Leica Q and SF 40 out of sync

[fstagno]

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Hi--

n

I have a Leica Q and a SF40 as flash. I used it regularly and without any problem up to a few weeks ago: without any changes on the settings, the camera started shoot photos with Flash underexposed. It's like the flash is out of sync or not working properly. 

 

All the photos are dar even if the flash shoot. I tried different setting but still same results. I also tried to reset to factory default the camera, without any result. 

 

I recorded a video with default settings and all in A. 

 

I will meet a friend of mine with the same camera and flash in a few week to test if the problem is in the flash or the camera. 

 

In the meantime, do you have any good suggestions? 

 

Is someone having my same experience? 

 

Thank you so much 

Francesco

 

Video of the problem 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1gdvx922pkbyhas/IMG_5204.MOV?dl=0

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[Leica Guy]

Puzzling. I can only offer that for me the dial on the back of the flash is very easy to turn inadvertently. Many times I’ve had to check that and make sure it’s where I intended. Good luck.

[HighlandK]

Puzzling. I can only offer that for me the dial on the back of the flash is very easy to turn inadvertently. Many times I’ve had to check that and make sure it’s where I intended. Good luck.

 

Yes me too and gaffer tape came to the rescue! I have noticed that it is not as powerful as I am used to with my old Nikon SB800 and whereas I was happy bouncing flash off the ceiling with that I find it is stretching the SF40 and tends to under expose. However the OP has noticed a difference in performance over time which suggests a malfunction of some sort. Putting in fresh batteries would help rule out that as an issue, although that affects recycle time rather than power output once it is fully recharged, unless it is being fired before full recharge.

[jmschuh]

The original flash, the Nissin i40 is known for non-consistent exposure after some time of use. You can read about this phenomenon in several other forums.

 

As far as I know the dial for exposure compensation at the back of the SF40 is not working with a Q.

 

The SF26 has an insufficient lighting in the corners, especially in the lower part of the photos, the SF40 has obviously some quality problems (same as the Nissin i40, non-consistent exposure, battery change can damage a ribbon cable in the flash etc.) and and the only good flash the SF64 is a total overkill for the Q in size and power. Leica flashes are very expensive, I think they are not worth the money you have to pay.

 

I'm looking for an old automatic flash from Metz and give up the TTL option.

 

Flash with the Q in Auto-ISO-Mode is also a pita: The Q falls back to ISO 100 and you have to use manual ISO setting if you want use most of the ambient light. No fun in changing light conditions if don't want to get photos that look like the flash was the main light source.

[uffehagen]

I do not know your flash exactly, but I notised that the left dial is set to “A” and not to “TTL”

From other flashes I have had, that would be a setting where the flash is monotoring a preflash and setting the output. What if you set the flash on “TTL” and let the Q set the output?

Edited December 21, 2017 by uffehagen

[viramati]

i think you may have found a software bug. experimenting with mine I am finding very erratic flash operation if you shout in full programme mode (both shutter an aperture set to A). I have to say this is something I have never done before as when using the flash I either shoot in manual or aperture priority where the flash seems to perform normally. I suggest that others try this out to see what is happening and then we can report it to Leica if there is in fact a bug.

So I suggest you shoot in aperture priority (where you will have more control) and set the flash to TTL so that you can use the compensation dial on the flash if necessary.

Edited December 21, 2017 by viramati

[fstagno]

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i think you may have found a software bug. experimenting with mine I am finding very erratic flash operation if you shout in full programme mode (both shutter an aperture set to A). I have to say this is something I have never done before as when using the flash I either shoot in manual or aperture priority where the flash seems to perform normally. I suggest that others try this out to see what is happening and then we can report it to Leica if there is in fact a bug.

So I suggest you shoot in aperture priority (where you will have more control) and set the flash to TTL so that you can use the compensation dial on the flash if necessary.

HI--

 

 

thank you for your suggestion. I actually triend in many ways, including TTL but always with the same result. Still need to try my flash with a different camera and my camera with a different SF40. 

Thanks

[viramati]

HI--

 

 

thank you for your suggestion. I actually triend in many ways, including TTL but always with the same result. Still need to try my flash with a different camera and my camera with a different SF40. 

Thanks

 

Have you tried shooting in aperture priority?

[fstagno]

Quick update--

 

I shipped back to Leica the flash and they are replacing it. 

 

Thanks