Leica SF-58 vs Metz 58 AF1

[Mauribix]

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Please, could anybody spend few words in describing the differences between these two flash units when used with an M9?

I can't seem to find any (price apart), but since I'm not a big flash unit fan, I may be obviously missing something.

 

thanks so much

[kanzlr]

The Metz is only available for Nikon and Canon.

if you mount it on the M9, it will only work in Auto mode and it has no idea about ISO, etc.

 

The SF58 on the other hand is a system flash that even offers TTL.

[jaapv]

:confused:The Metz 58-AF1 is an SCA flash that offers adapters for a wide range of cameras. The SCA3502 M5 is for Leica iirc, and it was tested in LFI some time ago. From memory, I think the only function that did not work was the miniflash in combination with GNC.

[Luke_Miller]

I don't own either one, but I believe the difference is the Leica SF-58 is a re-badged Metz 58 with built in dedication for the Leica bodies. It can function in TTL mode. The Metz 58 can be purchased with built in dedication for several different camera makers, but not Leica. If you want a 58 and prefer TTL on your Leica body then the SF-58 seems the only option. If you are happy with manual flash or auto-thyrister operation then the Metz 58 will be a much less expensive choice.

 

I use the SF-24 on my M8.2. I find that auto-thyrister mode is very good and i tend to use it rather than TTL. If I add a 58 it would probably be the Metz 58 with Nikon dedication. The Nikon flashes are very happy on Leica bodies, just no TTL.

[Mauribix]

Actually I found the Panasonic/Olympus mount to be fitted with the M9... in fact I couldn't test the Leica SF58 so I didn't get the luck to test them side by side.

I didn't notice the lack of TTL mode with the Metz as I was probably working with A mode.

I should check once again... or does the Pana/Oly version works in TTL mode?

 

BTW thank you for your infos

[sps]

I have owned both. The SF-58 is considerably faster at pre-flashing. With the Metz, people would move b/c they thought the pre-flash was the picture. The SF-58 is just better integrated.

 

Caveat- I used the Metz on the M8.2, and the SF-58 on the M9. I haven't mixed them, so there may be a difference there. My understanding though is that "pre-flash" performance between the M8.2 & M9 should be identical.

[giordano]

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:confused:The Metz 58-AF1 is an SCA flash that offers adapters for a wide range of cameras. The SCA3502 M5 is for Leica iirc, and it was tested in LFI some time ago. From memory, I think the only function that did not work was the miniflash in combination with GNC.

 

:confused: You may be right, but Metz themselves think otherwise. The 58AF1 is the "system" unit sold in versions for Nikon, Canon, Four-Thirds etc, while the SCA unit is the 54-MZ4i.

[jaapv]

I think you are indeed right

[Mauribix]

I have owned both. The SF-58 is considerably faster at pre-flashing. With the Metz, people would move b/c they thought the pre-flash was the picture. The SF-58 is just better integrated.

 

Caveat- I used the Metz on the M8.2, and the SF-58 on the M9. I haven't mixed them, so there may be a difference there. My understanding though is that "pre-flash" performance between the M8.2 & M9 should be identical.

 

Yesterday I tried both the Leica SF58 and the counterpart Metz 58 AF-1 on the M9.

Well, only the Leica worked in TTL and did the pre-flashing, with the Metz 58 I was only able to use A mode and I didn't successfully set the flash unit to pre-falsh.

BTW, the Leica is really fast in pre-flashing, but can you tell me how do you set the Metx on your M8.2 to pre-flash?

Can't understand how much I'm the wrong man to use a flash with a Leica M

[Bill W]

For me the SF-58 on the M9 in auto, TTL, everything is "Idiot Proof" from my perspective which is a good thing. I do not use flash that much but bought the 58 back when they came out and I did not have one for my M8.2.

[wlaidlaw]

I bought a 54MZ4i/3502-M5 soon after I bought an M8. It did not work at all well in GNC mode with pretty variable exposures and no exposure compensation available in aperture priority mode. I already had a 40MZ-2 for auto mode. It was so poor I got a refund from Metz on it and bought another SF24 (I had sold my first one along with my Digilux2). I bought an SF58 for my daughter's wedding last summer and I am delighted with it both on the M8 and M9. Exposures are very accurate and with a soft box (Sto-Fen) it is very good for people shots outdoors on dull days. You just have to be prepared to live with its size.

 

Wilson

[Shade]

The 58SF Leica is fully compatible unlike the Metz... However, since I purchased the flash I never used it much, now I'm thinking about selling it haha..