sunhmt Posted September 29, 2017 Share #1 Posted September 29, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Which one is better? 1, can SF58 mount directly on M240 hotshoe slot without adapter? 2, The compare functions of SF58 and SF40 TTL, AUTO, HSS and etc. ( in direct mount). Which better? Thanks very much. Need make a decision soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 29, 2017 Posted September 29, 2017 Hi sunhmt, Take a look here Which one is better for M240, SF58 or SF40?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bocaburger Posted September 29, 2017 Share #2 Posted September 29, 2017 SF58 is more powerful than the 40, can fit directly in the hot shoe but is taller and so more stress at whatever is the weakest link in the attachment. Also, the 58 is discontinued, replaced more or less by the 64. TBH, the "TTL" flash in the M240 (and M9 and M10) is so rudimentary that you're just as well with a less-expensive used flash as long as it has an auto-flash sensor eye. That is unless you tend to use flash with a very long telephoto, or a macro setup using LV on the 240. In that case the parallax of the auto sensor becomes an issue. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_Miller Posted September 29, 2017 Share #3 Posted September 29, 2017 Both the (discontinued) SF-58 and SF-64 have an (auto-thyrister) Auto Mode, which the SF-40 lacks. This mode very useful since the Leica TTL metering is easily fooled by bright backgrounds or a light source in the frame. Auto Mode will work fine in those situations since it ignores the background. It also is useful when photographing people since there is no pre-flash to cause blinking. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunhmt Posted September 29, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted September 29, 2017 You mentioned the SF64. What I worry is the weight of it. Compare to SF58: 1.969 lb / 895 g --------12.522 oz / 355 g. SF64 is 1lb heavier. I worry about put a 2lb flashlight on M240 directly. SF58 is more powerful than the 40, can fit directly in the hot shoe but is taller and so more stress at whatever is the weakest link in the attachment. Also, the 58 is discontinued, replaced more or less by the 64. TBH, the "TTL" flash in the M240 (and M9 and M10) is so rudimentary that you're just as well with a less-expensive used flash as long as it has an auto-flash sensor eye. That is unless you tend to use flash with a very long telephoto, or a macro setup using LV on the 240. In that case the parallax of the auto sensor becomes an issue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Kilmister Posted September 29, 2017 Share #5 Posted September 29, 2017 The SF40 works well if you set the camera to A and the flash to A. Just don't try being more flash than the flash gun. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted September 30, 2017 Share #6 Posted September 30, 2017 Both the (discontinued) SF-58 and SF-64 have an (auto-thyrister) Auto Mode, which the SF-40 lacks. This mode very useful since the Leica TTL metering is easily fooled by bright backgrounds or a light source in the frame. Auto Mode will work fine in those situations since it ignores the background. It also is useful when photographing people since there is no pre-flash to cause blinking. Agree with all that. Didn't know the 40 doesn't have A mode. I use a Metz 53MZ3 with R module, in A mode, as it picks up the ISO from the M should I happen to change it. I have Vivitars and Sunpaks that work fine but without ISO communication. Mostly though I use SF24D, also in A mode. I have an Omnibounce diffuser for the Metz which by luck happens to sit atop the 24D and makes up for the lack of a tilting head Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_Miller Posted September 30, 2017 Share #7 Posted September 30, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Another thing I like about A Mode is my Nikon flashes then work fine on my Leica bodies Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotoism Posted September 30, 2017 Share #8 Posted September 30, 2017 +1. I use a Nikon SB-28 with no problems at all. Cheap, too. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jto555 Posted September 30, 2017 Share #9 Posted September 30, 2017 Do not touch the SF40. I have had mine replaced twice under warranty. While it is a great flash, small and powerful, it is let down by cheap electronics. The Nikon SB28 is old, cheap(ish) and still going strong. If you are comfortable with a manual only flash look at the Godox range. They have bullet-proof wireless triggering. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockey44 Posted October 1, 2017 Share #10 Posted October 1, 2017 Would a Cannon Speedlite from 5D2 work with M240? Never thought of trying since I tend to use Nocti and if necessary ISO but can imagine the odd time a flash could be helpful. Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RvN Posted October 1, 2017 Share #11 Posted October 1, 2017 (edited) Agree with all that. Didn't know the 40 doesn't have A mode. I use a Metz 53MZ3 with R module, in A mode, as it picks up the ISO from the M should I happen to change it. I have Vivitars and Sunpaks that work fine but without ISO communication. Mostly though I use SF24D, also in A mode. I have an Omnibounce diffuser for the Metz which by luck happens to sit atop the 24D and makes up for the lack of a tilting head Could you perhaps show a picture of the sf24d with the omnibounce attached. I have the flash and like it. If this set-up would work like a tilting head that would be nice. Less heavy then my sf58. Also which metz omnibounce is it? Edited October 1, 2017 by RvN Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocalHero1953 Posted October 1, 2017 Share #12 Posted October 1, 2017 (edited) You mentioned the SF64. What I worry is the weight of it. Compare to SF58: 1.969 lb / 895 g --------12.522 oz / 355 g. SF64 is 1lb heavier. I worry about put a 2lb flashlight on M240 directly. The numbers you quote for the SF64 are wrong. I've just weighed mine with batteries: 563g. I saw the numbers you quoted on Adorama; they must be the weight of the boxed package. I don't know the weight of the SF58. Edit. I found the tech spec for the SF58: weight 355g WITHOUT batteries.My SF64 without batteries is 432g! Moral: compare apples with apples! Edited October 1, 2017 by LocalHero1953 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodies Posted October 1, 2017 Share #13 Posted October 1, 2017 Would a Cannon Speedlite from 5D2 work with M240? Never thought of trying since I tend to use Nocti and if necessary ISO but can imagine the odd time a flash could be helpful. Thanks Wireless triggers for flash usually come in a Canon and Nikon version. The Nikon one is always recommend for Leica use. I assume the hot shoe connector on Canon is not compatible with Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted October 2, 2017 Share #14 Posted October 2, 2017 (edited) Could you perhaps show a picture of the sf24d with the omnibounce attached. I have the flash and like it. If this set-up would work like a tilting head that would be nice. Less heavy then my sf58. Also which metz omnibounce is it? It sort of sits on it, doesn't really snap on, so it could possibly be knocked or fall off if you turn the camera upside down. It hasn't ever happened to me, but it wouldn't be too hard to rig something simple to hold it securely if you wanted to. Edited October 2, 2017 by bocaburger Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted October 2, 2017 Share #15 Posted October 2, 2017 The SF 40 does NOT have an Auto mode. There is no sensor built into the flash to allow that. A mode on the SF40 (a rebadged Nissin i40) is TTL with the FEC wheel disabled. The SF40 has TTL (with FEC), TTL (without FEC) and manual. Although an over priced duplicate of a Chinese unit I like the SF40. I also have it's Nissin cousins in Fuji mount. I've had no issues with mine. It's got decent power for such a tiny unit. Takes 4 x AA batteries so I can use my Eneloops and balances well on an M. I also have an SF58 and SF64 but I find them so unbalanced as to be horrible on an M. I only use those on larger bodies. Gordon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted October 2, 2017 Share #16 Posted October 2, 2017 Wireless triggers for flash usually come in a Canon and Nikon version. The Nikon one is always recommend for Leica use. I assume the hot shoe connector on Canon is not compatible with Leica. Neither is the Nikon one. Same pin placement but different protocols. Makes no difference. Personally I prefer single pin triggers if possible. Gordon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Kilmister Posted October 2, 2017 Share #17 Posted October 2, 2017 Well, I am amazed, because just above TTL on my dial it has "A" for auto. My SF40 was bought from a Leica shop (OMG, they call these shops a store now, very American!) in Manchester so it is a definite article. If anyone has bought one from a non-Leica dealer then they probably have a fake. Please don't doubt me. The SF40 I have has "A" for Automatic and I can provide photographic evidence if somebody challenges me. In fact go to the Leica website and have a look at SF40. There should be enough photographic evidence there without me cluttering these pages. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted October 2, 2017 Share #18 Posted October 2, 2017 (edited) Another thing I like about A Mode is my Nikon flashes then work fine on my Leica bodies If I need to use flash (which is not very often), I use an ancient Nikon SB-25 with my M-P 240. I use a wireless flash trigger set because I much prefer the results of off camera flash to shoe mounted on camera flash; that, and I am not as courageous and daring as Luke or Phil . The M-P 240 has a higher maximum voltage rating than the SB-25 can produce; therefore even if the flash was mounted to the camera and there was a current back flow for some reason, it would not damage the camera; at least that's what the tech guys at Leica NJ had to say. Edited October 2, 2017 by Herr Barnack Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_Miller Posted October 3, 2017 Share #19 Posted October 3, 2017 (edited) Well, I am amazed, because just above TTL on my dial it has "A" for auto. Easy to find out. Put your SF-40 in Auto and check for a pre-flash when you take an image. If SF-40 Auto is Auto-Thyrister there will be no pre-flash. Otherwise Auto is just a variation of TTL. Easier still you could just note what Leica Store Miami says about it under Exposure Control. https://leicastoremiami.com/products/leica-sf-40-flash?variant=7274751493 For TTL shooters I expect the SFD-40 is a great flash. I just have too many issues with TTL and so Auto-Thyrister is a better mode in exactly the same situations (and for the same reason) where the Leica exposure metering tends to struggle with non-flash shots. Edited October 3, 2017 by Luke_Miller Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FMB Posted October 3, 2017 Share #20 Posted October 3, 2017 For any of you interested: sf24d with the unknowen omnibounce attached. Francisco 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! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/277368-which-one-is-better-for-m240-sf58-or-sf40/?do=findComment&comment=3369384'>More sharing options...
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