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Leica SF64 no longer shipping to the USA

denisavu

By denisavu
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denisavu

denisavu

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Got news that the SF64 "Pro" flash is no longer available for the US market. No reason was given by Leica USA. This is such a disappointment as the SL Typ 601 was supposed to be a pro gig. They don't ship, and yet they don't license their TTL algorithm to 3rd party manufacturers. 

 

BTW, I got one which I had to return because it wouldn't fire, regardless of what I did. Hmm.....

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Alo Ako

Alo Ako

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...then they should license their TTL protocol to a company that can!

Metz, the original brand of the SF 64, supports TTL for Nikon, Canon, Panasonic and others. It still works fine. It's Leica's shame, not Metz's.

Edited by Alo Ako
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FlashGordonPhotography

FlashGordonPhotography

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No reason was given to the dealer. 

 

So you spoke to Leica USA directly or this is heresay via a dealer? Sorry, I'm a bit confused. Is there a reason you won't pay full price at B&H if you need a flash? Is your dealer a Leica Boutique or just a high street store?

 

I use the SL with flash everyday. About 70% with wireless manual flash and 30% with the SF64 on camera or via a cable.

 

Maybe your flash was faulty. My experience since fw 2.x is that the SF64 is reliable and accurate after about 10-20k exposures using it on the SL. I have noticed a significant improvement in operation of the SF64 vs the older SF58.

 

Gordon

 

p.s. I can still backorder an SF64 at the Leica store Sydney which is owned by Leica Australia.

Edited by FlashGordonPhotography
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wlaidlaw

wlaidlaw

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Flash and Leica never seem to have been a happy mix, even back to the days when Leica was still selling bulb flashes (CEYOO etc) after the rest of the world had moved to electronic. This is odd because for a considerable period, when Leica was at Solms, it was about a two minute walk from Leica's front door to Metz. Back in the days when the M8 was king of the heap, Metz were still promoting their SCA system, where you used a "universal" flash head and just changed the foot to suit whichever camera you were using. A very good concept when it worked. Leica claimed that one could use the Metz MZ54 flash with the SCA 3502 series V foot/adapter with the M8. I bought this combination and it just did not work properly. I went to the UK Focus on Imaging show in 2007, where Metz had a stand. To begin with, they said I must be using it wrongly but after a few demonstrations and going and getting another pair of MZ54 and SCA3502 units, they admitted I was correct and they agreed the combination did not work. They arranged a refund for me. I then bought another SF-24D, as I had sold my previous one with my Digilux 2. 

 

When the SL first came out, I got one in the first week of availability in the UK. Leica claimed that the SF58D could work on the camera. It didn't except in Manual mode. I went and had a meeting with Leica in London to demonstrate this. Leica did improve the compatibility gradually over the next two firmware updates. It would seem that flash remains a very low priority for Leica and they just don't "get" how important flash is with a professional camera. Leica should have had a small team liaising with one of the more professional wireless trigger people like for example Pocket Wizard or studio flash experts like Bowen, to ensure full compatibility and control when using either the S or SL models in a studio environment. I know Leica are a small company in worldwide camera maker terms but in my view this is a more important priority than producing bling bling designer special models of their existing cameras.

 

I would question whether Metz is the correct partner, as since their period in financial administration, they seem to be a pale shadow of their former selves. Leica may well be considering this as the SF40 is made by Nissin not Metz. Maybe Leica are asking Nissin to make a Leica version of their Di866 Mk.2 flagship flash to replace the SF64. I hope so because this seems an excellent on-camera flash and has a compatible wireless trigger system to work with it. Unlike the flimsy plastic foot of the Metz flash, the Nissin Di866 has a decent rigid and robust metal foot. 

 

Wilson

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FlashGordonPhotography

FlashGordonPhotography

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Even the i60 would be an excellent flash for Leica. Not too big (M compatible size) and wireless. The SF40 is the first TTL flash I've enjoyed using on my M's and the i60 is just a slightly bigger version with more power and wireless. I agree that Nissin would be an excellent major partner for Leica.

 

Gordon

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denisavu

denisavu

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My replacement SF64 came from B&H today and am happy to report it works as it should. Now to have Leica work on wireless flash. Maybe it will never come, but who knows. Got a polite message from Leica USA today acknowledging the scarcity of the SF64, but confirmed that it is NOT discontinued. Hmm... time to look for other dealers....

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