Beyond darkness

When you realize that a flash unit can do more than just help you take pictures in the dark, you will discover in the LEICA SF 58 a creative light with vast potential - enabling you to achieve anything from subtle fill-in and indirect flash light using the tilt reflector, to decoupled flash operation in slave mode. It is designed specifically for the Leica system camera and, as such, enables you to concentrate fully on the subject while leaving the exposure up to the camera.

Brilliant combo

While the main reflector is responsible for the indirect flash, the secondary reflector can be used to lighten up the darks and generate brilliant results. The extra light can be adjusted in three steps and adapted to the subject.

Creative light distribution

The LEICA SF 58 boasts a tilt reflector with a broad adjustable range. It enables you to bounce the flash off a roof or wall and avoid harsh shadows and reflections. This form of indirect lighting is good news for portrait photographers, as the reflector will tilt up to 7 degrees vertically, facilitating fantastic close-up shots.

 

At a glance

Thanks to a spacious, back-lit LC-Display and a well-structured menu, the LEICA SF 58 is very easy to operate. All flash functions are effortlessly adjusted using all but four keys. Depending on the camera type and mode, the LEICA SF 58 will automatically register the focal length, aperture and ISO and display the information on its screen, simultaneously calculating the maximum range at maximum flash power. Successful exposures are optionally confirmed with a beep.

A flash with a bright future

The LEICA SF 58 sports an integrated USB port for firmware updating, making this flash an investment with a bright future.

Wide angle ready

The optionally available diffuser can be used to create an exceptionally soft lighting effect, covering focal lengths down to 16 mm - great for portrait photography. The integrated wideangle diffuser disc illuminates the angle of an 18 mm lens.

Press Release

Professional high-end flash unit for highest performance and system compatibility

Leica Camera AG, Solms, presents a new flash unit combining the highest performance and system compatibility in one high-end flash unit – the LEICA SF 58. The maximum guide number of 58 (ISO 100/21°) enables high light output and, due to its fully swiveling reflector, offers ideal opportunities for indirect flash illumination. Its integrated, system-controlled secondary reflector maintains image brilliance and simultaneously lightens shadows and highlights. For photographers, this means more creative freedom in the use of light and more flexibility, even under difficult lighting conditions. A diffuser, particularly recommended for portrait photography and softer illumination, is available as an optional accessory.

The LEICA SF 58 is suitable for use with all Leica rangefinder and SLR cameras and can also be used with the new Leica S-system. The LEICA SF 58 is equipped with an integrated USB port to allow convenient uploading of firmware updates, ensuring absolute compatibility with future generations of Leica cameras.

The LEICA SF 58 flash unit features a wide zoom range of 24–105 mm and an integrated wide-angle diffuser to extend the field of view by 18 mm. Depending on the focal length of the lens in use and the sensor format, the flash reflector setting is automatically controlled yet also features a manual adjustment option.

Thanks to its numerous technical features, the LEICA SF 58 enables photographers to capture professionally exposed images independent of any existing lighting conditions. For instance, the unit features automatic functions such as TTL or automatic flash mode, as well as automatic fill-in flash. In addition, the new LEICA SF 58 offers a choice of two lighting profiles (Standard and Soft) that allow optimal adaptation to various lighting situations. High-performance energy management guarantees flash photography at the highest speed and constancy, and at the same time an overheating protection function regulates the flash frequency when necessary.

Intuitive controls and a user-friendly operating concept ensure simple handling of the LEICA SF 58, including easily set parameters with the four soft keys of the unit. The clearly structured, illuminated dot-matrix display allows photographers to concentrate on the essentials.

The LEICA SF 58 will be available at authorized Leica dealers in March 2009.