M7 and SF40 Flash compatibility - good news!

[Hector Isaac]

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Has there been any conclusive results using SF40 with HSS in an M7?

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[wlaidlaw]

My M7 is away being mended at the moment (jammed wind on) but I got nil results on HSS with the SF40 when I tried some time ago. The flash did not even fire in TTL other than on the standard flash speed on the shutter dial. The TTL does work and EV+/- as well. From the tone of the email I received from Leica, there was little expectation of HSS working on the M7 for at least the time being (or ever?) on the SF40. I did not have my SF58D with me in France when I was testing HSS for a comparison and my M7 broke the first week I was back in the UK. 

Now I know Nissin have updated the software or are offering software/firmware updates on a number of their flashes to improve wireless communication and camera compatibility, so I don't supposed that it would be totally beyond the bounds of possibility that there could be a software/firmware update for the SF40 to improve the HSS situation. OTOH, as far as Leica is concerned the M7 is an obsolete product. The SF40 would have to go back to at least a dealer or possibly the regional distributor for any update as there is no USB port for customer updating and it would depend how the foot contacts are connected internally, to ascertain if the FW could be updated via those. 

Wilson

Edited December 10, 2018 by wlaidlaw

[Hector Isaac]

On 12/10/2018 at 10:08 AM, wlaidlaw said:

The flash did not even fire in TTL other than on the standard flash speed on the shutter dial. The TTL does work and EV+/- as well.

Wilson

Thanks for the reply Wilson, I’m really not that surprised that TTL didn’t work, I’m actually looking at the manual mode. Just looking to see any results from shooting at 250 speed, before I make the investment.

Isaac

[wlaidlaw]

7 hours ago, Hector Isaac said:

Thanks for the reply Wilson, I’m really not that surprised that TTL didn’t work, I’m actually looking at the manual mode. Just looking to see any results from shooting at 250 speed, before I make the investment.

Isaac

Isaac, 

If only my M7 were to be returned mended, I would quickly run off a test film, showing the difference between HSS on the 58 and 40 in TTL Auto (on the 58 only) and manual  but sadly Alan Starkie is not even answering emails at present, asking when my M7 will be completed. It may be my fault, as I said if it was a damaged shutter release shaft (usually at the locking slot), not to replace it with the standard chromed brass shaft but to have one machined in 431 aviation grade stainless steel, which will outlast me and would avoid my having to remove the softie release whenever it is in a bag, to avoid stressing the weak original shaft. 

Wilson

[infynity]

Hi, i would like to use the sf40 on my m7. I've never used flash before. Can someone tell me if it will work in TTL mode. Do I need any adaptors? Any help would be appreciated

[infynity]

I tested it and apparently it works just fine!