ReidReview review of Leica SF58 Flash Unit

[sean_reid]

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To RickLEica,

 

I use Pocketwizard Plus II, just select the same channel in both, flash in manual mode, is the same as using a cord, far better beacuse you can move everywhere, of course is more expensive than a cord.

Then in every situation you must check if you need more or less intensity and select it manually, it isn't difficult, of course if you can shoot TTL or auto with your flash mounted on camera is easier and faster.

Anyway I try using available light if there is any,...I've seen wedding photographers working in the States and it seems to me that lots of weddings are celebrated during the day, so in this case a flash is not so important,then you only need fast primes and a bit of flash.

 

But coming back to the SF58.. for instance: in a wedding there are lots of situations when you need shooting fast, here in Valencia (Spain) most weddings are at night, you need a realiable flash, you can't wait until your flash is recovering, sometimes you need speed. I repeat, this is only my personal experience, I love leica cameras and lenses, but every brand has its weaks points, SF58 isn't the best product in Leica.

Sorry if a have spelling mistakes, I'm learning English.

 

daniel belenguer

 

Again, I agree about the recycle times if one is shooting at high power for any extended period of time. I shot weddings with the SF58 this year and ran into just that limitation (as discussed in the review). My suggestion is to look at a Metz external power pack.

 

The events I shoot commonly start in the early afternoon and then go until late at night.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[autillo]

I'll take a look.

 

thank you so much

Cheers

 

Daniel

daniel belenguer

[fishblimp]

can anyone comment on the SF58 diffuser (the integrated one that's an optional add-on)? I prefer my flash to be soft so I'm considering either a Gary Fong LightSphere or a homemade piece of frosted plastic (why? cuz it's able to fold up into my bag easily). But I just wondered if the integrated diffuser does the same thing that a LightSphere would?

[dlc43]

I am now trying to learn how to use my SF58 flash.

Thanks for this thread.

Sean do you know if this unit is fundamentally the same as the Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash?

If so, check out this interesting review:

 

Finally a viable alternative to Canon flash units......... - Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Sony Alpha & Minolta Maxxum SLR Cameras MZ 58316S TTL Flash - Epinions.com

 

More to the point, since very fast recycling times are important for me, is the Metz P76 extrenal pack the correct one for the SF58?

 

The reviewer above extolls the combination and adds the interesting point that using the P76 means that the batteries can be removed from the SF58 making it lighter. That would improve use whether the flash were used on-camera or off-camera, as you like to use it.

[wparsonsgisnet]

I will get my hands on an SC-29 to see if its sensor talks to the M8. If it does so, I'll get one and report on how it works with the M9 (when I get mine -- c'mon Leica).

[sean_reid]

I am now trying to learn how to use my SF58 flash.

Thanks for this thread.

Sean do you know if this unit is fundamentally the same as the Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash?

If so, check out this interesting review:

 

Finally a viable alternative to Canon flash units......... - Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Sony Alpha & Minolta Maxxum SLR Cameras MZ 58316S TTL Flash - Epinions.com

 

More to the point, since very fast recycling times are important for me, is the Metz P76 extrenal pack the correct one for the SF58?

 

The reviewer above extolls the combination and adds the interesting point that using the P76 means that the batteries can be removed from the SF58 making it lighter. That would improve use whether the flash were used on-camera or off-camera, as you like to use it.

 

The combination that a Metz dealer told me *may* work with the SF58 is the indeed the P76. *But* neither Leica nor Metz has yet confirmed compatibility between these two and I have not yet tested them together.

 

Recycle times on the SF58, in my experience, are fine until one starts pushing the flash hard by using full output for many exposures in a row.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[sean_reid]

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Sean do you know if this unit is fundamentally the same as the Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash?

 

I discuss that in the review. The two look quite similar but one would need to take each apart to know how similar they really are. There's no Leica version of the 58 AF-1 and one theory might be that the SF58 is indeed a Leica modified version of the Metz 58 AF-1. But that's only a theory until or unless it is confirmed.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[sean_reid]

I will get my hands on an SC-29 to see if its sensor talks to the M8. If it does so, I'll get one and report on how it works with the M9 (when I get mine -- c'mon Leica).

 

Cool. I'd be surprised if they worked together but who knows? Make sure you don't blow your flash up. <G>

 

If the combination works on the M8 I see no reason why it wouldn't work on the M9. The two cameras handle flash the same way but, of course, meter differently.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[Guest roey]

If anyone has found a way to enable HSS with one of the Leica DRFs, let me know.

 

Leica customer support has replied to my inquiry: They are investigating whether they can add this to a later version of the firmware.

 

BTW: Besides the R9 HSS is also supported by the M7 and, I believe, the S2.

[sean_reid]

Leica customer support has replied to my inquiry: They are investigating whether they can add this to a later version of the firmware.

 

BTW: Besides the R9 HSS is also supported by the M7 and, I believe, the S2.

 

I wondered about the S2. The manual only mentions the R9 but I can see how the M7 might work as well.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[Steve Ash]

I asked the Leica support some month ago and they confirmed that there is a print error in the SF-58 manual, i.e. the M7 is fully supported by the SF-58 and M-HSS is working. Thus the flash can be manually used with camera settings of 1/250, 1/500 and 1/1000.

 

I wondered about the S2. The manual only mentions the R9 but I can see how the M7 might work as well.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[Michiel Fokkema]

C'mon on guys. It's pretty obvious that the SF58 is the same as the Metz 58.

I use the P76 all the time with my MZ54's and it is awesome. Shoot away all day and recycle time is almost zero.

Just ask either Metz or Leica if it will work with the SF58. Both companies are very responsive to these type of questions.

 

Cheers,

 

Michiel Fokkema

[sean_reid]

There's one key person at Leica who knows something about this and he should be back in the office on Monday. Also have calls into a rep. at Metz - not customer service but higher up (to be sure the info. is correct).

 

As far as A being "the same as" B, in my line of work one never assumes (or should never assume). The SF 58 looks a lot like the AF 58 but until and unless someone actually takes them both apart (Mark?<G>) we don't really know how similar they are.

 

Cheers,

Edited October 9, 2009 by sean_reid

[rbaron]

The combination that a Metz dealer told me *may* work with the SF58 is the indeed the P76. *But* neither Leica nor Metz has yet confirmed compatibility between these two and I have not yet tested them together.

 

Recycle times on the SF58, in my experience, are fine until one starts pushing the flash hard by using full output for many exposures in a row.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

 

Metz technical support confirmed to me last month that the P76 will work with the SF58.

 

I wish the Quantum Turbo SC would because it is substantially smaller and lighter (and I have one, whereas I do not have the P76). However, apparently it will not.

 

--Bob

[rbaron]

can anyone comment on the SF58 diffuser (the integrated one that's an optional add-on)? I prefer my flash to be soft so I'm considering either a Gary Fong LightSphere or a homemade piece of frosted plastic (why? cuz it's able to fold up into my bag easily). But I just wondered if the integrated diffuser does the same thing that a LightSphere would?

 

I don't think it does. I have the Fong thing and I have an SF58. I haven't performed an exact comparison test but I don't see how it could throw the same light.

 

I do have a problem using the Fong device on my SF58. The SF58 does not like the weight of the Fong device and will not stand up straight with it on. The SF58 will not 'lock' in an upright position like my Canon flash (580EX, I think) will; it droops.

 

 

--Bob

[sean_reid]

Metz technical support confirmed to me last month that the P76 will work with the SF58.

 

I wish the Quantum Turbo SC would because it is substantially smaller and lighter (and I have one, whereas I do not have the P76). However, apparently it will not.

 

--Bob

 

Great, which coupling cable did they recommend? Same one as for the 58 AF?

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[rbaron]

Great, which coupling cable did they recommend? Same one as for the 58 AF?

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

 

Here is the reply I got, in totem verbis (I hope that's right ):

 

"To prevent any damages of the flash units "Metz 54 MZ-3" and "Leica SF-58" we do not recommend to use third-party power packs like the mentioned "Quantum Turbo SC battery back". Unfortunately, for this reason we can't give any advice for the connection of those power packs.

 

For an external power supply of the mentioned flash units "Metz 54 MZ-3" and "Leica SF-58" we only recommend the "Metz Power Pack P76".

 

To connect "Metz Power Pack P76" to the flash unit "Metz 54 MZ-3" we recommend the "Connection Cord V 54-50".

 

To connect "Metz Power Pack P76" to the flash unit "Leica SF-58" we recommend the "Connection Cord V 58-50"."

 

The reason there is mention of the 54 MZ-3 is that I have one of those too.

 

Hope This Helps.

 

--Bob

[dlc43]

I am now seriously considering getting the Metz External Power Pack P76.

I have checked various sites that show the same image with no mention of or reference to a matching carry bag.

Does anyone know about whether it comes with one?

Do you have to find one separately that will fit?

Do you sling it across your shoulders with a strap or attach it to your belt?

What works best and interferes least with fluid shooting?

[GlennB]

I will get my hands on an SC-29 to see if its sensor talks to the M8. If it does so, I'll get one and report on how it works with the M9 (when I get mine -- c'mon Leica).

 

Bill,

 

IF I'm reading the B&H photo description right (see below) the SC-29 cord's on camera "sensor" is strictly for lens autofocus assist and is called an "illuminator". This, to me. means it's some sort of light source (IR ?) that projects onto your shooting subject that the camera's AF sensor detects to set the focus. I don't believe that the Leica wizards have come up with an auto-focus M lens yet.

 

"In addition, the SC-29's AF Illuminator will also provide AF assistance to the camera in low-light conditions."

 

I would really be surprised if the SC-29's "illuminator" acted like an on-camera "auto flash" (ala vivitar sensor cord) sensor on a M8 or M9.

 

As always, I could be wrong.

Glenn

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Michiel Fokkema]

I am now seriously considering getting the Metz External Power Pack P76.

I have checked various sites that show the same image with no mention of or reference to a matching carry bag.

Does anyone know about whether it comes with one?

Do you have to find one separately that will fit?

Do you sling it across your shoulders with a strap or attach it to your belt?

What works best and interferes least with fluid shooting?

 

It does not come with a bag but it does come with a strap.

just hang it on your shoulder or so. Or clip it on your belt.

 

Cheers,

 

Michiel Fokkema