Considering to sell the SF24D

[Mauribix]

Yep, you read it right, I bought this Flash unit few weeks ago, but still I can't find a reason to keep it with me (I was in one of those spending rush!)
I know it may sound odd or even stupid, but I'd love to hear from you how, when and why you need a flash unit.
Obviously you may share your best pictures taken with it (it may stimulate me to keep it longer)...

Samples are welcome

[Amoment]

I bought a SF20 when I bought my new M6 in 2002, and had it out of the box once. Never even fitted it on the camera.

Part exchanged both against my new M8 in May.

Stuart

[enboe]

Maurizio,

I would recommend keeping the SF24D. It is a useful tool for close-range fill flash in daylight, and provides artificial illumination for those situations where it is appropriate. Plus you've already paid for it, and it will bring quite a bit less used.

I also note your enthusiasm for the craft and the tools in the postings on this news group. I see a lot of myself from my younger days, with my first M. There is an excitement to buy up everything you can, with each item seeming to be the magic, missing piece. I now find that I get much more enjoyment out of learning each piece thoroughly. I have even forced myself to a single lens (28mm) for an entire 9 day vacation. You may want to consider slowing down, enjoying the significant kit you already have, and identifying the missing capabilities before making another purchse.

Enjoy the hobby.

Eric

[sean_reid]

Hi Maurizio,

You might want a flash at some point (buy one then if you need it) but the SF24 is a very limited unit. It can't use the usual rechargeable NIMH batteries and it doesn't rotate or pivot for bouncing.

Cheers,

Sean

[Shootist]

First thing to do is put a piece of tissue paper inside the wide angle defuser. Then mount it and take some shots in TTL mode. See how you like them. Then set it to manual and use it for fill lighting and again see how you react to those. If it is OK keep the flash.
I have one and it is small enough to keep in the bag all the time. That is not true with my Nikon SB800.
That batteries used aren't a problem for me as I have 2 flashlights that take the same batteries so I buy them in bulk. I aways have 2 extra batteries in my car and keep 2 extras in my camera bag, just in case.

[marknorton]

Among flashes, the SF-24D is an over-priced pony, the runt of the litter. We had hoped Metz would step up and do something for the M8 but nothing yet.

I have one but much prefer to use an SB-800 on the rare times I use flash on an M8.

[jimmy pro]

I like it cos it has a good choice of auto apatures. The batteries are expensive but they last a really long time. Get a Nikon off-camera TTL cord and the non-bounce thing is a nonissue.

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by jimmy pro

I like it cos it has a good choice of auto apatures. The batteries are expensive but they last a really long time. Get a Nikon off-camera TTL cord and the non-bounce thing is a nonissue.

They may last a long time for some uses but I know they'd be toast soon in the shoots where I typically use flash. Melissa and I typically run through 8 - 10 (4-batt.) sets of good NIMH AA batteries (we don't bother with power packs) in a typical shoot with two bodies.

The Nikon off-shoe cord is a good tip but I still think one can buy a much better (more powerful, more flexible, more battery tolerant) flash for the money than the SF24. YMMV

Cheers,

Sean

[jimmy pro]

Oh absolutely, if I was gonna try and press the M8 into use instead of a DSLR for that kind of professional shooting with flash I'd no doubt rig it up with a big pro flash to. But for 99.99% of the guys useing M8's, amatuer snapshooting with just occasional flash useage, the 24D batteries will last halfway to forever.

[sean_reid]

Maybe that's true. I first opened the battery compartment of the SF24 review unit I was sent a couple of years ago and my first response was: "They must be kidding!" <G>

I'm trying to picture what photographers would be using the flash only once in awhile but, during those times, would free hand it (corded) or have it on a bracket (corded).

But I'm the first to admit that we all have different needs so what do I know?

Cheers,

Sean

[earleygallery]

I use flash in dark spaces where I wouldn't otherwise be able to take the picture, and sometimes for fill in flash outside. I have several flashguns but the best is my Metz hammerhead flash.

I rarely use flash with my Leica M however.

[jimmy pro]

Originally Posted by sean_reid

I'm trying to picture what photographers would be using the flash only once in awhile but, during those times, would free hand it (corded)

Knowledgable one's.

[sean_reid]

Originally Posted by jimmy pro

Knowledgable one's.

I suppose so. <G>

Cheers,

Sean

[Mauribix]

Thanks guys for your replies, anyway my biggest problem with this flash unit is the absence of a pivot or rotating head.
It's really something leica's got to improve...
I'll try to take it with me more often and see what happens... who knows?!

[marknorton]

Leica of course do not make it. They just buy it in for buttons from (I assume) Metz, add their 100%+ mark-up, put it in a silver box and ship it out. It's scandalously bad value for money compared to the competition and the only redeeming feature is that it's one of a very small number of flashes which support the M8 TTL metering. Cheap plastic body, cheaper LCD display, it is a dreadful product.

[Mauribix]

I second that Mark.
Unfortunately you're perfectly right!

[thompsonkirk]

If you have a DSLR as a backup for your M8, I'd buy a flash unit for it instead. I've kept my 5D & its flash unit mainly for occasions when I have to be reliable, whatever the light might be. This frees me to use M8 for what it does best - hand-held available light photography.

Kirk

[cme4brain]

Originally Posted by Mauribix

Thanks guys for your replies, anyway my biggest problem with this flash unit is the absence of a pivot or rotating head.
It's really something leica's got to improve...
I'll try to take it with me more often and see what happens... who knows?!

I use a flash with my M8 perhaps more than most other M-owners. I am an advanced amateur (not a professional) and I don't mind using flash fill. Some M owners think that using a flash somehow ruins a picture-maybe for them. The SF24D is far too weak (GN66?) for bright daylight flash fill beyond 8 feet or so, but in other situations, it proves very useful. In overcast diffused daylight situations, the SF24D is helpful. For strong daylight flash fill, I do use an old Metz 40MZ or a Nikon SB20. I also think that the flash TTL function is overrated- I cannot really tell the difference between pictures taken with the TTL or auto mode (auto where the flash figures the light output from its own meter as opposed to the camera doing that). I would however love the TTL function with a powerful flash and a bounce head so that the flash can point elsewhere while the camera assures a good exposure.