112 / Comprehensive instructions/Flash mode
The settings for camera-controlled automatic
flash mode
After the flash unit in use has been switched on and
set to the operating mode for GNC (= Guide Number
Control), the following actions on the LEICA M8 are
necessary:
1. Before taking each flash picture first perform the
exposure metering by gently pressing the shutter
release button, so that the display in the viewfinder
shows the shutter speed or switches over to the
light balance. If this stage is missed out by fully
depressing the shutter release button in one quick
movement, the flash unit will not fire even if
required.
2. The shutter speed dial must be set to A, or to flash
sync speed (
1
/
250
s), or – for special effects to a
long shutter speed– including B. In aperture priority
mode the camera automatically switches to the
flash sync speed, or to the speed range set in the
menu (see “Selecting the sync time/the sync time
range”, p. 113).
3. The desired aperture, or the aperture required for
the respective distance to the subject, must be set.
Note:
If the automatically controlled (see “Flash mode”, p. 111)
or manually set shutter speed is shorter than
1
/
250
s,
the flash will not be triggered.
The flash exposure control displays in the
viewfinder with dedicated flash units
A flash-shaped LED (2.1.3) appears in the LEICA M8
viewfinder as confirmation and display of the various
operating states. This LED appears together with the
displays for exposure metering for the ambient light
level, described in the respective sections.
In automatic flash mode
(flash unit set to Guide Number Control)
• If despite the flash unit being switched on and
ready for use, does not appear:
Manually set the camera to an shutter speed shorter
than
1
/
250
s. In such cases the LEICA M8 will not fire
the flash unit even though it is switched on and ready
for use.
• flashes slowly (at 2Hz) before the picture is
taken:
The flash unit is not yet ready for use
• is lit up before the picture is taken:
The flash unit is ready for use
• remains continuously lit after taking the picture,
and the other displays go out:
The flash exposure was successful, the flash unit
remains ready for use.
• flashes rapidly after taking the picture (at 4 Hz),
and the other displays go out:
The flash exposure was successful, but the flash unit
is not yet ready for further use.
• goes out after taking the picture, together with
the other displays:
Underexposure, perhaps due to the choice of too
small an aperture stop for the subject. If the flash
unit is set to a partial discharge power, because of
the lower power requirement it may be ready for use
despite the flash LED not lighting up.
When the flash unit is set to camera control (
A
)
or manual mode (
M
)
• does not appear despite the flash unit being
switched on and ready for use:
Manually set the camera to a shutter speed shorter
than
1
/
250
s. In such cases the LEICA M8 will not fire
the flash unit even though it is switched on and
ready for use.
• flashes slowly (at 2Hz) before the picture is
taken:
The flash unit is not yet ready for use.
• is lit up before the picture is taken:
The flash unit is ready for use.
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