Metz Mecablitz 34 AF 3N User Manual

TV • VIDEO • CAMCORDER • MECABLITZ  
MECABLITZ 34 AF-3 N  
Operating instructions  
Contents  
1. Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24  
8. Autofocus measuring flash . . . . . . . . . . .34  
9. Flash techniques and flash functions . .36  
9.1 Automatic fill-in flash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36  
9.2 Exposure correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36  
9.3 Flash exposure sequences . . . . . . . . . . . .36  
10. Lighting and wide-angle/telephoto attachment . .37  
11. Care and maintenance -  
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. Setting the mecablitz into operation . . .27  
3.1 Preconditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27  
3.2 Switching the flashgun on and off . . . . . . .27  
4. Flashgun instructions to the camera . . .28  
4.1 Flash-ready indication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28  
4.2 Automatic flash sync speed control . . . . . .28  
4.3 Correct-exposure indication . . . . . . . . . . .28  
4.4 Information displayed in the  
Manual firing button  
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38  
12. Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39  
Lightning distances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40  
cameras viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29  
5. TTL flash control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30  
6. Flash synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31  
6.1 Normal synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31  
6.2 Slow-synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31  
6.3 Second curtain synchronisation . . . . . . . . .32  
7. Flash in the individual camera modes . .33  
3
1. Safety instructions  
NEVER fire a flash in the immediate vicinity of  
• In the event of flash shots with full light output  
observe an interval of at least 3 minutes after a  
series of 20 flashes. This will protect the flash-  
gun against overload.  
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.  
NEVER place material that is impervious to light  
in front of, or directly on, the reflector screen.  
The reflector screen must be perfectly clean  
when a flash is fired. The high energy of the  
flash light will burn the material or damage the  
screen if this is not observed!  
Do not short-circuit batteries! DANGER OF  
EXPLOSION!  
Batteries should not be exposed to excessive  
heat, for instance sunshine, fire and the like!  
NEVER dismantle the flashgun! DANGER: HIGH  
VOLTAGE! There are no components inside the  
flashgun that can be repaired by a layperson.  
NEVER throw spent batteries in a fire!  
Do not expose the flashgun to dripping or  
splashing water!  
Protect the flashgun against excessive heat and  
high humidity levels! Do not keep the flashgun  
in the glove compartment of a car!  
4
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 seconds.  
The batteries should be removed from the  
mecablitz if the flashgun is not going to be  
used for a prolonged period.  
Fig. 1: Unlocking and exchanging batteries  
2.2 Loading and exchanging batteries  
The supplied lithium batteries are expendables  
and, as such, are not subject to our warranty  
provisions.  
Turn off the flashgun with the main switch.  
Press the unlocking catch, slide the battery  
compartment lid to the right and fold open (see  
fig. 1).  
After the batteries have been inserted, fold down  
the battery compartment lid, and push to the left  
until it engages audible with the unlocking catch.  
• Insert the batteries according to the indicated  
battery symbols.  
5
2. Preparing the mecablitz for use  
When loading the batteries ensure correct  
2.4 Mounting/Removing the flashgun  
Turn off the mecablitz.  
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-  
teries at the appropriate disposal points.  
Press the unlocking catch at the back of the  
mecablitz (see fig. 2).  
Slide the mounting foot into the camera’s  
mounting shoe.  
Always turn off the flashgun before it is removed.  
Press the unlocking catch at the back of the  
mecablitz (fig. 2) and withdraw from the camera.  
2.3 Automatic flashgun switch-off  
To avoid accidental battery discharge the  
flashgun automatically switches itself off to save  
power approximately 8 minutes after  
- the flashgun was switched on  
- the last flash was fired  
- tripping the camera release, or  
- switching on the camera light metering system.  
The green flash-ready indicator is turned off.  
To turn on the mecablitz again switch the main  
switch OFF and then ON. The flashgun should  
always be turned off if it is not being used.  
Fig. 2: Unlocking catch  
6
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 cameras operating  
instructions to find out whether your camera  
features this function.  
OFF  
ON  
Ǻ
Fig. 3: Switching the flashgun on and off  
A full-power flash is fired if the camera does  
not feature TTL flash control!  
3.2 Switching the flashgun on and off  
In other words: Without TTL flash control, the  
mecablitz fires an unmeasured flash at maximum  
output.  
Set the main switch in the ON position to turn on  
the flashgun. The green flash-ready indicator  
lights up to indicate flash readiness.  
If there is a flashgun integrated in the camera it  
must be switched off or completely folded  
down when the mecablitz is used.  
Set the main switch in the OFF position to turn off  
the flashgun.  
7
4. Flashgun instructions to the camera  
The mecablitz transmits different signals and  
4.2 Automatic flash sync speed control  
messages to the camera when it is connected to  
the camera and is switched on.  
Most system cameras automatically change to  
flash sync speed when flash readiness is reached.  
The flash sync shutter speeds may vary between  
1/30th and 1/300th second, depending on the  
camera model. Please refer to the cameras opera-  
ting instructions for further details.  
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 the next exposure. The flash rea-  
diness signal is transmitted to the camera where it  
is indicated by a corresponding display in the  
cameras viewfinder. On some cameras (depen-  
ding on the model) the shutter is automatically  
changed to flash sync speed when flash readiness  
is reached. The flash will not be fired if the shutter  
is released before the flash ready light illuminates  
with the result that the exposure may be incorrect  
if the camera control circuit has already changed  
over to flash sync speed. Please refer to the came-  
ras operating instructions for further details.  
4.3 Correct-exposure indication (see fig. 4)  
The red correct exposure light briefly illuminates  
when flash exposure was correct. At the same  
time the mecablitz sends an o.k. signal to the  
camera for display in the viewfinder. Please refer  
to the cameras operating instructions for further  
details.  
8
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 cameras operating instructions.  
Green arrow  
Indicates that flash-  
gun should be used or  
switched on.  
Red arrow  
Flash readiness indi-  
cation.  
Red arrow is perma-  
nently illuminated  
after exposure, or  
disappears briefly  
The shot was correct-  
ly exposed.  
Fig. 4: Exposure o.k.  
Red arrow blinks after The shot was  
exposure underexposed.  
9
5. TTL flash control  
The mecablitz receives its information exclusi-  
vely from the connected TTL-controlled camera.  
The Table on page 39 gives the maximum range  
for the selected aperture. The minimum lighting  
distance is approx. 15% of the maximum  
threshold range.  
Ǻ
Exposure measurement in TTL mode (TTL =  
through-the-lens) is completed by the cameras  
sensor. 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 soon as the film has been  
exposed by the correct amount of light; the flash is  
then instantly cut out. The advantage of the TTL  
mode is that all factors influencing the exposure of  
the film (such as filters, change of aperture or  
variable aperture zooms) are taken into account.  
You need not worry about adjustment of the light  
output. The cameras electronic system automati-  
cally defines the required amount of light. You can  
also utilize various metering facilities (e.g. spot ,  
matrix or centre-weighted overall readings) offered  
by some cameras.  
If the actual distance is shorter than the  
minimum lighting distance, then this may  
result in overexposure.  
A strip of film must be loaded in the camera if tests  
are to be conducted in TTL flash mode.  
The effective flash range can only be checked by  
the correct-exposure display (o.k.) if the flash is  
triggered by the camera and not with the manual  
release on the flashgun!  
10  
6. Flash synchronisation  
Different modes of flash synchronisation are pos-  
Flash shots at low lighting levels and fast shutter  
speeds (normal flash sync speed) can often result  
in overexposed subjects in front of a very dark  
back-ground. The slow-sync function allows the  
use of slow shutter speeds right up to 30 seconds,  
to significantly enhance the background as a result  
of the extra ambient light. Such shots require a tri-  
pod to prevent camera shake. Please refer to the  
cameras operating instructions for further details.  
sible, depending on the camera model. Please  
refer to the cameras 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 flash shots. With normal  
synchronisation, switching to the camera’s flash  
sync shutter speed is automatic. The shutter  
speed may vary from 1/30th and 1/300th seconds,  
depending on the camera model. Please refer to  
the cameras operating instructions for further  
details.  
6.2 Slow-synchronisation  
Some cameras feature specific exposure pro-  
grams for slow-synchronisation.  
11  
6. Flash synchronisation  
This makes the light trail behind the moving  
objects instead of appearing in front of them, and  
renders a more natural looking picture.  
First curtain  
Second curtain  
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 of light traces.  
With second curtain or rear curtain synchronisa-  
tion, the flash is fired as the exposure is ending,  
just before the second curtain covers the film again.  
12  
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. For  
details please refer to the cameras operating  
instructions.  
Special functions not supported by flash:  
Red-eye reduction function.  
multi-sensor fill-in flash  
13  
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 cameras release is lightly touched.  
The cameras autofocus system then focuses the  
picture by this striped pattern.  
AF red-light beam  
Fig. 5: AF red-light beam  
Notes:  
The range of the autofocus measuring flash  
depends on the speed of the lens (maximum  
aperture)! With an f/1.8 standard lens of 50 mm  
focal length, the range is approx. 6-10 m (depen-  
ding on the sensitivity of the cameras AF sen-  
sor).  
When the cameras autofocus system is on, the  
electronic circuit will automatically activate the  
autofocus measuring flash whenever the  
prevailing light is insufficient for the exposure.  
The autofocus measuring flash cannot be  
activated in every exposure mode or AF mode of  
the camera. In most cases, it will only support  
the SINGLE-AF function (see cameras operating  
instructions) without follow-up focusing.  
Low-speed lenses, e.g. with an aperture of f/5.6  
or f/8 (such as zoom lenses), significantly restrict  
the range of the autofocus measuring flash!  
14  
8. Autofocus measuring flash  
AF operating modes  
Please refer to the cameras operating instructions  
for further details about the AF modes and their  
activation.  
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  
cameras AF system is unable to focus sharply,  
then the shutter cannot be released and the flash  
cannot be fired.  
Shutter release priority (CONTINUOUS AF)  
The shutter can always be tripped, irrespective of  
sharp focusing.  
Shots may be blurred if the release is  
actuated before focusing has been com-  
pleted by the camera.  
The AF measuring flash is deactivated in  
this operating mode!  
15  
9. Flash techniques and flash functions  
9.2 Exposure correction  
Various cameras enable the user to influence the  
TTL exposure control. Accordingly, the cameras  
exposure settings can be corrected by up to ± 3  
apertures (in one-third or half f-stop settings).  
PLEASE NOTE: Do not forget to switch off this  
function when it is no longer required!  
Fig. 6: Fill-in flash in daylight (left without, right with fill-in flash  
Please refer to the cameras operating instructions  
for further details.  
9.1 Automatic fill-in flash  
9.3 Flash exposure sequences  
Some cameras offer the facility of activating auto-  
matic fill-in flash control or automatically trigger a  
fill-in flash.  
Some cameras permit a sequence of shots to be taken of  
the same subject with different exposure parameters.  
When this function is activated, three pictures - as an  
example - can be taken in succession: The first shot is  
made with a negative flash exposure correction (less  
light output), the second is normally exposed, and the  
third is taken with a positive flash exposure correction  
(more light output). For further details on this function  
and the settings to be made please refer to the cameras  
operating instructions.  
Fill-in flash will soften harsh shadows and diminish the  
contrast, thereby producing a more balanced exposure  
when shooting against the light. The cameras computer-  
controlled measuring system automatically selects the  
shutter speed, working aperture and light output in such  
a manner that both the main subject in the foreground as  
well as the background are uniformly exposed.  
16  
10. Lighting and attachments  
guiding edge  
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 for telephoto lenses of 85 mm focal length.  
case gap  
PLEASE NOTE: The use of the wide-angle  
diffuser diminishes the effective range of  
the flash!  
Fig. 7: Mounting and removing the attachments  
To remove turn the attachment beyond the  
retaining spring (see fig.) and withdraw the  
attachment.  
Mounting and removing the attachments  
The attachment is swivelled into the bayonet  
mount (see fig. 7). Turn the attachment clockwise  
and insert the guiding edge into the case gap.  
17  
11. Care and maintenance - Troubleshooting  
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 necessary to switch on the flashgun  
for approx. 10 minutes every 3 months and to fire  
a few flashes The batteries must supply sufficient  
power to light up the flash-ready light within one  
minute after the flashgun was switched on.  
Fig. 8: Manually firing button  
Troubleshooting:  
Manual firing button  
If the flashgun does not work as it should in the  
individual modes, then proceed as follows:  
An uncontrolled flash can be fired with the  
manual firing button (see fig. 8).  
Switch off the flashgun with the main switch.  
Remove the rechargeable or dry-cell batteries  
for a brief period, and then load them again.  
18  
12. Technical data  
Guide number ISO 100/21°: 34 (with telephoto attachment)  
Number of flashes: Flash recycling time:  
ca. 100  
Lighting: Rectangular  
ca. 6 s at full light output  
28 (without attachment)  
20 (with wide-angle diffuser)  
Lighting for 35mm camera from 35 mm focal length  
onwards, with wide-angle attachment from 24 mm, and with  
telephoto attachment from 85 mm focal length onwards.  
Without attachment: horiz. approx. 56°, vertical approx. 40°  
With W-diffuser: horiz. approx. 75°, vertical approx. 55°  
With T-attachment: horiz. approx. 25°, vertical approx. 18°  
Weight: approx. 160 g  
Dimensions: 61 mm x 102 mm x 35 mm  
Colour temperature: approx. 5600 °K  
Synchronization:  
Flash duration:  
Low-voltage IGBT firing  
1/250 s ...1/45000 s  
Items delivered:  
Flashgun, attachments (W-diffuser/T = telephoto  
attachment), Operating Instructions, 2 batteries CR2.  
1,4  
2
2,8  
4
5,6  
8
11  
16  
ISO  
W N T W N T W N T W N T W N T W N T W N T W N T  
25/15° 8 10 12 5,5 7 8,5 4  
50/18° 11 14 17 8 10 12 5,5 7 8,5 4  
100/21° 16 20 24 11 14 17 8 10 12 5,5 7 8,5 4  
200/24° 22 28 34 16 20 24 11 14 17 8 10 12 5,5 7 8,5 4  
400/27° 32 40 48 22 28 34 16 20 24 11 14 17 8 10 12 5,5 7 8,5 4  
5
6 2,8 3,5 4,2 2 2,5 3 1,4 1,8 2,1 1 1,2 1,4 0,7 0,9 1  
6 2,8 3,5 4,2 2 2,5 3 1,4 1,8 2,1 1 1,2 1,4  
6 2,8 3,5 4,2 2 2,5 3 1,4 1,8 2,1  
6 2,8 3,5 4,2 2 2,5 3  
6 2,8 3,5 4,2  
5
5
5
5
800/30° 45 56 67 32 40 48 22 28 34 16 20 24 11 14 17 8 10 12 5,5 7 8,5 4  
max. distance in m  
5
6
Table for max. lighting distance  
19  
Lighting distances  
2
2,8  
4
5,6  
8
11  
2
2,8  
4
5,6  
8
11  
ISO  
ISO  
50 10 7 5 3,5 2,5 1,8  
50 33 23 16 11  
100 46 33 23 16 11  
200 65 46 33 23 16 11  
8
6
8
100 14 10 7  
200 20 14 10  
5
7
3,5 2,5  
5
3,5  
400 28 20 14 10  
7
5
400 92 65 46 33 23 16  
W – 20%  
W – 20%  
[ft]  
[m]  
T + 20%  
T + 20%  
This table indicates a section of the most im-  
portant maximum lighting distances in different  
ISO/aperture combinations.  
2
2,8  
4
5,6  
8
11  
ISO  
50 10 7 5 3,5 2,5 1,8  
The sticker can be applied to the back of the  
flashgun.  
100 14 10 7  
200 20 14 10  
400 28 20 14 10  
5
7
3,5 2,5  
5
3,5  
7
5
W– 20%  
[m]  
T + 20%  
20  

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