jloden Posted October 20, 2015 Share #1 Posted October 20, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I know it's only just been announced, and Leica photographers traditionally are heavy on available light .... but I'm really interested in the two new flashes that were paired with the SL launch, the SF 40 and SF 64 units. Does anyone know yet if the SL's TTL flash system is the same as other Leica cameras or if it's a new system? I'd love to know if these - particularly the smaller portable SF 40 (which looks a LOT like it could be a Leica reworked Nissin i40 ??) - can be used with the Q or M camera models. I do use flash a fair amount and a portable TTL speedlight or two is quite handy to have in a camera bag. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 20, 2015 Posted October 20, 2015 Hi jloden, Take a look here SL TTL system & flashes compatibility?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
asiafish Posted October 20, 2015 Share #2 Posted October 20, 2015 There was actually quite a change with the T, X113 and Q. The M240 I believe is also compatible with the "new" flash (SF26 I think), and I would assume that the SL is also compatible. I tried the SF26 on my X Vario and M Monochrom (2012) and since I could not get TTL to work I did not buy the flash. Sadly I'm guessing the SF40 and SF64 will work fine with the T, X113 and Q, possibly with the M240, and unlikely with the X Vario, M9 series or anything older. Such is life. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted October 20, 2015 Share #3 Posted October 20, 2015 I use the SF 26 on my M's. Just make sure you get one with the latest firmware or send it in for the upgrade. I would assume the SF40 will be fine. The type 240 got flash exposure compensation for the SF26 as part of the last firmware upgrade so I am confident it will work. The Nissin i40 is a fabulous flash and perfect for the M. I use one on my Fuji's and it's wonderful. Gordon 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevieg Posted October 20, 2015 Share #4 Posted October 20, 2015 If AP is to be believed, the SF40 flash IS a rebadged i40 Nissin http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/reviews/compactsystemcameras/leica-sl-typ-601-hands-first-look ..."System cameras need a matching set of accessories, and Leica intends to oblige over the next few months. Firstly there will be two flashes, the SF64 and SF40, with guide numbers of 64 and 40 respectively, that should be available this year. The latter is clearly a rebadged Nissin i40 – but that’s a good thing, as it’s one of our favourites...." 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jloden Posted October 20, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted October 20, 2015 If AP is to be believed, the SF40 flash IS a rebadged i40 Nissin http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/reviews/compactsystemcameras/leica-sl-typ-601-hands-first-look ..."System cameras need a matching set of accessories, and Leica intends to oblige over the next few months. Firstly there will be two flashes, the SF64 and SF40, with guide numbers of 64 and 40 respectively, that should be available this year. The latter is clearly a rebadged Nissin i40 – but that’s a good thing, as it’s one of our favourites...." That's what I thought, it looks *exactly* the same shape and rough size so I think it's safe to say it's likely an i40 made for Leica's specs. There was actually quite a change with the T, X113 and Q. The M240 I believe is also compatible with the "new" flash (SF26 I think), and I would assume that the SL is also compatible. I use the SF 26 on my M's. Just make sure you get one with the latest firmware or send it in for the upgrade. I would assume the SF40 will be fine. The type 240 got flash exposure compensation for the SF26 as part of the last firmware upgrade so I am confident it will work. The Nissin i40 is a fabulous flash and perfect for the M. I use one on my Fuji's and it's wonderful. Gordon Great, so it sounds like more than likely the Typ 240 and later M, Q, T, SL etc. are all likely the same TTL system that's compatible across the current crop of flash units. That's what I was hoping for. Glad to hear you like the i40 Gordon - it has been on my wishlist for a while for Fuji so I'm happy to see a version of it available for Leica. Seems like a great balance of power, size, and ease of operation. The smaller size is particularly welcome on a rangefinder, even at the cost of a little power and recycle time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiafish Posted October 21, 2015 Share #6 Posted October 21, 2015 I use the SF 26 on my M's. Just make sure you get one with the latest firmware or send it in for the upgrade. I would assume the SF40 will be fine. The type 240 got flash exposure compensation for the SF26 as part of the last firmware upgrade so I am confident it will work. The Nissin i40 is a fabulous flash and perfect for the M. I use one on my Fuji's and it's wonderful. Gordon Which Ms? I'm sure the new ones work fine on the M240 generation, but doubt they do TTL on the M9 generation. Have you tried your SF26 on the M9? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirekti Posted October 21, 2015 Share #7 Posted October 21, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I bet the SF-40 won't be under $500 :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jloden Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted October 21, 2015 I bet the SF-40 won't be under $500 :-) Let's hope not While I expect some Leica markup, there's a limit to what I want to pay for the privilege! haha. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted October 21, 2015 Share #9 Posted October 21, 2015 Which Ms? I'm sure the new ones work fine on the M240 generation, but doubt they do TTL on the M9 generation. Have you tried your SF26 on the M9? Yep. I use the SF26 with my M9. Within the limitations of the system (there's no FEC with the SF26 and M9 combo and the TTL preflash is measuring off the shutter curtains, not the sensor) it works just fine. Saying that the M9's TTL is pretty limited, even with the SF58 because of the preflash measurement. If the camera would most likely underexpose because of the CW metering then the flash will too in the same situation. It (SF26) doesn't have great across the frame coverage close in. Even a 35mm has some vignetting with the diffuser on. I also had an SF24 and the SF26 is really no different except it takes AAA batteries and has a bounce function. The SF26 has an LED but it's so low on the unit it's essentially useless except as a manual focus assist. The Nissin i40 is a better flash in every measurable way. I even use my Fuji version on my M's in full manual occasionally. Very pleased to see a Leica TTL version. It's an awesome little gun that punches well above its weight. Gordon p.s. Somewhere in the M section, several months ago, I suggested Leica should make a TTL version of the i40. So unless someone else beat me to it I'm taking the credit... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Posted October 21, 2015 Share #10 Posted October 21, 2015 Let's hope not While I expect some Leica markup, there's a limit to what I want to pay for the privilege! haha. It will sell for 399,- Euros in Germany and 599,- for the SF 64 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrycym Posted October 21, 2015 Share #11 Posted October 21, 2015 Will the Nikon version of the Nissin i40 work with the M240? i understand the hotshoe contacts are the same Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jloden Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share #12 Posted October 21, 2015 Will the Nikon version of the Nissin i40 work with the M240? i understand the hotshoe contacts are the same Nikon TTL flashes don't work with the M240 in TTL mode, if that's what you mean (manual flash should work fine though). The contact points can be the same but the TTL subsystem is substantially different. It's happened before that camera manufacturers share contact layout, like Canon and the Fuji X-series do, but the actual TTL "language" used by the flash units isn't compatible. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrycym Posted October 21, 2015 Share #13 Posted October 21, 2015 It was, damn!! thanks for the reply. there's quite a large difference in price between the Nissin and the Leica SF40. so, the SF40, when available, will be the cheapest flash for a M240? i'm only interested in a flash that uses AA or AAA batteries Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted October 21, 2015 Share #14 Posted October 21, 2015 SF 26 will be the cheapest, which is only three times the cost of the same Metz unit in any other mount..... It takes AAA's and has TTL with the M system digitals (I use mine on the M and M9). The SF40 looks to be the same. Expensive. But I wouldn't get the SF26 if the 40 is available. It's a significantly better flash (the i40). Gordon Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jloden Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share #15 Posted October 21, 2015 SF 26 will be the cheapest, which is only three times the cost of the same Metz unit in any other mount..... It takes AAA's and has TTL with the M system digitals (I use mine on the M and M9). The SF40 looks to be the same. Expensive. But I wouldn't get the SF26 if the 40 is available. It's a significantly better flash (the i40). Gordon Off topic a bit but Gordon, since you have some TTL M experience I thought I'd ask you - do you have to program in the aperture on the flash unit when using TTL with the M 240? I saw a review that said you did but don't know if it's accurate or if they were actually referring to A mode or what. Not necessarily a deal breaker I guess since I don't change my aperture *that* often when using TTL flash but still, good info to know going into it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted October 22, 2015 Share #16 Posted October 22, 2015 Not when using TTL you don't, no. But it's confusing because you can change the aperture value on the flash (SF58) while in TTL mode. It doesn't do anything, except confuse, until you switch to Auto mode. Thankfully the SF58 is the only current flash with this behaviour. The SF24, 26 (and 40 if the interface is the same as the i40 I own) don't have this setting. Gordon 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrycym Posted October 22, 2015 Share #17 Posted October 22, 2015 I nderstand that the SF26 is no long available as Metz have ceased trading Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirekti Posted October 22, 2015 Share #18 Posted October 22, 2015 What about the HSS, will it be available on SF-40 and M240? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jloden Posted October 22, 2015 Author Share #19 Posted October 22, 2015 Not when using TTL you don't, no. But it's confusing because you can change the aperture value on the flash (SF58) while in TTL mode. It doesn't do anything, except confuse, until you switch to Auto mode. Thankfully the SF58 is the only current flash with this behaviour. The SF24, 26 (and 40 if the interface is the same as the i40 I own) don't have this setting. Gordon That's great to know, thanks. I was hoping that was the case and the reviewer I read that from was just misinformed! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted October 23, 2015 Share #20 Posted October 23, 2015 I nderstand that the SF26 is no long available as Metz have ceased trading That's going to make it hard on the brand new SF64 which is a Metz clone....... Metz applied for bankrupsy protection and restructure. I tgink they're still trading. Gordon Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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