S and SF-24D troubleshooting

[120]

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I have a new S, new SF-24D, new S lens.

1. Using a lens with the M645 adapter I could not set the flash to anything but f/2.8 (TTL, A, or M modes).

2. So I used an S lens and the flash on A. I could not usually get a flash compensation to stick for more than one shot. Sometimes I would set an aperture on the flash and the camera would immediately change it.

3. I get a lot of misfires. I had this problem several years with another SF-24D and M8/9. I always shoot in A because I don't find TTL reliable.

4. I always had the camera in manual focus mode, but sometimes the lens would auto focus. I never turned the camera off (it does seem to auto focus when you turn camera first on).

5. Sometimes the distance ring turned very roughly. I am always in manual focus mode.

 

I tried fresh batteries in the flash. I do not have any other equipment to help trouble shoot. I will try another camera, though. For 1, 2, I varied which I turned on first--flash or camera. I reset the camera to defaults when I got it. I have the current firmware. I am committed to all three...S, SF24, auto flash mode; so thanks for any ideas.

[peterv]

Hi,

 

Sorry to hear this. i use the SF-24D on my S2 all the time, without any problem. I use A on the flash and it picks up the camera-set aperture every time. I use exp. comp. to control the amount of flash light.

 

You've obviously tried everything one could think of.

 

There's one thing I can think of that might solve your problems; 1) make sure the flash is gently pushed all the way into the socket, sometimes 0,5 mm makes the difference between funky stuff and a flawless user experience. 2) make sure the flash is tightly connected. Don't overdo it, but make sure it's fermly connected.

 

Hope this helps!

[120]

Thank you, that does help.

 

1-2

I may be misremembering; I thought you could override aperture on the flash in A mode with M9. I want to change flash exposure vs background exposure. With aperture on flash I get half steps. If S is different than M9, I guess I can use a pass through adapter with only the center contact.

 

4-5

O.K. I found, in manual focus mode, the lens autofocuses on wakeup, too. I guess that's the way it is. Sorry--first AF camera. Still not sure if manual focusing should be crunchy sometimes.

[120]

I did try reseating the flash as you suggested.

[peterv]

Thank you, that does help.

 

1-2

I may be misremembering; I thought you could override aperture on the flash in A mode with M9.

I want to change flash exposure vs background exposure.

I haven't used the M9, but on the S2 you can do this with exp. comp.

With aperture on flash I get half steps.

That is correct.

If S is different than M9, I guess I can use a pass through adapter with only the center contact.

I use the Phottix Strato II multi 5-1 for Nikon. The Nikon system uses the same connection pins as Leica, so all info is passed through. I leave it on the camera all the time. It's not a pretty sight, but it helps to preserve the S2 flash hot shoe, as I'm putting the flash on and off quite often. (Nikon uses a different protocol, though)

4-5

O.K. I found, in manual focus mode, the lens autofocuses on wakeup, too. I guess that's the way it is. Sorry--first AF camera.

Strange, my S2 doesn't do that. The lens makes a sound when the camera is turned on, I guess it's the AF motor, but doesn't focus. Are you sure you're not simultaneously pressing the release and/or back button?

Still not sure if manual focusing should be crunchy sometimes.

No, MF should be silky smooth.

[menos I M6]

4. I always had the camera in manual focus mode, but sometimes the lens would auto focus. I never turned the camera off (it does seem to auto focus when you turn camera first on).

 

The Leica S2 Manual Focus mode is designed to let you Autofocus the lens by pressing the thumb button on the back of the camera with your right thumb (this control has been replaced by a small directional control).

 

Might it be that you accidentally touched this control with your right thumb when you found the lens auto focussing?

[120]

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The Leica S2 Manual Focus mode is designed to let you Autofocus the lens by pressing the thumb button on the back of the camera with your right thumb (this control has been replaced by a small directional control).

 

Might it be that you accidentally touched this control with your right thumb when you found the lens auto focussing?

 

Thanks.

I'm sure it is o.k. The autofocus does a little sashay on wakeup, so if you are taking a picture at the same time...it was a surprise.

[menos I M6]

Yes, checking the function of the attached AF lens is part of the start up procedure of the S camera.

Basically you have to wait to take a picture until the top OLED display indicates the camera to be ready.

 

This takes usually a little too long for impatient people like myself, so I usually do not switch the camera off, when using it all day long. The S batteries really allow for this.

I also set the sleep time to the longest possible or even to off sometimes to have the camera always responsive, when needed.