Metz MECABLITZ 36 C-2 User manual

TV. VIDEO. AUDIO. MECABLITZ
MECABLITZ 36 C-2
36 M-1
Bedienungsanleitung
Mode d’emploi
Handleiding
Operating instructions
Norme per l’uso
Instrucciones del manejo
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Contents
Indice
Manual de instrucciones
1. Safety instructions 72
2. Mounting the mecablitz 78
2.1 Mounting the mecablitz on the camera 78
2.2 Connection to the camera 80
2.3 Removing the mecablitz from the camera 80
3. Power supply 82
3.1 Suitable batteries 82
3.2 Replacing batteries 84
3.3 Switching the flash unit on and off 86
4. Displays on the mecablitz 88
4.1 Flash readiness indication 88
4.2 Correct exposure indication on the
mecablitz 36 C-2 90
5. Zoom reflector 92
6. Settings on the camera 94
7. Flash modes 96
7.1 Auto flash mode of the mecablitz 36 C-2 96
7.2 Manual flash mode 102
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Contents
Indice
Manual de instrucciones
7.2.1 Manual flash mode with a given aperture 104
7.2.2 Manual flash mode with a given distance 104
7.2.3 Manual flash mode with guide number
calculation 106
8. Flash techniques 110
8.1 Fill-in flash in daylight 110
8.2 Flash exposure correction 116
8.3 Bounce flash 118
9. Maintenance and care 122
10. Technical data 124
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Foreword
Premessa
Introducción
Foreword
Welcome to the large family of Metz customers! We congrat-
ulate you on purchasing this flash unit and thank you for
your confidence in our products.
It is only natural that you should want to use your flash unit
straight away. However, we recommend that you study these
Operating Instructions beforehand to be able to fully exploit
and utilize all the capabilities offered.
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Safety instructions
Per vostra sicurezza
Instrucciones de seguridad
1. Safety instructions
• The flash unit is exclusively intended and approved for
photographic use!
• Never fire a flash in the vicinity of flammable gases or
liquids (petrol, solvents, etc.)! DANGER OF EXPLOSION!
• Never take flash shots of car, bus or train drivers, or of
motorcycle and bicycle riders, whilst they are travelling.
They could be blinded by the light and cause an accident!
• Never fire a flash in the immediate vicinity of the eyes!
Flash fired directly in front of the eyes of a person or ani-
mal can damage the retina and lead to severe visual disor-
ders - even blindess!
• Only use the approved power sources listed in the
Operating Instructions!
• Do not expose batteries to excessive heat, sunshine, fire
and the like!
• Never throw exhausted batteries on to a fire!
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Safety instructions
Per vostra sicurezza
Instrucciones de seguridad
• Exhausted batteries should be immediately removed from the
flash unit. Lye leaking out of spent batteries will damage the unit.
• Never recharge dry-cell batteries!
• Do not expose the flash unit or battery charger to dripping
or splashing water (such as rain)!
• Protect the flash unit from excessive heat and humidity! Do
not store the flash unit in the glove compartment of a car!
• 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 reflector screen if this is not observed.
• Do not touch the reflector screen after a series of flash
shots. Danger of burns!
• Never disassemble the flashgun! DANGER: HIGH VOLT-
AGE! There are no components inside the flashgun that
can be repaired by a layman.
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Safety instructions
Per vostra sicurezza
Instrucciones de seguridad
• When taking a series of flash shots at full light output and
fast recycling times as provided by NiCad battery opera-
tion, make sure to observe an interval of at least 10 min-
utes after 15 flashes, otherwise the flash unit will be over-
loaded.
• The mecablitz may only be used in combination with a
camera-integrated flash unit if the latter can completely be
folded out!
• Quick changes in temperature may cause condensation.
Therefore give the flashgun time to acclimatize!
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Mounting the mecablitz
Montaggio del mecablitz
Montaje del mecablitz
2. Mounting the mecablitz
2.1 Mounting the mecablitz on the camera
Turn off the camera and the mecablitz by the main
switch!
• Turn the knurled nut against the mecablitz until the stop
point is reached.
• Slide the mecablitz foot completely into the camera’s acces-
sory shoe.
• Turn the knurled nut against the camera body as far as
possible to lock the mecablitz in position.
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Mounting the mecablitz
Montaggio del mecablitz
Montaje del mecablitz
2.2 Connection to the camera
The mecablitz is triggered via the hot shoe contact in the
camera’s flash shoe.
If the camera’s flash shoe does not have a hot shoe contact
then a synchronising cable (optional accessory) can be used
to establish the link between the camera’s X socket and the
sync socket of the mecablitz.
Please note: The mecablitz must be switched off before
the synchronising cable is plugged in or disconnected.
2.3 Removing the mecablitz from the camera
Turn off the camera and the mecablitz by the main
switch.
• Turn the knurled nut against the mecablitz until the stop
point is reached.
• Withdraw the mecablitz from the camera’s accessory shoe.
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Power supply
Alimentazione
Alimentación de corriente
3. Power supply
3.1 Suitable batteries
The mecablitz can be operated with any of the following bat-
teries:
• 4 NiCad batteries, type IEC KR 15/51. They permit very
fast recycling and are economical in use because they are
rechargeable.
• 4 nickel metal hydride batteries. They have a significantly
higher capacity than NiCad batteries and are less harmful
to the environment (no cadmium).
• 4 alkaline manganese dry-cell batteries, type IEC LR6.
Maintenance-free power source for moderate power re-
quirements.
Do not use lithium batteries! Their higher cell voltage
may damage the electronic system of the flash unit.
Remove the batteries from the mecablitz if the flash unit is not
going to be used for an extended period of time.
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Power supply
Alimentazione
Alimentación de corriente
3.2 Replacing batteries
The batteries are exhausted if the recycling time (elapsing
from the triggering of a full-power flash to the moment the
flash ready indicator lights up again) exceeds 60 seconds.
• Turn off the mecablitz by its main switch.
• Slide the battery compartment cover in the direction of the
arrow and fold open.
• Insert the batteries lengthwise in conformity with the indi-
cated battery symbols and close the battery compartment
cover.
When loading batteries ensure correct polarity, as indi-
cated by the symbols in the battery compartment.
Mixed up battery poles may destroy the flash unit!
Replace all batteries at a time and make sure that the
batteries are of the same brand and type and have the
same capacity!
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Power supply
Alimentazione
Alimentación de corriente
Exhausted batteries must not be thrown in the dustbin!
Help protect the environment and dispose of run-down
batteries at the appropriate collecting points.
3.3 Switching the flash unit on and off
The flash unit is switched on and off by its main switch.
mecablitz 36 M-1:
The flash unit is switched on when the main switch is in the
“ON” position. To switch off slide the main switch to “OFF.
mecablitz 36 C-2:
Depending on the flash mode the main switch of the meca-
blitz should be set at “M” (for manual mode) or “A” (for auto
mode). Slide the main switch to “OFF” to switch off the flash
unit.
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Displays on the mecablitz
Indicazioni sul mecablitz
Indicaciones en el mecablitz
4. Displays on the mecablitz
4.1 Flash readiness indication
The flash readiness symbol (READY) lights up on the meca-
blitz when the flash capacitor is charged, thereby indicating
that flashes can be fired for the next shot.
If a picture is shot before flash readiness is signalled then the
flash unit will not be triggered.
If flash readiness is established, a test flash can be fired
with the manual firing button on the mecablitz.
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Displays on the mecablitz
Indicazioni sul mecablitz
Indicaciones en el mecablitz
4.2 Correct exposure indication on the mecablitz 36 C-2
The “o.k.” correct exposure confirmation briefly lights up on
the mecablitz when the picture was correctly exposed in the
auto flash mode.
If “o.k.” is not indicated after an exposure, then this means
that the picture was underexposed. The shot will then have to
be repeated: Set the next smaller f-number (e.g. f/4 instead
of f/8) on the mecablitz and the camera, or reduce the
distance to the subject or the reflecting surface (e.g. when
bouncing the flash). Please observe the maximum flash
range indicated on the aperture calculator of the mecablitz.
The manual firing button on the mecablitz 36 C-2 can
be used in the auto flash mode to establish prior to
shooting whether or not the flash will be sufficient for
the selected auto working aperture. When firing a test
flash point the flash unit in the same direction as for the
subsequent shot.
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Zoom reflector
Parabola zoom
El reflector zoom
5. Zoom reflector
The zoom reflector of the mecablitz has four zoom positions
for optimal light coverage and adaptation of the guide num-
ber to the focal length of the lens.
28 mm Wide-angle illumination for focal lengths as of 28 mm
35 mm Wide-angle illumination for focal lengths as of 35 mm
50 mm Normal illumination for focal lengths as of 50 mm
85 mm Telelens illumination for focal lengths as of 85 mm
The zoom reflector can be swivelled upwards into four
locking positions (e.g. for bounce flashes):
30°, 45°, 60° and 90°.
For normal flash operation the reflector is in the horizontal
position: 0°.
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Settings on the camera
Impostazioni sulla camera
Ajustes en la cámara
6. Settings on the camera
Select on the camera the “Manual Mode M” with aperture
and shutter speed priority or the automatic “Aperture Priority
Mode” (“A” or “Av”) (see operating instructions for the given
camera).
When in “Manual Mode M” set the flash sync speed on the
camera (e.g. 1/60th sec.; see operating instructions for the
given camera) or a slower shutter speed.
In the “Aperture Priority Mode” ensure that the camera does not
select a shutter speed faster than its flash sync speed! Should
this be the case, set on the lens a higher f-number (= smaller
aperture opening)!
Please refer to the hints given for flash photography in
the camera manual.
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Auto flash mode
Modo flash automatico
Funcionamiento automático del flash
7. Flash modes
7.1 Auto flash mode of the mecablitz 36 C-2
When in automatic flash mode the sensor integrated in
the mecablitz measures the light reflected from the sub-
ject. The flash unit automatically cuts off the flash as
soon as the amount of light required for correct expo-
sure has been reached. In this manner the aperture
does not have to be recalculated and reset when the
distance changes, provided that the subject remains
within the auto flash range indicated on the aperture
calculator.
• Set the main switch of the mecablitz 36 C-2 at the “A”
position.
• Set the ISO speed of the film loaded in the camera with the
upper “ISO” slide switch.
• Set the lower slide switch at the selected zoom position of
the reflector (28 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm or 85 mm).
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Auto flash mode
Modo flash automatico
Funcionamiento automático del flash
• The sensor must be pointing at the subject irrespective of
the reflector setting. It only measures the light during the
firing of flashes by the mecablitz.
Up to three colour-coded auto working apertures (yellow -
green - red) are available, depending on the given ISO film
speed. The auto working aperture is selected with the aper-
ture selector (yellow - green - red) on the mecablitz and
depends on the camera-to-subject distance.
The aperture calculator of the mecablitz indicates the appro-
priate maximum flash range underneath the aperture value.
A minimum distance to the subject should be maintained to
avoid overexposure. The minimum distance is approx. 10 %
of the maximum flash range.
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Auto flash mode
Modo flash automatico
Funcionamiento automático del flash
Ideally, the subject should be located in the middle third
of the zone between the minimum distance and the ma-
ximum flash range to give the electronic circuit suffi-
cient leeway for light control.
Example:
You are using an ISO 100 film and a 50 mm lens. The aper-
ture calculator indicates a choice of three auto working aper-
tures: f/8 - f/4 - f/2.
The camera-to-subject distance is approx. 5 m.
You choose the f/4 “green” auto-working aperture (maxi-
mum flash range given by the aperture calculator: approx.
7.3 m)
Set the aperture selector of the mecablitz to the desired auto
working aperture , i.e. “green”.
Set f/4 on the camera lens.
Caution with zoom lenses! Depending on their design
they can cause a loss of light of as much as one aper-
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Manual flash mode
Modo flash manuale
Funcionamiento manual del flash
ture increment. They may also have different effective
aperture values for the different focal length settings.
This will then have to be compensated by manual cor-
rection of the aperture setting on the flash unit!
7.2 Manual flash mode
The mecablitz always fires uncontrolled flashes at full
light output when in manual mode. Adaptation to the
given photographic situation is achieved by selecting a
corresponding aperture on the camera.
• Set the main switch of the mecablitz 36 C-2 at the “M”
position.
• Set the upper “ISO” slide switch at the ISO speed of the
film loaded in the camera.
• Set the lower slide switch at the selected zoom position of
the reflector (28 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm or 85 mm).
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