brill64 Posted December 21, 2017 Share #1 Posted December 21, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Recently, my three year old & regularly used Leica SF58 flash has been emitting a noticeable electrical burn smell from the diffuser cover glass after firing, even at low power. I use rechargable batteries, which were recently replaced & are fully charged before each shoot. Is it something to be worried about? I'm slightly guessing it is. Time to bin it or worth sending it in for repairs? It's out of warranty... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted December 21, 2017 Posted December 21, 2017 Hi brill64, Take a look here SF58 Burnout... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
paulsydaus Posted December 24, 2017 Share #2 Posted December 24, 2017 You might as well at least attempt to repair it. It’s not exactly a cheap flash. I’d keep using it until it’s not working or catches fire, personally. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcg Posted December 24, 2017 Share #3 Posted December 24, 2017 If it catches fire then you may need to adjust your white balance 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brill64 Posted December 26, 2017 Author Share #4 Posted December 26, 2017 Haha!..thanks guys I think you're both right. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted December 28, 2017 Share #5 Posted December 28, 2017 I am guessing that the cost to repair it would be more that the thing is worth. I would use it till it no longer fires. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke_Miller Posted December 28, 2017 Share #6 Posted December 28, 2017 A replacement would be the SF-64 at $850. Possibly repair would be less. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted December 28, 2017 Share #7 Posted December 28, 2017 Advertisement (gone after registration) Slow down firing rate to allow heat to disperse. Studio flashes are fan cooled to allow rapid cycling. Portable can not take excessive heat. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brill64 Posted December 28, 2017 Author Share #8 Posted December 28, 2017 Slow down firing rate to allow heat to disperse. Studio flashes are fan cooled to allow rapid cycling. Portable can not take excessive heat. Hi Tobey, I fired it once on 1/4 power then put it away immediately because of the electrical burn smell. Weird! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted December 28, 2017 Share #9 Posted December 28, 2017 Used 58's are around $300 on eBay if that is any interest. I do not recall who makes these of Leica. Is it Metz? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulsydaus Posted December 29, 2017 Share #10 Posted December 29, 2017 Yes it’s a re-badged Metz. Unfortunately though you can’t buy the Metz and then install Leica firmware on it. You have to buy the Leica to get features like HSS. I think the Leica pin out is also unique. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted December 29, 2017 Share #11 Posted December 29, 2017 Like this you mean? 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! Photograph copyrightfree due to age. read the story here: https://truewestmagazine.com/19th-century-version-photographers-flash-powder/ 1 Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Photograph copyrightfree due to age. read the story here: https://truewestmagazine.com/19th-century-version-photographers-flash-powder/ ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/280078-sf58-burnout/?do=findComment&comment=3427584'>More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted December 29, 2017 Share #12 Posted December 29, 2017 My guess is that, as this was made by the old Metz company, the reconstituted company after bankruptcy, may not be interested in repairing it. Supposedly this is why we never got the firmware updates for the SF58D, we were promised when the flash was first announced. I am sure in Hong Kong, there still are a number of back street "mom & pop" repair shops who will repair anything. Might be worth taking to them. It could be as simple as a faulty solder joint or dying capacitor. Even with the old Metz company, they had a reputation of being very expensive for repairs. They wanted more than I paid for a MZ45-CL4 hammerhead flash, to repair it, so I told them to put it in the trash. That was in 2007. If you can't get anybody locally to repair your 58, I think a S/H 58 might be the best answer. eBay is OK but for a flash I would only buy from a trade seller, with a return policy, if you find that it too has a fault. Wilson 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brill64 Posted December 29, 2017 Author Share #13 Posted December 29, 2017 Bill W & Paulsydaus...thank you. Jaapv....youre hilarious. Yes, something very much like that! Wilson...thank you. Yes the small repair shops do still exist around TST & Central. It's several years old now & very well used. All the markings have rubbed off the casing. What to do? Hmm..since the official Leica repair centre has moved all the way to Shanghai, I feel it's time to retire it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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