Pentax 40 MZ-3i manual

MECABLITZ 40 MZ-3i Operating Instructions TV . VIDEO. AUDIO. MECABLITZ Initiative für natürliche Umwelt TV • VIDEO • CAMCORDER • MEC ABLITZ METZ-Werke GmbH & Co KG Ohmstraße 55 • 90513 Zirndorf T elefon (0911) 9706-0 • Fax (0911) 9706-340 Internet: http://www .metz.de E-Mail: Metz.Werke@t-online.de 796 47 0111.A4 ķ Note: Within th[...]

 Main switch  LC display lighting / Modelling light  Aperture preselector  Cordless control (Remote operation)  Preselector for partial light output levels  Film speed preselector  Beep function on/off  Preselector for user programs Nomenc lature  ± Buttons for value adjustment  Locking key  Preselector for manual [...]

The LC display Display of operating mode Symbols for switched-on secondary reflector Program place: 0 = Work surface 1-9 = User programs Distance in meters or feet Aperture Zoom reflec- tor setting Film speed Batter y warning indica- Pre-flash function for red-eye reduction (depends on camera type) Flashes per second in stroboscopic mode = f (Hz) N[...]

3 Contents 11. Fill-in flash in daylight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Fill-in flash in auto mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Fill-in flash in manual mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Fill-in flash in TTL mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 12. Working with user progra[...]

5 4 Foreword •40 MZ-3(i) with Automatic flash mode, ch. 4, p. 15 SCA 3000-adapter TTL flash mode*,, ch. 3, p. 12 TTL Easy Mode*, ch. 3, p. 14 Manual flash mode, ch. 5, p. 18 Metz TTL remote mode*, ch. 7, p. 24 Metz automatic remote mode, ch. 7.1., p. 28 Stroboscopic mode, ch. 10, p. 35 * If the camera supports this function. The SCA 3000 adapter [...]

7 2. Preparations 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! Exhausted batteries should be immediately removed from the flashgun! L ye leaking out of dead batteries will damage the flash unit. Ne[...]

9 2. Preparations Fig. 2: Position of batteries Loading and replacing the batteries •Switch off the flashgun with the main switch  . •Push the batter y compartment cover  in direction of the arrow as far as possible. •Insert the batteries lengthwise into the compartment. When inserting the batteries ensure that their polarity is correct[...]

11 2. Preparations Fig. 4: Fixing the flashgun Mounting the flashgun on the camera The flashgun can only be attached to the camera with the Standard Foot 301 or an SCA 300/SCA 3000 adapter (optional extra). Before mounting or removing the flashgun, switch off both the camera and the flashgun Slip the flashgun into the camera’ s accessory shoe and[...]

13 3. TTL flash mode Fig.6 : Measuring scheme for TTL mode The direct way to good flash shots In TTL mode, the exposure readings are made by the sensor built into the camera (Fig. 6). 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 s[...]

15 14 3. TTLflash mode Fig. 8: Settings for TTL Easy Mode This is the simplest way to operate the mecablitz in TTL flash mode. All buttons on the mecablitz are locked, with the exception of the /ML  and  but- tons. In TTL Easy Mode with the SCA 300 adapter , the zoom position is constantly adjusted to 28 mm to ensure that the subject is alway[...]

17 16 4. Automatic flash mode Fig. 10: Settings for the auto mode Setting procedure for auto flash mode: •Adjust the camera according to the manufacturer’ s Operating Instructions. 1 Switch on the flashgun with the main switch  . 2 Set the operating mode selector  to A . • *Press the ISO button  and set the film speed with the „ + [...]

19 18 5. Manual flash mode Fig. 1 1: Shot with direct flashlight In this mode, the flashgun will always emit its full power . Adaptation to the actual picture shooting situa tion is by setting the corresponding aperture on the lens. A single value for the flash-to-subject distance appears on the LC display while in manual mode. If the displayed val[...]

21 20 6. Bounce flash Fig. 13: Bouncing the flash (The photo was shot with the flash bounced off the right wall) Photos shot with full frontal flash are easily recognized by their harsh, dense shadows. This is often associated with a sharp drop of light from the fore - ground to the background. This phenomenon can be avoided with bounce flash becau[...]

23 22 6. Bounce flash Fig. 15: Bounce flash with switched-on secondary reflector The secondary reflector  produces frontal fill-in light when bouncing the flash. Use of the secondary reflector is only advisable for bounce flash photography . The secondary reflector  is switched on and off with the s witch  . Symbols on the LC display indic[...]

25 24 7. Metz cordless TTL remote operation Fig. 17: Settings for TTL remote operation Setting procedure for Metz TTL remote operation: • Adjust the camera to TTL mode, as explained in the manufacturer’ s Opera ting Instructions. 1 Switch on the flashgun mounted on the camera with the main switch  . 2 Set the operating mode selector  to T[...]

27 7. Metz cordless TTL remote operation Fig. 18: Display for operation with slaves A particularly short distance between controller and slave unit may cause the camera’ s electronics to cut off the flash before the slave has received its light pulse. In such an event widen the distance or choose a larger f-number and repeat step No. 5. T o ensur[...]

In the Metz A remote mode the master flashgun (controller) mounted on the camera controls the slaves in such a manner that automa tic operation covers all slave units. The exposure is controlled by the sensor  on the controller . T o implement this mode, all 40 MZ-.. slave units must first be fitted with an SCA 3080 Slave Adapter (available as a[...]

31 7.1 Metz cordless auto remote operation Proceed as described in ch. 7 to check and change the slave address , and to switch off automatic remote operation. T o assess the overall lighting conditions, press the ML button  for at least 2 seconds. This willl trigger a modelling light (approx. 4 seconds). All sla ves (40 MZ-1(i) and MZ-3(i) with [...]

33 9. W orking with partial light output levels Partial light output levels are manually adjustable fractions of the full-power light output. Partial light output levels can be set in all operating modes except the TTL remote mode. The rec ycling times are shorter when partial light output levels are adjusted (see T echnical Data, T able 1) instead[...]

35 9. W orking with partial light output levels Flash durations The adjustable partial light output levels result in different flash durations (see T echnical Da ta, T able 1). The specified flash dura tions apply only to single flashes in manual mode. With serial flashes (winder or stroboscopic mode) the last flashes may have a longer dura tion. F[...]

37 10. Stroboscopic mode • *Press the button  . Then use the „ + “ or „ - “ button  to select an aperture that matches the distance to the subject. Set this aperture also on the camera. * must additionally be set on some cameras The distance to the moving subject is used as the distance value. T o prevent overexposure of the motionl[...]

39 11. Fill-in flash in daylight When shooting into the light ensure that the backlight does not shine directly onto the sensor as this will confuse the flashgun’ s electronics. Fill-in flash in manual mode The partial light output levels can be used in manual flash mode to achieve the desired brightening effect of fill-in flash. Complete illumin[...]

41 12. W orking with user programs Fig. 23: Display of an activated user program Y our flashgun is provided with a memor y that will enable you to enter your o wn flash programs on nine program places. This is particularly advanta geous for constantly recurring flash situations. Program 0 (Prog.0) is loaded when the flashgun is operated for the fir[...]

43 12. W orking with user programs If, for example, the opera ting mode is changed after a stored program has been called, the LC display s witches to „Prog.0“. But the unchanged parameters of the previously loaded program place are retained. The factory-set flash programs can be overwritten if you wish to store your o wn flash programs. Five s[...]

45 13. The zoom reflector Fig. 25: Settings for Ex-Zoom mode The flashgun’ s larger angle of coverage provides a higher safety margin for perfect lighting of the subject. In normal opera tion, the Ex-Zoom mode produces a softer illumination of the subject because more light is reflected back from the walls and ceiling. Setting procedure for the E[...]

47 14. Special functions Fig. 26: Exposure o.k. The correct exposure indicator („o.k.“)  lights up only when the frame will be, or was, correctly exposed in the auto and TTL mode. In this manner it is possible to manually trigger a test flash while in auto mode so that the correct aperture can be established beforehand. This is particularly [...]

49 14. Special functions The ML function (Modelling Light) The ML button  on the flashgun triggers a modelling light for a pprox. 4 seconds to allow assessment of the shado ws, particularly in remote control modes. When the ML button is pressed on the controller (master flashgun), all slaves of the type 40 MZ-1(i) and 3 (i), and 50 MZ-5 will sim[...]

51 14. Special functions Fig. 29: Locking the controls Switching on the „Beep“ function Press the  button and switch the function on (display 1 1 ) or off (display 0 0 ) with the + or - button  . Locking the controls (key function) Switch  locks all buttons and switches to prevent inadvertent readjustment during flash operation. The bu[...]

53 14. Special functions T esting the LCD segments and m-ft changeover (Ser vice Menu) The Service Mode 1 has to be called in order to check the LCD segments and to change over the dimensional units (m = meter; ft = feet). Only complete the settings described here! Do not press any other buttons than those described here, otherwise there is the dan[...]

55 16. T echnical Data 15. Exposure corrections The automatic exposure systems are adjusted to a subject reflection factor of 25%, this being the average reflection factor for subjects shot with flash. Dark backgrounds that absorb a lot of light, or bright backgrounds that reflect a great deal of light (e.g. backlit scenes), can result in overexpos[...]

57 16. T echnical Data 16. T echnical Data 56 1 1,4 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 1 1,4 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 16 1 1,4 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 16 22 1 1,4 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 16 22 32 1 1,4 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 16 22 32 45 1,4 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 16 22 32 45 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 16 22 32 45 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 16 22 32 45 4 5 , 6 8 1 11 62 23 24 5 5 , 6 8 1 11 62 23 24 5 8 1 11 62 23 24 5 6-[...]

Partial light output (P) 59 16. T echnical Data Example: Y ou intend to make a stroboscopic shot with 7 flash exposures a t a frequency of 3 flashes per second. Procedure: After having completed the first six settings described in „Setting procedure for stroboscopic mode“, press the button N and then enter the number of exposures - in this case[...]

61 16. T echnical Data 16. T echnical Data 60 T able 7: Recycling times and number of flashes with different battery types Batter y types Recyc ling times Number of flashes M-Mode / A-TTL-Modes min. / max. High-power , 10 sec. 0.1 . . 10 sec. 100 / 3000 alkaline-manganese Lithium 11 sec. 0.1 . . .11 sec. 200 / 5000 NiCad 0 5 sec. 0.1 . . . 0 5 sec.[...]

63 17. Optional extras 17. Optional extras 62 Malfunctions and damage caused to the mecablitz due to the use of accessories from other manufacturers are not covered by our guarantee! • Bounce diffuser 40-73 (Item No. 0004073) to soften harsh shadows by indirect illumination. • Camera bracket 40-36/2 (Item No. 0004036) to attach the flashgun at [...]

65 18. T roubleshooting hints 18. T roubleshooting hints 64 No display in "ON" switch position. Brief movement of the "ON" switch in the direction of "OFF" without overcoming the click stop enables the unit to change over to stand-by mode (display off) even though the switch is still in "ON" position. Remedy:[...]

Alphabetical index A coustic alarm, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Acoustic signal for flash readiness, . .27, 50 AF measuring beam, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Alarm functions, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Automatic cut-out, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Auto mode, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 B atteries, [...]