SF 24D flash on X Vario - something wrong?

[dshombert]

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I recently bought an X Vario and I absolutely love it. Love the simplicity, love the images. I had a Digilux 2 many years ago, and this reminds me of that fine camera but it's even better. 

 

Then I bought a (used) SF 24D flash, the one Leica recommends in the X Vario manual. I cannot get the flash to operate when it's set to the TTL/GNC mode. The display (on the flash) shows a flashing "A", but the charge indicator doesn't light and the flash will not fire.  In the A and M modes, it seems to work fine, i.e., it will fire and recharge. The exposures in the A mode don't seem quite right, but at least it fires.

 

I tried cleaning the contacts and a new set of batteries, to no avail. I emailed Leica's tech support and am waiting to hear back, but I thought I'd try here in the meantime.  Is there some setting in the camera that I have to change in order to get the flash to work in the TTL mode?  Or does this indicate a malfunction in the flash or the camera? Thanks.

[Aschiphot]

Hi

This is normal.

Whem you switch on the camera and the SF 24D, independent of order, first the letter "A" will flash on the screen of the SF 24D.

Then, the only action to take is: Half press the release button.

This will initiate the first data transfer between your (and mine) very well-liked XVario and the SF 24D.

...And you will see the results on the back Screen of the  SF 24D.

Remember: Flash exposure corrections have to be performed on the SF 24D, the corresponding menue on the XVario will not show up.

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[dshombert]

Hi

This is normal.

Whem you switch on the camera and the SF 24D, independent of order, first the letter "A" will flash on the screen of the SF 24D.

Then, the only action to take is: Half press the release button.

This will initiate the first data transfer between your (and mine) very well-liked XVario and the SF 24D.

...And you will see the results on the back Screen of the  SF 24D.

Remember: Flash exposure corrections have to be performed on the SF 24D, the corresponding menue on the XVario will not show up.

 

How long should it take?

In my earlier attempts, I pressed the shutter halfway for at least long enough for the camera to acquire focus. On most of those attempts, I held it for a few seconds longer.

Here's what I tried just now:

• Fresh batteries in camera and flash
• Flash set to TTL/GNC mode
• Press (and hold) shutter halfway. This results in flashing "A" on camera display, as previously described. Focus acquired by camera instantly.
• Hold shutter at halfway position for two minutes and 45 seconds.  Display continues to show only the flashing "A".
• After 2:45 minutes, the flash display goes blank, as if it has an auto-off function.
• Immediately switch the flash to Manual mode, just to make sure the battery hasn't died.  Charge indicator lights up and flash fires with shutter.
• Repeat this entire test; same result.

Something is just not working right. I bought the flash used from a seller on FM forum.  He's indicated that he'll refund my money if it's really defective. I'm trying to establish that fact, that it's not me overlooking something or that it's not the camera. Leica has not been able to offer any real help.

 

Another thing: there's what appears to be an indicator light, labeled "o.k." to the right of the display panel.  What is that for?  I've never seen it lit, under any circumstances.

Edited July 21, 2016 by dshombert

[Aschiphot]

Hi

This should take 1 .. 2 seconds; just after the camera has found the exact focus.

 

I retried it in the following order:

- Prepare the camera; put it to all automatic (focus, shutter, f/stop, ISO and WB), set the display to all Information on, then turn it off. Be shure the built-in Flash unit is left retracted.

- Prepare the SF 24D; put it to TTL/GNC-mode, leave it off.

- Mount the SF 24D on the camera and tighten it with the cnurled ring.

- Turn the flash on; only the letter "A" will blink on its screen.

- Turn the camera on; the display of the camera will show the scene and a white flash indicator should be on in the right lower corner (depending on what you have chosen in the flash menue of the camera). The SF 24D will continue to flash the "A"

- Focus to an object and half press the shutter release. After 1 .. 2 seconds, when the camera has found focus, the display of the SF24D will show the max. diatance available and the f/stop, additionally the green LED with the flash sign will light up.

- Now you should be ready to take a flash photo and/or change the flash menue of the camera and/or change the flash exposure correction on the SF 24D.

 

To your last remark: The red LED indicator "o.k." will lit for about 5 seconds and show a correct exposure, but to my expreience only in A-mode of the SF 24D (not in manual or TTL/GNC-mode). You shlold be able to check this also with the flash dismounted from the camera.

[dshombert]

All of that is exactly what I've been doing for the last 3 days.  To be sure, I tried it again. Same result. However, your post made me realize that the flash indicator should be showing on the camera screen, and it isn't.  It shows when I use the built-in flash, but not when the SF 24D is mounted.  So it seems the camera doesn't know the flash is there, at least not in TTL mode.  I'm pretty well convinced that something is wrong with this flash; another thread on this forum, http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/223599-x-vario-and-sf-24d-flash/, makes it pretty clear that I'm not the only one having problems with a Leica flash.  Thanks for your help.