Leica M Typ 262 TTL flash?

[theblackbrick]

I've used the search but no luck. So i want to apologize if this is been answered before.

I know that most leica users don't use flash/speedlight but I'm hoping someone does. It is not as much of a matter of "needing the light" as it is a matter of look/aesthetics in the photos. And before anyone suggest; no, continuous light does not give you the same look.

So that said ... I'm looking for an speedlight/flash that keeps the TTL with the Leica M. I preffer if it is small. Doesn't need to have an articulated head. And (here is the catch 22) I'd like a third party brand since Leica flashes are priced astronomically.

Does anybody know of anything that could fit the profile?

Thank you!

 

[ferider]

Had the same question a couple of months ago and bought the Leica SF26 for my 240. I might be wrong, but after some search concluded that there really are only two TTL flashes for the 240+ on the market, and the other one was too large for me.

The SF26 works great and is supported by the cameras flash comp menu entry (so you can fill) and it also shows in the viewfinder. Just make sure to get firmware version 1.1 (has to be installed by Leica). I bought it new from Hong Kong for US 396, if that matters, ebay seller chk922, and all worked well.

Roland.

 

[Gregm61]

I picked up an SF40 for my M262....worst money I ever spent on my Leica M outfit. POS...

To say the Leica TTL system isn't the best around is being nice. The few times I've needed or wanted to use flash with the M262, I just use my Olympus FL600R flash with my M262 in non-TTL auto. Just have to make sure the aperture set on the flash matches the one set on the lens or adjusted for compensation reasons and the flash sensor does a great job getting the exposure right.

If you've got a second system with a flash, just use it and save yourself the added expense and misery. I've recently added the Olympus E-M1 Mark II to that system, so the only thing that'll be sitting in my M262's shoe from now on is the 18 or 24mm accessory finders.

 

[theblackbrick]

Had the same question a couple of months ago and bought the Leica SF26 for my 240. I might be wrong, but after some search concluded that there really are only two TTL flashes for the 240+ on the market, and the other one was too large for me.

The SF26 works great and is supported by the cameras flash comp menu entry (so you can fill) and it also shows in the viewfinder. Just make sure to get firmware version 1.1 (has to be installed by Leica). I bought it new from Hong Kong for US 396, if that matters, ebay seller chk922, and all worked well.

Roland.

I was looking at the Metz version. After all the Leica SF26 is just the Metz rebranded. But seems that the Metz doesn't work on TTL, at least that is what seems like ... anybody knows if this is true?

 

[theblackbrick]

I picked up an SF40 for my M262....worst money I ever spent on my Leica M outfit. POS...

To say the Leica TTL system isn't the best around is being nice. The few times I've needed or wanted to use flash with the M262, I just use my Olympus FL600R flash with my M262 in non-TTL auto. Just have to make sure the aperture set on the flash matches the one set on the lens or adjusted for compensation reasons and the flash sensor does a great job getting the exposure right.

If you've got a second system with a flash, just use it and save yourself the added expense and misery. I've recently added the Olympus E-M1 Mark II to that system, so the only thing that'll be sitting in my M262's shoe from now on is the 18 or 24mm accessory finders.

I have a whole set of speedlights i could use in non TTL mode but (besides I'm selling most of my equipment) they are not the best option when you are going to changing fast your distance to the subject back and forward.

To give you an example http://www.erlantzbilbao.com/reem
That is part of my shooting style, sometimes i shoot with available light (most of the time) but when i wanna shoot like that I use my DSLR and an SB-800 on TTL, so i can get close, mid and far and get the correct exposure.
I know that Leica is not the right tool for that type of shooting but if I could adapt it for it it will be the only camera I need instead of having a DSLR only for those situations, which is ridiculous.

 

[Godfrey]

I was looking at the Metz version. After all the Leica SF26 is just the Metz rebranded. But seems that the Metz doesn't work on TTL, at least that is what seems like ... anybody knows if this is true?

The non-Leica branded Metz units do not have the Leica flash-control protocol in them.

For a small flash unit, most of the time I use my Nikon SB30 set to either its own, built in auto flash sensor or manual mode. It generally works as well as any dedicated TTL Leica flash unit I've used on the Leica bodies, but doesn't support the HSS function.

For most of my flash illumination needs, I use a simple RC trigger and one or two flash units off-camera. It is very rare that I'm in the situation that I have to deal with flash and rapidly moving primary subject/focus distances, so the primary advantage of TTL flash metering is, for me, when doing macro work with very high magnification. For that with a dedicated flash unit, I set the camera (Leica SL) into Manual exposure mode, set the ISO, lens opening, and exposure time I want, and let the flash unit sort out the power required. That works flawlessly with the SF26 and saves the work of making several exposures for each setup.

G

 

[theblackbrick]

The non-Leica branded Metz units do not have the Leica flash-control protocol in them.

For a small flash unit, most of the time I use my Nikon SB30 set to either its own, built in auto flash sensor or manual mode. It generally works as well as any dedicated TTL Leica flash unit I've used on the Leica bodies, but doesn't support the HSS function.

For most of my flash illumination needs, I use a simple RC trigger and one or two flash units off-camera. It is very rare that I'm in the situation that I have to deal with flash and rapidly moving primary subject/focus distances, so the primary advantage of TTL flash metering is, for me, when doing macro work with very high magnification. For that with a dedicated flash unit, I set the camera (Leica SL) into Manual exposure mode, set the ISO, lens opening, and exposure time I want, and let the flash unit sort out the power required. That works flawlessly with the SF26 and saves the work of making several exposures for each setup.

G

Yeah for regular studio work with strobes I have a radio set that, eventho is designed to wake up Nikon speedlights, if you use it with any other brand work perfectly (except the waking up part) but I don't use my speedlights for studio shooting anymore so not a problem. For the last years the radio trigger/receiver it's been encharged of firing studio strobes only.

But like I said before I need the TTL because (when I soot with a speedlight on camera) sometimes I move back and forward from my subject and i need the flash to adjust as we go. When i soot like in the sample I posted up in the link I don't take time in between photos to adjust anything; it's go go go ...

 

[ferider]

I was looking at the Metz version. After all the Leica SF26 is just the Metz rebranded. But seems that the Metz doesn't work on TTL, at least that is what seems like ... anybody knows if this is true?

Correct. Like I said, you need the Leica version with updated firmware.

 

[sepiareverb]

SF-24 has been my flash for a while now, but I'm using the M9 & Monochrom V1. It is small, completely simple to use and has been very reliable. Full TTL with the cameras.

The SF-58 is a more elaborate unit, that might be an option?

 

[airfrogusmc]

I have sf58s. Not small but they work well.

 

[redsky]

It's Leica branded and astronomically expensive, but.... SF40 works really well. TTL works perfectly, the flash also works great manually, and it offers HSS, which is quite important if you want to fill during the day.

 

[theblackbrick]

It's Leica branded and astronomically expensive, but.... SF40 works really well. TTL works perfectly, the flash also works great manually, and it offers HSS, which is quite important if you want to fill during the day.

I used to shoot outdoors with flashes, strobes and the whole nine yards but not anymore. If I'm shooting outdoors I find my way around the light there is. Might be more challenging having to adapt but it is more fun.

Correct me if I'm wrong, because I'm fairly new to the Leica world and so far I've shot only film (my 262 is arriving tomorrow 😀). The HSS is High Speed Sync, right? So, why is that important if you want to fill during the day? I mean to fill you don't need high speed sync; I would understand that if you wanna make your speedlight your main and the sun the fill (basically underexpose the sun). But you can do that with a more powerful strobe and a 3 stop ND for example. Unless there is something that Leica cameras/lenses do that I'm missing.

 

[victoriapio]

I carry a Nikon SB30 in my camera bag and on manual it works perfectly with the M9. I expect it would work with the newer M cameras, just not in any automatic mode.

 

[airfrogusmc]

I have a couple of sf 58s. They work well with my M-E, MM and M 262.

 

[Luke_Miller]

If you want small, Leica TTL, and don't want to pay a lot I suggest a used SF-24D. Personally I rarely use Leica TTL since it brings all the foibles of Leica's center-weighted metering into play. Even with my Leica SF-24D and SF-58 I will be in Auto mode where the flash controls the exposure rather than the camera. With a light source in the frame or a bright background TTL will often produce severe underexposure while Auto works fine and avoids the blinkies from the TTL pre-flash. An additional advantage is that all my Nikon flashes work on my Leicas when they are set to Auto.