Metz MECABLITZ 15 MS-1 digital User manual

MECABLITZ 15 MS-1 digital
Bedienungsanleitung Mode d’emploi
Gebruiksaanwijzing Operating instruction
Manuale istruzioni Manual de instrucciones
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1 Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
2 Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
2.1 Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
2.2 Insertion and replacement of batteries . . . . .71
2.3 Installation / Deinstallstion . . . . . . . . . . . .71
2.4 Switching the flash unit on and off . . . . . . .72
2.5 The infrared clamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
3 Starting up for the first time . . . . . . . . . . .73
4 Camera-specific remote operation . . . . . . .73
4.1 General information on wireless
remote control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
4.2 Setting remote channel and remote group . .75
5 Manual wireless slave mode . . . . . . . . . . .76
5.1 Learn function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
5.2 Slave mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
6 Operation with synchronous cable . . . . . . .80
7 Operation of flash unit detached
from camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
8 Lighting OK in remote TTL mode . . . . . . . .81
9 Swivel reflectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
9.1 Bounce diffuser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
10 The AF auxiliary light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
11 Modelling light (ML) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
12 Synchronisation on the 1st or 2nd shutter
curtain (REAR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
13 Slow synchronisation (SLOW) . . . . . . . . . .84
13.1Using a tripod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
14 Care and maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
14.1Firmware update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
14.2 Reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
14.3Conditioning the flash capacitor . . . . . . . . .86
15 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
16 Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134-137
Introduction
Thank you for choosing a Metz product.
We are delighted that you have become a Metz
customer.
Of course you can hardly wait to use your flash unit.
It is worthwhile to read the operating manual as it is
only in this way you can learn how to use the device
without difficulties.
Please refer to the back cover at the end of the
manual.
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1 Safety instructions
• The flash unit is exclusively designed
and authorised for use in photogra-
phic applications.
• Do not flash directly into eyes from
a close distance! Direct flashing into
the eyes of persons or animals can
cause damage to the retina and
severe disruption of the vision – up
to and including permanent blind-
ness!
• The flash unit may in no event be
activated in the vicinity of inflamma-
ble gases or liquids (petroleum, sol-
vents etc.). RISK OF EXPLOSIONS!
• Never use a flash unit to photo-
graph car, bus, bicycle, motorbike
or train drivers while they are dri-
ving. Blinding the driver can lead to
an accident!
• Only use the power sources desi-
gnated and authorised in the opera-
ting manual.
• Do not open the batteries or short
them!
• In no event the batteries be exposed
to high temperatures like direct sun-
light, fire or similar!
• Remove the used batteries immedia-
tely from the device! Chemicals can
escape from used batteries (so-cal-
led “leaks”) resulting in damage to
the device!
• Batteries may not be recharged!
• Do not expose the flash unit to
water drops and splashes!
• Protect your flash unit from heat and
high air humidity! Do not keep it in
the glove compartment of your car.
• After repeated flashing, do not
touch the diffuser. Risk of burns!
• After a series of flashes with full
power and short intervals, a pause
of at least 3 minutes must be obser-
ved after each series of 20 flashes!
• When you activate the flash, there
should be no opaque material
directly in front of or on the reflector
cover (flash window). The intense
energy emissions can otherwise
lead to scorching or spotting of the
material and/or the reflector cover.
Do not dismantle the flash unit!
HIGH VOLTAGE!
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Repairs should only be performed
by authorised service personnel.
• Do not touch the electrical contacts
of the flash unit.
• If the housing has been damaged in
such a way that internal compo-
nents are exposed, the flash unit
may no longer be used. Remove the
batteries! Do not touch any internal
components. HIGH VOLTAGE!
• Do not use any toxic batteries or
rechargeable batteries!
2 Preparation
2.1 Power supply
The flash unit can optionally be ope-
rated with:
• 2 alkali-manganese dry batteries
Type IEC LR03 (AAA / Micro),
maintenance-free power source for
moderate power requirements.
• 2 NC batteries Type IEC KR03
(AAA / Micro).
• 2 nickel metal hydride batteries
Type IEC HR03 (AAA / Micro), sig-
nificantly higher capacity than
NC batteries and less harmful to the
environment than the NC batteries
as they are cadmium-free. They
offer very short flash sequence times
and economical operation as they
are rechargeable.
• 2 lithium batteries 1.5 V, Type IEC
FR03 (AAA / Micro), maintenance-
free power source with high capaci-
ty and low self-discharge rate.
The batteries/rechargeable batteries
are empty or used if the flash inter-
val for flashes at full power rises
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above 60 seconds. If you do not use
the flash unit for a prolonged period,
you should remove the batteries from
the unit.
2.2 Insertion and replacement of
batteries
• Turn off the flash unit via the main
switch .
• Slide the battery compartment cover
at the bottom of the flash unit
and fold it open.
• Insert the batteries in the accordan-
ce with the symbols on the inside of
the battery compartment cover.
When inserting batteries, ensure that
the polarity is correct and matches
the symbols in the battery compart-
ment. Inserting the batteries in the
wrong direction can destroy the flash
unit! Always replace all batteries
simultaneously, and make sure that
batteries are the same brand and
have the same capacity. Flat or dead
batteries should not be disposed of
with ordinary household waste. Help
protect the environment, and dispose
of flat/dead batteries at the appro-
priate collection points.
• Close battery compartment cover 
and slide against the housing.
2.3 Installation /Deinstallation
Carefully screw an adapter ring of the
appropriate size into the filter thread
of the objective.
Recommendation: Only use internal
focusing objectives! Note, with exter-
nal focusing objectives you must per-
form the focusing manually. The risk
of damage to the flash unit due to
the weight of the objective or of the
adjusting motor cannot be ruled out.
Press both the release buttons on
the flash unit, keep them pressed, and
at the same time insert the flash unit
up to the stopper on the adapter ring
of the objective.
When the release buttons are rele-
ased, the flash unit is held on the
adapter ring by four snap-in clips.
Make sure that the flash unit is secu-
rely locked in place on the adapter
ring. When the camera and the flash
unit are combined, always hold the
combination by the camera and
never by the flash unit.
☞
☞
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The flash unit can be rotated (turned)
on the adapter ring.
Removal
Press both the release buttons on
the flash unit, keep them pressed, and
at the same time carefully pull the
flash unit off the adapter ring of the
objective.
2.4 Switching the flash unit on
and off
To switch-on, move the main switch 
to the “ON” position. To switch-off,
move the main switch to the left.
If the flash unit is not required for a
longer period of time, it should
always be switched off by the main
switch and the batteries/rechargea-
ble batteries should be removed from
the flash unit!
2.5 The infrared clamp
The camera’s own flash unit and the
use of mecablitz 15MS-1 digital
should not contribute to the lighting of
macropictures, so that no shadows
are caused by the housing of meca-
blitz 15MS-1 digital.
The camera’s own flash light can be
covered with the infrared clamp. The
infrared clamp allows the control
impulses through, but holds back the
flash light, which contributes to the
lighting.
Installation of the infrared clamp
Open the infrared clamp with your
fingers and slip it over the camera’s
own flash unit.
Slide down the infrared clamp with
rubber lips as far as possible over the
camera’s own flash unit and close it.
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3 Starting up for the first
time
When the flash unit is switched on for
the first time or when a “RESET” is
performed (see Chapterir 14.2), the
following display appears after the
main switch is activated:
• Press the button on the flash
unit. In the display appears:
• Now set the desired operating
mode:
- The camera specific remote control
(see Chapter 4)
- Manual wireless slave mode (see
Chapter 5)
- Learn function (see Chapter 5.1)
- Slave mode (see Chapter 5.2)
- Operation with a synchronous cable
(see Chapter 6)
SEL
4 Camera-specific remote
operation
This remote operating mode is only
possible if the camera supports remo-
te operation with an integrated flash
or if an additional flash unit is moun-
ted on the camera (e.g. Metz meca-
blitz 58AF-1) which supports remote
operation.
4.1 General information on
wireless remote control
A remote system consists of a master
or controller flash unit in the camera
or an external master or controller
flash unit on the camera and one or
more slave flash units.
The slave flash unit is remotely con-
trolled by the master or controller
flash unit.
A master flash unit contributes to the
lighting and at the same time controls
the slave flash units.
A controller flash unit only has control
functions.
The slave flash unit is assigned to one
of three possible groups (A, B or C –
SEL
SELECT
15MS-1 V1.0
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only with Canon, Nikon, Olympus).
Each group can in turn consists of one
or more slave flash units.
Four independent remote channels
(Channels 1-4) are available, so that
several remote systems in the same
space do not cause mutual disruption.
The setting “Channel ALL” controls all
slave flash units. Slave flash units that
belong to the same remote system
must be set to the same remote chan-
nel. The slave flash units must be able
to pick up the light from the master or
controller flash unit via integrated sen-
sors for remote operation .
Adjustment of the flash unit
• Switch the flash units integrated in
the camera or external flash unit on
the camera in the Master or
Controller mode, see operating
manual of the camera or external
flash unit.
• Select an operating mode on the
camera that supports remote opera-
tion
• Slide the infrared clamp over the
camera’s own flash unit if it is to be
used as controller flash unit. Swivel
the external flash unit so that it can-
not contribute to lighting.
• Switch-on the flash unit with the
main switch .
• Keep the button “AF/SELECT” 
pressed down until the following
message appears in the display:
• Press the button on the flash
unit. In the display appears:
• Switch-on (ON) the “MODELLING
LIGHT” function with the button
or switch it off (OFF).
• Press the button on the flash
unit. The most recently used setting
appears in the display, e.g.:
• Press the button until the requi-
red version for the camera type
used appears in the display:
„CAN REMOTE“ (Canon) or
„NIK REMOTE“ (Nikon) or
„OLY REMOTE“ (Olympus) or

SEL

SEL
SEL
OK
MODELLING
LIGHT
OFF ON
15MS-1 V1.0
SEL 
SELECT
⊃

SEL
OK
SYSTEM
NIK REMOTE 
Ch ALL Gr A
SEL
OK
SYSTEM
OLY REMOTE 
Ch ALL Gr A
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„PEN REMOTE“ (Pentax) or
„SAM REMOTE“ (Samsung) or
„SON REMOTE“ (Sony)
•
Press the button, thus the selected
remote mode is set, in the example
“OLY REMOTE” (Olympus). The ratio
of the reflectors is 1:1. Group A (only
with CAN, NIK and OLY) is automati-
cally set if another group has not been
selected for a previous application.
• If the two reflectors should be set at
an unequal ratio (Ratio) then press
the button or to change the
ratio of both the reflectors.
The setting thus made will be automa-
tically saved.
In the operating modes
“CAN REMOTE” or “NIK REMOTE”
and/or “OLY REMOTE”, various slave
channels and various slave groups can
be set when several slave flash units
are used (see Chapter 4.2).
In the operating modes
“PEN REMOTE” and/or
“SAM REMOTE” and/or
“SON REMOTE”, only different slave

OK
channels can be set when several
slave flash units are used (see
Chapter 4.2 and operating manual
of the camera). The flash unit sup-
ports the wireless Sony remote
system in the “CTRL” and “
CTRL ”
modes, depending on the camera
system used. The “CTRL” and “
CTRL
” modes are automatically detected.
The slave flash units always work in
the “RMT” group. The set-up can
always be checked by pressing the
“AEL” key on the camera. The slave
flash unit must respond with a time-
delayed flash.
4.2 Setting remote channel and
remote group
Four independent remote channels
(CHANNELS 1 to 4) are available, so
that several remote systems in the
same space does not cause mutual
disruption Master and/or controller
and slave flash units that belong to the
same remote system must be set to the
same remote channel.
In the case of Sony and Pentax
cameras “CHANNEL ALL” must be
+
+
1:1
 
OLY GrA
8:1
 
OLY GrA
☞
☞
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set if a fixed channel is not used in
the remote system.
In the case of “CHANNEL ALL”, all
set channels are activated.
In the remote operating modes,
groups can be set in addition to the
channels (CHANNEL) in order to con-
trol the desired slave flash unit of a
specific group.
The setting of groups (GROUP A, B,
C) is only possible in Canon, Nikon
and Olympus remote control modes.
Setting a channel (CHANNEL) and a
group (GROUP) in a camera-specific
remote system
• Keep the button “AF/SELECT” 
pressed on the flash unit until the
following message appears in the
display:
• Press the button on the flash
unit. In the display appears::
• Press the button on the flash
unit. The most recently used setting
appears in the display, e.g.:
SEL
SEL
• Press the button on the flash
unit. In the display appears:
• Press button and select the
desired channel (CHANNEL ALL –
CHANNEL 1..4).
• Press button , the selected
remote channel is set. In the display
appears:
• Press button and select the des-
ired group (GROUP A, GROUP B,
GROUP C).
• Press button and the desired
group is set.
• Press button , the selected remo-
te channel and remote group are
set.
5 Manual wireless slave
mode
Even when cameras are used without
a camera-specific remote system,
wireless release of one or more slave
flash units is possible.
OK
SEL

SEL

SEL
SEL 
SELECT
⊃

SEL
OK
MODELLING
LIGHT
OFF ON
SEL
OK
SYSTEM
OLY REMOTE 
Ch ALL Gr A
CHANNEL ALL
SEL

CHANNEL 3
SEL

GROUP A
SEL

SEL
OK
SYSTEM
OLY REMOTE 
Ch 3 Gr A
1:1
 
OLY Ch3 GrA
GROUP A
SEL

☞
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