[Leica] flash photography techniques

[flagstad at mindspring.com (Howard Sanner)]

        I know it is extremely un-PC to talk of using flash with a Leica. 
I strongly dislike most flash photographs, too, but in this 
situation I don't know how else to solve the problem.

        In about a month I have to take pictures at a friend's retirement 
party. He's retiring the day before his 80th birthday after 
something like 54 (or is it merely 53?) years' outstanding 
service at the Library of Congress. His total federal service is 
several years more, owing to his having been in the Army in WWII.

        The party is being held in a horrible room. One wall is a 
floor-to-ceiling window that faces southwest. So, no matter what 
you do, you have the backlight from Hell. (Don't suggest closing 
the curtains. Nobody'll go for it. Changing the room is also not 
an option.) The artificial light comes from 100W incandescent 
light bulbs recessed in individual soffits in the ceiling. They 
provide *extremely* contrasty light that points straight down.

        On ASA 400 film, exposure would be something like f/2.0 at 1/30, 
and the pictures would still look horrible because of the 
contrasty light. (I've been there and done that.)

        I'm going to use my M6 and whatever lenses seem appropriate, 
probably mostly the 35mm f/1.4 Summilux. I have a Vivitar 285 flash.

        I know, having tried it, that bouncing the flash off the ceiling 
(fortunately white) will produce less bad pictures than direct 
flash with its shadowy "halo" around objects. What I'm mostly 
worried about is the light in the background falling off. I've 
done some photography there previously with an M3 and the Vivitar 
285 angled at 45 degrees. The results weren't too bad, but I wish 
there had been more light in the background.

        Any suggestions? I've read of using a sync speed slower than 1/50 
to give more exposure to the background. What speed is likely to 
work well? I realize that with flash it is the short duration of 
the flash that mostly serves to freeze subjects.

        I do have access to the room from time to time and would be 
willing to experiment there with a roll of film.

        Thanks for any ideas. I'd like this to come out as well as 
possible for my friend.

                                        Howard Sanner
                                        flagstad@mindspring.com