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Strobe flash mode with system compatible flash units
This flash method, in which several flashes are emitted in suc-
cession during an exposure, is possible in all of the camera's
exposure modes.
In P and A modes, the camera automatically sets the necessary
shutter speed for the selected flash number and frequency. If
the required shutter speed results in overexposure due to the
available light, this is indicated by the light balance (2.7).
In M and T an excessively fast shutter speed is indicated by the
time display flashing (2.8/3.12) in the viewfinder and in the top
panel display.
In such cases, exposure compensation can be carried out by
changing the number of flashes, and/or the flash frequency
and/or the aperture and/or the shutter speed (with M and T).
For a successful strobe photograph, for example when several
phases of one sequence of movement are recorded on one pic-
ture, the operating range of the flash unit, the number of flashes,
the distance and of course the aperture are of crucial importance.
You can find information about this in the instructions for your
flash unit.
The flash lighting displays in the viewfinder with
system compatible flash units
A flash symbol (2.4a) appears in the viewfinder display on the
LEICA S2 as confirmation and to indicate different operating
statuses.
• does not appear despite the flash unit being switched on
and ready for use:
In such cases the LEICA S2 will not fire the flash unit even
though it is switched on and ready for use. (e.g. because the
incorrect mode is set on the flash unit)
• flashes before the picture is taken:
The flash unit is not yet ready for use
• is lit up before the picture is taken:
The flash unit is ready for use
• remains continuously lit after releasing the shutter:
The flash is ready to use again. If a flash exposure compensa-
tion is set on the flash unit, + or – (2.4b) also appears in the
viewfinder as an additional indication
Flash with flash unit automatic mode
When using system-compatible flash units in automatic mode,
the quantity of light reflected by the subject is metered and eva-
luated by an integrated sensor in the flash unit rather than by
the camera. The exposure modes generally function in the same
way as without flash. If the flash sync speed is not reached in P
or A, or a shutter speed faster than the sync speed is set in T or
M, the flash is suppressed.
As P, A, and T modes deliver a normally exposed photograph
using the ambient light, the flash power should be reduced, i.e.
a flash exposure compensation of e.g. -1 EV to - 2 EV should be
set. On system-compatible flash units, the aperture set on the
lens is transmitted to the flash unit and automatically used as a
basis for the automatic control. Metering takes account of the
sensitivity set on the camera and any exposure compensation
set for the ambient light (camera) and the flash (flash unit).
Manual flash with constant flash power
If the flash unit is used at full power or a fixed partial power (if
available on the flash unit) in manual flash mode, the amount of
flash light emitted is not controlled. The exposure modes on the
camera essentially function in the same way as without flash.
If the flash sync speed is not reached in P or A modes, or a shut-
ter speed faster than the sync speed is set in T or M modes, the
flash is suppressed.
The aperture to be set is derived from the flash power, the sensi-
tivity and the distance to the subject or vice versa, the partial
flash power to be set is derived from the aperture, the sensitivi-
ty, the focal length and the distance to the subject (see flash
unit instructions).
Strobe flash mode with system compatible flash units / Manual flash with constant flash power / 45
Flash using the X contact
When you connect a non-system compatible flash unit using the
accessory shoe, no information is transferred. Because the
camera „cannot recognize" the flash unit, it behaves in the
same way as if no flash unit were connected. The shutter speed
should be manually set to match the flash sync speed
1
/
s with central shutter (see p. 21) or to slower speeds; there
500
is no automatic adjustment. The flash ready and control dis-
plays are inactive.
If the flash unit is suitable, the light can be controlled using the
automatic control, i.e. the sensor on the flash unit, or manually
by selecting the appropriate partial light power level (see flash
unit instructions).
Flash using the flash connection socket
Flash units and large studio flash systems can be connected to
the flash connection socket with a standard flash connector.
Because the camera „cannot recognize" a flash unit connected
in this way, it behaves in the same way as if no flash unit were
connected. The shutter speed should be manually set to match
1
1
the flash sync speed
/
s, or
/
s with central shutter (see
125
500
p. 21) or to slower speeds; there is no automatic adjustment.
The flash ready and control displays are inactive.
1
/
s, or
125
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