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LEICA SF-24D
GN 65'/20m TTL Flash Typ 14 444
Ideal for all TTL LEICAs, Digital & Film, 1996~today
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Specifications Performance
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Powered by two CR123A cells, rated Guide Number 65'/20m at ISO 100, 35mm lens coverage, also comes with 24mm wide panel and 85mm tele panels, 5.9 oz./168g with batteries, about $550 used if you know How to Win at eBay. I got mine used at eBay.
This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
November 2022 Better Pictures LEICA Reviews LEICA Lenses All Reviews
Why Fixed Lenses Take Better Pictures
How to Shoot Film
Included snap-on 24mm (left) and 85mm (center) panels. bigger.
Sample Images top
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Without Flash:
Backlit Palms, no flash, 7:15 AM, 03 June 2020. LEICA Q2, LEICA SUMMILUX 28mm f/1.8 ASPH at f/1.7 at 1/2,000 at Auto ISO 160 (LV 11.8), Perfectly Clear. größer.
With Flash (and with 2/3 stop less ambient exposure):
Backlit Palms with Fill Flash, 7:16 AM, 03 June 2020. LEICA Q2, LEICA SF‑24D Flash at full-power in manual mode, LEICA SUMMILUX 28mm f/1.8 ASPH at f/1.7 at 1/2,000 at Auto ISO 100 (LV 12.5), Perfectly Clear. größer.
Even this little flash can light up a whole palm forest in broad daylight when you have a super-fast sync speed like the 1/2,000 sync of the Q2.
Hand-held selfies. Fill Flash fills the shadows. LEICA Q2 at f/5.6, SF‑24D flash in TTL flash mode.
Introduction top
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New Good Bad Missing
The LEICA SF-24D is a very compact and super-light, full-featured flash that works great with all LEICAs, especially those with TTL (through-the-lens) flash exposure control.
The SF-24D is the perfect size for use with any LEICA M series or Q2, and weighs only 5.9 oz./168g with batteries!
LEICA Q2 with SF-24D Flash. größer.
The SF-24D is superior to all of LEICA's flash offerings today because the only flashes LEICA sells today are either beasts to big for appropriate use on LEICA's greatest cameras like the M series and Q2, or they're tiny things that don't do anything. This SF-24D is just right.
It uses two tiny CR123A lithium cells, which is how it can be so small, light and powerful. Order online and I get these cells for a dollar or two each; don't pay $10 each at retail.
The SF-24D is a small and nearly weightless flash that fits in a pocket, and packs all the features we actually need from the giant flashes. The SF‑24D packs plenty of power and full TTL exposure control, as well as full dedication and automation for use on all of LEICA's cameras.
Like many of LEICA's most immortal products, the SF‑24D is only available used today. I got mine this link to them at eBay, where there are tons of them. See How to Win at eBay.
LEICA doesn't want you to know how great this little flash is, so they don't mention it as they don't make it anymore.
Features
 Fully dedicated to all LEICA cameras made since about the late 1990s that have a flash shoe.
Perfect size for use with LEICA M series and Q2.
Weighs only 5.9 oz./168g — with batteries!
Packs plenty of power: measured Guide Number of 56'/17m at ISO 100.
TTL (through-the-lens) exposure control with all LEICA cameras that support TTL.
Non-TTL A (Auto) mode for use with any camera.
Six manually-selected A (Non-TTL Auto) apertures from f/2 to f/11.
"OK" light lets you know exposure was correct in TTL and A modes (a holdover from film).
Manual power level sets to -5 stops in third stops.
Three-minute auto power-off, so no worries about having dead batteries if you put it away turned ON.
No zoom head, but includes 24mm wide and 85mm tele panels, and the system is smart enough to know what panel you're using and do all the calculations properly.
Compatibility top
Sample Images Intro Compatibility
Specifications Performance
User's Guide Recommendations More
I got my SF-24D used at eBay; see How to Win at eBay.
TTL Mode
For TTL (through-the-lens) exposure control, use it on any digital or film LEICA with TTL flash control, which means LEICAs as old as the LEICA R8 of 1996 and M6 TTL of 1998, and everything made ever since like the M7, M8, M9, M9-P, M-E, M240, M10, M10-P, M10 Monochrom, T, TL2, Q, Q2 and X1 and every other modern LEICA with a hot shoe.
These TTL cameras send the sensor's or film's ISO to the SF‑24D, so even in manual and A (Non-TTL Auto) modes the distances and f/stops are calculated and displayed on the SF‑24D's rear LCD.
Auto GN Mode
It works in Auto Guide Number Control mode with the LEICA CM 35mm camera. That's the GNC mark next to the TTL mark on the mode switch.
A (Auto) and Manual Modes
In Manual or A (Non-TTL Auto) modes, the SF‑24D works on any camera with a hot shoe, LEICA or not, like the Minilux Zoom or Minolta SRT-102.
Other Brands
I never mix lenses or flash between brands, however LEICA uses the same flash contact positions (not function) as Nikon, so I can use my passive Nikon flash extension cords like my Nikon SC-17.
It even has the same foot locking pin as Nikon does!
Contax uses a similar contact layout, but again I wouldn't try to use different brands of flash on other brands of cameras.
Specifications top
Sample Images Intro Compatibility
Specifications Performance
User's Guide Recommendations More
I got my SF-24D used at eBay; see How to Win at eBay.
Batteries
Powered by two CR123A cells.
Rated 370 full-power dumps, many more at lower power.
Rated Guide Numbers, ISO 100
No Panel (35mm) |
24mm Wide Diffuser |
85mm Tele Concentrator |
65 feet |
46 feet |
78 feet |
20 meters |
14 meters |
24 meters |
See also Actual Measured Guide Numbers.
Recycle Time
Rated 5 seconds at full-power, it's less most of the time in the TTL and A (Non-TTL Auto) modes.
Flash Duration
1/250 - 1/30,000 second (4,000 - 33 ms).
Angles of Coverage
63º (35mm lens on 35mm or full-frame).
Also comes with a 24mm wide and 85mm tele panels.
Unlike most flashes that usually cover much more than their ratings, the Germans don't screw around. As you can see at the Sample Images shot with a 28mm lens with the bare flash, it really won't cover 28mm unless you use the wide panel. The effect is more pronounced at close distances, but I don't bother with the wide panel on my Q2 as I prefer to have the extra power and use my SF‑24D for fill, not key light.
ISO Ranges
TTL
ISO 12 ~ ISO 3,200.
A (Non-TTL Auto)
ISO 25 ~ 800.
Manual
ISO 12 ~ 3,200.
F/Stop Ranges
TTL
Unlimited by the flash; depends on lens in use.
A (Non-TTL Auto)
Full stops from f/2 ~ f/11 from ISO 25 to ISO 400.
Full stops from f/2.8 ~ f/11 at ISO 640 and ISO 800.
Manual
f/1 to f/45 in half stops at all ISOs.
The computer calculates and displays the optimum distance based on set power output level, ISO and aperture.
Manual Power Settings
Full to -5 stops in third stops.
Flash Exposure Compensation
±3 stops in third stops in TTL mode.
±3 stops in full stops in A (Non-TTL Auto) mode, but you can't cheat to increase the range beyond the ISO and aperture ranges listed above.
The indicated manual range changes as the compensation is changed on a camera, but ISO remains as set.
2.6 x 4.3 x 1.6 inches.
66 x 109 x 40 millimeters.
5.910 oz. (167.5g) with batteries, actual measured weight.
24mm wide diffuser weighs 0.225 oz. (6.4g).
85mm teleconcentrator weighs 0.265 oz. (7.5g).
Leica specifies 6.35 oz. (180g), without batteries.
Flash in black velvet carry sack.
Wide panel.
Tele panel.
Two CR123A cells (classy, huh?).
Paperwork.
Silver-look corrugated cardboard.
Custom-cut firm closed-cell foam on the inside.
Flash System Complete: 14 444 (black as shown) or 14 448 in Titanium.
24mm Wide Panel: 14 445 (included).
85mm Tele Panel: 14 446 (included).
November 2022
About $550 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
June 2020
About $150 used if you know How to Win at eBay.
Performance top
Sample Images Intro Compatibility
Specifications Performance
User's Guide Recommendations More
I got my SF-24D used at eBay; see How to Win at eBay.
Measured Guide Numbers, ISO 100
No Panel (35mm) |
24mm Wide Diffuser |
85mm Tele Concentrator |
56 feet |
40 feet |
63 feet |
17 meters |
12 meters |
19 meters |
See also Rated Guide Numbers.
This is excellent; actual power is only a half stop less than rated. Flashes from the Orient usually are a full stop less than rated.
Ergonomics
Its easy to use, set and handle.
While it sits atop my Q2 with pride, most M cameras have their strap lugs so low that even this flyweight this flash can tend to make them flop over when carried with a neck strap.
The ready light is invisible in sunlight; look through your finder for the ready bolt.
The ready light is green (good), but the OK light sadly is red. You want to see the OK light after each TTL or Auto shot; it ought to be green as well.
The LCD is big and bold, and has a backlight.
User's Guide top
Sample Images Intro Compatibility
Specifications Performance
User's Guide Recommendations More
I got my SF-24D used at eBay; see How to Win at eBay.
Flash Usage
I never use flash indoors; if I do, I be sure to gel (filter) the flash orange (CTO) to match tungsten or green to match fluorescent lighting. I use flash for fill, not for key light.
It works great with the coiled Nikon SC-17 dedicated extension cord. It's a passive cord with the same pinouts as LEICA.
Power
Keep a few CR123A cells handy. Buy them in advance online and you shouldn't ever have to pay more than a dollar or two each, but they're $10 each if you have buy them at retail.
It goes to sleep after three minutes of non-use so you won't run down your batteries by accident. Press your shutter or the flash's +/- buttons to wake it.
SF-24D. bigger.
Setting Meters or Feet
Hold both the + and - buttons while turning-on to select the units.
Flash Settings
Press the compensation, aperture or ISO buttons.
The LCD blinks, and you can set your choice with the + and - buttons.
LCD Backlight
Press + and - together to light the LCD.
Exposure
All the displayed flash ranges are honest; they're calculated for digital or transparency film. Most flashes from the Orient lie and overestimate by a stop, hoping negative film will cover it up. Not this LEICA flash, it's displayed auto and TTL ranges are accurate.
Exposure compensation only sets in full stops in Auto mode, so adjust the ISO setting if you need to tune it in third stops.
If your TTL or Auto exposure is OK, then you'll see the flash bolt in the finder (and the rear "OK" light) right after the shot, otherwise, nothing.
if you set TTL mode on the flash but it's not attached to a TTL camera, you won't get the green ready light and "A" flashes on the LCD as a hint to use the non-TTL Auto mode instead.
TTL/GNC Mode
Leave it in TTL (through-the-lens), which sets the exposure by measuring the light actually coming into the camera.
GNC is Auto Guide Number Control mode, used with the LEICA CM 35mm camera. That's the GNC mark next to the TTL mark on the mode switch.
Use on M7
The LEICA M7 talks to the SF-24D any time the M7 power switch turned to ON, even if film not wound.
Cannot set ISO if M7 is ON, turn off the M7 to set it.
The M7 works in TTL mode, even in Manual shutter speed mode.
The M7 sets itself to 1/50 (its sync speed) if in A (Non-TTL Auto) mode.
Bolt ON means ready.
If the exposure is OK, the in-finder bolt stays on, and the red OK light lights on the back of the flash (the book says "flashing," but it actually just stays on if the exposure was OK). OK also stays on to let you know it's recycled for the next shot.
Fast (4 cps) blinking means OK, but the flash is recycling.
No in-finder bolt after your shot means you probably didn't have enough flash power and it might be under exposed. You won't get a ready bolt again until you wind the film.
Controls down to no flash light at all
The flash fires at slow speeds and bulb, but doesn't fire if the M6 is turned off.
Recommendations top
Sample Images Intro Compatibility
Specifications Performance
User's Guide Recommendations More
I got my SF-24D used at eBay; see How to Win at eBay.
I love my SF-24D. It's small, light and full-featured; a far cry from the way too big or way too small flashes sold by LEICA today.
This 100% all-content website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken, Mrs. Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.
More Information top
Sample Images Intro Compatibility
Specifications Performance
User's Guide Recommendations More
I got my SF-24D used at eBay; see How to Win at eBay.
LEICA's SF-24D page.
© Ken Rockwell. All rights reserved. Tous droits réservés. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.
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