Settings For Camera-Controlled Automatic Flash Mode; Ttl Flash Mode; Linear Flash Mode (Hss); Stroboscope Flash Mode With System-Compatible Flash Units - Leica S Instructions Manual

SETTINGS FOR CAMERA-CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC FLASH MODE

When the flash unit used has been switched on and set to the appropriate
mode for TTL mode, exposure metering must be carried out on the Leica
S
1. before taking each flash picture by gently pressing the shutter
release, so that the display in the viewfinder shows the shutter speed
or switches to the light balance. If this stage is missed out by fully
depressing the shutter release in one quick movement, the flash unit
will not fire even if required.
2. the desired exposure mode and the desired shutter speed and/or
aperture must be set. The shortest flash sync speed must be taken
into account as this determines whether a "normal" flash is fired or an
HSS flash.

TTL flash mode

The fully automatic, i.e. camera-controlled, TTL flash mode is available
with the Leica S with system-compatible flash units, and with all exposure
operating modes of the camera. In addition, an automatic fill flash control
is available. This means that in order to ensure a balanced relationship
between flash and other lighting at all times, the flash power is reduced
by up to 1 ⁄ EV as ambient brightness increases (fill flashes). If, however,
2
3
the prevailing brightness requires a faster shutter speed than the sync
speed ( ⁄ s with focal plane shutter, ⁄ s for lenses with central shutter)
1 1
125 1000
or if this is set manually, a system-compatible flash unit will be automati-
cally switched to linear flash mode (HSS, see next section) by the cam-
era. In addition, the Leica S transfers the set sensitivity and aperture to
the flash unit. If it has such displays, the flash unit can then automatically
adapt its distance setting accordingly.
Notes:
• The following sections describe only those settings and functions that
are available when using the Leica S with system-compatible flash
units.
• An exposure compensation set at the camera influences only the
measurement of the prevailing light! If you want to simultaneously use
compensation of the TTL flash exposure metering in flash mode – in
parallel or in the opposite direction, you must make this additional
setting (on the flash unit).
• More details of flash use, in particular for other flash units not specially
adapted to the Leica S and for different flash modes, can be found in
the relevant manuals.
LINEAR FLASH MODE (HIGH SPEED SYNCHRONIZATION)
Fully automatic, i.e. camera controlled, linear flash operation is available
with the Leica S when using system-compatible flash units (see p. 39),
with all shutter speeds and in all exposure modes of the camera. It is
automatically activated by the camera when the selected or calculated
shutter speed is faster than the sync speed, i.e. ≤
shutter. If the flash unit is set correctly, this changeover requires no
further action on the part of the photographer.
STROBOSCOPE FLASH MODE WITH SYSTEM-COMPATIBLE FLASH
UNITS
This flash method in which several consecutive flashes are fired during an
exposure is possible with all exposure operating modes of the camera.
With the operating modes and the camera automatically sets the shutter
speed necessary for the selected number and frequency of flashes. If the
required shutter speed results in an overexposure due to the prevailing
light, this is indicated by the light balance. With the operating modes and
flashing of the time display in the viewfinder and top panel display signals
that the shutter speed is too high. In such cases exposure compensation
is possible by changing the number and/or frequency of the flashes and/
or the aperture and/or the shutter speed (with and ). For successful
stroboscope photography in which e.g. several phases of a sequence of
movements are recorded in one picture, the working range of the flash
unit, the number of flashes, the distance and naturally the aperture are of
crucial importance. Information on this can be found in the manual of the
flash unit in question.
Note:
The HSS flash technology results in shorter ranges.
EN
⁄ s with focal plane
1
180
41