Flash choices

[Guest V64]

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I currently use a Nikon SB28 - either on camera (M8) or on a stand coupled with a small cheap radio link (RF-04/PT-04).

 

I use it in A-mode, mostly by trial and error, which can be a problem in some conditions, and psuedo TTL using pre-flash is also a no-no.

 

I accept that there is probably little I can do to improve the situation when the flash is remote, but on camera?

 

My question is- 'what benefits will the Leica SF58 give me, and are they any differences between it and the (cheaper) Metz 58 AF-1 for the NIkon.

 

I am sure it is possible to find out by reading brochures but I find them totally impenetrable marketing hype where you have to read what they dont say!

 

Any advice much appreciated

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[wstotler]

My question is- 'what benefits will the Leica SF58 give me, and are they any differences between it and the (cheaper) Metz 58 AF-1 for the NIkon.

 

The key benefit is that the flash and the camera communicate--permitting TTL operation. Earlier threads on this topic said that if you're a manual flash operator, you don't need the SF58.

 

Cheers!

Will

[Luke_Miller]

As Will said the Leica SF-58 will give you TTL flash metering. As near as I can tell, the Metz 58 models are not available with Leica dedication, so the Nikon dedicated version would likely be the best choice. I suspect it would work just like your SB-28 (auto thyrister and manual modes only). You would have the advantage of the secondary flash for fill.

 

I use the SF-24D on my M8.2 with good results. I use a Nikon sync cord to take it off camera and for bounce. TTL is useful then, but otherwise I see little advantage over auto thyrister mode.

[menos I M6]

Anybody tried out the Olympus FL-36R flash, which is reported, to work in TTL mode on the Leica digital M?

 

It should be around 200,- EUR and poses a nice alternative to the hulking big Leica swivel head flash unit.

I used my Nikon flashes in A or M sometimes, but they are huuge and heavy (as is the Leica swivel flash).

[giordano]

The closest third party product to the SF58 is the Mecablitz 54-MZ4i with SCA 3502 adapter (mark 5 or later).

[LuxBob]

I have a hardly used Olympus T20, I will give it a try but has anybody else tried it?

[Guest V64]

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My thanks for all your comments.

 

Quote "I use the SF-24D on my M8.2 with good results. I use a Nikon sync cord to take it off camera and for bounce. TTL is useful then, but otherwise I see little advantage over auto thyrister mode."

 

 

The next 'step up' in usability (for me) would seem to be to find a way to use Leica's version of TTL (with preflash) with the flash off-camera and triggered by a Radio link. That is, is there a radio link which knows about Leica's flash connections and protocols and which would replace the Nikon sync cord used by Luke.

[robert ford]

The closest third party product to the SF58 is the Mecablitz 54-MZ4i with SCA 3502 adapter (mark 5 or later).

 

Hi, The 54 mz 4i does not allow flash compensation in GNC mode. Even with the SCA 3502 M5 The leica SF 58 does.

 

I use a 54 Mz 4i and only use Auto mode as I find that in GNC mode the exposure is hit and miss. (Leica M8) If the camera has gone into standby and you touch the shutter release I find the 1st GNC flash picture I take is under exposed. Search Metz 54 mz in the forum and you will find a lot has already been written about this. In Auto mode you can adjust the flash exposure.

 

I do feel That Metz is offering a poor interface for the leica digital M's. They produce the SF 24D and SF 58 so the capability is there. Perhaps leica want us to buy these. I have emailed them re this, I'll let you know the outcome.

 

I also own a SF 24D for travel, but this lacks the power and versatility for special locations & occasions.

[bocaburger]

I have an SF24D and have been underwhelmed by the TTL function. I use it in auto mode, as I do my Metz 54MZ3, which I haven't bothered to have the module updated from M1. It communicates the ISO which is a convenience. It also communicates the focal length, but not the crop-effective focal length. The only disadvantage to those are when I use them off-camera. I have a Vivitar 283 which works better off-camera, because the auto sensor comes off the flash and plugs into the OTC cord where it sits in the hot shoe.

[Wiggi]

The Leica SF58 is the same flash as the Metz 58 AF-1. It is also built by Metz. But the Metz 58 AF-1 would not work with the TTL-Operation of your M8.

 

An alternative is the Metz 54-MZ4i with SCA 3502 adapter.

 

If you don't want a TTL-Operation, you can find a cheaper Metz model with no TTL-Operation.

[Guest V64]

The Leica SF58 is the same flash as the Metz 58 AF-1. It is also built by Metz. But the Metz 58 AF-1 would not work with the TTL-Operation of your M8.

 

An alternative is the Metz 54-MZ4i with SCA 3502 adapter.

 

If you don't want a TTL-Operation, you can find a cheaper Metz model with no TTL-Operation.

 

Are you saying that the Metz 54-MZ4i with SCA 3502 adapter will work with the M8 in TTL mode?

 

Earlier posts (see Ford) suggest that there are no third party flashes which support Leic's version of TTL.

[rickp13]

according to this thread, there is no TTL flash function with the m8 or 9, just the GNC pre-flash method or auto or manual. doesn't that apply to the new 58 flash as well?

 

 

rick

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m9-forum/101461-reidreview-review-leica-sf58-flash-unit.html

[bocaburger]

Whether referring to ambient metering or flash metering, TTL stands for Thru The Lens, as opposed to a separate metering sensor somewhere on the camera or flash body. So the M8 along with all DSLRs has TTL flash. What they don't have is OTF (Off The Film) flash metering, because of the nature of digital sensors. The main advantages of TTL flash metering (meter coverage angle not affected by focal length, exposure not affected by filters or extension factor) are retained on digitals. The issue is that for some reason TTL/non-OTF flash technology doesn't seem to be quite as effective as TTL/OTF flash as used in film cameras. At least that's what I found, comparing Leica, Canon and Nikon digital to their film cousins.

[Wiggi]

Are you saying that the Metz 54-MZ4i with SCA 3502 adapter will work with the M8 in TTL mode?

 

Earlier posts (see Ford) suggest that there are no third party flashes which support Leic's version of TTL.

 

The Leica SF58 and the Metz 54-MZ4i with SCA 3502 adapter work with the M8 in TTL mode.

[Guest V64]

The Leica SF58 and the Metz 54-MZ4i with SCA 3502 adapter work with the M8 in TTL mode.

 

Thank-you for your clarification - I do wish there was a smaller option with a tilt/swivel head!

[menos I M6]

Thank-you for your clarification - I do wish there was a smaller option with a tilt/swivel head!

 

So again - anybody has tried this:

 

 

Anybody tried out the Olympus FL-36R flash, which is reported, to work in TTL mode on the Leica digital M?

 

It should be around 200,- EUR and poses a nice alternative to the hulking big Leica swivel head flash unit.

I used my Nikon flashes in A or M sometimes, but they are huuge and heavy (as is the Leica swivel flash).

 

???

 

I have read on a forgotten forum page, that this flash is usable with the Leica M8 in TTL mode. I can't seem, to find the site, but would love, to find one of those and try.

 

It has a tilt/swivel-zoom head, with similar size and weight to a Nikon SB600, but with only 2 AA batteries, making for less weight.

 

It sounds great on paper and is quite affordable as well.

[Luke_Miller]

So far the best solution I've found is the SF-24D on my M8.2. I take it off camera using a Nikon sync cord and a wrist strap a la Sean Reid. The wrist strap lets me release the flash in order to focus and then quickly restore my grip to direct the light. I use TTL mode so I can bounce the flash if desired. It is not nearly as awkward as it may sound and gives me a great deal of flexibility with this very competent flash.

[giordano]

I have read on a forgotten forum page, that this flash is usable with the Leica M8 in TTL mode.

 

I can't be 100% certain, but I'd bet against this being the case. It may just stem from some people having seen "Leica" on lists of manufacturers whose cameras are compatible with the Olympus flashgun, without understanding that this only applies to Four-Thirds cameras which have a common flash interface regardless of manufacturer.

 

In fact the M8 and M9 seem to have an interface descended from that on TTL film Leicas starting with the R8 and M6TTL - which came out years before the Four-Thirds standard. Certainly in the SCA system they all use the 3502 adapter, while all Four-Thirds cameras use the 3202.

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[Guest V64]

So far the best solution I've found is the SF-24D on my M8.2. I take it off camera using a Nikon sync cord and a wrist strap a la Sean Reid. The wrist strap lets me release the flash in order to focus and then quickly restore my grip to direct the light. I use TTL mode so I can bounce the flash if desired. It is not nearly as awkward as it may sound and gives me a great deal of flexibility with this very competent flash.

 

I have used Sean's wrist strap technique with a Vivitar 28* with the remote cord which included an on-camera sensor, but found it heavy, and needed a bulky Wein protector, but the results were great.

 

I like the thought of using an SF-24D and using Leica's pre-flash TTL ,may I ask which Nikon sync cord would that be? Also are there any third party compatibles?

 

Thank-you

[Nicoleica]

Hi. You can use the Nikon SC-17 or SC-28 cables. I believe that there a few non-Nikon alternatives available too.