How safe is it to use the Leica SF20 flash on Nikon FM2n? I have a Vivitar 283 for my Nikon, which is although more powerful, I am tempted to use the SF20 flash on the Nikon also, having seen its performance on the M6TTL. I am little scared to try (for the risk of damaging the flash and/or the Nikon), after reading the warnings on the SF20 Flash literature to not use on other cameras. Any users with this combination?

-- Mallik Kovuri (mkovuri@gtemail.net), January 15, 2002

Answers

Get a hot shoe adaptor from Kaiser and trigger the SF-20 from the Nikon's pc socket.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), January 15, 2002.

I've used the SF20 in auto mode on my F5 with no problems, so I cannot imagine any harm will be done using it on your FM2N. However, I know that Nikon has always made a big deal about not using high- voltage trigger flashes on their cameras, but more than one photojournalist used the Vivitar 283 on their Nikons... BTW, the SF20 will light up the flash-ready LED in your Nikon.

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), January 15, 2002.

Jack- Does the SF-20 have an auto shut-off feature to save batteries?

-- Frank Horn (owlhoot45@hotmail.com), January 15, 2002.

John,

Are you suggesting that I should not use the hotshoe and use only the PC socket? Why does it make any difference?

Frank, the SF20 does have an auto off feature to save batteries.

-- Mallik Kovuri (mkovuri@gtemail.net), January 16, 2002.