metz that has a SCA adapter for the TTL? Can a Metz 50 series be used TTL?

I want bounce, I want power and TTL would be nice but I can live w/o it and use a genaric shoe Metz 50 or a Sunpack 433 if need be.

If a Nikon SB 25/24 kills M6 batteries because of the contact arrangement why is it that some say the SB-17 cord works? Or does it only work with the Leica flash as a off camera TTL cord?

Thanks

-- Neil Swanson (neilsphoto@yahoo.com), March 10, 2002

Answers

I believe there are three flash systems that can be used in TTL flash metering mode with the M6TTL and the R8 (and other R cameras that support TTL).

1. Leica's own SF-20 2. Various Metz flashes using the SCA 3502 adapter (check Metz's web site for details). Yes, the 50 series can be used. 3. Quantum's Qflash T2 using Quantum's own Leica-specific adapter.

The SB-17 cord works because the pins happen to line up correctly for the Leica M6TTL and R8. That doesn't mean the pins are used for the same function as they are on the Nikon, which is why the Nikon flash doesn't work in TTL. The Contax cord also works for the same reason.

The main advantage of TTL over auto mode is the ability to use the flash at *any* aperture, including wide open or close to wide open. This is particularly appropriate with the M6, with which you can achieve a mostly available light look while just popping a little flash into the scene. That's what the SF-20 is good at. If you want bounce, the Metz 32 MZ-3 is fairly small and has that capability. Of course, you can also get bounce by using the SF-20 with the Nikon SB-17 cord and using the flash off-camera.

-- Rolfe Tessem (rolfe@ldp.com), March 10, 2002.