M10-R flashes - Leica SF 26 is not the same/similar to a Metz 26 AF-1 / AF-2

[dugby]

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In a number of threads on these fora, few have pondered the similarity of the two flash units as they look identical apart from their respective badges,

I have both the Leica SF 26 (firmware 1.1)  and a Metz 26-AF1(firmware 2.2) and confirm the following.

 

Flash specifications for Digital Leica M utilises the SCA3502, whilst Leica Digilux 3 utilises SCA3202 specifications, The hot shoe pin locations for the above two flashes are different as expected for their supported SCA specs.

The Olympus/Panasonic/Leica version of the Metz 26-AF1 with the user upgraded firmware v2.2, works (as expected) with my old (almost forgotten) Digilux 3.

 

The Leica SF 26 was documented by Leica in the M10-P User manual as compatible, in the M10-R User manual the Leica SF 26 get sporadic references.  My Leica SF 26 has firmware 1.1 and

works successfully as TTL controlled in my M10-R and FEC (Flash Exposure Control) in the camera menus correctly adjusts the flash output, and annotates the FEC change in the metadata of the DNG.

 

Both flashes have different SLAVE capabilities.

The Leica SF 26 in SLAVE mode sitting remotely, can be triggered by the light from another camera/flash, as documented in the Leica SF 26 User manual. The Leica SF 26 SLAVE output is manually adjustable as 1/1 or 1/2 or 1/4 power.

 

 

The Metz 26-AF1 SLAVE does not get triggered just by the light from another camera/flash. With the Olympus/Panasonic/Leica version of the Metz 26-AF1, the SLAVE can only be triggered by

-an on-camera Master flash using RC to control one or more "remote" flash strobes.

-RC uses an optical system (data encoded in light pulses) and does not use RF (radio frequency), The RC Master transmits data via low power strobing or "near IR"

-it utilises Group A and channels (1-4).

 

The Metz 26 AF-1 SLAVE output is NOT manually adjustable as 1/1 or 1/2 or 1/4 power.

According to Metz the 26 AF-2 is a repackaged AF-1, both are made in Germany. With this model designation change, they dropped Samsung and added Fuji, and added a remote flash stand.

 

 

They have different capabilities.

Edited February 9, 2023 by dugby

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