Leica SF 58 - Leica Camera AG

Using as secondary flash unit
Sometimes the desired illumination can only be achieved with the use of several
light sources. Apart from the main light source, usually employed for frontal
illumination, additional light sources are required e.g. in the case of portraits to
avoid hard shadows, to produce highlights in the eyes, etc.
For this purpose, the LEICA SF 58 has a photocell (1.2), so that it can not only be
used directly on the camera as main flash source, but also as a wirelessly-fired
(i.e. solely by the flash of the main flash unit) secondary flash unit. The mounting
base included in delivery permits easy and secure setting up of the device
used as secondary flash unit on any even surface.
Setting the function (see also “Menu navigation / setting the functions”, p. 46)
In the Mode menu, select the menu item “ M -Slave”.
The following display appears on the monitor of the flash unit:
– M -Slave for the mode
– “MZoom” and the currently set focal length/position of the zoom head
– the currently set partial light output level
The last two displays indicate the only other settings possible with slave mode.
Note:
• Upon reaching the readiness to flash state, in addition to the readiness to
flash indicator (1.16), the lower auto-focus metering light (1.8) also lights up.
• In the case of the Leica M 8/M 8.2 models, the flash unit being used as the
main unit should be set to A or M mode, but not to TTL mode.
Reason: Since the slave sensor (1.6) of the flash unit being used as a secondary
unit is sensitive even to weaker signals, it would already be triggered by TTL
pre flashes of the main flash unit. In turn, the secondary unit would not be ready
again for the main flash following immediately afterwards.
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Setting of partial light outputs and the focal length/reflector position
1. Press the Set
button (1.14) twice to select the first of the two points
“P1/x*” and
2. there the desired value with the – (1.15) or + (1.16) buttons.
Output levels between 1/1 and 1/256 are possible, including intermediate
values in one-third f-stops.
In each case, the output level and any intermediate value is displayed as
“-1/3“ or “-2/3”. After adjusting the setting, the display now only shows “–”
for the intermediate value “-1/3” and/ or “– –” for the intermediate value
“-2/3”.
Note:
At full output (“P1/1”), the output can only be reduced, and in this case, only
the – button (1.15) is available.
3. Press the Set button (1.14) again to select the second of the two points
“MZoom 50*” and
4. there desired focal length/reflector position with the
(1.16) buttons.
Both settings take effect immediately.
– (1.15), +
* Displays are examples