Leica M9 + SF 58

[V_kids]

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Can anyone share some experience for this combo?

Is it as good as D700/D3 + SB 800/900 combo? (which is very reliable for direct flash or bounce flash)

 

Thank You

 

Andree

[Shade]

I just bought mine not long ago, but then i have to send my m9 for repair..

[MEB]

I have both the M9 and SF58 as well as the Nikon D3 and SB900. The Nikon combination is much more automatic and electronically integrated than the Leica pair and is more likely to be totally error free. That said however, the Leica flash is very powerful, quite versatile and works very well both in manual as well as automatic mode on my M9.

 

What I especially like about the SF58 is its secondary front flash for fill light. The Nikon speedlights do not have that feature. I find that by balancing the bounce light with the fill secondary I can get a very even and natural looking lighting. Several people have objected to the relative size of the SF58 which I find silly. It is not a permanent attachment for the camera...it is a tool to be used when necessary. Its size is what allows it the power and flexibility that I find so useful.

 

Mark Blumer

[Shade]

Mark, how do you set for both flash to fire? Bounce and fill? Thanks..

[tdtaylor]

I agree with Mark. I have all the above mentioned equipment, and have used the D700/SB800/SB900 combo a fair amount. I have not learned the M9/SF58 combo very well yet, but my first reaction is the Nikon is a more sophisticated system, and the learning curve is short. I have found the Leica learning curve much longer, and have not yet reached a point where I am totally satisfied with the results- still trying a lot of settings.

 

I do fairly regularly use multiple flashes, which is very easy with the SB900- obviously more difficult with the Leica having to add more equipment.

 

My opinion is that the Leica system has great potential, you will just need to invest more time, much like the base cameras. I unfortunately have been short on time the last several months, and I find I use the flash far less with the Leica- an obvious statement- so my learning curve is just being extended.

[MEB]

Mark, how do you set for both flash to fire? Bounce and fill? Thanks..

 

Shade,

 

In the SF58 menu system you have the option to turn off the small, front flash or to turn it on to one of three levels. Its pretty easy to do except that they use symbols instead of words to identify the action and I always have to refresh my memory as to what the symbols mean.

 

Mark

[Shade]

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Mark:

 

But when I turn the small flash to on, the large flash doesn't bounce... did I do something wrong?

[ohnri]

Like many others I have multiple SB800's and nice Nikon bodies and find that system very easy to use and get great results with.

 

I just used my SF 58 on my M9 for the first time last weekend and found there was about a five to ten minute learning curve followed immediately by wonderful results.

 

I love the little flash in front and found the SF 58 to provide plenty of power even for really nice outdoor building shots with my 21 lux (I rarely use an external finder).

 

Overall, very good and versatile flash which is very easy to use if just a bit harder to pick up and shoot with than the Nikons.

 

BTW, it is large but very light and easy to carry.

 

Best,

 

Bill

[V_kids]

Hi Bill, could you please post some of the pictures that u took using this combo?

i would love to see them

 

Another question, which one is bigger? SB 900 or SF 58?

 

Thank You

[MEB]

V_Kids,

 

Here is a picture I recently took at a party in a large restaurant. The light was probably 75% from the SF58 (using the front reflector also). M9 with 35 Lux asph. The SF58 is very much the same size as the SB900. I think the SB900 menu system and controls are more ergonomic and generally more user friendly but the SF58 is not bad (its just that the Nikon unit is terrific...a very significant improvement over the SB800 before it).

 

Mark Blumer

 

 

 

 

Hi Bill, could you please post some of the pictures that u took using this combo?

i would love to see them

 

Another question, which one is bigger? SB 900 or SF 58?

 

Thank You

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[scjohn]

I have both the M9 and SF58 as well as the Nikon D3 and SB900. The Nikon combination is much more automatic and electronically integrated than the Leica pair and is more likely to be totally error free. That said however, the Leica flash is very powerful, quite versatile and works very well both in manual as well as automatic mode on my M9.

 

What I especially like about the SF58 is its secondary front flash for fill light. The Nikon speedlights do not have that feature. I find that by balancing the bounce light with the fill secondary I can get a very even and natural looking lighting. Several people have objected to the relative size of the SF58 which I find silly. It is not a permanent attachment for the camera...it is a tool to be used when necessary. Its size is what allows it the power and flexibility that I find so useful.

 

Mark Blumer

I COMPLETELY agree with your every word! (I have the D3 SB900 and m9/58). The SB900 is more goof proof and a better auto system. I like the fill light on the 58 very much. I loved the early Metz CT 45.

[tdtaylor]

I would third the comments about the SB900, but I seem to be having a steeper learning curve with the SF58. I'm use to using 2 or 3 flashes, and can't seem to reach a comfortable point with the SF58. Good but not great. This weekend I have a series of four events in one afternoon/night, and the Nikons will be on the road. The first one is sports, but the following three are events. I know the photos will be better, but I am only 4 months into the rangefinder world.

 

Maybe....maybe if I get up the nerve I'll go all Leica for one of these events...eventually....but habits die hard.

[Bill W]

I already had the SF 58 from when they first came out. I wanted a bounce flash for my M. I am not a big flash user but when I need one on my M9 this is sort of idiot proof for me. I do not need a lot of re-educating to get acceptable results. Of course I did not read the manual for the SF 58 which is many many pages.........

[Shade]

Oh I have to complain about one thing though, not sure if it's my copy only - but the flash head doesn't turn with a solid click. Instead it is slightly wobbly and "clicks" softly and easily moved by accident.

[neli]

this would be a great place for an experienced M + flash photographer to start offering "getting started with M and flash photography seminars", or better yet, "moving from Nikon to M, a flashers voyage" :-)

[Hacker]

I use the D3s with the Quantum Trios and SB900s. Really easy to use and the results are largely consistent. With the Leica M9 and teh SF58, I get very inconsistent results unless in Auto mode. Multiple flashes/High Speed Sync is another bonus using the Nikon system.

[V_kids]

I use the D3s with the Quantum Trios and SB900s. Really easy to use and the results are largely consistent. With the Leica M9 and teh SF58, I get very inconsistent results unless in Auto mode. Multiple flashes/High Speed Sync is another bonus using the Nikon system.

 

Hi Hacker... Yes, I agree with you.

When I was using D3X + SB 900, the results were always very consistent and very nice.

Right now, I'm using SB 600 for my M9, in Manual mode for bouncing flash. Not very convenience

[Luke_Miller]

Right now, I'm using SB 600 for my M9, in Manual mode for bouncing flash. Not very convenience

 

Too bad the SB-600 lacks the auto thyrister mode. My SB-800 and old SB-25 work very nicely in auto. The older pre-digital Nikon flashes are a bargain and a nice match for the M digital bodies if you don't need TTL.

[Shootist]

Just last night I got the chance to run the SF58 pretty hard and it got hot and then failed to fire. I thought the batteries had given up and when I changed them out they were warm. With a new set of Li-ion batteries it worked for about 5-8 flashes then stopped for a short time, got warm/hot again.

Is it as good as the Nikon flashes on a Nikon camera, NO. Is it the best flash for the M8/M9, I think so. I had a SB 800 that I used on my M8 and it worked but the SF58 works better.

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[Luke_Miller]

I had a SB 800 that I used on my M8 and it worked but the SF58 works better.

 

I really would like the secondary flash found on the SF-58 and the Metz 58. Whenever possible I bounce the flash and having a secondary, direct light, would be more effective than a white card in lifting the shadows under the eyes. My limited experience with the SF-24D on my M8.2 so far suggests that TTL is not significantly superior to Auto. I use TTL when handholding and bouncing the SF-24D, but would prefer not to pause at the half shutter press while the pre-flashes and TTL calculations take place. If I had an SF-58 I suspect I would use it in Auto mode. That begs the question of why not get the Metz 58 and save several hundred dollars.