Flashes

[Rick]

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I do get all of the points made by everyone about a smaller flash (with more power) on the M8 body and about the 58 being big for the M. But, tdtaylor, I think you will find that you can put it in the pocket of a sport coat and the extra power you get from it will more than compensate for your desire to have a small swivel flash.

 

But, I just want to make the point for people wanting the 58, but feeling that everyone is using something else in auto mode and expressing that it is the way to go. Other flashes are, a way to go, but the 58 is impressive in ttl with the swivel head and front flash. It works great, gives good power, makes very correct exposure most of the time, and I don't find it unbalanced.

 

I agree, it does recycle slowly and if I were shooting weddings I know this would be a big sore point for me, but I don't (thank God). Also, it is overpriced and I just had to decide to pay the premium. And, maybe if I had a powerful non-Leica flash I'd use it and just shoot auto. Because it does work, but auto has some limitations and hassles. But, for me the 58 was the right solution.

 

I have the 24 and a Nikon cord and I tried the SR wrist bracelet fiasco to get bounce flash from the little 24. For me, hanging an underpowered flash off my wrist was awkward. That experience is what made me jump at the chance to buy a ttl swivel head, high power flash for my M8.

 

I suppose, that if I was going to shoot an event that I knew was going to be a mostly flash evening, I'd take out my Stroboframe flash bracket and mount the flash off the camera. But, after you get used to the 58 on the M, it really doesn't seem unwieldy.

 

As you can tell, I really like this flash a lot. I don't use flash a lot, but this flash is making me, more and more, a flash photographer. More than I have ever been with the M8. The M8 and this flash really give great results and it tends to even the playing field with my 5d2 when it comes to grandkid shots. I can semi-zone focus and keep my shutter speed up (because of the big guide number) and get those wonderful Leica files with great glass. I think M owners would really enjoy this nice little flash.

[Jamie Roberts]

 

Yes, maybe it works OK, but when mounted on the M9 the whole combo feels like a flash with a camera attached

Trying to lift or hang the combo in the strap results in everything turning around and hanging upside down.

Very awkward combination really!

{snipped}

 

But I'd rather have good light than crummy light. A small, fixed head flash won't give me good light no matter what I'm shooting with an M. It might work for a little fill, but that's it.

 

On the other hand, an SB800 / 900 / Canon 550 / 580 can give me very good light. With the bracket on the M8 / M9 and using a neck strap, the balance isn't too bad and is still lighter than a D3 / Flash combo

[Jerry_R]

I used to have big EX580 with Canon. Was big, but for an hour or two event - I could use it. In fact - rather rarely we would have to have it on camera all the time.

 

Anyway, I would expect Leica have TWO models like Olympus\Panaconic: FL36 and FL50.

First very pocketable, you can have it all the time in bag. And 2nd extra powerful with quick load time for special events. Both support HSS.

 

Hasn't anyone considered 45 CL-4:

Product information: Metz

[miklosphoto]

I hope I did the right thing and ordered an SF58 today. The good thing is that it costs me "only" $550 as I had a gift certificate to spend.

I have an SF20 also, and decided not to "upgrade" to SF24D but get a good flash instead and keep the SF20 for travel.

Has anyone tried any of those rechargeable powercells with the SF58? I have the Monster Ultra 2100 Powercells and those made a day and night difference on any flash I used in the past (SB800, SB900, EX580). I hope they would improve the recycling time of the SF58 too.

I am not concerned about the size, as my only system left is an M7 and M8 combo with 7 lenses. No more dSLRs, so I have no choice to complain about the size.

[James R]

I hope I did the right thing and ordered an SF58 today. The good thing is that it costs me "only" $550 as I had a gift certificate to spend.

I have an SF20 also, and decided not to "upgrade" to SF24D but get a good flash instead and keep the SF20 for travel.

Has anyone tried any of those rechargeable powercells with the SF58? I have the Monster Ultra 2100 Powercells and those made a day and night difference on any flash I used in the past (SB800, SB900, EX580). I hope they would improve the recycling time of the SF58 too.

I am not concerned about the size, as my only system left is an M7 and M8 combo with 7 lenses. No more dSLRs, so I have no choice to complain about the size.

 

If you made a mistake, so did I. Mine will arrive Friday from B&H, cost is 629.95.

[miklosphoto]

If you made a mistake, so did I. Mine will arrive Friday from B&H, cost is 629.95.

Glad I am not the only crazy to buy that stuff.

I should get mine on Thursday from Popflash.

[wlaidlaw]

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Rechargeable NiMh AA batteries work fine on the 58 but suddenly go from working fine to dead over about 4 cycles. The cycle time is a bit faster than alkaline. I was using 2800 mAH Swiss Vesta batteries. I now use non rechargeable lithium AA cells as they give about 2 to 3x the life of rechargeable and plenty of warning when they are nearing the end of their life. The downside if you are going to take a lot of flash is that the cost per flash is much higher than rechargeables. The other point is that unlike rechargeable NiMh (whatever the manufacturer claims) Lithium cells don't lose their power when sitting around. Nothing is more irritating to take out your flash, when you know there should be plenty of charge left and find it is as dead as a dodo.

 

Wilson

[miklosphoto]

Rechargeable NiMh AA batteries work fine on the 58 but suddenly go from working fine to dead over about 4 cycles. The cycle time is a bit faster than alkaline. I was using 2800 mAH Swiss Vesta batteries. I now use non rechargeable lithium AA cells as they give about 2 to 3x the life of rechargeable and plenty of warning when they are nearing the end of their life. The downside if you are going to take a lot of flash is that the cost per flash is much higher than rechargeables. The other point is that unlike rechargeable NiMh (whatever the manufacturer claims) Lithium cells don't lose their power when sitting around. Nothing is more irritating to take out your flash, when you know there should be plenty of charge left and find it is as dead as a dodo.

 

Wilson

 

Fortunately, my Monster Powercells have been working just fine for 3 years. Hope they continue serve me well with the SF58 too.

As for losing power, I know that, therefore I usually recharge them not after the use but before I'd use them. Also, to have several sets (two in my case) of them is helpful.

[rick_dykstra]

Can someone please post a pic of an M8 or 9 with SF58 on top? I'd like to see if it's much different to having my Metz 54-MZ3 mounted.

 

Also, what version of the Metz 5402 adapter is needed for M9? I'll see if I can look that up.

 

SCA 3502 M5 seems to be the one.

[miklosphoto]

Can someone please post a pic of an M8 or 9 with SF58 on top? I'd like to see if it's much different to having my Metz 54-MZ3 mounted.

 

Also, what version of the Metz 5402 adapter is needed for M9? I'll see if I can look that up.

 

SCA 3502 M5 seems to be the one.

 

Here you go:

Leica Camera AG - Photography - NEW: LEICA SF 58

 

It is the 6th image.

[miklosphoto]

Can someone please post a pic of an M8 or 9 with SF58 on top? I'd like to see if it's much different to having my Metz 54-MZ3 mounted.

 

Also, what version of the Metz 5402 adapter is needed for M9? I'll see if I can look that up.

 

SCA 3502 M5 seems to be the one.

 

Here's a bigger one:

http://a.img-dpreview.com/news/0902/Leica/07-SF-58-on-M8_2-back.jpg

[wlaidlaw]

Rick,

 

Your wish is my command - M9 + SF58D and MATE.

 

Wilson

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

[a.j.z]

I used to have big EX580 with Canon. Was big, but for an hour or two event - I could use it. In fact - rather rarely we would have to have it on camera all the time.

 

How did you fit the flash on the M9? If the 580 works, I assume the EX430 will work as well?

 

Many thanks!

[rick_dykstra]

Thanks for the pics guys. Looks quite manageable. I'll do some checking to see if it'll do multi flash TTL control via infra red link with my Metz 54-MZ3 & 50-MZ5. That'd be handy.

[Rick]

wilson, I love the grey. I'd put the grip tight cover on it. I did on my M8 and I got rid of the sandpaper finish. It would match your grip. IMHO.

[wlaidlaw]

wilson, I love the grey. I'd put the grip tight cover on it. I did on my M8 and I got rid of the sandpaper finish. It would match your grip. IMHO.

 

Rick,

 

I did not like the original covering on my M8 and recovered it with Cameraleather Rollei Black Beauty and I am delighted with it. It is actually rather nicer leather than Franke and Heidecke used on my TLR Rolleiflex. I was so disappointed that Leica had decided not to put the Vulcanite covering on the grey M9, that I said I would happily take a black one if a black one arrived first. When a grey one arrived, I opened the box in trepidation, fully expecting to be putting an order in to Cameraleather that same day. I was pleasantly surprised. It is not the same covering as the original M8 and looks very like crackle black and matches the Visoflex, when I mount it. I have come to quite like it. The only slight hiccough is that my grip is recovered in Black Beauty. Once I get down to France for the summer, if I find the M9 covering slippery with hot hands, I might end up recovering it. I was thinking of slate blue kid.

 

Wilson

[Jamie Roberts]

How did you fit the flash on the M9? If the 580 works, I assume the EX430 will work as well?

 

Many thanks!

 

The 580 EX1 and 2 just slide into the shoe--no problems. I assume the 430 would work as well.

 

In fact, the only flash I've had a problem with in the Canon, Nikon and Metz line is the SB900, which has a new locking mechanism that just won't lock on the M8 without a little shoe surgery (which I didn't do .

 

Using the new Canon Pocket Wizard with the pass-through hot shoe works just fine with the M8 and an SB900 Nikon flash ()--in manual of course

[Rick]

wilson, didn't know that. I thought it looked like the M8. Hope it works out for you as is.

 

I recovered my M8 in Griptight and loved/liked the look, but loved the grip. I also had a Cameraleather Rollei Black Beauty sent to me as well, and I loved the look but only liked the grip. So, I ended up using Griptight... and it looked very close to the M8.2.

 

Let me know how the new M9 cover works over time.

[a.j.z]

The 580 EX1 and 2 just slide into the shoe--no problems. I assume the 430 would work as well.

 

In fact, the only flash I've had a problem with in the Canon, Nikon and Metz line is the SB900, which has a new locking mechanism that just won't lock on the M8 without a little shoe surgery (which I didn't do .

 

Using the new Canon Pocket Wizard with the pass-through hot shoe works just fine with the M8 and an SB900 Nikon flash ()--in manual of course

 

Many thanks Jamie! I did not dare to do this yet as I read somewhere here that this could cause problems with the electronics of the camera (although the handbook generally says that the M9 can be used with "foreign" TTL-flashes - but of course not which ones ).

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[amedick]

Thanks for the pics guys. Looks quite manageable. I'll do some checking to see if it'll do multi flash TTL control via infra red link with my Metz 54-MZ3 & 50-MZ5. That'd be handy.

 

Rick

 

I spent an hour trying combinations of a borrowed SF58 with a 54mz5, 76mz4, 40mz2 and a sca3083 and SCA3502mod5 adapter. Never could get the SF58 to "play" with the Metz remote system, either as master or slave. Every other non SF58 combination worked, my conclusion was that Leica Remote and Metz Remote are not compatible to each other.

 

Would be interested to know if you got it to work and how.

 

Such a same that apparently the systems are intentionally not compatiblewith each other.

 

Regards

 

John