Metz Mecablitz 34 AF 3 P User Manual

TV • VIDEO • CAMCORDER • MECABLITZ  
MECABLITZ 34 AF-3 P  
Operating instructions  
Contents  
1. Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4  
6. Flash in the individual camera modes . .11  
7. Autofocus measuring flash . . . . . . . . . . .11  
8. Flash techniques and flash functions . .13  
8.1 Automatic fill-in flash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13  
8.2 Exposure correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13  
9. Lighting and attachments . . . . . . . . . . . .14  
10. Care and maintenance -  
2. Preparing the mecablitz for use . . . . . . .5  
2.1 Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5  
2.2 Loading and replacing the batteries . . . . . .5  
2.3 Automatic flashgun cut-out circuit . . . . . . .6  
2.4 Mounting/Removing the mecablitz . . . . . . .6  
3. Setting the mecablitz into operation . . .7  
3.1 Preconditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7  
3.2 Switching the flashgun on and off . . . . . . .7  
4. Flashgun instructions to the camera . . .8  
4.1 Flash-ready indication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8  
4.2 Automatic flash sync speed control . . . . . .9  
4.3 Correct-exposure indication . . . . . . . . . . .9  
4.4 Information displayed in the  
Manual ring button  
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15  
11. Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16  
Lighting distances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17  
cameras viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9  
5. TTL ash control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10  
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!  
Disposal of batteries  
Do not dispose of spent batteries with domestic  
rubbish.  
Protect the flashgun against excessive heat and  
high humidity levels! Do not keep the flashgun  
in the glove compartment of a car!  
Please return spent batteries to collecting points  
should they exist in your country!  
4
2. Preparing the mecablitz for use  
2.1 Power supply  
The flashgun can only be operated with 2 CR2-type lithi-  
um 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  
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).  
• Insert the batteries according to the indicated  
battery symbols.  
The supplied lithium batteries are expendables  
and, as such, are not subject to our warranty pro-  
visions.  
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.  
5
2. Preparing the mecablitz for use  
When loading the batteries ensure correct pola-  
2.4 Mounting/Removing the flashgun  
rity. Incorrectly loaded batteries can destroy the  
ashgun! All batteries must be of the same  
make and have the same charge level. Exhau-  
sted batteries must not be thrown into the  
dustbin! Contribute to the protection of the  
environment and discard exhausted batteries  
at the appropriate disposal points.  
Mounting:  
Turn off the mecablitz.  
Turn the clamping nut upwards against the  
case of the flashgun.  
Slide the mecablitz foot completely into the  
camera's accessory shoe.  
Turn the clamping nut downwards against the  
camera body, thereby securing the flash unit.  
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  
Removing:  
Switch off the flash unit before it is removed.  
Turn the clamping nut upwards against the  
case of the flashgun and remove the flash unit  
from the camera.  
- 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 ashgun should  
always be turned off if it is not being used.  
6
3. Setting the mecablitz into operation  
3.1 Preconditions  
The mecablitz must only be used with TTL  
ash controlled autofocus 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
A full-power flash is fired if the camera does  
not feature TTL ash control!  
Fig. 3: Switching the flashgun on and off  
In other words: Without TTL flash control, the meca-  
blitz fires an unmeasured flash at maximum output.  
3.2 Switching the flashgun on and off  
Set the main switch in the ON position to turn on  
the flashgun. The green flash-ready indicator  
lights up to indicate flash readiness.  
The camera's integrated flash may be additio-  
nally used only if it can be completely folded out  
into its operating position.  
An incompletely folded out camera flash unit  
can be damaged when the shutter release is  
tripped.  
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.  
Flash readiness has the following effect on  
system cameras:  
Camera mode:  
Effect:  
4.1 Flash-ready indication  
Programmed auto exposure mode [P]:  
Camera changes to 1/30 - 1/250 sec. flash sync  
speed, depending on camera model.  
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. Depending on the selected  
operating mode, the camera is 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 cameras  
operating instructions for further details.  
Aperture priority mode[Av]:  
As in [P]  
Shutter priority mode [Tv]:  
Shutter speeds can be set on the camera that  
equal or are slower than the sync speed.  
Manual mode [M]: As in [Tv]  
Note: If (independent of the operating mode) a  
shutter speed faster than the flash sync speed is  
set on the camera, the camera will automatically  
change to flash sync speed when flash readiness  
is reached.  
Refer to the camera's operating instructions for  
details.  
8
4. Flashgun instructions to the camera  
4.4 Information displayed in camera viewfinder when  
ash unit is switched on  
Displays in viewfinder Meaning  
prior to shutter release  
not illuminated  
or blinks slowly  
Flash unit not yetready for firing  
permanently illuminated Flash unit is ready for firing  
Warning with SF1/SFx: is illuminated in the camera's  
viewfinder but the flash is not triggered when the shutter  
is tripped. The camera has activated the triggering lock  
because the ambient light is too bright.  
Fig. 4: Exposure o.k.  
4.3 Correct-exposure indication (see fig. 4)  
Displays in viewfinder Meaning  
prior to shutter release  
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.  
blinks quickly  
exposure  
Flash was sufficient for correct  
not illuminated or  
blinks slowly  
Flash was insufficient. Select  
wider f/stop or shorten distance.  
Please refer to the cameras operating instructions  
for further details.  
9
5. TTL ash control  
The mecablitz receives its information exclusively  
from the connected TTL-controlled AF-camera.  
The table on page 33 gives the maximum range  
for the selected aperture. The minimum lighting  
distance is approx. 15% of the maximum thres-  
hold range.  
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.  
If the actual distance is shorter than the  
minimum lighting distance, then this may  
result in overexposure.  
The speed of lms to be exposed under  
TTL ash control must be between ISO  
25/15°* and ISO 1000/31°. Correct expo-  
sures cannot be guaranteed with other  
film speeds.  
The advantage of the TTL mode is that all factors  
influencing the exposure of the film (such as fil-  
ters, 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 automatically defines the requi-  
red amount of light. You can also utilize various  
metering facilities (e.g. spot , matrix or centre-  
weighted overall readings) offered by some came-  
ras.  
A strip of film must be loaded in the camera if tests  
are to be conducted in TTL flash mode. The effec-  
tive flash range can only be checked by the cor-  
rect-exposure display (o.k.) if the flash is triggered  
by the camera and not with the manual release on  
the flashgun!  
* With automatic film speed setting (DX): ISO 32/16°  
10  
6. Flash in the individual camera modes  
7. Autofocus measuring flash  
If the mecablitz is switched on and ready for firing,  
a flash will be fired each time the camera's shutter  
is released. The amount of light is controlled by  
TTL.  
AF red-light beam  
Triggering lock (only SF1 and SFx)  
On the Pentax SFx and SF1 cameras, the flash will  
not be fired when the prevailing light is sufficient  
for an exposure in normal mode. The exposure is  
then completed with the shutter speed indicated in  
the display field.  
Fig. 5: AF red-light beam  
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 shutter release is lightly tou-  
ched.. The cameras autofocus system then focu-  
ses the picture by this striped pattern.  
If you intend to take a shot with a shutter speed  
faster than e.g. 1/250 sec. (depending on the  
camera model) you must switch off the flashgun.  
Refer to the camera's operating instructions for  
details.  
11  
7. Autofocus measuring flash  
Notes:  
Low-speed lenses, e.g. with an aperture of  
f/5.6 or f/8 (such as zoom lenses), significant-  
ly restrict the range of the autofocus  
measuring flash!  
The AF measuring flash is only supported in the  
camera's "SINGLE AF" mode.  
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 AF measuring flash is not activated in the  
camera's continuous focusing mode or when  
the autofocus system is switched off.  
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 camera’s AF sensor).  
Due to parallax between camera lens and AF  
measuring flash, a minimum distance of 1 m to  
the subject is necessary. The AF measuring  
flash will not cover the subject if the shooting  
distance is less than 1 m. In such instances  
ensure a higher ambient light level.  
12  
8. Flash techniques and flash functions  
Fill-in flash in daylight will soften harsh shadows  
and diminish the contrast, thereby producing a  
more balanced exposure when shooting against the  
light. The cameras computer-controlled metering  
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.  
Fig. 6: Fill-in flash in daylight (left without, right with fill-in flash  
8.2 Exposure correction  
8.1 Fill-in ash  
Various cameras enable the user to influence the TTL  
exposure control. Accordingly, the cameras expo-  
sure settings can be corrected by up to ± 3 aper-  
tures (in half f-stop settings).  
When in the "Program" [P] camera mode, the  
camera's metering system will automatically con-  
trol the shutter speed/aperture combination so  
that use of the mecablitz will soften the shadows  
and produce a balanced exposure when shooting  
against the light. However the camera may also  
measure sufficient ambient light and activate the  
triggering lock (see page.28). Please observe the  
corresponding displays in the camera's viewfin-  
der. For details refer to the camera's operating  
instructions.  
PLEASE NOTE: Do not forget to switch off  
this function when it is no longer required!  
Please refer to the cameras operating instructions  
for further details.  
13  
9. Lighting and attachments  
Your mecablitz provides full and even illumination  
guiding edge  
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  
onwards.  
case gap  
Please note that use of the wide-angle diffuser  
diminishes the effective range of the flash, whe-  
reas the telephoto attachment increases it.  
Fig. 7: Mounting and removing the attachments  
To remove turn the attachment beyond the retai-  
ning spring (see fig.) and withdraw the attach-  
ment.  
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.  
14  
10. 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 ring 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.  
15  
11. 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 ring  
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  
16  
Lighting distances  
Example:  
2
2,8  
4
5,6  
8
11  
Film speed ISO 100, camera aperture f5.6:  
The table indicates a maximum distance of 5 m.  
The minimum lighting distance is 15% out of 5  
m which equals approx. 0.75 m.  
ISO  
50 10 7 5 3,5 2,5 1,8  
100 14 10 7  
200 20 14 10  
5
7
3,5 2,5  
5
3,5  
400 28 20 14 10  
7
5
W – 20%  
[m]  
T +20%  
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.  
17  

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