Godox XProII(L) is extending the life of my Leica SL2

[sillbeers15]

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I was a first mover in obtaining the Leica SL when it first appeared in 2015. I had to bear with the pain of no other lens other than the 24-90mm SL for an extended period of time before getting the 90-280mm followed by 75mm, 90mm then 16-35mm...... Other than Sony Alpha mirrorless, Leica SL is the other full frame mirrorless in the market followed by SL2 later appearing in 2019 which I've happily adapted since then. Today Nikon, Canon and others have dominated the mirrorless market with better performance mirrorless camera bodies making the SL2 somewhat lagging behind in AF performance and other factors. 

I'm not a pro-wedding or portrait photographer but an amerturer who did venture into off camera flash photography 10 years ago and have never look back ever since. So the other anoying shortcoming of the Leica SL System was the unavailability of better third party lights which I can adopt. The Leica SF-C1 Comander & SF60 off camera flashes were usable but a real handicap in outdoor lighting performance. The SF60s were not only short in range as a main light but also shut down often as it overheats easily, not to mention only TTL mode available in HSS. The MG10 was better but still only 165Ws range.

In 2022, I started looking out for a SL system replacement as the Nikon Z9 looks attempting plus the new 800mm telephoto would make BIF much more accessible with a faster and better AF capability. What was holding me back is the lovely Leica SL lenses. The SL75mm renders so well on the SL2 sensor. The micro contrast found on the SL16-35mm is just another jewel which my WATE on my M10R cannot match and the simplified menu of the SL2 just make me doubt my decision to ditch it for another Mirrorless system.

The availability of Godox lighting system through the arrival of the XproII(L) and the much improved eye detect AF of the SL2 means my choice of a simple high mobility lighting set up of One AD300Pro as main light with modifier, two soda can sized AD100Pro as rim and fill light brings outdoor off camera flash accessible for me. It is extending the life of my SL2 for now. If my lighting choice meets my expectation, perhaps I might consider switching to Profoto B10X & B2 as the Connect Pro will soon be made available for Leica.

At the meantime, I'll have fun with my Godox lights.

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[Robert E]

Interesting, happy for you that you found your nich in flash photography. You left out what it is you photograph with this outfit?

I too started with the SL and 24-90 when they came out. Now have the SL2 which I enjoy with the series of Leica T lenses for lightweight and compact, reasonably priced gear. They render the Leica glow and are as sharp as the more expensive “big brothers” from Leica.

However, recently I’ve acquired a Z9 and some S lenses to go with it. The Z9 is such an advanced camera, very capable of customization . Once you setup the menu system to your liking, then you save it and just shoot to your hearts content. The Nikon S lenses are the best Nikon has produced to date. I find their color rendition and sharpness to be of superior quality in all aspects. 

Cheers.

[sillbeers15]

59 minutes ago, Robert E said:

Interesting, happy for you that you found your nich in flash photography. You left out what it is you photograph with this outfit?

I too started with the SL and 24-90 when they came out. Now have the SL2 which I enjoy with the series of Leica T lenses for lightweight and compact, reasonably priced gear. They render the Leica glow and are as sharp as the more expensive “big brothers” from Leica.

However, recently I’ve acquired a Z9 and some S lenses to go with it. The Z9 is such an advanced camera, very capable of customization . Once you setup the menu system to your liking, then you save it and just shoot to your hearts content. The Nikon S lenses are the best Nikon has produced to date. I find their color rendition and sharpness to be of superior quality in all aspects. 

Cheers.

Outdoor portraiture.

Viewers of any image is drawn to subject that appears to be clearer and brighter than background.

While many of us (including myself) spend on fast lenses to shoot wide open so as to create bokeh to differentiate from subject. More punch can be created with contrast on light intensity.

Many Leica shooter claim to only shoot with natural light. To get the right quality and quantity of natural light over the desired background outdoors is actually very difficult to chance by especially in the wide open. Off camera flash helps the photographer to concentrate on the composition and let artificial light fill the void. The pros knows this fact, therefore they are the ones who choose to use fill-in lights to overcome the lacking ambient light situation. 

Edited October 29, 2022 by sillbeers15

[ajmarton1]

1 hour ago, Robert E said:

Interesting, happy for you that you found your nich in flash photography. You left out what it is you photograph with this outfit?

I too started with the SL and 24-90 when they came out. Now have the SL2 which I enjoy with the series of Leica T lenses for lightweight and compact, reasonably priced gear. They render the Leica glow and are as sharp as the more expensive “big brothers” from Leica.

However, recently I’ve acquired a Z9 and some S lenses to go with it. The Z9 is such an advanced camera, very capable of customization . Once you setup the menu system to your liking, then you save it and just shoot to your hearts content. The Nikon S lenses are the best Nikon has produced to date. I find their color rendition and sharpness to be of superior quality in all aspects. 

Cheers.

I agree.  I also started with the SL/24-90 combo.  The SLs fill a niche but I stick to Leica for RF use (digital and film) and when I really need to make sure that I capture the shot or I'm doing wildlife or action - I go to my Sony a1.  Otherwise, for street and general use, I love my Ms. In fact, I recently used my M7 and just loaded up an M5 to get re-acquainted with it.  

[Photoworks]

1 hour ago, sillbeers15 said:

Many Leica shooter claim to only shoot with natural light.

Does it come because Leica doesn't anything good in the lighting side. It is easy said natural lighting only, but photography is making light and shaping light.

I think TTL is not as good on the SL2, in not consistent as other cameras. Few month ago they fixed a backlight problem where the flash didn't fire in TTL. a problem they carried over tome T to Q to SL, and took years to get fixed. Nobody noticed because most Leica shooter don't use TTL flash.

I am happy the Godox trigger is out, but it is not consistent true out the correct godox flashes. It totally doesn't work on M11.

Hope we get something better next month from Profoto.

[sillbeers15]

17 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

Does it come because Leica doesn't anything good in the lighting side. It is easy said natural lighting only, but photography is making light and shaping light.

I think TTL is not as good on the SL2, in not consistent as other cameras. Few month ago they fixed a backlight problem where the flash didn't fire in TTL. a problem they carried over tome T to Q to SL, and took years to get fixed. Nobody noticed because most Leica shooter don't use TTL flash.

I am happy the Godox trigger is out, but it is not consistent true out the correct godox flashes. It totally doesn't work on M11.

Hope we get something better next month from Profoto.

I did not encounter the TTL mode not firing into backlight situation. But I did communicated with Leica technical team over Manual mode not functioning in HSS and they acknowledged the problem. 
Only XPROIIL is available to Leica users for now so no Leica version of Godox V1. The V1 is useful as it can act as a fill light and controller to other off camera flash.

[albireo_double]

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4 hours ago, sillbeers15 said:

Many Leica shooter claim to only shoot with natural light. To get the right quality and quantity of natural light over the desired background outdoors is actually very difficult to chance by especially in the wide open. Off camera flash helps the photographer to concentrate on the composition and let artificial light fill the void. The pros knows this fact, therefore they are the ones who choose to use fill-in lights to overcome the lacking ambient light situation. 

Also, don't underestimate the power of reflectors for fill, in outdoor model/portrait shoots (like here or here or here). I only mention this because I see a lot of obviously flashed outdoor portraits online, where the simplest white or silver reflector would arguably do a better job. Meanwhile, my Leica version Connect Pro is on order. 

[sillbeers15]

10 hours ago, albireo_double said:

Also, don't underestimate the power of reflectors for fill, in outdoor model/portrait shoots (like here or here or here). I only mention this because I see a lot of obviously flashed outdoor portraits online, where the simplest white or silver reflector would arguably do a better job. Meanwhile, my Leica version Connect Pro is on order. 

You’re correct. However full length portraits are more challenging to place reflector and not getting it seen in frame. This is especially so taking environmental portraits. On this note on reflector application, there are also natural reflections of ambient light from snow, pavement, building walls to be applied for outdoor portraits. So although I carry 3 lights, most of the time I do not use more than 2 as the sun can often be used as the rim light. Fill light comes into use when I see an undesirable shadow cast over subject and no reflector is available or sufficient. There are just so many ways to shape light.

[Virob]

Nice set up! My ad100pro arrived and the xpro II L should arrive later this week or next. I am looking forward to experimenting with outdoor off camera flash for the first time, haven’t bought or used a flash in a very long time, and feel I’m missing something. With Godox, the price of entry is accessible, perfect for someone like me. Im curious what is possible with just the compact ad100, but nice to know that more power is available if needed. The ad100 + ad300 combo sounds perfect.

[ynp]

On 10/29/2022 at 9:56 PM, Photoworks said:

am happy the Godox trigger is out, but it is not consistent true out the correct godox flashes. It totally doesn't work on M11.

Hope we get something better next month from Profoto.

And the Godox trigger does not work with the S cameras.
On my CL it’s pretty unreliable and inconsistent in TTL exposure wise . Works well in manual though. But I am on the very early stage of testing and maybe I will be able to make it work better. 

I am looking forward to seeing what Profoto can do with its own trigger. 

Edited October 30, 2022 by ynp

[Photoworks]

1 hour ago, ynp said:

And the Godox trigger does not work with the S cameras.
On my CL it’s pretty unreliable and inconsistent in TTL exposure wise . Works well in manual though. But I am on the very early stage of testing and maybe I will be able to make it work better. 

I am looking forward to seeing what Profoto can do with its own trigger. 

I got this from godox support

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[sillbeers15]

9 hours ago, ynp said:

And the Godox trigger does not work with the S cameras.
On my CL it’s pretty unreliable and inconsistent in TTL exposure wise . Works well in manual though. But I am on the very early stage of testing and maybe I will be able to make it work better. 

I am looking forward to seeing what Profoto can do with its own trigger. 

Many photographers of various Brand’s of camera & flash have in the past complained about the unreliability & inconsistency of TTL. I have not have negative experience of such so far. I have read analysis of such problem and attribute it to the camera’s flash light judgement affected by the extreme bright or dark background in between shots while subject & background remained unchanged. I doubt it is a Leica or and Godox issue and more of the appropriate metering mode selection of the camera based on my educated guess. Rather than shying away from TTL completely, my take is to use TTL for the first trial shot, switch the metering mode over to manual readings measured by the TTL ( called TCM by Godox) and make fine adjustments in Manual for subsequent shots.

Edited October 31, 2022 by sillbeers15

[Stuart Richardson]

Leica EOS series cameras?! No wonder the flashes don't work...

[joeiam]

I can confirm that m11 and Godox X-proII-L don't work together in hss or ttl mode 😕 The trigger knows when you raise shutter speed and it changes into hss mode but it's like flash is either too fast or too slow and they are totally out of sync 😕 

[Syu]

18 hours ago, joeiam said:

I can confirm that m11 and Godox X-proII-L don't work together in hss or ttl mode 😕 The trigger knows when you raise shutter speed and it changes into hss mode but it's like flash is either too fast or too slow and they are totally out of sync 😕 

the flash must be update also.

[joeiam]

4 hours ago, Syu said:

the flash must be update also.

Syu, I updated it to even trigger a flash. But still it doesn't work. It works with my m10r normally. Did you test it with your m11?

Edited November 14, 2022 by joeiam

[Photoworks]

7 hours ago, joeiam said:

Syu, I updated it to even trigger a flash. But still it doesn't work. It works with my m10r normally. Did you test it with your m11?

scroll back a few posts and you can see it does not work with M11, they never tested M11

[sillbeers15]

Low key portrait. Created by one light, SL2 w. SL75mm.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[joeiam]

On 11/14/2022 at 1:52 PM, Photoworks said:

scroll back a few posts and you can see it does not work with M11, they never tested M11

Thank you for that info. I sold my m11 in anger :S  haha ... will come back eventually. Till then my m10m and m10r BP will have to do. 

[Wurlitzer-1015]

@Sillbeers15, I have a not dissimilar set up to yours (SL2/35mm APO summicron/AD200Pro and AD1200Pro/ XproII(L).

I must be doing something very basically wrong but can't figure it out, when using the Godox units in TTL, the SL2 fires the pre-flash and then flash but the flash is ALWAYS very weak, probably the lowest output possible from either of two flash units. I tried using the camera set to M and A with the same results. If I switch to manual flash then the units will output whatever they are set use from the trigger. Any ideas what might be going on here. There is no way I can get the flash units to output anything except the bar minimum amount of light in TTL mode.