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M flash options


flyalf

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There is a firmware issue with the M240 and the SF-58. The M240 passes the wrong focal length through to the SF-58, so if you have the lens focal length set to auto on the SF-58, you will end up with the zoom head two focal lengths wrong for any coded lens. I first pointed this out to Leica both directly and via two beta testers, now just a few days off a year ago. I had it acknowledged back to me by Leica, that they were now aware of the problem and that it would soon be corrected in an FW update. It still remains to be corrected nearly a year later, which I think is very dilatory of them after this length of time.

 

Wilson, what version of the SF-58 do you have (it appears briefly down in the right hand corner when you switch it on)? I also found some major FW issues between the M240 and the SF-58, but these dissappeared with the latest camera firmware. Now it works fine, also the lens detection you mention. I have the 2.0 version of the flash. Perhaps you could try a reboot of the flash. Press and hold first the lefmost followed by the rightmost button until "RESET" appears on the screen. May be worth a try..

 

Best, HP

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The SF58 has a problem at the moment with the M. It is picking up the wrong focal length in TTL mode, and reads two lengths too long, wrongly setting the head zoom. I told Leica about this in May and was told they already knew about it. Sad they did nothing about it in the FW update.

 

Wilson

 

Strange mine works fine after the M firmware update showing the correct focal lengths

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Wilson, what version of the SF-58 do you have (it appears briefly down in the right hand corner when you switch it on)? I also found some major FW issues between the M240 and the SF-58, but these dissappeared with the latest camera firmware. Now it works fine, also the lens detection you mention. I have the 2.0 version of the flash. Perhaps you could try a reboot of the flash. Press and hold first the lefmost followed by the rightmost button until "RESET" appears on the screen. May be worth a try..

 

Best, HP

 

Mine is a very early SF-58 (Ver 1.1). I was on the waiting list for it before it was officially announced. I saw on sitting on a bench when I visited Metz, so knew it was due out. I will try a reset. I always expecting an FW update as that was one of the points that was made for it but nothing has ever been issued.

 

Doing a reset off the camera did nothing but doing a reset on the camera with the camera powered up has sorted the issue. Obviously something has downloaded from the camera to the flash. Thank you very much for this help. :):)

 

I may now sell my M9, as I was really only keeping it for flash. Disappointing that nobody at Leica suggested that I do this and I have been in contact with them a couple of times on this. I could well have had a working flash for the last few months.

 

Wilson

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Mine is a very early SF-58 (Ver 1.1). I was on the waiting list for it before it was officially announced. I saw on sitting on a bench when I visited Metz, so knew it was due out. I will try a reset. I always expecting an FW update as that was one of the points that was made for it but nothing has ever been issued.

 

Doing a reset off the camera did nothing but doing a reset on the camera with the camera powered up has sorted the issue. Obviously something has downloaded from the camera to the flash. Thank you very much for this help. :):)

 

I may now sell my M9, as I was really only keeping it for flash. Disappointing that nobody at Leica suggested that I do this and I have been in contact with them a couple of times on this. I could well have had a working flash for the last few months.

 

Wilson

Well mine is also version 1.1 and as far as I know there is no update to this version and it works fine. Anyway glad that you have managed to solve the problem in the end

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Well mine is also version 1.1 and as far as I know there is no update to this version and it works fine. Anyway glad that you have managed to solve the problem in the end

 

David,

 

I have just asked my inside source in Wetzlar (it will take me a bit of time to stop thinking Solms and get back to thinking Wetzlar), if there is a firmware update that will take V1.1 to V2. A big hoo haa was made when it came out about being firmware upgradable. It seems even less firmware upgradable than the M240 :(

 

Wilson

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From the manual and info sheet on leica website

 

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!

 

 

I have emailed Leica asking how can I get hold of the firmware update

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Apparently V1.1 SF-58D flashes cannot be updated to V2 by a firmware upgrade because for a start, there isn’t one. This is not how the flash was sold to us. It was supposed to be upgradable.

 

This is I am afraid typical of Metz. I have a 36AF-5 which needs an update to work properly with my Olympus EP-5 (AF light extinguishes before AF complete). The manual says it can be returned to my Metz dealer/agent for upgrading the firmware. Metz UK say I will have to just buy a more recent example of exactly the same flash gun to get the update. Not impressed.

 

Wilson

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Well woopy-doo for Leica/Metz. Anyway are there any operational differences between V1.1 and V2?

 

I presume there must have been some change or improvement or they would not have come out with a v2.0.

 

Wilson

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It works fine. I use a pocket wizard to trigger it in manual mode.

 

I am also looking at sync cord, Nikon SC 28, SC 29 and some velo cords are what I found on BH web, just don't know which one to buy?

 

any spec guide line I should follow to get work with M?

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The SF 58 v2 is fantastic - the only time it doesn't read the FL properly is when the lock is not screwed down on the foot (which is user error). The HSS is wonderful for daylight fill - and the flat diffuser is very helpful. Yes, it's expensive, but it costs 1/10 as much as the camera.

 

Leica M Typ 240: Part 4 (SF-58 flash and 14489 diffuser) | The Machine Planet

 

Dante

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The SF 58 v2 is fantastic - the only time it doesn't read the FL properly is when the lock is not screwed down on the foot (which is user error). The HSS is wonderful for daylight fill - and the flat diffuser is very helpful. Yes, it's expensive, but it costs 1/10 as much as the camera.

 

Leica M Typ 240: Part 4 (SF-58 flash and 14489 diffuser) | The Machine Planet

 

Dante

 

I have found that my V1.1 can be a bit harsh and if you use it on bounce with the secondary flash as fill in, you get odd double shadows. I therefore use a Sto-Fen Diffusor (the one for the Metz 58-AF2 fits perfectly), which gives much softer lighting. I see press photographers using similar flash units using Sto-Fen or similar diffusors a lot of the time.

 

Wilson

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I am also looking at sync cord, Nikon SC 28, SC 29 and some velo cords are what I found on BH web, just don't know which one to buy?

 

any spec guide line I should follow to get work with M?

 

I see no reason why it wouldn't work, as the SB-910 will work quite happily "on camera" on the M in manual mode. To add an extension cord shouldn't cause a problem as it is mapping the same pins. That said, I've not tried it myself

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I have found that my V1.1 can be a bit harsh and if you use it on bounce with the secondary flash as fill in, you get odd double shadows.

 

Same here. Initially I saw the secondary flash as an asset, but so far have not found an application for it. I leave mine turned off and use the pull out white card when I bounce.

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