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Metz MZ-1i manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    MECABLITZ 40 MZ-1i Operating Instructions TV • VIDEO • CAMCORDER • MECABLITZ Initiative für natürliche Umwelt TV • VIDEO • CAMCORDER • MEC ABLITZ METZ-Werke GmbH & Co KG Ritterstraße 5 • 90763 Fürth / Bay . T elefon (0911) 9706-0 • F ax (0911) 9706-340 Internet: http://www .metz.de E-Mail: Metz.Werke@t-online.de 100% Recycli[...]

  • Page 2

     Main switch  LC display lighting / Modelling light  Aperture preselector  Cordless control (Remote operation)  Preselector for partial light output levels  Film speed preselector / Number of flashes  Flash frequency  Preselector for user programs Nomenc lature  ± Buttons for value adjustment  Locking key  Preselec[...]

  • Page 3

    The LC display Display of operating mode Program place: 0 = Work surface 1-9 = User programs Distance in meters or feet Aperture Zoom reflec- tor setting Film speed Battery warning indica- Pre-flash function for red-eye reduction (depends on camera type) Flashes per second in stroboscopic mode = f (Hz) Number of flashes in stroboscopic mode = N Cal[...]

  • Page 4

    3 Contents 11. Fill-in flash in daylight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Fill-in flash in auto mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Fill-in flash in manual mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Fill-in flash in TTL mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 12. Working with user progra[...]

  • Page 5

    5 4 Foreword •40 MZ-1(i) with Automatic flash mode, ch. 4, p. 15 SCA 3000-adapter TTL flash mode*,, ch. 3, p. 12 TTL Easy Mode*, ch. 3, p. 14 Manual flash mode, ch. 5, p. 18 Metz TTL remote mode*, ch. 7, p. 23 Metz automatic remote mode, ch. 7.1., p. 27 Stroboscopic mode, ch. 10, p. 34 * If the camera supports this function. The SCA 3000 adapter [...]

  • Page 6

    7 2. Preparations Never fire a flash in the immediate vicinity of the eyes! Flash fired directly in front of the eyes of a person or animal can damage the retina and lead to severe visual disorders - even blindness! Exhausted batteries should be immediately removed from the flashgun! L ye leaking out of dead batteries will damage the flash unit. Ne[...]

  • Page 7

    9 2. Preparations Fig. 2: Position of batteries Loading and replacing the batteries •Switch off the flashgun with the main switch  . •Push the battery compartment cover  in direction of the arro w as far as possible. •Insert the batteries lengthwise into the compartment. When inserting the batteries ensure that their polarity is correct[...]

  • Page 8

    11 2. Preparations Fig. 4: Fixing the flashgun Mounting the flashgun on the camera The flashgun can only be attached to the camera with the Standard Foot 301 or an SCA 300/SCA 3000 adapter (optional extra). Before mounting or removing the flashgun, switch off both the camera and the flashgun Slip the flashgun into the camera’ s accessory shoe and[...]

  • Page 9

    13 3. TTL flash mode Fig.6 : Measuring scheme for TTL mode The direct way to good flash shots In TTL mode, the exposure readings are made by the sensor built into the camera (Fig. 6). This sensor measures the light reaching the film through the camera lens. An electronic control circuit within the camera transmits a stop signal to the flashgun as s[...]

  • Page 10

    15 14 3. TTLflash mode Fig. 8: Settings for TTL Easy Mode This is the simplest way to operate the mecablitz in TTL flash mode. All buttons on the mecablitz are locked, with the exception of the /ML  and  but- tons. In TTL Easy Mode with the SCA 300 adapter , the zoom position is constantly adjusted to 28 mm to ensure that the subject is alway[...]

  • Page 11

    17 16 4. Automatic flash mode Fig. 10: Settings for the auto mode Setting procedure for auto flash mode: •Adjust the camera according to the manufacturer’ s Operating Instructions. 1 Switch on the flashgun with the main switch  . 2 Set the operating mode selector  to A . • *Press the ISO button  and set the film speed with the „ + [...]

  • Page 12

    19 18 5. Manual flash mode Fig. 1 1: Shot with direct flashlight In this mode, the flashgun will always emit its full power . Adaptation to the actual picture shooting situa tion is by setting the corresponding aperture on the lens. A single value for the flash-to-subject distance appears on the LC display while in manual mode. If the displayed val[...]

  • Page 13

    21 20 6. Bounce flash Fig. 13: Bouncing the flash (The photo was shot with the flash bounced off the right wall) Photos shot with full frontal flash are easily recognized by their harsh, dense shadows. This is often associated with a sharp drop of light from the fore - ground to the background. This phenomenon can be avoided with bounce flash becau[...]

  • Page 14

    23 22 6. Bounce flash Bouncing the flash in the auto and TTL modes It is advisable to check prior to the actual exposure whether the light is sufficient for the selected aperture. Proceed in the manner described in ch. 14, p. 46. Bouncing the flash in the manual mode The required camera aperture in the manual mode is best established with an exposu[...]

  • Page 15

    25 24 Fig. 15: Settings for TTL remote operation Setting procedure for Metz TTL remote operation: • Adjust the camera to TTL mode, as explained in the manufacturer’ s Opera ting Instructions. 1 Switch on the flashgun mounted on the camera with the main switch  . 2 Set the operating mode selector  to TTL . 3 Press the Remote button  on [...]

  • Page 16

    27 26 7. Metz cordless TTL remote operation Indication that flash readiness has been reached is particularly important for TTL remote operation. If flash readiness is established, the AF measuring beam  on the slave gives brief light pulses and the flash-ready indicator  is lit. Switching off the Metz TTL remote operation: • Press the Remot[...]

  • Page 17

    29 28 7.1 Metz cordless auto remote operation The Metz A remote operation can be used with system, standard, old mechanical and medium-format cameras. The only precondition is that all cameras feature a synch contact/socket, and are equipped with a 301 Standard Foot or SCA adapter . Setting procedure for Metz A remote operation: • Adjust the came[...]

  • Page 18

    31 30 8. Winder mode The winder mode involves shooting a sequence of pictures at a ra te of several frames per second. It is a manual mode with partial light output levels, and is only recommended with NiCad batteries or high-power alka- line manganese batteries. T able 5 of the T echnical Data indicates which partial light output level is suited f[...]

  • Page 19

    33 32 9. W orking with partial light output levels Fig. 17: Partial light output levels in the manual mode Setting procedure for manual mode with partial light output: • Adjust the camera in the manner described in the opera ting instructions. 1 Switch on the flashgun with the main switch  . 2 Adjust the operating mode selector  to M . • [...]

  • Page 20

    35 34 10. Stroboscopic mode Fig. 18: Stroboscopic mode In this mode several flash exposures are made on the same frame. This is particularly interesting for motion studies and for special effects (Fig. 18). In stroboscopic mode, several flashes are fired at a certain flash frequency . Consequently , this function is only possible with a partial lig[...]

  • Page 21

    37 10. Stroboscopic mode • *Press the button  . Then use the „ + “ or „ - “ button  to select an aperture that matches the distance to the subject. Set this aperture also on the camera. * must additionally be set on some cameras The distance to the moving subject is used as the distance value. T o prevent overexposure of the motionl[...]

  • Page 22

    39 11. Fill-in flash in daylight When shooting into the light ensure that the backlight does not shine directly onto the sensor as this will confuse the flashgun’ s electronics. Fill-in flash in manual mode The partial light output levels can be used in manual flash mode to achieve the desired brightening effect of fill-in flash. Complete illumin[...]

  • Page 23

    41 12. W orking with user programs Fig. 21: Display of an activated user program Y our flashgun is provided with a memor y that will enable you to enter your own flash programs on nine program places. This is particularly advanta geous for constantly recurring flash situations. Program 0 (Prog.0) is loaded when the flashgun is operated for the firs[...]

  • Page 24

    43 12. W orking with user programs If, for example, the opera ting mode is changed after a stored program has been called, the LC display s witches to „Prog.0“. But the unchanged parameters of the previously loaded program place are retained. The factory-set flash programs can be overwritten if you wish to store your o wn flash programs. Five s[...]

  • Page 25

    45 13. The zoom reflector Fig. 23: Settings for Ex-Zoom mode Ex-Zoom mode (extended zoom) The Ex-Zoom mode can only be used with system cameras tha t are capable of exchanging data via the SCA 3000 adapter . This mode was created for professional use during reporting work in dense crowds. In the extended zoom mode, the flashgun’ s zoom reflector [...]

  • Page 26

    47 14. Special functions Fig. 24: Exposure o.k. The correct exposure indicator („o.k.“)  lights up only when the frame will be, or was, correctly exposed in the auto and TTL mode. In this manner it is possible to manually trigger a test flash while in auto mode so that the correct aperture can be established beforehand. This is particularly [...]

  • Page 27

    49 14. Special functions The Rapid function Recyc ling times in the A and TTL modes depend on the amount of light required for the shot. Recyc ling takes 11 seconds max. when full-power flashes are fired. Should this be too long, the Rapid function comes to the rescue. Use of the Rapid function is especially valuable when taking shots inside a room[...]

  • Page 28

    51 50 14. Special functions T esting the LCD segments and m-ft changeover (Ser vice Menu) The Service Mode 1 has to be called in order to check the LCD segments and to change over the dimensional units (m = meter; ft = feet). Only complete the settings described here! Do not press any other buttons than those described here, otherwise there is the [...]

  • Page 29

    53 52 16. T echnical Data 15. Exposure corrections The automatic exposure systems are adjusted to a subject reflection factor of 25%, this being the average reflection factor for subjects shot with flash. Dark backgrounds that absorb a lot of light, or bright backgrounds that reflect a great deal of light (e.g. backlit scenes), can result in overex[...]

  • Page 30

    55 54 16. T echnical Data 16. T echnical Data 1 1,4 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 1 1,4 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 16 1 1,4 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 16 22 1 1,4 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 16 22 32 1 1,4 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 16 22 32 45 1,4 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 16 22 32 45 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 16 22 32 45 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 16 22 32 45 4 5 , 6 8 1 11 62 23 24 5 5 , 6 8 1 11 62 23 24 5 8 1 11 62 23 24 5 6-[...]

  • Page 31

    57 56 Partial light output (P) 16. T echnical Data Example: Y ou intend to make a stroboscopic shot with 7 flash exposures a t a frequency of 3 flashes per second. Procedure: After having completed the first six settings described in „Setting procedure for stroboscopic mode“, press the button N and then enter the number of exposures - in this c[...]

  • Page 32

    59 58 16. T echnical Data 16. T echnical Data T able 7: Recycling times and number of flashes with different battery types Batter y types Recyc ling times Number of flashes M-Mode / A-TTL-Modes min. / max. High-power , 10 sec. 0.1 . . 10 sec. 100 / 3000 alkaline-manganese Lithium 11 sec. 0.1 . . .11 sec. 200 / 5000 NiCad 0 5 sec. 0.1 . . . 0 5 sec.[...]

  • Page 33

    17. Optional extras 17. Optional extras Malfunctions and damage caused to the mecablitz due to the use of accessories from other manufacturers are not covered by our guarantee! • Bounce diffuser 40-73 (Item No. 0004073) to soften harsh shadows by indirect illumination. • Camera bracket 40-36/2 (Item No. 0004036) to attach the flashgun at the si[...]

  • Page 34

    63 62 18. T roubleshooting hints 18. T roubleshooting hints No display in "ON" switch position. Brief movement of the "ON" switch in the direction of "OFF" without overcoming the click stop enables the unit to change over to stand-by mode (display off) even though the switch is still in "ON" position. Remedy:[...]

  • Page 35

    65 64 Alphabetical index A F measuring beam, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Automatic cut-out, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Auto mode, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 B atteries, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7, 8 Battery warning indica tor , . . . . . . . . .9, 63 Bounce flash, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[...]