mhoutman Posted March 17, 2018 Author Share #21 Posted March 17, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) The manual available as a a download and printed copy not included seems to be a new policy. I just got the CL body and it is the same. However you can request that a printed copy be sent to you once you register the camera Thanks, but that is what I partly wrote. Asked them for a printed manual though Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 17, 2018 Posted March 17, 2018 Hi mhoutman, Take a look here Recommended Flash unit for CL. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
mhoutman Posted March 17, 2018 Author Share #22 Posted March 17, 2018 (edited) I'd prefer a smaller unit on the CL. The little Metz 26 looks neat to me. I don't need TTL at all so Auto would be fine but i wonder if the Metz works at all on the CL. Any idea? Otherwise i would go for the Leica 26 but the red dot is expensive indeed. Metz 26 AF - 2_web.jpg I think Leica stopped their cooperation with Metz and have chosen for Nissan. The SF 26 is already out of stock at many shops and will probably not be replaced. In the Netherlands the SF 26 costs € 330,00 and the SF 40 € 349,00, so latter is a no brainer. I was also surprised by the small size of the SF 40 (Nissan i40) and it really is a small power house. A SF 60 (Nissin i60A) is available soon but it seems better suited for a bigger camera like the Q or SL. Last but not least, the Nissan, designed in Japan and build in China looks attractive and is premium build. PS as a young boy I had a Olympus Trip with a Braun flash. IM think they also has a cooperation with Leitz..... Edited March 17, 2018 by mhoutman Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 17, 2018 Share #23 Posted March 17, 2018 I’m not sure, but IIRC it has no A setting. I’ll have a look when I get home. The build quality is rather second rate. Just checked: the only possible settings on the SF 26-2 are: TTL flash, slave flash or LED video light. So it won't work at all on the CL. As the Leica SF40 is only a few Euro more expensive than the Leica SF26, by far the better flash and still quite compact, it is rather a no-brainer. Edit - I see I echo Michiel Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 17, 2018 Share #24 Posted March 17, 2018 The SF40 includes in its carry case a very effective Sto-Fen type push-on diffusor. I have been using these for years on the SF58D and various other Metz flashes. You see professional and press photographers using them all the time for fill in on daylight shots. The SF40 also includes a stand for using in remotely triggered mode. Good value for money. Wilson 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted March 18, 2018 Share #25 Posted March 18, 2018 I believe what you say folks but i just need a little flash taking as little room as possible in my bag. Looks like i will order the SF 26 then. Thanks for your help as i was tempted by the Metz 26 which doesn't work at all with the CL . Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 18, 2018 Share #26 Posted March 18, 2018 The SF40, if you unfold it, will fit into the leather Minizoom case and easily into the front compartment of the Billingham for Leica bag. I think the SF 26 is vastly ovepriced, even at the 99 Euro I paid for the Panasonic version. The wideangle diffuser fits so badly that it will fall off by itself in use and the buttons look like they belong on a plastic toy. There is no way to regulate the output on the flash either. In contrast the SF40 is clearly a qualityproduct. Most shops cannot supply the SF 26 any more. For your needs, a small second-hand flash with Auto setting would suit perfectly and cost maybe 25 € on eBay... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted March 18, 2018 Share #27 Posted March 18, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) [...] For your needs, a small second-hand flash with Auto setting would suit perfectly and cost maybe 25 € on eBay... I thought of a little Nikon SB 300 or 400 but i don't know if it would work on the CL. Given that the Metz 26 doesn't work at all i wonder if the CL's hot shoe has special electric contacts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted March 18, 2018 Share #28 Posted March 18, 2018 I thought of a little Nikon SB 300 or 400 but i don't know if it would work on the CL. Given that the Metz 26 doesn't work at all i wonder if the CL's hot shoe has special electric contacts. I do have a Nikon SB 600 that is great on Nikon dslr. I tried on CL, it does trigger, but to have it right and to set it as it should is not very obvious. I find 600 too big on CL anyway. Maybe the others that were mentioned are easier to control. I am waiting for a used Leica SF 24D that I hope would work better. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 18, 2018 Share #29 Posted March 18, 2018 The SF24D works fine, but cannot bounce. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted March 18, 2018 Share #30 Posted March 18, 2018 If you are looking at a new unit, there is this one, for instance: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/750877-REG/Bolt_VS_210_Mini_On_Camera.html I've seen it under various other brand names on eBay around 35$, but personally I would go with a shop like B&H. Disclaimer: I have no experience with this unit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 18, 2018 Share #31 Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) I bought an old stock but unused Metz 36-C2 basic flash for use on my various late Barnack Leicas (IIf, Ig and IIIg), M4 and film CL. This is one of the few new flashes that still offers hot shoe (for the CL) or PC cable connection (the rest). It is not exactly a quality product with a rather floppy tilt and pan head but it does the job. Strangely the Metz 36-AF5 I bought to use with my Micro 4/3rd cameras, is far better made. The 36-C2 has both Manual, High, Medium and Low Power Automatic, thyristor controlled modes, has a manual zoom tilt and pan head and is reasonably powerful. It cost me £28. I usually use it with the Sto-Fen diffusor shown, as the tilt head tends to flop down to the straight ahead position. It worked fine on the digital CL before I got the SF40, with the CL in Manual exposure mode. I set sync speed to 1/60. Photo taken with CL and SF40. Wilson 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! Edited March 18, 2018 by wlaidlaw Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/282700-recommended-flash-unit-for-cl/?do=findComment&comment=3482699'>More sharing options...
mhoutman Posted March 18, 2018 Author Share #32 Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) BTW great rechargeable battery for your flash is the Panasonic eneloop 2500 Ah Edited March 18, 2018 by mhoutman Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted March 18, 2018 Share #33 Posted March 18, 2018 [...] I also tried the unit on my M(240). It is MUCH more reliable in TTL mode than the SF24D is. Frankly, I never had good luck with the SF24D in TTL mode on the 'M'. It gave variable results form shot to shot, and was much more accurate in 'A' mode (or in full manual, of course). If you are looking for a small, simple flash that will work in 'TTL' mode on either a recent 'M' or 'T', something that isn't as large as the SF58, the SF26 fits the bill. If you want full manual control or automatic mode in a compact flash you are better off with the SF24D, but you will lose the bounce capability, the ease of use of TTL (especially on the 'M'), and the smaller size of the SF26. [...] [...] The SF26 is barely competent for anything other than a little fill flash. Skip it. [...] Did you have negative experiences with this flash since 2014? Just curious. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayewing Posted March 18, 2018 Share #34 Posted March 18, 2018 The SF26 does not seem to attract much love probably because it is overpriced. I bought one some years ago when they first became available for use with my M240. Within its limitations it works very well with the CL being a nice pocketable size. The TTL seems to work and if you want a small flash for fill in and occasional indoor use it is fine. For more ambitious flash work the SF40 will be much better. I do not have a SF40 but I have its Nissin clone which I use with my micro four thirds system. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mhoutman Posted March 18, 2018 Author Share #35 Posted March 18, 2018 (edited) Did you have negative experiences with this flash since 2014? Just curious. Please do forget the SF 26 as it seems abandonware. See below video at 6.00 minutes. 'Current Flash line up is SF 40, SF 64 and the upcoming SF 60' The SF 40 is so really much more value for the money ! Edited March 18, 2018 by mhoutman Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted March 18, 2018 Share #36 Posted March 18, 2018 Yes i need a smaller flash unit than the SF 40. As long as Leica doesn't replace it, the only compact flash available seems to be the SF 26 so far, aside from the Bolt VS-210 referred to above but i don't know if it works on the CL. My last question about the SF 26 would be to know if it is made by Metz or Panasonic given it has a Panasonic version if i understand well what Jaap said. Metz i guess, right? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted March 18, 2018 Share #37 Posted March 18, 2018 Yes i need a smaller flash unit than the SF 40. As long as Leica doesn't replace it, the only compact flash available seems to be the SF 26 so far, aside from the Bolt VS-210 referred to above but i don't know if it works on the CL. My last question about the SF 26 would be to know if it is made by Metz or Panasonic given it has a Panasonic version if i understand well what Jaap said. Metz i guess, right? SF 26 is made by Metz. The Metz version (mecablitz) only works with leicas that are made by Panasonic, such as D-Lux 109, V-Lux, etc... But not with "Real" Leica made in Germany! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted March 18, 2018 Share #38 Posted March 18, 2018 SF 26 is made by Metz. The Metz version (mecablitz) only works with leicas that are made by Panasonic, such as D-Lux 109, V-Lux, etc... But not with "Real" Leica made in Germany! Yes got it thanks. Do you know if the SF 26 works in TTL mode with M lenses? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayewing Posted March 18, 2018 Share #39 Posted March 18, 2018 Yes got it thanks. Do you know if the SF 26 works in TTL mode with M lenses? Yes it does. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted March 18, 2018 Share #40 Posted March 18, 2018 There is always the small "universal" auto/thyristor controlled Metz 20 C-2 with a single hot shoe connection http://www.metz-mecatech.de/en/lighting/flash-units/specialist-flash-units/mecablitz-20-c-2/product-information.html However, I suspect it is now obsolete and you would need to search for unsold stock or buy S/H. There are not even any for sale on Fleabay, so I suspect not a big seller for Metz. Sunpak also made a very similar flash the PF20XD but no longer. Wilson 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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