SL2-S intermittent flash trigger failure

[LocalHero1953]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I use the SL2-S with off camera flash: Godox AD200 x2, triggered by the Godox XPro - manual setting, no TTL. In the last year or so I have experienced occasional failures to trigger; once it happens it continues to not trigger; switching off the camera, removing the trigger and reattaching it usually makes it work again. I have been unable to work out whether the fault lies with the trigger or the camera - the fact that it is random and infrequent doesn't help.

The camera is 4 years old (bought at launch) and the Godox kit a bit older.

Last week I needed as much flash power as I could muster to fill a large room, and realised that my Godox V380 on-camera flash (which I rarely use) could also act as a trigger. Part way through the session, none of the flashes triggered (neither on-camera nor off-camera). I got it working again as before.

As far as I am aware, the trigger and the V380 are simple single point triggers, so there should be no issues of different protocols between Leica and Godox. The XPro is the Canon version (sold at the time as working with Leica, and it normally does), and the V380 is just a single pin manual flash - no protocol comes into the question. Since the issue has now happened with both Xpro and V380, it looks like it is a problem with the SL2-S.

I could send it for diagnosis and repair, which would take months, or I could just put up with the occasional glitch like this (using flash accounts for a small proportion of the camera use). Or I could trade it in for a SL3-S which I otherwise don't need (get thee behind me Satan).

Has anyone else had this problem with Leica bodies or Godox triggers on Leicas?

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Photoworks]

Nothing is perfect!

I have more issues with the SL3, the SL2 is much more stable.

I use the Leica SF-60 and the Leica trigger, Godox Xpro L , X3-L X3-O X-C, and flash heads 600-400-200-v1P

I think the implementation of leica is often the problem.

I use the Canon-Nikon-Olimpus trigger for studio work. all in manual, to remove the delay of camera preflash. Bu the new X3-L can be set to legacy trigger and it all works in M power.

Radio interference is still possible since it is 2.4ghz, I would suggest doing a can in the space before you start shooting. Someone can turn on the Microwave in the room and everything drops out.

 You probably know about setting the distance range. If the trigger and receiver are too close, you need the distance set to 1-30 meters; otherwise, it will not always fire.

[Olaf_ZG]

11 minutes ago, Photoworks said:

Nothing is perfect!

I have more issues with the SL3, the SL2 is much more stable.

I use the Leica SF-60 and the Leica trigger, Godox Xpro L , X3-L X3-O X-C, and flash heads 600-400-200-v1P

I think the implementation of leica is often the problem.

I use the Canon-Nikon-Olimpus trigger for studio work. all in manual, to remove the delay of camera preflash. Bu the new X3-L can be set to legacy trigger and it all works in M power.

Radio interference is still possible since it is 2.4ghz, I would suggest doing a can in the space before you start shooting. Someone can turn on the Microwave in the room and everything drops out.

 You probably know about setting the distance range. If the trigger and receiver are too close, you need the distance set to 1-30 meters; otherwise, it will not always fire.

The latter happens to me when I am standing under the flash… 

[LocalHero1953]

I’d forgotten about the distance setting - both trigger and V380 are both original issues/versions- I don’t remember seeing that setting, but will check