Here I am again with another question. This time it has to do with the SF20 Flash. I have never before used a synchronized flashgun, so I am "in the dark" when it comes to interpreting the instructions in the manual. The authors of the manual assume some basic knowledge on the part of the user. That assumption leaves me lost and bewildered. I am struggling to understand the principles of flash usage, and specifically the SF20. For instance, with the flash in the TTL mode, the instructions state: "Transfer the aperature adjusted on the lens manually to the flashgun so that the correct shooting range is indicated on the LC display." Pardon my dumbness, but how do I know what aperature to use? Do I first focus on the subject, noting the distance; then press the preselect key and plus/minus keys until the approximate distance appears, along with an aperature value, and then use that value to adjust the aperature ring? Or, am I completely confused? I need some help.

-- Max Wall (mtwall@earthlink.net), July 11, 2001

Answers

Leica friend, good afternoon

And please, excuse my bad English (if you speak French, have no hesitation to contact me, it'll be more easy). I'm new in the Leica world and with the SF20; if I correctly understand your mail, I do as you said. My main use of SF20 is for shooting at short distances (< 4 m)and, generaly at f:5,6 with a 200 ASA film. 1)first, I focus and note the distance given by the focus ring 2)on the SF20, I choose the aperture in report with this distance and I valid it on the flash (I'm not sure it is really necessary in TTL mode)and on the aperture ring of the lens. 3)in the doubt, you can open more (1 d)the tolerance is excellent 4)now I'm obliged to recognize a personal mistake: I never note what the LEDs show after shooting: with glasses, it's not easy. I found SF20 very easy to use in TTL mode; what's a pity it has a fixed head and it's impossible to decentrate it: on my point of view, a typical Leica produce, excellent with uncredible small defects ... but Leica is Leica and we have wonderfull pictures !! I would be happy to give you some help Regards, Alain

-- alain.besançon (alain.besancon@chu-dijon.fr), July 12, 2001.

Max:

In TTL mode, the only reason you need to transfer the aperture to the flash unit, is so you can see the limits of the near and far flash ranges -- usually a range of several feet -- that that particular aperture setting will allow the flash to work within. Otherwise, just shoot away, and let the camera do its thing. So, if the range insdicated is 5 - 15 feet for an apreture of f5.6, then you know you can happily work within those ranges WITHOUT resetting the lens or the flash. If you move closer to your subject, stop down, if you move further away, open up.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), July 12, 2001.