Leica Flash SF-40 for Q3 43

[mecsw500]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I had ordered a Leica Flash SF-40 for my Leica Q3 43.

Oh boy, did I think it was expensive, but there was no third party coupled unit available as far as I could see.

Then my dealer called today to ask if I still wanted one?

"Why, I said?" "Well the price, due to tariffs, was now over $1,000."

Yes, over a grand for what is probably a $200 flash unit.

"Umm, let me think... No, but thank you anyway."

I guess I know where it's made now.

I looked at Leica's website. Seems new post tariff prices are present for many items.

I guess a lot of photographic gear is going to be a lot more expensive over the coming weeks or months.

If it's made in China, and you see it at regular prices, I'd buy it up now because when inventory runs out, things may be priced out of the market.

I also looked at the dual charger and extra battery I bought with the camera. $950. Insane.

Edited May 5 by mecsw500

[F-train]

In The Netherlands new for €480,-, includes taxes.

Crossing the great pond appears to more than double the price.

 

It seems to be a rebranded Chinese Nissin, therefore also too expensive in Europe 😉

Edited May 8 by F-train

[Simone_DF]

I had the original Nissin flash for another camera brand. It's lightweight and a decent flash, but overpriced when compared to any Godox, which have also the benefit of using lithium batteries. 

Unless on-camera TTL is a hard requirement, I'd pick a third party flash, either a Godox or a Profoto for off-camera TTL.

[sometimesmaybe]

if you dont need TTL, just get a godox flash like the iA32. single pin and no issues with voltage frying your hotshoe.

should sync at all speeds with the q43 leaf shutter 

[jaapv]

On 5/9/2025 at 7:34 AM, sometimesmaybe said:

o issues with voltage frying your hotshoe.

Very few fried hotshoes around... The last high-voltage flashes were made in the fifties as far as I am aware. And Leica has high-voltage circuitry in their hotshoes.

[cirke]

without TTL  and HSS I won't buy any flash

Edited May 11 by cirke

[Simone_DF]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

1 hour ago, cirke said:

without TTL  and HSS I won't buy any flash

Then I’m afraid Leica is the worst camera brand for this. Even Panasonic is a better solution. I wonder why Leica doesn’t use the Panasonic/Olympus protocol, giving compatibility with L mount and m4/3 at the same time. 

[cirke]

1 hour ago, Simone_DF said:

Then I’m afraid Leica is the worst camera brand for this. Even Panasonic is a better solution. I wonder why Leica doesn’t use the Panasonic/Olympus protocol, giving compatibility with L mount and m4/3 at the same time. 

The SF40 has HSS

[jaapv]

1 hour ago, Simone_DF said:

Then I’m afraid Leica is the worst camera brand for this. Even Panasonic is a better solution. I wonder why Leica doesn’t use the Panasonic/Olympus protocol, giving compatibility with L mount and m4/3 at the same time. 

It has grown historically. The limitations of the M8 forced Leica to develop their own protocol. Preflashsl etc. Once you have chosen a protocol you are effectively locked in. 

[Simone_DF]

23 minutes ago, cirke said:

The SF40 has HSS

Yes, which are barely ok, subpar compared  to other offerings, and produced by a company that has not released a new flash in over 10 years, and not even bothered to update their current models with lithium batteries. 

[Simone_DF]

22 minutes ago, jaapv said:

It has grown historically. The limitations of the M8 forced Leica to develop their own protocol. Preflashsl etc. Once you have chosen a protocol you are effectively locked in. 

Understand, but clearly it’s not working anymore, and perhaps it would be time to outgrow this legacy and update the protocol. This would cause some pain during the transition phase, but would benefit everyone in the long term. 
it’s not too different from changing the lens mount, like when Leica switched from screw mount to M mount, or other brands have switched from DSLR to mirrorless mounts. 

[jaapv]

I’m sure that such decisions are a bit t of a struggle. Especially for ia brand like Leica that has a reputation for retro compatibility. I wonder if dual protocols,  if needed switchable in the menu, are a possibility. We could also conclude that professional level flash is not a design priority with Leica. as an M camera will probably not be able to support it. In that case they would have to implement three protocols, a Panaleica one, an M one,  and an L and S one. And provide for M lenses on the L-M adapter. It would be better if the industry could agree  on a common standard. 

[Simone_DF]

Why three protocols? Panasonic is using the same protocol on L mount and micro 4/3 (and Olympus is also using the same).

[jaapv]

If it works... It would still leave the M series the odd man out. It cannot fit in a protocol that requires communication between lens and camera. And an automatic diaphragm. 

[Simone_DF]

Then let's leave the M series like it is now, and save the Q, L, S and SL lines from bad flashes. The L line especially, would benefit from more integration, not less.