Leica SF 60 User manual

LEICA SF 60
Instruction manual

ENEN
2
FOREWORD
Dear Customer,
We wish you a great deal of fun and success taking photographs
with your new Leica system flash unit. The best system flash
solution for your Leica camera. Please read this manual to
familiarize yourself with the full scope of functions your flash unit
has to offer.
Please read the chapters “Safety Remarks” and “Important
Information” before using the product for the first time.
Knowledge of the content will prevent inadvertent damage
to the product, possible injuries and other risks.
SCOPE OF DELIVERY
The standard scope of delivery* contains the following:
– Flash unit
– Diffuser (clip-on)
– Off-camera stand
– Carry bag
– Quick Start Guide
*The actual scope of delivery may vary depending on model.

ENEN
3
LEGAL INFORMATION
REGULATORY INFORMATION
You will find the manufacturing date of your Leica SF60 on the
labels provided in the Warranty Card and/or on the packaging.
CE mark
The CE mark on our products documents compliance with the
fundamental requirements of applicable EU guidelines.
Correct exposure values were assessed as part of EMC testing for
CE marking.
DISPOSAL OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC
EQUIPMENT
(Applies within the EU and for other European countries
with active waste separation policies.)
This device contains electric and/or electronic components which
must not be disposed of in general household waste. Instead, it
should be disposed of at a recycling collection point provided by
your local authority.
This service is free of charge. Any standard or rechargeable
batteries used in this device must be removed and disposed of
separately in accordance with local regulations.
Please contact your local authorities, waste disposal collection
point or the retailer, from whom you purchased the device for more
information on correct waste disposal.
BATTERY DISPOSAL
Never dispose of depleted batteries in household waste! Do your
part for the environment and take your depleted batteries to a
collection point.
Only dispose of batteries once they are completely spent.
Cover the battery poles with adhesive tape to prevent a short
circuit.
The following abbreviations can be found on the label of batteries
containing hazardous materials:
Pb Battery contains lead
Cd Battery contains cadmium
Hg Battery contains mercury
Li Battery contains lithium

ENEN
4
SAFETY REMARKS
WARNING
Non-compliance with the following points may result in
serious injury or death.
• This flash unit is designed and certified for lighting subjects for
photography purposes only. The device must not be used for any
other purpose.
• It must only be used with the accessories described in this
manual, or with accessories otherwise approved by Leica
Camera AG.
• The flash unit must not be fired in close proximity to flammable
gases or liquids (benzene, solvents, etc.)! Non-compliance may
result in an explosion or fire.
• Avoid flash photography too close to the subject's eyes. The
extreme light output can cause retinal damage in humans and
animals, resulting in permanently impaired vision or even
blindness.
• Never use flash photography in the direction of oncoming traffic
of any kind, as drivers can be momentarily distracted, which can
cause accidents. Before taking shots of moving traffic, switch
the flash off or otherwise make sure that the flash will not be
triggered.
• Do not touch the diffuser after repeated flash firing, as it can
become very hot. Failure to observe this can result in burns!
• Never touch the contacts in the mounting foot of the flash unit.
• If the case of the device has been damaged and internal
components are visible, take care not to touch them – high
voltage hazard! This also applies if there is a risk that water or
other liquids could have penetrated the device case, or any kind
of metallic or flammable object.
• In these cases, remove the batteries. Take great care when
doing so.
• Even after battery removal, the high-voltage circuitry can still
hold a sufficient charge to cause electric shock, burns or other
injuries.
• The device must therefore continue to be kept safe from
moisture (e.g. rain or splash water) and must not be handled
with moist hands. Do not attempt to disassemble, repair, or
modify the device! The device interior does not hold any
components that could be repaired by a layman.
• Please only use the batteries specified and approved in this
manual.
• Do not short-circuit batteries or expose them to excessive heat
(e.g. direct sunshine or fire).
• Depleted batteries must never be thrown into a fire!
• Do not attempt to recharge single-use dry cell batteries (primary
cells).

ENEN
5
CAUTION
Non-compliance with the following points may result in
personal injury or damage to the device.
• Protect your flash unit against excessive heat and humidity. Do
not store the flash unit in the glove compartment of your vehicle.
• Rapid changes in ambient temperature can result in condensa-
tion. Allow the flash unit time to acclimatize before using!
• Make sure that no opaque objects are positioned directly in
front of the diffuser or directly on it when the flash is triggered.
The diffuser must be clean. Failure to observe this can result in
burn damage to the objects or the diffuser due to the extremely
high energy output of the flash.
• The flash unit must only be used together with a camera-inte-
grated flash if this can be fully opened out or extended.
• Do not use batteries that are damaged in any way!
• Depleted batteries can leak battery acid, which could damage
the contacts. Always remove batteries from the device when not
in use.
• The SCA contacts must not be touched directly. In some cases,
touching the SCA contacts can result in damage to the device.

ENEN
6
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
COMPATIBLE CAMERAS
The Leica SF60 was designed for Leica cameras with autonomous
flash exposure control, which use TTL (Through-The-Lens) metering
like the Leica digital cameras of the S, SL, M, CL, and Q series.
The Leica SF60 can also be used with any other Leica camera
model, but only in manual mode.
Using the LeicaSF60 with other camera brands is not recom-
mended. Similarly positioned contacts with differing electric values
in the accessory shoes of other camera makes may result in
incompatibility, which may negatively impact the function of one –
or both – devices. Leica Camera AG therefore does not extend its
liability to damages based on using the flash unit with other camera
brands and specifically to damages incurred beyond the actual
flash unit.
Notes
• The descriptions in this manual are generally limited to the use
of the Leica SF60 in conjunction with Leica camera models
from the current product range.
• This manual only describes the functions and settings of the
Leica SF60 flash unit itself. With very few exceptions, this also
applies to displays and indicators.
It is therefore of utmost importance that you read the informa-
tion about flash operation in the relevant camera manual
regarding which flash functions are supported by the camera,
flash-related camera settings, and the camera's own flash-relat-
ed displays.

ENEN
7
MODEL-DEPENDENT CAMERA FUNCTIONS
The flash functions listed below are available (depending on the
equipment of the camera model used).
– Flash ready indicator in the viewfinder/on the LCD panel
– Automatic flash synchronization timer
– TTL flash mode
– Automatic fill-in flash mode
– Manual flash exposure compensation
– Start/end-of-exposure synchronization (camera setting)
– Automatic high speed synchronization, if supported by camera
model
– Automatic zoom reflector control
– Pre-flash function to reduce red eye effect (camera setting)
– Cordless off-camera flash operation (remote settings and firing
control)
– Continuous lighting for video recording
– Automatic power off functions
Note
• Data transfer is not available when using lenses/cameras
without relevant bayonet interfaces. This will result in partial
function limitations.

ENEN
8
TABLE OF CONTENT
FOREWORD ..................................................................................... 2
SCOPE OF DELIVERY ...................................................................... 2
LEGAL INFORMATION .................................................................... 3
REGULATORY INFORMATION ......................................................................3
SAFETY REMARKS .......................................................................... 4
WARNING ......................................................................................................4
CAUTION .......................................................................................................5
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ........................................................... 6
COMPATIBLE CAMERAS ...............................................................................6
MODEL-DEPENDENT CAMERA FUNCTIONS ...............................................7
TABLE OF CONTENT ....................................................................... 8
PART DESIGNATIONS ................................................................... 10
PREPARATION ............................................................................... 12
POWER SUPPLY ......................................................................................... 12
REPLACING THE BATTERIES ............................................................................ 12
POWER SAVE MODE (STANDBY MODE) .......................................................... 13
EXTERNAL BATTERY PACK AS POWER SUPPLY .............................................. 14
ATTACHING/DETACHING THE FLASH UNIT ............................................ 14
OPERATION ................................................................................... 16
SWITCHING THE CAMERA ON/OFF ......................................................... 16
DISPLAYS WITH ACTIVATED FLASH UNIT ............................................... 16
ADJUSTING THE ILLUMINATION ANGLE ................................................. 16
ZOOM REFLECTOR ........................................................................................... 16
WIDE-ANGLE DIFFUSER .................................................................................. 18
FLASH MODES .............................................................................. 20
AUTOMATIC CONTROL BY THE CAMERA ................................................. 20
A ....................................................................................................................... 20
TTL .................................................................................................................... 20
FLASH EXPOSURE COMPENSATION ............................................................... 21
M – MANUAL OPERATION ......................................................................... 22
"UNFETTERED" FLASH ............................................................................. 22
POSITIONING AND DIRECTIONALITY .............................................................. 23
REMOTE FIRING – SD/SF ................................................................................ 23
REMOTE CONTROL – ABC ....................................................................... 24
GROUP SELECTION ................................................................................................. 24
CHANNEL SELECTION ............................................................................................ 25
ACOUSTIC SIGNAL ................................................................................................. 26
VIDEO LIGHT – ..................................................................................... 26
OTHER FUNCTIONS ...................................................................... 28
BOUNCE FLASH ......................................................................................... 28
BOUNCE FLASH USING THE INTEGRATED
BOUNCE CARD ................................................................................................. 28
DIFFUSER (CLIP-ON) ................................................................................. 29
SYNC SPEED .............................................................................................. 29
AF ASSIST LIGHT ....................................................................................... 30
KEYLOCK .................................................................................................... 30
CARE/MAINTENANCE .................................................................. 32
FAQ ................................................................................................. 32
TECHNICAL DATA .......................................................................... 34
LEICA CUSTOMER CARE ............................................................... 35
LEICA ACADEMY ........................................................................... 35
APPENDIX ...................................................................................... 36

ENEN
9
Definition of the various categories of information found in
this manual
Note
– Additional information
Important
– Failure to comply with instructions may result in damage to
the camera, the accessories or the recordings
Attention
– Non-compliance may result in personal injury

ENEN
10
PART DESIGNATIONS
1
1a
1b
1c
2
3
4
5
6
7
89
10
8a
6a
6b
11
11a
11b
11c
11e
11d
1
12
13
14

ENEN
11
1Reflector head
aDiffuser
bBounce card
cWide-angle diffuser
2Video light
3Sensor for cordless off-camera operation
(behind infrared-permeable panel)
4AF assist light
5Input jack for connecting external battery pack
(behind cover)
6Base
aUnlock button
bLocking pin
7Main switch
8Mode dial
aIndex
9Ready LED/test flash button
10 LCD panel
11 Setting ring/tilt selector with function information
aChannel selection
bAcoustic signal
cDevice pairing
dZoom mode/focal length
eKeylock
12 Battery compartment cover
13 Diffuser (clip-on)
14 Camera stand with ¼" thread

ENEN
12
PREPARATION
POWER SUPPLY
This flash unit can be operated with the following power sources:
4 alkaline batteries, 1.5V,
IEC type LR6
(AA/mignon size)
4 nickel-metal hydride (NiMH)
rechargeable batteries, 1.2V,
IEC type HR6
(AA/mignon size)
This type of battery is
maintenance-free and
suitable for moderate power
requirements.
This type of rechargeable
battery has a significantly
higher capacity than a
nickel-cadmium (NiCd)
rechargeable battery and is
more environmentally friendly,
as it contains no cadmium.
Please read the technical information provided regarding the
capacity of the various battery types (p.34).
Attention
• Only use the power sources listed. Failure to observe this could
damage the flash unit. That may in particular apply for specific
types of lithium batteries (1.5V, IEC type FR6, AA/mignon size),
which may heat up excessively during use and cause burns,
despite the automatic overheating protection of the device!
Important
• Always remove the batteries if you don't intend to use the flash
unit for an extended period of time.
REPLACING THE BATTERIES
Batteries are depleted, when the recovery time between flashes
increases to more than 30s (recovery time = time after flash is
fired at full output level (e.g. M) until the Ready LED lights up green
again).
▸ Switch off the flash unit (see p.16)
▸ Slide the battery compartment cover forward and release it
• The cover will automatically flip up.
▸ Insert the batteries as shown in the diagram
• Ensure correct polarity.

ENEN
13
▸ Close the battery compartment by pressing down on the rear of
the cover and then slide it back into place
Attention
• Incorrect battery polarity can destroy the flash unit!
• Improper battery use poses an explosion hazard!
Notes
• Always replace all batteries at the same time.
• All four batteries should be of high quality and must be of the
same type.
POWER SAVE MODE (STANDBY MODE)
The flash unit will take the following actions to prolong battery life
during times of inactivity:
Inactivity Power saving measure
a few seconds Displays on the LCD panel are dimmed
a few minutes Standby mode (Ready LCD flashes green)
depending on operating mode
A, TTL, Mafter 2minutes
SD, SF, ABC after 5minutes
60 minutes Complete power off
Reactivating the flash unit
▸ Tap the camera shutter button
or
▸ Press the setting ring on any side
Notes
• The flash unit will automatically switch to standby mode after a
series of around 20 to 30 quick-fire flashes at high output level
to protect the electronic components of the device against
overheating. The device cannot be reactivated during the
cool-down phase and the Ready LED will flash in 1.5s intervals
during that time. The same will occur if the batteries are
overheating.
• If you don't intend to use the flash unit for an extended period of
time, we recommend switching it off and removing the batteries.

ENEN
14
EXTERNAL BATTERY PACK AS POWER SUPPLY
The SF60 has a port for connecting an external battery pack (e.g.
by Nissin), for an increased maximum number of flashes and
shortened flash recovery times. These accessories can be sourced
from various manufactures and are available in specialist shops.
▸ Lift the rubber cover protecting the input jack
▸ Connect the battery pack via the supplied cable
Note
• The control functions of the SF60 flash unit are powered
exclusively by the internal batteries. That is why these batteries
must still have enough power left to run these functions even if
an external battery pack is used.
ATTACHING/DETACHING THE FLASH UNIT
The flash unit can be attached to a camera or to the base stand
supplied. The stand attachment is the same as on the camera.
Notes
• Ensure that the camera is switched off while attaching the flash
unit.
• On cameras with an accessory shoe that lacks the necessary
hole for the locking pin, the spring-loaded pin fully retracts into
the mounting foot of the flash unit and will not damage the
surface of the accessory shoe.

ENEN
15
ATTACHING
2
1
▸ Switch off the camera and flash unit (see p.16)
▸ Push the mounting foot of the flash unit into the camera’s
accessory shoe
• The locking pin must audibly click into place.
DETACHING
2
1
▸ Switch off the camera and flash unit (see p.16)
▸ Press the unlock button
▸ Slide the flash unit out of the accessory shoe

ENEN
16
OPERATION
SWITCHING THE CAMERA ON/OFF
▸ Press the button
DISPLAYS WITH ACTIVATED FLASH UNIT
• The Ready LED initially lights up red, and turns green as soon as
the flash is ready (after a few seconds, provided the battery has
sufficient charge).
• The symbols for the set flash mode appear on the LCD panel.
• In cameras that support this feature, the flash ready symbol will
appear in the camera's viewfinder and/or LCD panel.
Note
• You can press the Ready LED for a test flash.
ADJUSTING THE ILLUMINATION ANGLE
ZOOM REFLECTOR
The flash unit is equipped with a zoom reflector that can adjust the
flash coverage to the focal length of the lens in use between 24
and 200mm. Depending on the selected flash mode, this will be
automatic only (A), manual only (SD and SF), or optionally
automatic or manual (TTL and M). Automatic adjustments continue
on Vario lenses when zooming in or out.
▸ Press the setting ring at the bottom (for M.zoom) for about 1s
• The current setting is shown on the LCD panel.
▸ Turn the setting ring to select the automatic setting AAor the
focal length of your choice (in 9increments from 2424mm to
200200mm)
▸ Press the setting ring again at the bottom for about 1s

ENEN
17
Tip
If you are using a zoom lens and know that you won't always be
needing the full range of the flash, it can be helpful to set the flash
unit manually to the shortest focal length of the lens. This will
guarantee that the entire image area including edges will be fully
illuminated without having to readjust the settings.
Example:
You decide to work with a zoom lens with a focal length range of
24 to 90mm. In this case, set the position of the zoom reflector to
24mm.
Notes
• The automatic focal length adjustment of the zoom reflector only
works with camera models that transfer focal length information
to the flash unit. If this is not the case, you will need to adjust
the focal length setting manually. The manual of your camera
model will tell you what information it will transfer to a connect-
ed flash unit of this type.
• There will be no automatic focal length adjustment if:
– the reflector head is turned to the left or right
– the wide-angle diffuser was removed
– the clip-on softbox is attached
• The last manual focal length setting will remain after the flash
unit is switched off and on again.
• All focal length information or settings in this manual refer to the
thumbnail format. When using cameras with smaller or larger
formats, you will have to determine the correct focal length
settings using the appropriate conversion factor for optimal use
of the flash range.
• In some digital cameras, the flash unit can adjust the zoom
display for the reflector position to the recording format
(=sensor format). This function requires a camera that
communicates focal length data to the flash unit.

ENEN
18
WIDE-ANGLE DIFFUSER
The integrated wide-angle diffuser allows the use of lenses with
focal lengths as short as 16mm.
PULL OUT
▸ Pull the wide-angle diffuser from the reflector head as far as it
will go and release it
• The wide-angle diffuser will automatically flip up.
• 16 mm16 mm is displayed on the LCD panel.
PUSH IN
▸ Flip down the wide-angle diffuser by 90°
▸ Push it in fully
Notes
• The zoom reflector is moved to the required (24mm) position
when the wide-angle diffuser is in use. The illuminated focal
length, however, will always be 16mm, no matter which lens is
used.
• The reflector will return to its previous setting when the
wide-angle diffuser is flipped back.
• A concurrent use of the wide-angle diffuser and the clip-on
diffuser is not recommended.
Notes on range
• The following may result in shadowing at the lower edge of the
image:
– at close range
– when using larger lenses
– when using larger lens hoods
• Close range flash exposures may display overexposures. A use
of the integrated bounce card (see p.28) or the diffuser may
be useful here.
• Please adhere to the values provided in the guide number table
(attached) for max. range to prevent underexposure.

ENEN
19

ENEN
20
FLASH MODES
Select one of the following flash modes:
Video light (see p.26)
SF Remote firing without pre-flash (see p.23)
SD Remote firing with pre-flash (see p.23)
MManual flash mode (see p.22)
AAutomatic control by the camera
(no flash exposure compensation available)
TTL Automatic control by the camera
(flash exposure compensation available)
ABC Wireless remote control (see p.24)
SETTING PROCESS
▸ Turn the mode dial until the desired mode is aligned with the
index mark
• The relevant display appears on the LCD panel.
AUTOMATIC CONTROL BY THE CAMERA
A
This flash mode is the easiest way to achieve excellent flash
photography results. Flash exposure metering is done by the
camera. It measures the light reflected by the subject through the
lens (TTL).
Depending on the camera model, the flash unit will produce a
pre-flash for metering purposes just before the actual exposure.
Alle exposure modes of the camera are available.
TTL
Automatic control by the camera as in mode A. In this mode, an
additional flash exposure compensation of -2 to +2EV in 1/3EV
increments can be set. This will allow an adjustment of the flash
exposure.
Automatic flash exposure control systems are set to a light
reflection factor of 25% (average reflection level of flash-lit
subjects). Those part of the subject illuminated mainly by the flash
may therefore be under or overexposed:
– the main subject is very dark or very reflective
– the main subject (of average brightness) is very small and/or in
front of a bright or highly reflective background (e.g. backlight-
ing), or in front of a very dark background (e.g. night time
outdoors)
The LCD panel will show a light balance scale with EV digits
underneath to indicate that flash exposure compensation is
available.