Metz Mecablitz 40 mz-2 User manual

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 LCD Light (1)
      Apertu re preselect or (21
         Cordless TTL control (3)
         (Remote TTL mode)
                Preselector for partial light output levels (4)
                    Film speed preselector (5)
                      Buzzer preselector (6)
                            Preselector for user
                       programmes 1-9 (7)



                                       +/- Buttons for value
                                   adjustment (8)





www.butkus.us                      Preselector for manual
                        zoom control (9)
                            Main switch (10)

                     Exposure o.k. (11)
                  Retention catch (12)

            Operating mode selector (13)
         Manual firing button and
          flash-ready light (1a)

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Foreword
Congratulations 0n purchasing this METZ flashgun, and thank you for your
confidence  in METZ equipment.
lf fitted with the Standard Base 301 or an SCA adapter, this flashgun can be
mounted on all cameras with accessory shoe and on system cameras.
ln conjunction with the Standard Base 301 , the 40 M7-2 can be operated in
the manual, stroboscopic and auto mode. For manual operation, allthe listed
procedures (with or without a number) must be completed.
Optimum adaptation to your camera is achieved by use of an SCA adapter.

The table in the enclosed "System SCA 3000" Instructions indicates which
adapter  is suitable for your camera. The Instructions also indicate which spe-
cial flash functions are completed by the system.
@ The red-tight adapters of the SCA 300 System, as well as the SCA
    356 and the TTL Multiconnector SCA 305 A, can only be used it
    the ECA 300 D spacer is mounted on the flashgun.

The subsequent instructions are of a general nature. Picture composition, and
the described steps defined by numbers, are related to a system with SCA
3000 adapter.

All steps identified with an asterisk*) must be additionally completed, depen-
ding upon the given type of camera.

1. Safety Instructions
 o Never fire the mecablitz in the 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!
 o Run-down batteries should be immediately taken out of the flashgun.
  Lye leaking out of dead batteries will damage the flashgun. Gonse-
   quently, never leave dead batteries in the flashgunl
 o Never recharge dry-cell batteries such as alkaline manganese and lit-
  hium batteries!
  Do not short-circuit rechargeable batteries!
 . Dry-celland rechargeable  batteries should not be exposed to excessi-
  ve heat, for instance sunshine,  fire and the like!
o Never throw dead batteries in a fire!
o Do not expose the flashgun to dripping and splashing water!
o Protect the flashgun against excessive heat and high humidity levels!
  Do not store the flashgun in the glove compartment of a car!
. Make sure to tighten the knurled screw (17) firmly so that the flash-
  gun cannot slip off.
. When operating the flashgun with Ni0ad batteries and taking a
 sequence of pictures at full light output and at the fast recycling
  times provided by Nicad battery operation, shooting should be inter-
  rupted for at least 3 minutes every 20 flashes, to prevent overloading.

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Fig. 2: Power supply
2. Preparing the flashgun for use
2.1 Power supply

The flashgun can be operated with any of the following batteries:
. 4 NiCad rechargeable  batteries, type IEC KR 15/51   .
 They ensure fast recycling times and are very economical as they can be
  recharged over and over again.
. 4 alkaline-manganese batteries, type IEC LR6.
  Maintenance-free power source for moderate requirments.
. 4 lithium batteries, type FR6 191.
 Can be stored for many years with virtually no loss of power, thus making
 them idealfor occasional use.
We recommend the METZ NiCad battery chargers (optional extras)for char-
ging NiCad batteries.

Fig. 3: Position of batteries

2.2 Inserting and reptacing the batteries
o Switch off the flashgun with the main switch (10).
. Push the battery compartment cover (1b) in direction of the anow as far as
  possible.
o Insert the batteries lengthwise into the compartment.
 When inserting the batteries ensure that their polarity is correct, as
 indicated by the symbols in the battery compartment!
. Close the battery compaftment cover (15).
@ Exhausted batteries must not be thrown into the dustbinl contribu-
     te to the protection of the environment and discard dead bafteries
    at the appropriate disposal points.

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Fig. 4: The battery warning indicator
2.3 Battery warning indicator
The flashing battery symbol (Fig. 4) on the LC display signals that the batte-
ries are almost run down.
@ The battery warning indicator is a testing aid for alkaline manga-
    nese batteries onlY.
 lf the flashing battery symbol appears when alkaline manganese batteries are
used, the reiaining en-ergy is still sufficient for a limited number of flashes.
The battery warning indicator is not suitable for other types of batteries'
The condition of the batteries can Only be checked  if the flashgun is switched
 0n.

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 Fig. 5: Mounting the flashgun on the camen
2.4 Mounting the flashgun on the camera
The flashgun can only be attached to the camera by the Standard Base 301
(18) or an SCA 300/SCA 3000 adapter (optionat extra).
@ Belore attaching or removing the tlash unit, make sure that both
     the canera and flash unit are switched olf.
Slip the flashgun into the camera's accessory shoe and lock it into position by
turning down the knurled screw (17).
The Standard Base 301 supplied with your flashgun provides simple flash
synchronisation.
Removing tie Standard Base or SCA adapter:
 1 Hold the rotating base (16) ofthe flashgun and swivel the body by 90..
 2 Press the retention catch (12) in direction of the arrow.
 3 Withdraw the Standard Base or SCA adapter.
Mounting the Standard Base or SCA adapter:
 . Hold the cover plate (only when using the SCA 3000 adapter)  in the centre
  and withdraw.
o Push the SCA adapter or Standard Base all the way in.
o Return the rotating base (16) ofthe flashgun into its normal position.



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Fig. 6: Removing the Base or SCA adapter

Synch connection between flashgun and camera is automatically established
when the flashgun is inserted into the camera's accessory shoe.
The synch connection 0n cameras without a hot shoe can be established with
a synch lead (36-50, short or 36-51, 1 m length).
SCA 3000 adapters cannot be used for cameras without a hot shoe contact.
2.5 Switching the flashgun on and off
Switch on the flashgun with the main switch (10). In the "clock symbol', set-
ting the flashgun is automatically switched off some 10 minutes after it was
last used, thereby sparing the batteries (see also 8.7, page 47). The flashgun
remains permanently switched on when  it is adjusted to the Oil setting. The
KEY setting locks all buttons (see 8.6, page 47).
lf you wish to switch off the mecablitz, set the main switch (10) to 0FF.

nz40-25
Fig. 7: Measuring scheme for TTL mode
3. TTL mode - The direct way to good flash shots
Peffect flash shots are made in a simple manner in the TTL mode.
In TTL mode, the exposure readings are made by the sensor built into the
camera (Fig. 7). 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 s00n as the film has been exposed by the correct
amount of light; the flash is then instantly cut out.
The advantage of this flash mode is that all factors influencing the correct
exposure of the film, such as filters, change of aperture and focal length with
zoom lenses, close-up exposure increase, etc. are automatically taken into
account.
@ The TfL mode can only he canied out with cameras that feature
      this function. The flashgun must be fifted with a corresponding SCA
    adapter (see SCA 3000 System Manual and SCA Table).





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Fig. B: Adjusting prlcedure for TTL mode
W With high-contrast differences, for instance dark obiects in the
    snow, exposure corrections may be necessary $ee 9.2, page 50)'
Adiusting procedure for TTL mode:
 . Adjust the camera according to the manufacturer's 0perating Instructions.
 . Fit the flashgun with the appropriate SCA adapter and mount it on the
  camera.
1 Switcn on the flashgun with the main switch (10).
2 Set tne operating mode selector (13) to TTL.
 . * Press the lS0 button (5) and adjust the film speed with the "+" or "-"
   button (8).
 r * Press the Z00M button (9) and use the "+" or "-" button to adjust the
  zoom value selected with the camera's lens.
 .  lf necessary, press the P button (4) and adjust the partial light output level
   with the "+" 0r "-" button (8) (e.9. in winder mode).
 . * Press the 0  button (2) and adjust the auto aperture with the "+" or
   "-" button untilthe desired distance range is indicated.
                                                                       *must additionally be sel on some cameras




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Fig. 9: Measuring scheme for auto mode
4. Automatic exposure control (auto mode)
when adjusted to automatic mode, the flash unit's sensor (20) measures the
 light reflected from the subject. The flash is cut off as soon as sufficient light
has been emitted for correct exposure.
This eliminates the need to recalculate and readjust the aperture each time
the distance is changed, provided that the subject remains within the indica-
ted auto flash range.
The flash unit's sensor (20) must be directed at the subject, regardless of the
direction at which the main reflector (23) is pointing. The sensor has a mea-
suring angle of approx. 25' and takes measurements  only during the emissi-
on of light by the flashgun in which  it is integrated.
In the auto mode, also partial light output levels can be adjusted (see 6.4.1,                     I
page 29).
Between six and twelve working apertures are available in the auto mode,
depending upon the adjusted lS0 film speed (see Annex, Table 3).                                        t





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Fig.  | 0: Setting procedure for automatic explsure clntrol

Setting procedure for automatic exposure control:
 o Adjust the camera according to the manufacturer's Operating Instructions.
1 Switch on the flashgun with the main switch (10).
2 Set the operating mode selector (13) to A.
 o * Press the lS0 button (5) and enter the film speed with the '+" or "-"
   button (8).
 . * Press the Zoom button (9) and use the "+" 0r "-" button (8) to enter the
  zoom value selected on the camera lens.
 o lf necessary, press the P button (4) and enter a padial light output level
   with the "+" or "-" button (8) (see 6.4, page 28).
 o * Press the 0  button (2) and adjust the automatic aperture with the "+"
   0r "-" button (8) until the desired distance range is indicated. Set this
   aperture also on the camera lens.
@  lt an SCA 3000 adapter is used, some cameras automatically
     transmit the t-numher t0 the tlash unit also in the auto mode.
     Shoutd this be the case, the auto aperture need not he set on the


                                                                    must additionally  be set on some cameras



                                                                15

The permissible distance range and the conesponding aperture appear on
the LC display.
@ fhs subject should be located within the middle third of flris
     distance range, thus giving the electronic control sufficient scope
     for compensation, if necessary.
There is a certain measure of overlap between the individual working apertu-
res (see Annex, Table 1). As a result of this overlap it is always possible to
place the subject within the middle third of the range.
@ Qzulisn with zoom lenses!
    Due to their design they can cause a loss of light in the order of up
     to one f-stop. Furthermore, the effective aperture can also vary,
    depending upon the adjusted focal length.This must be compensa-
     ted by correcting the aperture on the lens manually!





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Fig. 11: Shot with direct flash light
5. Manual flash mode
In this mode, the flashgun will always emit its full power.
Adaptation to the actual picture shooting situation is by setting the correspon-
ding aperture on the lens.
A single value for the flash-to-subject distance appears  in the LC display whi-
le in manual mode.
lf the displayed value does not coincide with the actual distance, then the
aperture and/or partial light output level have to be changed accordingly (see
6.4.2,pa1e29\.
The decisive points for the partial light output level are:
 o Distance to the subject
 . Desired aperture
 o lS0 film speed
 o Zoom position of the reflector
@ llls sensitive selection of partial light output levels makes it possi-
    ble to adiust the distance to the subject in very small incremenE in
     the manual flash mode.

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Fig. 12: Sefting procedure for manual mode

Setting procedure for manual mode
 . Adjust the camera according t0 the manufacturer's 0perating Instructions.
1 Switcn on the flashgun with the main switch (10).
2 Set tne operating mode selector (13) to M.
3 Press the 0  button (2).
4 Use the         button (8) to change the aperture until the desired
   distance appears in the display. Set this f-stop also on the camera.
@  lf an SCA 3Nfi adapter is used, some cameras automatically trans-
    mit tfie t-number. Should this be the case, the f-number on tfie
   camera must be changed until the tlash unit's LC display indicates
     the desired distance,
 . * Press the lS0 button (5) and adjust the film speed with the "+" or "-"
   button (8).
 . * Press the Zoom button (9). Use the "+" 0r "-" button (8) to set the zoom
  value that matches the focal length of the camera lens.

                                                                     'must additionally  be set on some €meras

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Fig. 13: lndirect flash (The photo was exposed with the flash bounced off the
        rightwal|
6. Special flash techniques
6.1 Bouncing the flash
Pictures exposed by full frontal flash are easily recognized by their harsh,
dense shadows. This is often associated with a sharp drop of light from the
foreground to the background.
This phenomenon can be avoided with indirect flash where the diffused light
will result in a soft and even rendition of the subject and the background. The
reflector (23) is turned in such a manner that the flash is bounced back from
a suitable reflective surface (e.9. the ceiling or the walls of a room).
For this reason, the reflector can be turned vertically and horizontally (Fig.
13).
Vertical lock-in positions for indirect flash are:
 o 60o, 75" and 90"  (tilt the reflector to the required angle)
The head can be swivelled horizontallythrough 270"and locks into position at
60', 90o and 180'.
@ The distance values on the LC display disappear as soon as the
     reflector, or flash head, is turned horizontally.

Fig. 14: Locking positions of reflector/head

when swivelling the reflector (23), or flash head,  it is essential to ensure that
 it is moved by a sufficiently wide angle so that direct light can no longer fall
on the subject. Therefore, always swivel the reflector or head at least to the
first locking position.
The ditfused light bounced back from the reflective surfaces results in a soft
illumination of the subject.
The reflecting surface must be white or have a neutral colour and no patterns
(such as found in a wooden-beamed  ceiling), as these might produce
shadows. For colour etfects just select reflective surfaces in the desired
colour.
To avoid disturbing dense shadows with bounce flash, for instance under the
nose and in the eye sockets in portraiture, the secondary reflector (21) can be
used.





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Fig.15: tndirect flash with switched-on secondary reflector (The photo was
       exposed with the flash bounced off the wall; the secondary reflector
       was switched on for frontal fill-in light.)
6.1.1 Indirect flash with switched-on secondary reflector
The secondary reflector (21) produces frontal fill-in light when bouncing the
flash.
r9 Use of the secnndary reflectnr is only advisable tor bouncellash
    photography.
The secondary reflector (21) is switched on and off with the ))  switch (19).
Symbols on the LC display indicate that the secondary reflector (21) is on
(Fis. 16).
When the secondary reflector is activated, 90% of the light will be emitted by
the main reflector (23), and approx. 10% by the secondary reflector (21)'
The stated percentages may vary when using the flash with partial light out-
put levels and switched-on secondary  reflector.
 lf the light from the secondary reflector (21) is too bright, it can be diminished
by attaching one of the two light reducing filters. They are attached to the
back of the main reflector (23) and their characteristics are as follows:

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Fig. 16: Display for switched on secondary reflector

 o 1 light grey filter with the symbol "-1" reduces the amount of light to half
  the original brightness  (Fig. 16a).
 . 1 dark grey filter with the symbol "-2" reduces the amount of light to one
   quarter of the original brightness (Fig. 16a).





Fig. 16 a: Light reducing filter
Mounting the light reducing filter (Fig. 16b):
 o Tilt the main reflector (23) upwards to 90o.
 o Remove the required light reducing filter from the back of the main reflector.
 . Slip the light reducing  filter on the secondary reflector (21), over the AF
  measuring beam aperture.

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Fig. l6 b: Mounting the light reducing filter

6.1.2 Bouncing the flash in auto and TTL mode
It is advisable to check prior to the actual exposure whether the light is suffi-
cient for the selected aperture. Proceed in the manner described in 8.2, page
41.
6.1.3 Bouncing the flash in the manual mode
The required camera aperture in the manual mode is best established with an
exposure meter. 0bserve the following rule of thumb  if an exposure meter is
not available:
                          guide number
      Camera aperture =                                   light distance x 2
to establish a guide value for the f-stop that can then be varied by + 1 f-stop
for the actual exposure.




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