Which one is better for M240, SF58 or SF40?

[sunhmt]

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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.

 

[bocaburger]

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. 

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[Luke_Miller]

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.

[sunhmt]

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. 

[Peter Kilmister]

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.

[bocaburger]

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

[Luke_Miller]

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Another thing I like about A Mode is my Nikon flashes then work fine on my Leica bodies 

[fotoism]

+1.

 

I use a Nikon SB-28 with no problems at all. Cheap, too.

[jto555]

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.

[hockey44]

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

[RvN]

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

[LocalHero1953]

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

[Exodies]

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.

[bocaburger]

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

[FlashGordonPhotography]

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

[FlashGordonPhotography]

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

[Peter Kilmister]

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.

[Herr Barnack]

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

[Luke_Miller]

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

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[FMB]

For any of you interested:  sf24d with the unknowen omnibounce attached.

Francisco

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