Leica SF24 flash

[63strat]

I've been trying my old Nikon SB-15 flash with my M8.2, and am getting very good results, particularly because the Nikon can tilt. I just picked up a new SF24D Leica flash because of it's pseudo TTL capability. It does work very well and allows me to work with more open f-stops than the Nikon, but I prefer the look of a bounced flash. I've tried big white diffusers and the like and have read just about every post on the SF24D in this entire forum, but it doesn't look like anyone makes a simple angle bracket to attach to the flash window to angle the light upwards. (I'd prefer not to use the Nikon coil cord.) Anyone with any info on this?

[elansprint72]

Originally Posted by 63strat

I've been trying my old Nikon SB-15 flash with my M8.2, and am getting very good results, particularly because the Nikon can tilt. I just picked up a new SF24D Leica flash because of it's pseudo TTL capability. It does work very well and allows me to work with more open f-stops than the Nikon, but I prefer the look of a bounced flash. I've tried big white diffusers and the like and have read just about every post on the SF24D in this entire forum, but it doesn't look like anyone makes a simple angle bracket to attach to the flash window to angle the light upwards. (I'd prefer not to use the Nikon coil cord.) Anyone with any info on this?

I looked for an angle deflector a couple of years ago but did not come up with anything. Did you get a couple of clip-on diffusers with yours? I have one with a squared pattern and one with a sort of circular fresnel pattern but, as I can't find the manual, I don't know what they are intended for. Wide/tele perhaps, if so, which is which?

One thing I do know is that it costs a fortune in batteries; I bought some rechargeables but they hardly last any time at all.

[lars_bergquist]

Get a Nikon shoe-to-shoe 'system cable' SC-19 (or the older SC-17). It has all the contact pins in the right places, so it works with all Leica functions on. Just hold the flash unit in your left hand, pointing it in any direction. It is a bit less convenient but more flexible than a tilting head. The power is sufficient for all normal uses, at least at ISO 320.

A note of warning however: I do not know to what extent Nikon flash functions are compatible with Leica. So I would NOT use the Nikon cable with your Nikon flashgun!

The old man from the Age of Flash Powder

[Shootist]

Originally Posted by lars_bergquist

Get a Nikon shoe-to-shoe 'system cable' SC-19 (or the older SC-17). It has all the contact pins in the right places, so it works with all Leica functions on. Just hold the flash unit in your left hand, pointing it in any direction. It is a bit less convenient but more flexible than a tilting head. The power is sufficient for all normal uses, at least at ISO 320.

A note of warning however: I do not know to what extent Nikon flash functions are compatible with Leica. So I would NOT use the Nikon cable with your Nikon flashgun!

The old man from the Age of Flash Powder

Lars the cable is just a extension of the hot shoe. It adds nothing. Pinout on both ends of the cable are the same and is the same pinout as on Nikon and Leica hot shoes. It's like plugging in a extension cord to a wall outlet, you can move your tool/light farther away for the outlet then you can with just the cord supplied with the tool/light.
Connecting a flash to the cable is the same as putting it in the hot shoe.
If a flash works in the M8 hot shoe with whatever functions are available it will work the same on the far end of the cable.

[jaapv]

I have been known to stick a white piece of cardboard at 45 degrees under the reflector; works quite well, actually.

[jaapv]

Originally Posted by elansprint72

I looked for an angle deflector a couple of years ago but did not come up with anything. Did you get a couple of clip-on diffusers with yours? I have one with a squared pattern and one with a sort of circular fresnel pattern but, as I can't find the manual, I don't know what they are intended for. Wide/tele perhaps, if so, which is which?

One thing I do know is that it costs a fortune in batteries; I bought some rechargeables but they hardly last any time at all.

Yes, the fresnel one is for tele and the wafered one for WA. The flash recognizes them and adjusts accordingly.

[lars_bergquist]

Originally Posted by Shootist

Lars the cable is just a extension of the hot shoe. It adds nothing. [ ... ]
Connecting a flash to the cable is the same as putting it in the hot shoe.
If a flash works in the M8 hot shoe with whatever functions are available it will work the same on the far end of the cable.

I think you have misunderstood me. Of course the cable adds nothing. But there may be a risk in putting a Nikon system flash on a Leica camera, ESPECIALLY if all pins connect! Are you certain that you know completely what lurks behind each of them?

Using a Nikon cable to connect a Leica camera to a Leica flash is of course risk-free.

The old man from the Age of Flash Powder ... BANG!

[lars_bergquist]

Originally Posted by jaapv

Yes, the fresnel one is for tele and the wafered one for WA. The flash recognizes them and adjusts accordingly.

The SF24D comes with a manual. Where's yours?

The old man from the Age of Printed Manuals

[jaapv]

In my bookcase.

[63strat]

Is it possible to use a wireless remote unit, to control the SF24?

Nikon SU-4 Wireless Remote TTL Flash Controller - NT2571 - 3073

[elansprint72]

Originally Posted by jaapv

In my bookcase.

Could you post a photo of your bookcase; then I'll be able to find mine.

[jaapv]

Originally Posted by elansprint72

Could you post a photo of your bookcase; then I'll be able to find mine.

Good luck!!

[cocker]

Originally Posted by elansprint72

Could you post a photo of your bookcase; then I'll be able to find mine.

Hi Pete,

If you can't find it on Jaap's bookcase perhaps its on one of mine!

I think I do have the manual if you want to borrow it!

[Red Dot Cameras]

I think you will find, if you move the copy of ACT OF WILL by Barbara Taylor Bradford on the bottom shelf,it has slipped behind....thats where I found mine!!!!

[elansprint72]

Nope, I tried those places, didn't work.
My Leica manuals are between the Esperanto Dictionary and Fowler's Modern English Usage, usually.
Is it a small black book? Might help if I knew what I was looking for!

[ger1g0]

I am also interested to try using my Nikon SB-22, which is a compact flash with a tilt head on my spanking new M7. But I am really afraid of frying the circuits. Would using the flash be fine on the manual setting?