Settings for Leica SF 40 Flash on Leica Q

[pwilmo]

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I am experimenting with SF 40 flash on Leica Q.

I am very happy with TTL and Auto, great results and very accurate lighting.

However, I am completely confused with using the bounce reflector card instructions .. any one help me please.

There are different coloured setings to use, do you set the flash on Auto , manual , are the settings to be manual for tilted bounce .

Do I need adjustment for the Q 28mm focal lens on the zoom bounce reflector ..I am utterly confused, anyone experienced with this particular SF 40 Flash on a LeicaQ ( it would have to be specific to the SF 40 as there is so much difference between models)

Many thanks

 

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[Marc B-C]

I have the SF40 for my Q2. Re the bounce reflector, as far as I am concerned there is nothing to change re the focal length settings if the flash is in auto zoom. They are in respect of different focal lengths: there is nothing to change for using the bounce reflector. The TTL / Auto modes will adjust the flash power during bounce use.

The SF40 can be used on many cameras and the manual focal length settings are for cameras where the zoom function cannot read what lens is being used.

If the Q has the 35/50/75 zoom options and you are using them, perhaps one would manually set the focal length on the flash, but not something I have tried.

I must confess to being somewhat disappointed with the SF40 on my Q2. I am not seeing "accurate" lighting. Perhaps, however, I do not use it correctly! 

[pwilmo]

Absolutely great response, thank you so much, you have absolutely cleared the mist for me and I very much doubt with your comprehensive answers that you are not using it correctly, it may be just me not having the best perception of "accurate" lighting , or beginners luck.

Thank you ever so much, I have searched high and wide on the web and re read manuals a hundred times and never understood until now Marc B-C you are a star!

[VizslaFriend]

A follow-up question to Marc:

I am considering buying a SF-40 for my Q2, mainly for the simplicity of TTL and for bouncing. Does your comment about “accurate” lighting mean that the TTL mode is unpredictable with this combination?

Also, the PDF manual for the SF-40 says that flash exposure compensation must be set on the camera, and not via the TTL +/-2EV dial of the flash unit. However, the Q2 manual says the following: “A compensation value configured on the camera will be overruled when a relevantly equipped flash unit is attached, e.g. a Leica SF 60 and a compensation value is entered on that flash unit.”

Can you please tell me whether adjusting the TTL exposure via the SF-40 dial would actually work with the Q2? 

Many thanks, Peter