Leica SF 60 User manual

LEICA SF 60
INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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PART DESIGNATIONS
1Reflector head, with
adiffuser
bbounce card
cwide-angle diffuser
2Video light
3Sensor for cordless off-camera operation (behind infrared-per-
meable panel)
4AF assist light
5Input jack for connecting external battery pack (behind cover)
6Mounting foot with
aunlock button
blocking pin
7Power switch
8Mode dial and
aindex
9Ready LED / test flash button
10 LCD panel
11 Combination dial / rocker switch with settings for
achannel selection
baudible signal
cdevice pairing
dzoom mode / focal length
ebutton lock
12 Battery compartment cover
13 Clip-on softbox
14 Off-camera stand with ¼“ thread

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FOREWORD
Dear Customer,
Thank you for purchasing the Leica SF60 system flash unit, and
congratulations on choosing the best system flash solution for your
Leica camera. We wish you every enjoyment and success with your
new flash unit.
To get the most out of your Leica SF 60, please read this manual
before use.
Note:
You will find the manufacturing date of your Leica SF 60 on the
labels provided in the Warranty Card and/or on the packaging. The
date format is L Y M DD XXXXXXX:
L= Leica
Y= Year (1-0 (=2011-2020))
M= Month (1-9 = Jan.-Sep., A = Oct., B = Nov., C = Dec.)
DD = Day (0-31)
XXXXXXX = Firmware version
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ADVISORY CATEGORIES
Note:
Additional information
Important:
Failure to observe this information can result in damage to the
camera, accessories, or the photos
Attention:
Failure to observe this information can result in personal injury

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Designation of parts.....................................................................3
Foreword .....................................................................................4
Safety precautions .......................................................................6
Disposal of electrical and electronic equipment............................7
Compatible cameras ....................................................................8
Functions dependent on the camera model ..................................9
Preparation
Power supply .............................................................................10
Changing the power source........................................................10
Battery disposal .........................................................................11
Mounting/unmounting the flash unit ..........................................12
Operation
Switching on and off ..................................................................13
Displays when the flash unit is switched on ................................13
Auto power off ...........................................................................13
Zoom reflector ...........................................................................14
Manual adjustment ....................................................................12
Wide-angle diffuser ....................................................................15
Flash modes ..............................................................................16
Fully automatic – A....................................................................16
Fully automatic – TTL..............................................................16
Setting flash exposure compensation ....................................17
Video light ..........................................................................18
Setting the light intensity ......................................................18
Manual flash mode – M...........................................................18
Partial light output settings ...................................................18
Cordless off-camera flash ........................................................19
Remote firing - SD/SF ..........................................................20
Remote control - ABC ......................................................20
Flash groups ......................................................................21
Channel selection...............................................................21
Audible signal.....................................................................22
Other settings/functions
Bounce flash..............................................................................23
Bounce flash with bounce card...................................................23
Clip-on softbox ..........................................................................24
Button lock ................................................................................24
Aspect ratio ...............................................................................24
Synchronization .........................................................................24
AF assist light ............................................................................25
External battery pack as power supply........................................25
Appendix
Maintenance and care................................................................26
Conditioning the capacitor of the flash unit.................................26
Troubleshooting .........................................................................26
Spare parts................................................................................27
Technical data............................................................................28
Leica service addresses .............................................................29
Guide number table...................................................................???

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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Attention:
Intended use
• This flash unit is designed and certified for lighting subjects for
photography purposes only. This 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 for use with it
by Leica Camera AG.
• The flash unit must never be fired in proximity to flammable
gases or liquids (benzene, solvents, etc.). Failure to observe this
can 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).

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Important:
• 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.
DISPOSAL OF ELECTRICAL AND
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
(Applies within the EU and for other European
countries with active waste separation policies.)
This device contains electrical and/or electronic components and
must therefore not be disposed of with normal household waste!
Make sure you bring this device to an approved electronic waste
collection point for recycling. The service is free of charge.
If the device contains batteries, whether rechargeable or not, these
must be removed first and disposed of separately in line with the
applicable regulations. Please contact your local authority, waste
disposal service, or the retailer from whom you purchased the
device for more information on correct waste disposal.
Note:
Correct exposure values were assessed as part of EMC testing
for CE marking.
Do not touch the SCA contacts!
In exceptional circumstances, touching the SCA contacts can
result in damage to the device.

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COMPATIBLE CAMERAS
The LEICA SF60 was designed for Leica cameras with autonomous
flash exposure control by way of TTL (Through-The-Lens) metering,
such as 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.
However, using the LeicaSF60 with camera models of other
manufacturers can only be recommended with reservations.
Similarly positioned contacts in the accessory shoes of other
camera makes can use different electrical values, resulting in
incompatible signals that can adversely affect either or both of the
devices. Leica Camera AG therefore accepts no liability for any
damage that might occur in these cases beyond that which might
occur to the flash unit itself without outside influence.
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.
For this reason, it is important that you read the information on
flash photography in the manual of the camera model you are
using, paying particular attention to the flash features supported
by your camera, the camera settings you might need to make,
and the camera's flash photography displays and indicators.

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FUNCTIONS DEPENDENT ON THE CAMERA MODEL
The flash functions listed below are available (depending on the
equipment of the camera model used).
– Flash ready indication in camera's viewfinder / LCD panel
– Automatic flash sync speed control
– TTL flash mode
– Automatic fill-in flash mode
– Manual flash exposure compensation
– Normal or 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)
– Constant video light
– Automatic power off functions
Note:
If the camera model used does not supply the required data, or if
the lens used does not have the required data contacts for the lens
mount, functional restrictions can be expected.

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PREPARATION
POWER SUPPLY
The flash unit can be operated with the following power sources:
– 4 alkaline batteries, 1.5V, IEC type LR6 (AA/mignon size)
This type of battery is maintenance-free and suitable for
moderate power requirements.
– 4 nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries, 1.2V, IEC
type HR6 (AA/mignon size)
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.
More information on the capacity of the individual battery types
can be found on page 28.
Attention/important:
• Only use the power sources listed above. Failure to observe this
could damage the flash unit. This particularly applies to certain
types of lithium battery (1.5V, IEC type FR6, AA/mignon size).
These can heat up excessively during use and can cause burns,
despite the automatic overheating protection of the device!
• Always remove the batteries if you don't intend to use the flash
unit for an extended period of time.
CHANGING THE POWER SOURCE
When the recycling time between flashes begins to take more than
30s, this indicates that the batteries are depleted and should be
replaced. (Recycling time = time after flash is fired at full output
level (e.g. M) until the Ready LED 9lights up green again).
Procedure
1. Switch the flash unit off (see also the next section)
2. Slide forward the battery compartment cover and release it.
It will automatically spring open.
3. Remove the spent batteries and insert the new ones as shown
in the illustration
Make sure you insert each battery in the correct orientation!