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Anyone play with the SF 58?


Srutkay74

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Got mine yesterday. I am not a flash expert but this seems to have everything I could ever wish for. Except the size and weight (550 grams or so with batteries- that come with it).

 

The kids will come next week, that is when the real test will happen. But I can tell you that the TTL test flash is un-noticeably fast.

 

And I can still use the old SF 20 as on camera filler and the SF58 as a slave. (It comes with a stand).

 

One small side comment: It hangs so much better on the M5

with the SIDE lugs. That was a well engineered camera.

 

But at any rate, I am happy with it.

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[...]550 grams or so with batteries- that come with it [...]

 

 

Oh boy ... designed with rangefinders in mind :rolleyes: Would love to see a nice smaller flash some time from Leica, with AA batteries and some means of indirect lightning.

 

Does anybody care to point out the most important differences to a Metz 54i? The latter one has the advantage of being adaptable to a number of different systems.

 

Cheers

Ivo

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Oh boy ... designed with rangefinders in mind :rolleyes: Would love to see a nice smaller flash some time from Leica, with AA batteries and some means of indirect lightning.

 

Does anybody care to point out the most important differences to a Metz 54i? The latter one has the advantage of being adaptable to a number of different systems.

 

Cheers

Ivo

 

The 58 uses a USB connection to flash for updates.

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Oh boy ... designed with rangefinders in mind :rolleyes: Would love to see a nice smaller flash some time from Leica, with AA batteries and some means of indirect lightning.

Ivo

 

It's called the SF24D + an Sfill from Leica Goodies - works a treat - fits in your pocket.

 

Best,

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... Does anybody care to point out the most important differences to a Metz 54i? ...

Note the difference in model designation: Higher guide number than the 54 for a start.

 

The Leica SF 58 is the equivalent of the Metz 58 AF-1, but with Leica-dedicated electronics: Product information: Metz.

 

The companies have probably agreed that Metz won't offer a Leica version of the 58 AF-1, at least for a while. (Speculation only.)

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The most important change, in my opinion, is that the 58 was built for Leica so it has flash exposure compensation in GNC/TTL mode. That's important if you want to use the new technology. If not, you might as well use a Vivitar 283. I'm very pleased to see this change. Here's an earlier thread when this issue was raised.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/78695-leica-sf-58-flash-press-release.html

 

-Timothy

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The most important change, in my opinion, is that the 58 was built for Leica so it has flash exposure compensation in GNC/TTL mode. That's important if you want to use the new technology. If not, you might as well use a Vivitar 283. I'm very pleased to see this change. Here's an earlier thread when this issue was raised.

 

http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/leica-m8-forum/78695-leica-sf-58-flash-press-release.html

 

-Timothy

 

Exposure compensation is indeed a difference in GNC/TTL mode to the Metz 54i, which sadly doesn't offer it. The Leica SCA Module in my view is hardly worth it. Mine doesn't always fire in GNC/TTL and, as said, no dial-in compensation possible. For living objects, I tend to avoid the pre-flash and shoot in A mode, which works quite well.

 

Ivo

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It's clear that the basic electronics can support both the Leica and (for me) the Nikon way of doing things. I'd be much more inclined to buy this flash if the various manufacturers would recognise that some of us are multi-vendor. If I'm spending this amount on a single flash, I'd want it to work on an M8 and a D3x. That's where Metz as an independent vendor can gain advantage. Until then, the SB-900 is perfect.

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