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Which external flash is recommended for the Leica Q series?

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What's the best compact flash for the Leica Q3 that actually handles TTL well? I've shot with Ms for years but just grabbed a Q3 for a wedding next week and my old unit is misfiring. Need something that wont feel like a brick on top... is the SF 40 still the go-to or is there a Godox setup?

8 Answers
12
  • Get the Leica SF 40 TTL Flash!
  • It is amazing on the Q3.
  • Small, powerful, and the TTL is bulletproof for weddings. Love it!
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Honestly just saw this and you gotta check out the Godox TT350-O for Olympus and Panasonic! It is seriously amazing on the Q3 and the TTL works perfectly since it shares the same pin layout as Leica. I love how it doesn't make the camera feel top-heavy at all! Just a quick tip tho, since its a wedding you really gotta watch the recycle times... it can be a bit slow if youre firing off a ton of shots in a row. I usually carry a spare unit just to be safe because I'm paranoid about gear failing during the big moments! Its such a fantastic little unit for the price and way lighter than the SF 40. Just make sure you specifically get the O/P version or the TTL wont talk to your Leica!




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ugh i totally feel your pain with the misfiring units... it is so annoying when you spend that much on a body and the flash support feels like a total mess. why is it so hard to get a reliable compact setup without it feeling like a brick? if you look at the raw specs you basically have to go with the Godox V350-O Li-ion TTL Flash for Olympus/Panasonic. the lithium battery is a total game changer for those recycle speeds! plus the leaf shutter on the q3 lets you sync at 1/2000 which is just fantastic for killing ambient light. i actually ended up making my own custom bounce card out of some stiff white plastic and velcro because the stock one is too tiny. it works perfectly with the ttl signals and keeps the profile low. seriously love how fast that v350 recycle time is compared to the older sf40 even though the whole situation is frustrating.

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ngl i went through this exact headache last year when i was prepping for a big shoot. i was obsessing over the sync speeds and how the ttl signals actually communicate with the q3 sensor... spent way too much time looking at signal data for different triggers and how they handle the leaf shutter. anyway, if you want the actual technical breakdown, honestly just go on youtube and search for leica q3 flash compatibility or something similar. there is a really detailed video by one of those technical gear channels that breaks down the recycle times and exposure accuracy across different brands. it is way more thorough than anything i could type out here while i am grabbin a quick lunch. just check reddit too, there is a massive thread about this in the leica subreddit that has all the specs.




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Late to the party but you might want to consider the recycle times for a wedding... that Godox V350-O Li-ion TTL Flash for Olympus/Panasonic is probably the safest bet over the standard AA version. It hits about 1.7 seconds at full power which is crucial when the bride is walking down the aisle. Be careful with the TTL exposure compensation tho as Leica's metering can be a bit hot with third party units. I would suggest checking the L-Camera-Forum threads for the specific Q3 offset values people are using. Make sure to keep the contacts clean to avoid that misfiring issue you had with the old unit. Honestly the lithium pack is a game changer for long days since you dont have to carry bricks of batteries in your pocket. TL;DR: Go with the Godox V350-O Li-ion TTL Flash for Olympus/Panasonic for the faster refresh and superior battery life, just watch your exposure levels in bright rooms.

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I have been using a budget-friendly setup for months and the technical performance is honestly spot on. If you want to avoid that Leica price tag, the Godox TT350-O Mini Thinklite TTL Flash is a great choice.

  • Compatibility: It shares the same TTL protocol as the Micro Four Thirds system, so the Q3 handles it perfectly.
  • Power: You get a Guide Number of 36 at ISO 100, which is plenty for weddings.
  • Price: Youre paying about 85 dollars compared to 600 for the Leica SF 40 TTL Flash branded version.
  • Size: It weighs about 200g without batteries, so it doesnt feel like a brick. I am very satisfied with how it communicates with the Q3 sensor. No complaints about the exposure accuracy even in tricky lighting... it just works well and saves a ton of money for other gear.

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Regarding what #7 said about "I have been using a budget-friendly setup for..." I totally agree that you dont always need the Leica-branded gear to get the job done. I learned the hard way at a cousins wedding when my old manual flash just wouldnt sync right... spent half the night staring at a black screen while everyone else was dancing. It was super stressful. Since you're doing a wedding next week, you might want to consider these two based on how much you plan to shoot:

  • Nissin i40 for Micro Four Thirds: This is basically the SF 40 but way cheaper. The physical dials are a lifesaver because you can see your settings at a glance without menu diving. Just be careful with the battery door, its kinda flimsy and I almost broke mine.
  • Godox V1 Flash for Olympus/Panasonic: This is a beast for performance. The recycle time is insane because of the round head and li-ion battery. The downside is that it looks huge on the Q3 and might make your wrist ache after a few hours. Make sure to test the TTL exposure indoors before the ceremony. Sometimes these third party units can run a little hot, so I usually dial it down by -0.3 or -0.7 just to be safe... better to have a slightly dark shot than blown highlights on a white dress.







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