CF 22 electronic flash with D-Lux 4

[kschwarz]

I was wondering if anyone has had an opportunity to use the CF 22 electronic flash with the D-Lux 4. B&H has the flash on available on a no return basis for about $350. This is a steep price considering the unit's head does not appear to even swivel (no bounce flash). That said, the external flash is still desirable if it proves improved fill-flash with less red-eye. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[miami91]

Originally Posted by kschwarz

I was wondering if anyone has had an opportunity to use the CF 22 electronic flash with the D-Lux 4. B&H has the flash on available on a no return basis for about $350. This is a steep price considering the unit's head does not appear to even swivel (no bounce flash). That said, the external flash is still desirable if it proves improved fill-flash with less red-eye. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

No one has used it --- it's not shipping. Leica's own website lists availability as February 2009, which is probably optimistic (ie, I'm still waiting on the D-Lux 4 handgrip, which I pre-ordered two months ago and was supposed to ship in November). That being said, it was developed specifically for the D-Lux 4, so lack of tilting head aside, should work about as well as any flash gun could on that camera.

Leica Camera AG - Photography - Compact Flash LEICA CF 22

Regards,

Jeff.

[gfspencer]

Can you use other Leica flashes on the D-Lux 4?

[miami91]

Originally Posted by gfspencer

Can you use other Leica flashes on the D-Lux 4?

I've successfully used an SF20, but had to manually set the aperture. Camera detects it and fires it though...

Jeff.

[Dimarzo]

I have just received the following information by Metz:
"For the digital camera "Leica D-Lux 4" we may recommend the following flash units:

"mecablitz 36 AF-4 O digital" (Olympus/Panasonic version);
"mecablitz 48 AF-1 O digital" (Olympus/Panasonic version);
"mecablitz 58 AF-1 O digital" (Olympus/Panasonic version);
"mecablitz 44 MZ-2" with an adapter "SCA 3202M7".

Please be informed that the flash units "mecablitz 36 AF-4 digital", "mecablitz 48 AF-1 digital" and "mecablitz 58 AF-1 digital" are available in 5 versions for cameras from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax/Samsung and Olympus/Panasonic.

For the digital camera "Leica D-Lux 4" the version for Olympus/Panasonic ("O" version; "O" like Olympus) is suitable.

The operating instructions for the mentioned flash units are ready for download on our homepage:
mecablitz: Metz

We hope we could be in assistance to you and remain with best regards

Wolfgang Becker
Technical Support
_____________________________________________

Metz-Werke GmbH & Co KG
Ohmstraße 55, D-90513 Zirndorf"

[ho_co]

Welcome to the forum!

Excellent information. Thanks for passing it along!

[burkey]

The Olympus FL 36 "appears" to work fine on the D LUX 4. (I'm not sure yet if all the auto functions of the flash are operational but will report back later.) It just looks a bit strange because of size. (Even though the FL 36 is a fairly compact flash.) By the way, if you're not familiar with this unit the head "twists and turns" in a number of different directions allowing for a a variety of bounce scenarios. I use mine with an Omni bounce. Flash - Olympus FL-36 Flash: Digital Photography Review .
Omni Bounce - STO-FEN Products
. . . Burkey

[Cherub]

I use a CF 22, and all my tests were awesome (to my opinion). I am very pleased with the use and fonction, the quality of light, and how it looks together with the D-LUX 4. RESPECT is da word for Leica !

[kalina]

Originally Posted by Cherub

I use a CF 22, and all my tests were awesome (to my opinion). I am very pleased with the use and fonction, the quality of light, and how it looks together with the D-LUX 4. RESPECT is da word for Leica !

Could you post a couple of examples without flash, with onboard flash, and ith CF22 flash? Thank you!

[leicanut2]

I got the flash at B and H camera a few weeks ago also the grip. Had to run out and buy some rechargable aaa batteries and a battery case. Nice that it uses aaa battries it take 2 so I always have 2 charged and ready to go. I will post a few shots this week.
I like it. Forgot it also comes with a wide angle attachment to defuse the flash.
Cheers Jan

[Cherub]

Originally Posted by kalina

Could you post a couple of examples without flash, with onboard flash, and ith CF22 flash? Thank you!

Sorry man, I haven't kept any of my flash tests except one or two of the best shots ... will post it later for you the one I can find.

UPDATED : here is a photo test with CF22 : mode A f4.0 1/60 AWB ISO 80 Standard B&W forced flash & macro AF
click that link to see it : http://www.sacchibros.com/DLUX4_CF22_test.JPG

[ho_co]

Originally Posted by leicanut2

... Forgot it also comes with a wide angle attachment ...

Jan--
If it's not too much trouble, I'm curious: Does the flash cover the camera's full field-of-view (24 mm equiv) without the diffuser?

And with the diffuser, does it cover the 18 mm equivalent field of the Panasonic WA conversion lens?

(I don't find the flash instructions on the Leica Web site, so you're the guy in the know! )

Thanks!

[leicanut2]

Howard in the cf 22 manual page 39 it says under technical data
Guide number at ISO 100/ 21 ( without wide angle diffuser)/ 16 (with wide-angle diffusser)

Focal Length respectively ( corresponding to 24 x 36 mm format) from 24 mm with wide-angle, (horizontal 75 degrees, vertical approx. 55 degrees ), from 35mm without diffuser, horizontal approx. 56 degrees, vertical approx. 40 degrees).

range maximum of 199 m or 199 ft

Size of flash if anyone wants to know, ( W X H X D ) 58 X 58 X 32,5 MM

Hope this helps.
Jan

[ho_co]

Thanks, Jan! Big help!

[kalina]

I'm still waiting to see more pictures with this flash, both with and without the wide angle diffuser. I need to see what it does with white balance and skin tones.

[leicanut2]

Hi Kalina,
I have to go to a freinds house to post a picture my computer is acting up but I have a picture shot with the d-lux 4 of me and Leicavirgin ( Sue ) back stage with Cheech and Chong show just using the cameras flash. I handed my DL4 to there road manager he took the picture for me. Came out great had it inlarged to 11 by 14 could not ask for a better shot. I will post that one here I hope tonight. I have not done any comparison shots yet but will..
Cheers Jan

[leicanut2]

Here is a photo taken with just the built in flash behind stage with Cheech and Chong, Sue and myself, taken with my D-Lux 4 by their road manager. This is not doctored.

[USA road racer]

The built in flash will work just fine inside of a regular house. But, if you want to illuminate outdoor scenes toward darkness, the external flash is necessary to put out some more light. If you want to do photos in a warehouse to capture a "long scene", then you will need the external flash. I have the Metz version of the CF22 and it does just fine. It's not a Nikon SB26 or a Metz 58 but it does an adequate job for a small, compact flash.

[kalina]

Originally Posted by leicanut2

Here is a photo taken with just the built in flash behind stage with Cheech and Chong, Sue and myself, taken with my D-Lux 4 by their road manager. This is not doctored.

I love the content of the picture. Thanks!
Now Leica has to knock up the saturation a bit in a new firmware. The flash looks like it throws a lot of light on the subjects. Have you tried using that wide angle diffuser yet?

[leicanut2]

The Cheech and Chong picture was takin with the cameras built in flash. I will try a few tripod mount shots with both cameras flash and the cf22 and post then I hope this week. I wana try it outside to get a better idea of the range etc. just to darn cold here in Ohio still.
Cheers Jan