lecycliste Posted November 24, 2017 Share #1 Posted November 24, 2017 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) An SF 40 I purchased used is unreliable. It will no longer flash after a few days of light use - died during an afternoon Thanksgiving celebration. Fortunately, I had a Canon EOS 5D mk IV and 430EX III-RT flash to use for flash pictures. But it was very frustrating that the M10 and its TTL flash didn't keep working. Everything lights up and the head zooms manually, but no flash, either from an M10's trigger or the open flash button (the LED ready light). Changed batteries to a freshly-charged set when I got home - still doesn't flash, even though the LEDs light up So bottom line - SF 40 may NOT be up to professional standards of durability, and you may want to avoid it for TTL flash with Leica. Admittedly this flash was (lightly) used, but it's still disappointing. Seems like the company with the best optics in the world has only unreliable TTL flash. I used to use a Metz 32MZ-3 / SCA 3501 for TTL flash with an M6 TTL and M7. It worked great on those cameras, but doesn't work with the M10 (or my old M8). And used Canon 430EX version 1 speedlites have been rock-solid on many commercial shoots. Just seems like Leica can't get its flash act together. *** Does anyone have any suggestions for a reliable TTL flash for the M10? *** Edited November 24, 2017 by lecycliste Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 24, 2017 Posted November 24, 2017 Hi lecycliste, Take a look here Reliable TTL Flash for Leica M10?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Alo Ako Posted November 24, 2017 Share #2 Posted November 24, 2017 SF 64, which is a Metz in its origin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lecycliste Posted November 24, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted November 24, 2017 (edited) Sorry, I can’t quite swallow $800-$850 for a flash, and the SF 64’s ~1 pound weight and ~6 inch height will make for a difficult-to-use setup on my M10. I have Canon 430EX-series flashes. Punting the TTL approach entirely, I guess the question I should be asking is, will a 430EX III-RT’s function and pin layout render it unusable in manual mode with the M10? Will I blow anything up if I try to use a 430EX or 430EX III-RT in manual mode on the M10? Edited November 24, 2017 by lecycliste Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_Miller Posted November 24, 2017 Share #4 Posted November 24, 2017 I believe the Leica SF-26 is a Metz product if you don.t want the weight/price of the SF-58 or SF-64. The SF-24D works fine if you don't need a tilting head. I can't speak to Canon flashes, but my Nikons work fine on my Leicas in manual and Auto (auto-thyrister) Mode. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gobert Posted November 24, 2017 Share #5 Posted November 24, 2017 I believe the Leica SF-26 is a Metz product if you don.t want the weight/price of the SF-58 or SF-64. The SF-24D works fine if you don't need a tilting head. I can't speak to Canon flashes, but my Nikons work fine on my Leicas in manual and Auto (auto-thyrister) Mode. Which Nikons do you apply? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_Miller Posted November 24, 2017 Share #6 Posted November 24, 2017 Which Nikons do you apply? The SB-800 and SB-25. 1 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pgh Posted November 25, 2017 Share #7 Posted November 25, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) The SF-40 is a rebadged Nissin i40. My SF-40 has been arguably my most reliable 'leica' product so far, and the Nissin I40 for my Sony cameras has also been a very reliable, solid performer, even it if leaves a bit wanting in build quality. I'd swap out your SF-40 for another one - it sounds like you got a bad one. 4 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted November 25, 2017 Share #8 Posted November 25, 2017 Mine too. I think the SF40 (and Nissin i40) is a great little flash. My little SF40 keeps going while my SF64 is in for repair (tilt/swivel button is seized). And although I think my SF64 is not made as well as metz flashes from the past, I'm just putting it down to bad luck. Gordon Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shlomo Posted November 27, 2017 Share #9 Posted November 27, 2017 SF 40 has been an extremly reliable tool with M9 and M10 - I easily can recommend to everyone. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcg Posted November 27, 2017 Share #10 Posted November 27, 2017 The SB-800 and SB-25. Do they just slide on and work or is there some adapter needed? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_Miller Posted November 27, 2017 Share #11 Posted November 27, 2017 (edited) Do they just slide on and work or is there some adapter needed? They mount normally. The Nikon flash contacts are very close (but not identical) to those Leica uses. Since I use Auto Thyrister mode for most of my Leica flash photography the only difference when using the Nikon flash is I have to manually enter ISO and aperture. Leica flashes receive the ISO setting automatically. Edited November 27, 2017 by Luke_Miller 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcg Posted November 27, 2017 Share #12 Posted November 27, 2017 What I scarcely ever use flash – and never have done with a Leica but it is worth having on hand on a very bright backlit day. My very small Nikon SB400 hasn't been used for at least a couple of years and I'm charging up the batteries now. However, it is simply on/off – no auto mode et cetera. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcg Posted November 27, 2017 Share #13 Posted November 27, 2017 Update: Nikon SB 400 doesn't work. Brings up the flash symbol but after that it doesn't want to play. A shame because it's a lovely little flash – very cheap – and swivels, vertically anyway. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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