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photo:metz_slave

Metz slave flash

see also:

introduction

  • as long as your camera's flash does not fire pre-flashes (which most do in TTL flash mode), one can connect any optical slave device to your Metz flash and fire the metz flash in manual or auto (but not TTL mode).
  • some Metz flash units will act as TTL slave flashes for the camera's TTL master flash, for example:
    • mecablitz 15 MS-1 digital TTL slave “ring” flash
  • Metz also offers their own proprietary optical slave TTL flash mode called “Metz TTL remote flash mode” on certain flashes with the SCA 3083 digital slave adapter, but seems it is not compatible with many digital cameras - see below.
most will be best off just using their camera system's remote TTL flash mechanism although this may NOT be compatible even with some of the latest Metz flashes, or if they want radio remote TTL, then consider Pocket Wizard or other remote TTL systems with compatible flash units

the SCA 3083 digital slave adapter

  • this is used to connect to a compatible Metz flash to enable it to become a slave flash
  • the adapter has a single switch which offers 4 modes:
    • mecalux slave mode
    • mecalux slave mode with single pre-flash suppression
    • mecalux slave mode with double pre-flash suppression
    • Metz Remote for either Metz remote TTL mode or Metz remote auto mode

compatible Metz flash units

  • 60 CT-4 and 45 CL-4 (each require a SCA 3000C connecting cable but are not compatible with Metz TTL remote mode)
  • 40 MZ (1, 1i, 3, 3i)
  • 44 MZ-2
  • 50 MZ-5
  • 54 MZ 3 or 4
  • 70 MZ 4 or 5
  • NB. the mecablitz 50 MZ-5, 70 MZ-5 and 76 MZ-5 handle-mount flash unit can also be used as SLAVE units without an SCA 3803

"Metz TTL remote flash mode"

  • this may be useful for film cameras which support TTL flash but not remote TTL flash
this TTL mode does not appear to be compatible with digital TTL cameras the Metz TTL Remote Mode is NOT supported due to the pre-flash metering system of Olympus digital cameras! see SCA 3202 adapter instruction manual (pdf)

master flash

  • the Metz master flash (controller) operates with a TTL-capable camera and a suitable SCA adapter
  • the TTL sensor integrated in the camera controls through-the-lens (TTL) the light emission of the controller and slaves in TTL mode

slave flashes

  • compatible Metz flash units, each with a SCA 3083 digital slave adapter, or the mecablitz 15 MS-1 digital TTL slave “ring” flash
  • the slave flash unit must be set to operate in TTL mode.
  • ISO and aperture value do not have to be set on the slave

optical communication and system features

  • two remote control channels are available to ensure that two different Metz Remote Systems do not interfere with each other when in the same room.
  • the master (controller) and the slaves of the Metz Remote System must be operating on the same remote channel.
  • the adjusted channel is indicated on the LC-display of the mecablitz as follows:
    • Controller (master flash unit):
      • The mecablitz LC-display indicates “Co1” or “Co” + “Ad1” for remote channel 1.
      • The mecablitz LC-display indicates “Co2” or “Co” + “Ad2” for remote channel 2.
    • Slave flash unit:
      • The mecablitz LC-display indicates “SL1” or “SL” + “Ad1” for remote channel 1.
      • The mecablitz LC-display indicates “SL2” or “SL” + “Ad2” for remote channel 2.
  • the Metz remote flash mode is not possible when the secondary reflector is activated. In this instance the sensor of the slave adapter will start to flash as a warning signal.
    • switch off the secondary reflector!
  • the LC-display of the mecablitz (both controller and slave) will not indicate distance ranges when in Metz remote flash mode

mecalux slave mode

  • this is a non-TTL mode using the SCA 3083 slave adapter and is suitable for camera master flashes which do not have pre-flashes
  • essentially this mode works as for any optical trigger device attached to a flash
  • obviously, the slave flash will be fired whenever it detects any flash - including those from other photographers
  • the slave flash can only be used in manual or auto mode (sensor on the slave flash determines flash output according to aperture and ISO that have been set on the flash)

mecalux slave mode with measuring preflash suppression

  • this is a non-TTL mode using the SCA 3083 slave adapter and is suitable for camera master flashes which do have pre-flashes
  • obviously, the slave flash will be fired whenever it detects any flash - including those from other photographers
  • the slave flash can only be used in manual or auto mode (sensor on the slave flash determines flash output according to aperture and ISO that have been set on the flash)
  • there is a SCA 3083 adapter switch for this mode which sets to whether there are one or two pre-flashes it needs to ignore

Metz automatic remote flash mode

  • this is a non-TTL mode using the SCA 3083 slave adapter and is suitable for when a Metz flash is being used as the master flash, and it then detects flash outputs and controls the slave flash output
  • the master flash must be set to auto mode and aperture and ISO entered on the flash
  • slave flashes must each have a SCA 3083 adapter with the operating mode selector of the SCA 3083 digital slave adapter to Position “Metz REMOTE“, the slave flash will show TTL mode even though it is not TTL mode but just being controlled by an external flash.
  • camera’s shutter speed must not be faster than 1/60th sec. to ensure correct operation in the Metz remote mode
  • as with Metz remote TTL mode, you can select one of two optical channels
photo/metz_slave.txt · Last modified: 2013/06/07 14:59 by gary1

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