PhilFarber Posted October 9, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 9, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) I was wondering if anyone else has encountered this problem. I have tried my new Leica SF58, Nikon SB800, Metz 58, and Metz MZ54 4 with my 2 M8 bodies. Only the MZ 54 works everytime. If I shoot with the others and then don't shoot for approximately 20 seconds, the flash will not fire on the first shutter activation but will if I hit the shutter imediately again. I thought this was just a problem with those flashes, but I figured the Leica SF58 would work. I have checked the menus on the flash and bodies to make sure the auto off is set to off. I really like how much faster the preflash on the Leica flash is compared to the Metz 58 with module... but I can't deal with the flash not firing on the first shot after only a 20 second interval. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 9, 2009 Posted October 9, 2009 Hi PhilFarber, Take a look here Problems with SF 58 and metz 58. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jeffwros Posted October 9, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 9, 2009 I ran into this at my wedding last weekend toward the end of the evening using the 54 MZ-4i. I attributed it to the batteries being a bit low or something similar. I'll keep an eye on this thread to see if anybody else knows what the real issue is. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted October 9, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 9, 2009 In this regard, when I use the M8 and flash (always Automatic), I find the flash never fires UNLESS I press the shutter slowly for each exposure. Then it always fires.. Since my assistant is so stupid, it's hard to keep him careful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpattinson Posted October 9, 2009 Share #4 Posted October 9, 2009 I have the same problem with the Leica 24D flash unit on my M8. I think the camera fails to fire the flash if the meter is waking up. I can easily replicate the problem anytime I use the flash. I used to have a problem where the camera would use the last recorded meter reading if I shot without 'waking' the meter first. I think the flash problem is related and is a camera problem - nothing to do with the flash. I'm surprised your MZ54 doesn't have the same problem - were you using the same settings as with the others? It's an insanely annoying problem if you are trying to shoot an event, having to keep on pissing about with the camera to keep it awake so that you can catch the right moment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted October 9, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 9, 2009 There is note in the M8 manual advising that the flash will not fire unless the metering system is awake. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted October 9, 2009 Share #6 Posted October 9, 2009 I think that's why the release has to be pressed slowly. Continous mode COULD solve this problem: The metering system is always on in Continuous mode, but the bug in the software keeps me from using that mode. The problem, documented many times, is that after a few shots, the camera locks up and the battery must be removed to kill the bug. So, press the shutter slowly, and the flash will always file. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpattinson Posted October 9, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 9, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Are you sure the meter doesn't passivate in C mode? I assumed it would after some time not shooting, just the same as in S mode. ...just checked, it does in fact passivate after a few seconds of inactivity - just the same as S mode. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted October 9, 2009 Share #8 Posted October 9, 2009 Cool, David. So the only solution is to press release slowly, and the sw bug in Continuous mode doesn't hurt this activity. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilFarber Posted October 9, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted October 9, 2009 I just tried my Metz MZ 54 -4 and put the TTL module on it and it now does the same thing as the Leica flash as far as not waking up. It works fine with the basic module. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbaron Posted October 10, 2009 Share #10 Posted October 10, 2009 I was wondering if anyone else has encountered this problem. I have tried my new Leica SF58, Nikon SB800, Metz 58, and Metz MZ54 4 with my 2 M8 bodies. Only the MZ 54 works everytime. If I shoot with the others and then don't shoot for approximately 20 seconds, the flash will not fire on the first shutter activation but will if I hit the shutter imediately again. I thought this was just a problem with those flashes, but I figured the Leica SF58 would work. I have checked the menus on the flash and bodies to make sure the auto off is set to off. I really like how much faster the preflash on the Leica flash is compared to the Metz 58 with module... but I can't deal with the flash not firing on the first shot after only a 20 second interval. I have this problem with the SF58 and an M8 and an M8.2 and it is a real bummer. It completely misses too many decisive moments, and there is apparently no workaround. --Bob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilFarber Posted October 10, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted October 10, 2009 Leica tech support called me back and explained it to me. When you use a flash with TTL capabilities it will utilize a different pin on the hotshoe. This pin becomes inactive when the meter goes to sleep after 10 - 15 seconds of non use. When I use the Metz 54 with the basic module on the bottom it uses the center pin which is not dependent on the metering system. He said the camera battery would die much too quickly if they let the meter system run continuously. So you need to keep pushing the shutter slightly to keep it awake or before you think there might be a decisive moment. It really is a pain! I don't remember seeing anything about this is Sean Reids's review of the SF58. Does he know a work around? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpattinson Posted October 10, 2009 Share #12 Posted October 10, 2009 I guess the workaround is to not use TTL, which does make your next flash purchase a much cheaper exercise after all Certainly, I won't be buying the SF58 which I had been considering since the only reason for wanting it is pretty much redundant (at least the way I use my camera anyway). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted October 10, 2009 Share #13 Posted October 10, 2009 This happens with Automatic, as well. I have to press the shutter slowly to make the flash fire. Other than that, everything works well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpattinson Posted October 10, 2009 Share #14 Posted October 10, 2009 Sure - or I could get the Metz Mz54 without the TTL adapter and use it on auto without having the problem - according to Phil. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishblimp Posted October 14, 2009 Share #15 Posted October 14, 2009 add me to the list of people this is happening to. i just picked up a used Metz 54 MZ-4 with the 3502 M5 adapter for my M9. I thought the thing was broken until I read this thread. But there is something else that's happening that I wonder about: I'll set the flash to GNC mode ("M" + the "GNC" in the lower right corner). I'll fire a few shots and they'll be ok. Then, if I move the position of the camera/flash and point it to something else, two things happen: the zoom motor activates (almost as if it's going nuts) AND "GNC" changes to a flash intensity number (i.e. 1/64). THEN, when I fire a shot the results are usually low lighting from the flash. What strikes me as peculiar is the zoom motor activating with such a back and forth manner. It's as if it's trying to find something. Also, the GNC switching to a number: is that the flash mode ACTUALLY switching out of GNC mode? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted October 14, 2009 Share #16 Posted October 14, 2009 add me to the list of people this is happening to. i just picked up a used Metz 54 MZ-4 with the 3502 M5 adapter for my M9. I thought the thing was broken until I read this thread. But there is something else that's happening that I wonder about: I'll set the flash to GNC mode ("M" + the "GNC" in the lower right corner). I'll fire a few shots and they'll be ok. Then, if I move the position of the camera/flash and point it to something else, two things happen: the zoom motor activates (almost as if it's going nuts) AND "GNC" changes to a flash intensity number (i.e. 1/64). THEN, when I fire a shot the results are usually low lighting from the flash. What strikes me as peculiar is the zoom motor activating with such a back and forth manner. It's as if it's trying to find something. Also, the GNC switching to a number: is that the flash mode ACTUALLY switching out of GNC mode? Can you return the Metz? It may have been dropped. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpattinson Posted October 14, 2009 Share #17 Posted October 14, 2009 I'll set the flash to GNC mode ("M" + the "GNC" in the lower right corner). I'll fire a few shots and they'll be ok. Then, if I move the position of the camera/flash and point it to something else, two things happen: the zoom motor activates (almost as if it's going nuts) AND "GNC" changes to a flash intensity number (i.e. 1/64). THEN, when I fire a shot the results are usually low lighting from the flash. What strikes me as peculiar is the zoom motor activating with such a back and forth manner. It's as if it's trying to find something. Also, the GNC switching to a number: is that the flash mode ACTUALLY switching out of GNC mode? OK, I commented in the other thread. I have a similar intermittent problem with my SF 24D in GNC mode where it will fail to fire the preflash - and then fire a single time out of synch with the shutter. Not sure if it's the same issue or not, I don't think the SF24D has any back display about power vs. GNC. Usually this persists for a few shots until I power off the flash/camera/both and turn around three times... so I'm not entirely sure what 'fixes' it either. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishblimp Posted October 14, 2009 Share #18 Posted October 14, 2009 Can you return the Metz? It may have been dropped. Bill, does your zoom motor activate in this way? I always thought that the zoom (motor) was something that only moved if you entered a new value (aperture, focal length, etc). In my case it does it on its own. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted October 14, 2009 Share #19 Posted October 14, 2009 Bill, does your zoom motor activate in this way? I always thought that the zoom (motor) was something that only moved if you entered a new value (aperture, focal length, etc). In my case it does it on its own. My Metz 54 does not mess around with its zoom setting. Of course, I don't have a coded lens in place. The zoom stays at a fixed setting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishblimp Posted October 14, 2009 Share #20 Posted October 14, 2009 My Metz 54 does not mess around with its zoom setting. Of course, I don't have a coded lens in place. The zoom stays at a fixed setting. Problem happens with both coded and uncoded. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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