Good news - the SF-58D flash appears to be fully functional on the SL

[wlaidlaw]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

One of the things I wanted to check as it did not appear to be documented, was did the SF-58D flash work on the SL. The answer seems to be yes. I have not tried it extensively yet, as only one of my batteries has a bit of charge. I will try it more extensively once at least one SL battery is charged. The zoom seems to couple properly and exposure looked about OK. 

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[ramarren]

One of the things I wanted to check as it did not appear to be documented, was did the SF-58D flash work on the SL. The answer seems to be yes. I have not tried it extensively yet, as only one of my batteries has a bit of charge. I will try it more extensively once at least one SL battery is charged. The zoom seems to couple properly and exposure looked about OK. 

 

The Leica Rep recommended the SF-58D when I asked him about compatible flash units. It's good to hear that verified. However, I think I'm going to wait for the new SF-40 to be released. It's a bit smaller and more what I find myself wanting on the rare occasions I want a flash unit. 

[wlaidlaw]

One thing which does not seem to work and I don't know if it would need an FW update on the SL, SF58 or probably both, is the auto-focus metering lamp. I just wonder if it is pure infra red and you can't see it. Focus seems to be working anyway but have not tried it yet in total darkness. I am surprised this does not work because my memory says I was told it was working on the S, when I saw both being used at Photokina. I will also try the little SF-26D and see how that works. 

 

Wilson

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Infra red AF assist lamps don't work on CDAF systems like the SL. The S uses PDAF so the IR AF assist will work on that camera. All other brands (I have experience with Sony/Metz/Olympus and Fuji) work the same way. Most CDAF cameras have a white light AF assist built into the camera.

 

First thing I did was check my SF 58's with the SL. Both work just fine. I have one with firmware 1.1 and one with firmware 2.0. Usage with the EVF and flash was the only reason I bought the SL. It would have been crappy if it hadn't worked.

 

SF 26 works. It's the only flash specifically mentioned in the manual.

 

Gordon

[wlaidlaw]

Gordon,

 

Many thanks for that very clear explanation. I noted that the focus light on the SL itself, is an orangey-red colour and is not very strong. The exposure control when I have a Sto-Fen diffuser mounted on the SF58, seems to work better than on the M240, which is good news. The M240 exposure control when using bounce really did not work well in TTL/GNC and I found for consistency, you had to use the 58 in Auto mode for that. Hopefully it will work better than that on the SL. It is irritating to have to keep changing backwards and forwards between Auto and TTL/GNC, depending on whether you are using bounce or not. I find I have changed to Auto mode but forgotten I have changed the aperture in the meantime. 

 

Wilson

[Winedemonium]

I bought this flash unit brand new... 4 days prior to the SL announcement, and my heart sank when I saw that new flash models were announced. But only in fear that the SF-58D would not be forwards compatible to the extent it is on M and S. Glad to hear it is fine.

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Gordon,

 

Many thanks for that very clear explanation. I noted that the focus light on the SL itself, is an orangey-red colour and is not very strong. The exposure control when I have a Sto-Fen diffuser mounted on the SF58, seems to work better than on the M240, which is good news. The M240 exposure control when using bounce really did not work well in TTL/GNC and I found for consistency, you had to use the 58 in Auto mode for that. Hopefully it will work better than that on the SL. It is irritating to have to keep changing backwards and forwards between Auto and TTL/GNC, depending on whether you are using bounce or not. I find I have changed to Auto mode but forgotten I have changed the aperture in the meantime. 

 

Wilson

 

The flash assist is still visible light on the SL. I hadn't checked the colour as I don't have the zoom yet so I assumed it was white like most are. I was very impressed with the low light AF at the launch. That's what pushed me over the edge.

 

Agreed on the FEC. That's why I'd like Leica to make it a customisable function in a firmware update.

 

Gordon

[wlaidlaw]

BTW I meant the SF-24D as a small flash not the later SF-26D. The good news is that the little 24 works very well on the SL and in fact much better than it ever worked on an M. You don't get the hiatus between pre-flash and main flash, which being about the same as many folks' blink reflex, meant you often got photos with their eyes shut. I might go back to using the 24 as a travel flash. Its end results, particularly if you used a Leicagoodies SFILL diffusor, are not at all bad and with the extended ISO, how often do you need as high a flash number as 58 or 64 of the big flashes. You get an amazing amount of flashes from those CR123A lithium batteries. 

 

Wilson

[wlaidlaw]

Unfortunately I think I have come across a bug in the flash set up. See my separate thread on this. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/253643-bug-in-flash-system-shutter-speed-wrongly-set/