Metz Mecablitz 34 AF-3N manual

TV • VIDEO • CAMCORDER • MECABLITZ MECABLITZ 34 AF-3 N Operating instructions[...]

Foreword Dear Customer, We thank you for your confidence in our mecablitz MB 34 AF-3N. The MB 34 AF-3N flashgun has been especially designed for Nikon AF system cameras. IMPORTANT: Never mount the flashgun in the accessory shoe of any other system camera, otherwise the flashgun’s foot or the camera’s accessory shoe can be destroyed! The dedica-[...]

Contents 1. Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 2. Preparing the mecablitz for use . . . . . . .25 2.1 Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 2.2 Loading and replacing the batteries . . . . . .25 2.3 Automatic flashgun cut-out circuit . . . . . . .26 2.4 Mounting/Removing the mecablitz . . . . . . .26 3. Sett[...]

1. Safety instructions • 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! • Spent batteries should be immediately remo- ved. Chemicals leaking out of spent batteries will damage the flashgun. • D[...]

5 2. Preparing the mecablitz for use 2.1 Power supply The flashgun can only be operated with 2 CR2- type lithium batteries. This type of battery can be stored for many years with practically no loss of energy, thus making it ideal for occasional amateur flash photography. Batteries have become discharged or spent when recycling takes more than 60 s[...]

2. Preparing the mecablitz for use 6 When loading the batteries ensure correct polarity. Incorrectly loaded batteries can dest- roy the flashgun! All batteries must be of the same make and have the same charge level. Exhausted batteries must not be thrown into the dustbin! Contribute to the protection of the environment and discard exhausted bat- t[...]

7 3. Setting the mecablitz into operation 3.1 Preconditions The mecablitz must only be used with TTL flash controlled cameras! The sensor of TTL flash controlled cameras measures the light reaching the film through the camera lens and instantly cuts out the flash when the film has been correctly expo- sed. Please refer to the camera’s operating i[...]

4. Flashgun instructions to the camera The mecablitz transmits different signals and messages to the camera when it is connected to the camera and is switched on. 4.1 Flash-ready indication The green light on the mecablitz illuminates when the flash capacitor is fully primed, thereby indicating flash readiness. This means that flash can be used for[...]

4. Flashgun instructions to the camera 4.4 Information displayed in the camera’s viewer The following table only gives a general survey. Camera-specific deviations ar possible (please refer to the camera’s operating instructions. • Green arrow Indicates that flash- gun should be used or switched on. • Red arrow Flash readiness indi- cation.[...]

5. TTL flash control The mecablitz receives its information exclusi- vely from the connected TTL-controlled camera. Exposure measurement in TTL mode (TTL = t hrough- t he- l ens) is completed by the camera’s sensor. This sensor measures the light reaching the film through the camera lens. An electronic control circuit within the camera transmits [...]

6. Flash synchronisation Different modes of flash synchronisation are pos- sible, depending on the camera model. Please refer to the camera’s operating instructions to find out how the individual modes of synchronisation are set on the camera. 6.1 Normal synchronisation This mode is available with all TTL cameras, and it is suitable for most flas[...]

6. Flash synchronisation 6.3 Second curtain synchronisation (REAR) Some cameras offer the facility of second shutter curtain synchronisation. With normal synchronisation, the flash is fired precisely after the opening of the first shutter curtain. When using slow shutter speeds, and with moving objects, this would result in an unnatural rendition o[...]

7. Flash in the individual camera modes Use of flash in the program modes TTL-controlled flash shots can be made in all exposure and auto program modes. Once the mecablitz is attached to the camera and switched on, it automatically operates with TTL flash control in auto program (P), aperture priority (A), shutter priority (S) and manual (M) modes.[...]

8. Autofocus measuring flash The integrated AF red-light beam of the mecablitz supports the automatic focusing of autofocus TTL cameras. When the prevailing light is insufficient for automatic focusing, the mecablitz will project a pattern of red vertical stripes onto the subject as soon as the camera’s release is lightly touched. The camera’s [...]

8. Autofocus measuring flash AF operating modes Two operating modes are available with AF came- ras (depending on the camera model): • Focusing priority (SINGLE AF): The shutter can only be released when the subject has been sharply focused by the AF system. If the camera’s AF system is unable to focus sharply, then the shutter cannot be releas[...]

9. Flash techniques and flash functions 9.1 Automatic fill-in flash Some cameras offer the facility of activating auto- matic fill-in flash control or automatically trigger a fill-in flash. Fill-in flash will soften harsh shadows and diminish the contrast, thereby producing a more balanced exposure when shooting against the light. The camera’s co[...]

10. Lighting and attachments Your mecablitz provides full and even illumination of normal 24 x 36 mm negatives when using len- ses of 35 mm focal length and longer. A wide-angle diffuser is supplied with the flash- gun to increase the coverage if you wish to use a 28 mm wide-angle lens. A telephoto attachment (identified with a „T“) is included[...]

18 11. Care and maintenance - T roubleshooting Remove grime and dust with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use cleaning agents as these could damage the plastic parts. Forming the flash capacitor The flash capacitor incorporated in the flashgun undergoes a physical change when the flashgun is not switched on for prolonged periods. For this reason it is ne[...]

19 1,4 W N T W N T W N T W N T W N T W N T W N T W N T 8 11 16 22 32 45 10 14 20 28 40 56 12 17 24 34 48 67 5,5 8 11 16 22 32 7 10 14 20 28 40 8,5 12 17 24 34 48 4 5,5 8 11 16 22 5 7 10 14 20 28 6 8,5 12 17 24 34 2,8 4 5,5 8 11 16 3,5 5 7 10 14 20 4,2 6 8,5 12 17 24 2 2,8 4 5,5 8 11 2,5 3,5 5 7 10 14 3 4,2 6 8,5 12 17 1,4 2 2,8 4 5,5 8 1,8 2,5 3,5 [...]

20 400 [m] W – 20% T + 20% 5 7 10 14 20 28 200 3,5 5 7 10 14 20 100 2,5 3,5 5 7 10 14 50 1,8 2,5 3,5 5 7 10 I S O 11 8 5,6 4 2,8 2 This table indicates a section of the most im- portant maximum lighting distances in different ISO/aperture combinations. The sticker can be applied to the back of the flashgun. Lighting distances 400 [m] W– 2 0 % T[...]