Leica SF-20 flash in direct connection to Leica M11 - safe or not, that's the question.

[jeri]

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Hello,
I have a Leica flash SF 20 that I use to work with a Leica M6TTL as well as a Leica M8 (with the latter camera in A mode). Since there is no information regarding the flash in question in the Leica manual, my question is, is it possible to work in A mode in the flash SF20 together with the Leica M11? Can connecting the SF20 directly to the Leica M11 pose a risk?

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[sdk]

I think it should be safe. It's not a high voltage flash like an old Vivitar, and was designed to work with Leica M cameras like the M6-TTL. A mode flash photography should work fine.

[jeri]

Thanks for your response. As mentioned, I have no operational problems (mode A), along with the M8. But with the new Leica M11, I'm quite afraid of some kind of bug, which might jam the camera like a stone that cannot be turned...

Below, a photo I took with a combination of the Leica SF-20 with the M8

https://flic.kr/p/2nCCpaD

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeri_leibovits/52266680491/in/dateposted-public/" title="L1000621 S3"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52266680491_4f5ead1dac_k.jpg" width="2048" height="1377" alt="L1000621 S3"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

 

Edited November 8, 2022 by jeri

[jeri]

I tried a Metz 32 MZ2 flash, which delivered the goods. But still, as far as compact dimensions are concerned, there is no competition for the Leica SF 20 flash size. And as for the latter, I'm still afraid to try it on my Leica M11. Afraid that the connection between the three contacts of the flash and the four contacts in the camera's accessory shoe, may cause the camera to jam.

Maybe someone among the group participants has an open communication channel with Leica engineers, and can ask them about this matter of working with the SF20 together with the LEICA M11.

[charlesphoto99]

Other than high voltage issues, which the SF20 doesn't suffer from, there would be no issues with it or any other 5v flash 'frying' your camera. It may just not 'talk' to the M11 in the same way due to the lack of an extra pin. Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to try it, but that's me, I'm not you. 

[Al Brown]

I have it, use it in A mode all the time with M10-P and M10-R. No problem whatsoever, it will not do TTL with digital cameras, but it will do its Automatic thingy set on A with 3 pre-chosen f-stops to adjust power. I bought it in Leica Store used and even they assured me that it is perfectly fine for digital M's.

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Edited November 12, 2022 by Al Brown

[jeri]

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This afternoon, for the first time since I received the camera, I experienced its sudden clinical death. It was after I changed a lens, when suddenly the whole system froze. Of course, I removed and reinserted the battery, and within half a minute, everything was back to normal. But when I think about the match between the SF 20 flash and the Leica M11, and especially now after the incident this afternoon, a paralyzing fear grips me. I hope that Leica or one of the flash manufacturers, will release a small flash compatible with the Leica M11, and as far as I'm concerned, everything will fall into place safely.

[charlesphoto99]

19 hours ago, jeri said:

This afternoon, for the first time since I received the camera, I experienced its sudden clinical death. It was after I changed a lens, when suddenly the whole system froze. Of course, I removed and reinserted the battery, and within half a minute, everything was back to normal. But when I think about the match between the SF 20 flash and the Leica M11, and especially now after the incident this afternoon, a paralyzing fear grips me. I hope that Leica or one of the flash manufacturers, will release a small flash compatible with the Leica M11, and as far as I'm concerned, everything will fall into place safely.

Unfounded fear. The M11 freeze ups and how flash functions are two entirely different things. The M9 was notorious for freeze ups (battery re-insertion always did the trick) and I used flashes from SF-24 to Vivitar 285 to Nikon SB800 on it without any issues. The extra pins are just function pins - either they work or they don't, but won't freeze up the camera. Anyway, the old SF20 and 24's seem to have retained their value on the used market, so you should be able to sell. Hasn't Godox released a couple of small Auto flashes lately? But you'll most likely find the same pin arrangement with those and others as the SF-20. 

[SOHODE]

Hi everyone, I have a basic question and hoping you can answer. Is it possible to use SF20 on M10(or M11) and control the flash power manually? I know on A mode it has 3 pre-chosen f-stops but can you explain how it works? Does it give enough power control for street photography? How about the Manual mode? 

[geotrupede]

'Hasn't Godox released a couple of small Auto flashes lately?'

godox lux senior is a very cool option, there are however some limitations one needs to know.

the output is lesser than the one of the SF24 D (and 20?) but more importantly the auto mode has a fixed combination of aperture/iso to work with. so it is not completely adjustable (like the SF24 is) which is a shame (check manual pdf).

I find myself using the godox in manual mode and getting most things right but not always. Was easier with the 24D.

Biggest issue with 24D (and 20?) is that they like to sleep... so you need to wake up your camera but when camera is awake then the flash may be sleeping, so missing shots becomes very easy...

the godox is great in this sense as it never sleeps and battery is rechargeable.

adding to the godox qualities, great softness by the large reflector, plus the look of the device itself is so classic and fun that helps with asking people to be photographed, it looks really cool.

comes in pink and green if black is boring. 

G>

PS most of these shots with the godox:

https://www.papa-antonutto.com/hurrahitsthursday

 

[jeri]

33 minutes ago, geotrupede said:

'Hasn't Godox released a couple of small Auto flashes lately?'

godox lux senior is a very cool option, there are however some limitations one needs to know.

the output is lesser than the one of the SF24 D (and 20?) but more importantly the auto mode has a fixed combination of aperture/iso to work with. so it is not completely adjustable (like the SF24 is) which is a shame (check manual pdf).

I find myself using the godox in manual mode and getting most things right but not always. Was easier with the 24D.

Biggest issue with 24D (and 20?) is that they like to sleep... so you need to wake up your camera but when camera is awake then the flash may be sleeping, so missing shots becomes very easy...

the godox is great in this sense as it never sleeps and battery is rechargeable.

adding to the godox qualities, great softness by the large reflector, plus the look of the device itself is so classic and fun that helps with asking people to be photographed, it looks really cool.

comes in pink and green if black is boring. 

G>

PS most of these shots with the godox:

https://www.papa-antonutto.com/hurrahitsthursday

 

Very interesting photography work.

[jeri]

Thanks to everyone who helped dispel my fear barrier.

Now I'm calm, the SF 20 flash does the job.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeri_leibovits/52514126499/in/dateposted-public/

 

 

 

 

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[Al Brown]

1 minute ago, jeri said:

Thanks to everyone who helped dispel my fear barrier.

Now I'm calm, the SF 20 flash does the job.

 

You are welcome, enjoy the little toy.