Leica SF 58 Flash press release

[Guest guy_mancuso]

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Thought I would pass this on from Leica

 

Press information

 

New: LEICA SF 58

Professional high-end flash unit for highest performance and system compatibility

Leica Camera AG, Solms, presents a new flash unit combining the highest performance and system compatibility in one high-end flash unit – the LEICA SF 58. The maximum guide number of 58 (ISO 100/21°) enables high light output and, due to its fully swivelling reflector, offers ideal opportunities for indirect flash illumination. Its integrated, system-controlled secondary reflector maintains image brilliance and simultaneously lightens shadows and highlights. For photographers, this means more creative freedom in the use of light and more flexibility, even under difficult lighting conditions. A diffuser, particularly recommended for portrait photography and softer illumination, is available as an optional accessory.

The LEICA SF 58 is suitable for use with all Leica rangefinder and SLR cameras and can also be used with the new Leica S-system. The LEICA SF 58 is equipped with an integrated USB port to allow convenient uploading of firmware updates, ensuring absolute compatibility with future generations of Leica cameras.

The LEICA SF 58 flash unit features a wide zoom range of 24–105 mm and an integrated wide-angle diffuser to extend the field of view by 18 mm. Depending on the focal length of the lens in use and the sensor format, the flash reflector setting is automatically controlled yet also features a manual adjustment option.

Thanks to its numerous technical features, the LEICA SF 58 enables photographers to capture professionally exposed images independent of any existing lighting conditions. For instance, the unit features automatic functions such as TTL or automatic flash mode, as well as automatic fill-in flash. In addition, the new LEICA SF 58 offers a choice of two lighting profiles (Standard and Soft) that allow optimal adaptation to various lighting

situations. High-performance energy management guarantees flash photography at the highest speed and constancy, and at the same time an overheating protection function regulates the flash frequency when necessary.

Intuitive controls and a user-friendly operating concept ensure simple handling of the LEICA SF 58, including easily set parameters with the four soft keys of the unit. The clearly structured, illuminated dot-matrix display allows photographers to concentrate on the essentials.

The LEICA SF 58 will be available at authorized Leica dealers in March 2009.

Technical data LEICA SF 58

Compatibility: Full compatibility with:

M System: M6 TTL, M7, M8, M8.2

R System: R8, R9

S-System: S2

Limited compatibility with all Leica system cameras featuring a hot shoe

(in automatic or manual flash mode)

Guide number: Max. 58 (ISO 100 / 21°)

Flash modes: TTL, automatic

manual, strobe

Remote flash operation: Slave

Further functions: Test flash function, AF assist light, automatic fill-in flash, manual flash exposure correction, (+/-3 EV in 1/3 EV steps), flash exposure bracketing, second shutter curtain synchronisation, HSS high shutter speed synchronisation

Light output ratios (main reflector): 25

Light output ratios (secondary reflector): 3

Lighting profiles: Standard, soft

Sensor format adjustment: Automatic adjustment

Swivelling reflector: Vertical (-7° / +90°)

Horizontal (-180° /+120°)

Colour temperature: 5600K

Sensor measuring angle (Automatic mode): 25°

Automatic / manual zoom reflector: 24 mm, 28 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm, 90 mm, 105 mm (35-mm format)

Integrated reflector card: Yes

Integrated wide-angle diffuser: Yes

Secondary reflector: Yes

Secondary reflector illumination (in mm): 35 mm (35-mm format)

Firmware update: Via USB port

Dot-matrix display: Illuminated

Flash distance indicator: Yes

Correct exposure indicator: Yes

Flash-readiness indicator: Yes

Acoustic status signal: Yes

Automatic unit cut-off: Yes

Manual key locking: Yes

Automatic white-balance adjustment: Yes (the white-balance function of the camera must be set to 'automatic' or 'flash')

Camera-controlled wake-up function: Yes

Power supply: 4x AA, alkaline batteries (1.5V), lithium (1.5V), NiCad rechargeable (1.2V), NiMH rechargeable (1.2V), external power pack

Number of flashes (full power): Alkaline (1.5V) – 180

Lithium (1.5V ) – 320

NiCad rechargeable (1.2V/600 mAh) – 70

NiMH rechargeable (1.2V/1600 mAh) – 140

(this data may vary depending on the charge level of the batteries/rechargeable cells and the ambient temperature)

Recycling time in sec. (min./max.): Alkaline (1.5V) – 0.1 / 5

Lithium (1.5V ) – 0.1 / 6

NiCad rechargeable (1.2V/600 mAh) – 0.1 / 5

NiMH rechargeable (1.2V/1600 mAh) – 0.1 / 5

(this data may vary depending on the charge level of the batteries/rechargeable cells and the ambient temperature)

Weight (without power sources): 12.5 oz [355 g]

Dimensions in inches (L x H x D): 2.8 x 5.8 x 3.9 [71 x 148 x 99 mm]

Package includes: Flash unit, user's manual, warranty card, belt pocket,

stand, 4x AA alkaline batteries

Optional accessories: Diffusor

[TDR]

Thanks for posting this, Guy. I'm curious, though, if this unit solves the problem with the Metz 54 — you can't make exposure corrections in TTL/GNC mode. The 54 is a wonderful flash except for that little detail. There is a phrase in the product description that Guy posted that says manual exposure correction is possible, but it doesn't say if that is in TTL/GNC mode. If this new Leica flash has corrected this issue, I'd be included to trade in my Metz 54 for this one.

 

-Timothy

[wlaidlaw]

Thanks for posting this, Guy. I'm curious, though, if this unit solves the problem with the Metz 54 — you can't make exposure corrections in TTL/GNC mode. The 54 is a wonderful flash except for that little detail. There is a phrase in the product description that Guy posted that says manual exposure correction is possible, but it doesn't say if that is in TTL/GNC mode. If this new Leica flash has corrected this issue, I'd be included to trade in my Metz 54 for this one.

 

-Timothy

 

Timothy,

 

If it hasn't, the SF58 I have ordered is going straight back. Metz UK gave me a refund after I bought a 54MZ4i and 3502M5 after reading on their website that it was fully compatible with the M8. They admitted that they should have been qualifying this strongly. When I saw Metz at Photokina 2008, I asked when they were going to update the 3502 to make it fully M8 compatible. "Oh but it already is" they said. As I had my M8 with me I said "well show me then". Red faces ensued. They then wheeled in a technical guy who agreed that it was not really a suitable combination and implied that they were being prevented updating the SCA3502 by the technology licensee (I assume this is Leica). Now we know why. Strangely, the 76MZ-5 is fully compatible and you can wind up and down the EV compensation and flash intensity. However, this is probably not a flash you would want on an M8.

 

Wilson

[Guest guy_mancuso]

I use a Metz 54 and I know in A mode you can dial down the exp. comp and I think you can in TTL also. We will have to see on this one. Hopefully they will have it at PMA in which I am going and maybe get a answer. I will also forward this thread to leica and see if this can be answered. You should be able to do this though in TTL. Hopefully I understood the question correctly.

 

I will check on my Phase body and see if I can do it.

[TDR]

Thanks for checking this out, Guy. I really do hope that Leica has solved this problem.

 

-Timothy

[wlaidlaw]

I use a Metz 54 and I know in A mode you can dial down the exp. comp and I think you can in TTL also. We will have to see on this one. Hopefully they will have it at PMA in which I am going and maybe get a answer. I will also forward this thread to leica and see if this can be answered. You should be able to do this though in TTL. Hopefully I understood the question correctly.

 

I will check on my Phase body and see if I can do it.

 

Guy,

 

I think you will find in GNC mode on an M8 (TTL as such is not available) on the 54, that the exposure is a matter of "take it or leave it", without any compensation possible. Some lenses are better than others (the WATE was pretty hopeless, whereas it is fine with the SF24 and a soft box) and you must use an IR filter or the exposure will be off on the low side. I don't like using IR filters indoors if I can help it, as you can easily get flare off other light sources. I hope they will have improved the GNC a lot on the new 58, so that you can use it in GNC mode with or without a filter on the lens and with or without a softbox, such as a STO-FEN.

 

Wilson

[Guest guy_mancuso]

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Okay folks i got a answer from Leica for you and now it makes sense why the 54 is like this. It seems this will not be a issue with the new one.

 

Here ya go

 

The 54 MZ flash was developed before GNC flash was implemented. So when

Metz added the feature to the SCA 3502 m4, they had to find a work around

for this feature on the pre-existing flashes. The feature uses the partial

output in the manual mode and unfortunately this prevents using the partial

output control. The 54 needs to be set to manual mode to engage the GNC

function.

 

On more recent flashes like the 44MZ this was not necessary. You leave the

flash in ttl and the software would detect that the camera was using GNC

flash control, and you can set flash compensation. All of the new Metz

flashes work this same way, 76MZ, 45 Digital......the specifications for the

SF 58 list manual flash exposure compensation +/-3 ev in 1/3 ev steps.

 

 

Thinking back on this now i do remember in manual mode the GNC.

 

Hope this helps . If more detail is needed i will ask next week at PMA

[john_j]

Guy-

 

Do you know if this is true with 54- 4i as well or just the earlier versions of the 54? Currently, I use mine on auto with the standard shoe similar to how I used a 283 with an M6. I was considering buying the Leica shoe for added control but may not need it.

 

Thanks,

[wlaidlaw]

Guy-

 

Do you know if this is true with 54- 4i as well or just the earlier versions of the 54? Currently, I use mine on auto with the standard shoe similar to how I used a 283 with an M6. I was considering buying the Leica shoe for added control but may not need it.

 

Thanks,

 

John,

 

There was no change to the GNC implementation from the 54 to 54i. I had been told there was an improvement but found there was not, only after purchasing. Metz UK said they had given me incorrect information and therefore, arranged a refund for me for the 54i and 3502M5.

 

Wilson

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Wilson did that answer your questions properly.

[john_j]

Wilson & Guy-

 

Thank you for your timely responses. Interesting how digital continues to make things more complicated and how "parochial" (no religious connotation intended) it can be.

 

I began the digital thing around '94 with an Apple whatever it was. I much later bought an Olympus 5050, then an E1. In December '07 I bought a used M8 and thought I'd finally make sense of it all. A familar camera that doesn't require an LCD readout to see where it's set. Then, a lens to go with it (6 bit coded of course), a Mac Pro to move the pixels around efficiently (replacing my home built PC), new software, a scanner, more memory, back-up drives, a flash to meet the 6 volt thing and UV IR filters. (at a workshop with Walter Heun 20 years ago, he showed how filters degrade an image). But I forgot, no need to buy film. Let's do the arithmetic.

 

Oh, am I going to take heat on this one... but, I can't help to ponder the scam factor of it all. As I have said before, we are pioneers. I guess with it comes a price and besides, technology is entertaining

 

Ever forward,

[Guest guy_mancuso]

John I started digital in it's birth and it was the worst nightmare you could imagine. 24 k for a Kodak 1.5 crop DSLR Model 420 if anyone is interested but that was not the first it was made by Fuji with a Kodak badge on it and i still can't find the date it came out but a long time. I think it was E1, but yes you are right in many ways the gear we use today was not even a dream back than. The money outlay along the way i can't even begin to compute it all up. Film was easy. LOL

[TDR]

Thanks for checking this out, Guy. Now I'll have to see about a trade for my Metz 54.

 

-Timothy

[wlaidlaw]

Wilson did that answer your questions properly.

 

Guy,

 

Thanks for all the info. I concur with all you say on Metz flashes, other than the 44, which I have never used so cannot comment as to how well it works on an M8. Metz at Photokina, thought it would not work any better than a 54.

 

Good news on the 58. With a mini-soft box and in the semi-bounce position, it should make a great fill in flash for people shots in poor light, especially if you turn on the secondary flash but put one of the ND mini-filters over it (I assume they will be supplied like on a Metz flash). I hope mine will be waiting for me when I get back to the UK from the far east.

 

Wilson

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Your welcome i use a Stofen myself on all my flash units like this. I am sure we will have something like that on the market. I hope one is available at PMA so I can try it on a M8

[john_j]

Guy and all-

 

I remember those early Kodak digitals some 20 or so years ago. You can imagine what was going through my mind as I saw it demostrated at Photo East.

 

Not having bought a flash for years, I thought the 54 would see me through for a while. From what I am picking up from you folks using it for "TTL" with an M8 won't work. So I will not buy the 3502 and just use it on auto, setting the f/stop, iso etc myself. Any pitfalls anyone has had using it in this fashion?

 

And Guy- great work on your site! Ever give lighting workshops in the NY area?

 

Best,

[cme4brain]

Thanks for posting this, Guy. I'm curious, though, if this unit solves the problem with the Metz 54 — you can't make exposure corrections in TTL/GNC mode. The 54 is a wonderful flash except for that little detail. There is a phrase in the product description that Guy posted that says manual exposure correction is possible, but it doesn't say if that is in TTL/GNC mode. If this new Leica flash has corrected this issue, I'd be included to trade in my Metz 54 for this one.

 

-Timothy

 

Thanks but aluded to in my prior post

[Guest guy_mancuso]

Guy and all-

 

I remember those early Kodak digitals some 20 or so years ago. You can imagine what was going through my mind as I saw it demostrated at Photo East.

 

Not having bought a flash for years, I thought the 54 would see me through for a while. From what I am picking up from you folks using it for "TTL" with an M8 won't work. So I will not buy the 3502 and just use it on auto, setting the f/stop, iso etc myself. Any pitfalls anyone has had using it in this fashion?

 

And Guy- great work on your site! Ever give lighting workshops in the NY area?

 

Best,

 

Honestly I still use the A mode with my Phase stuff and did with my M8 and DMR and still around to talk about it. LOL

 

Actually it does work really well, sometimes you may get a blowout if it is a really dark scene and I actually adjust the head degrees up or down as compensation with a stofen on it.

 

Yes we did do alighting workshop in Florida a couple months ago. Actually Iwould like to do another one soon here in Phoenix or San Francisco