hector_jorge Posted July 5, 2018 Share #1 Posted July 5, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) Why the Leica SF flash is not recommended for the CL? I have one and I will like to use it because is small and suit perfectly my needs. I used it before in other Leica cameras as manual and I had good results. Any help? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 5, 2018 Posted July 5, 2018 Hi hector_jorge, Take a look here Leica SF 20 flash: Why not?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
mikbau Posted July 5, 2018 Share #2 Posted July 5, 2018 Where is it not recommended? In the manual? I've used Nikon flashes on mine without any issues Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted July 5, 2018 Share #3 Posted July 5, 2018 1. It's discontinued and has been for a while. Leica aren't going to test and/or recommend a flash this old. 2. It's from the film era. So NO TTL. No preflash metering in A mode. So it's a manual flash only with only 3 settings. A mode *may* work, depending on the camera. 3. It needs expensive non rechargeable batteries that are harder and harder to find. Plus they're shocking for the environment when disposed of. It'll probably work. As long as your expectations are realistic. For me, any flash without bounce and/or tilt will never find its way into my bag. Nor will one without rechargeable batteries. Gordon 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 5, 2018 Share #4 Posted July 5, 2018 Where is it not recommended? In the manual? I've used Nikon flashes on mine without any issues All flashes that can be controlled manually or automatically will work. It would be a long, long list if they were all to be recommended. It makes sense only to name the flashes that support Leica's TTL system. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hector_jorge Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted July 5, 2018 Where is it not recommended? In the manual? I've used Nikon flashes on mine without any issues The manual doesn´t mentioned it between the recommended Leica flashes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hector_jorge Posted July 5, 2018 Author Share #6 Posted July 5, 2018 1. It's discontinued and has been for a while. Leica aren't going to test and/or recommend a flash this old. 2. It's from the film era. So NO TTL. No preflash metering in A mode. So it's a manual flash only with only 3 settings. A mode *may* work, depending on the camera. 3. It needs expensive non rechargeable batteries that are harder and harder to find. Plus they're shocking for the environment when disposed of. It'll probably work. As long as your expectations are realistic. For me, any flash without bounce and/or tilt will never find its way into my bag. Nor will one without rechargeable batteries. Gordon Many thanks for your answer. Your point 3 is the main reason that convinces me to discard that flash. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted July 5, 2018 Share #7 Posted July 5, 2018 Advertisement (gone after registration) I purchased a used SF24D for my occasional flash use and it works perfectly well with CL. You can find this flash for very reasonable price on line. But if you need a much more sophisticated flash for more serious work, you have to pay the price for SF 40 or the new one 60. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 5, 2018 Share #8 Posted July 5, 2018 The point about batteries is valid for the SF24D as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hector_jorge Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share #9 Posted July 7, 2018 (edited) The point about batteries is valid for the SF24D as well. And what do you think about the SF 26 Leica flash? It is small and tiltable, seems perfect for trips. Is it available yet or is a discontinued model? Edited July 7, 2018 by hector_jorge Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlashGordonPhotography Posted July 7, 2018 Share #10 Posted July 7, 2018 And what do you think about the SF 26 Leica flash? It is small and tiltable, seems perfect for trips. Is it available yet or is a discontinued model? The SF26 is a rebadged unit made by Metz (no. you can't buy one with a Metz badge that works on the CL properly). It should work just fine on the CL. If you really want tiny, it's the best choice. It's very small indeed. Personally I prefer the slightly larger and much more powerful SF40 (made by Nissin). Gordon 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted July 7, 2018 Share #11 Posted July 7, 2018 I bought the SF60 for use on my SL as well as CL. I do not use flash that often but for me it is sort of idiot proof. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hector_jorge Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share #12 Posted July 10, 2018 The SF26 is a rebadged unit made by Metz (no. you can't buy one with a Metz badge that works on the CL properly). It should work just fine on the CL. If you really want tiny, it's the best choice. It's very small indeed. Personally I prefer the slightly larger and much more powerful SF40 (made by Nissin). Gordon So, as you said, the one with Metz brand printed doesn´t works on the CL like the Leica version does? Is this the reason of the different price of both? Would you tell me then what are the differences between the two versions when used on the CL? As the prices are very different, perhaps if the behaviour of the Metz branded isn´t very different, to buy it would be a good option. Many thanks for your kindness. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 10, 2018 Share #13 Posted July 10, 2018 The electronics are different. Any off-brand flash is not a good buy on a modern Leica, unless you have the option to use it on manual or flash-only automatic. No TTL, mostly no reflector zoom. IIRC (I'd have to look when I get home), the SF26 Metz has no manual options. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted July 11, 2018 Share #14 Posted July 11, 2018 I remembered that I had a SF24 stuck back on a shelf where it had been for several years. I attached it to my CL and was surprised it still worked and the batteries were still good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted July 12, 2018 Share #15 Posted July 12, 2018 And what do you think about the SF 26 Leica flash? It is small and tiltable, seems perfect for trips. Is it available yet or is a discontinued model? Perfect for me but i'm but a casual user. See SF 26 on CL. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 14, 2018 Share #16 Posted July 14, 2018 Another excellent flash that works is the Godox AD200 along with their trigger XPro, I used the Fujifilm version but it triggered the CL perfectly in Manual mode of course. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hector_jorge Posted July 14, 2018 Author Share #17 Posted July 14, 2018 May be danger for the CL electronics to use a non dedicated flash on it? I´m afraid of that. And in this case, what must I avoid? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted July 15, 2018 Share #18 Posted July 15, 2018 Very unlikely. Even if you were to use an old (i.e. more than thirty years) high-voltage flash, there were a few by Vivitar IIRC, it is likely that it has a high-voltage sync circuit. Ask Leica. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacek.PL Posted July 23, 2018 Share #19 Posted July 23, 2018 Two weeks ago I bought SF60. Wow it’s excellent on CL. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill W Posted July 23, 2018 Share #20 Posted July 23, 2018 Two weeks ago I bought SF60. Wow it’s excellent on CL. Same here, idiot proof for my flash capabilities. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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