Metz mecablitz 44AF-2 digital User manual

Metz®Mecablitz 44AF-2
Claudio Di Veroli® User Manual v.1.1 Sep. 2016
1. FEATURES, BATTERIES, MOUNTING
Swivel head angle
0º, 45º, 60º, 75º, 90º. The numbers are on the head axle, but are dark grey, illegible!
Security
Never touch the flash contacts!
After a series of 20 full-power flashes, let the unit pause for at least 3 min.
Olympus/Panasonic specific features
Flash-ready indication in camera display
Automatic flash-sync camera shutter speed control
TTL with measuring preflash
Manual flash exposure control for TTL
Automatic fill-in flash control
1st and 2nd curtain sync (set camera to Slow Sync)
Automatic Flash Zoom control via TTL
Red-eye pre-flash
Camera wake-up wakes-up the flash
NO Slave mode: pressing SL sets SLave mode, but it does not work with the Panasonic cameras.
… and more features depending on the camera model
Batteries suitable Do not use other battery types! Do not mix battery types!
Size AA, Alkaline 1.5V (alkaline-manganese type IEC LR6)
Size AA, NiMH 1.2 V (nickel-metal-hydride IEC HR6) All my rechargeables are OK!
Use only new rechargeables or it may need 1-2 minutes to be ready!
Size AA, Li 1.5 V (lithium IEC FR6) 4x €9
Remove batteries when storing the unit for a long time
Switch the flash at least once for 10 min. every three months for capacitor maintenance
Mounting the flash on the camera
oSwitch off the flash and the camera
oEnsure the knurled nut is turned right/up fully: the locking pin retracts
oSlide the flash foot fully into the hot shoe
oTurn the knurled nut left/down clamping the flash in place
Removing the flash from the camera
oSwitch off the flash and the camera
oTurn the knurled nut right/up fully
oSlide the flash foot fully out from hot shoe
Batteries replacement
oRemove the flash from the camera (see above)
oSlide the battery cover downwards
oReplace the batteries
oSlide the battery cover upwards (it automatically presses down the batteries)

2
2. LED DISPLAY, FIRING
Switch on/standby/off and the button+light
Switch on: press the button The unit reverts to the last operating mode, shown by its LED
The camera’s display  (Flash Off) sign turns into (Forced Flash) or any other mode selected
Ready: the light turns green when flash is ready to fire No sign in the camera’s display
Set flash temporarily off: in the camera’s Q.MENU select the Flash, and select  Flash Off
Flash zoom (24-105mm): automatic following the camera’s zoom Modes TTL & Manual flash only
Reflector not pivoted (no swivel) only
AF beam: if camera focus is set to AFS, in dark light the flash LEDs in 1/8 output, to help camera focus
This mostly prevents the camera’s AF lamp from lighting, and allows a much faster focus
TTL exposure: Correct: after the shot the light turns red for 3 sec.
Incorrect: after the shot the light stays off Use a larger aperture or ISO
Standby/Shutdown auto: with no use, after 10 min. the light flashesred, after 1 hour shuts down
Wake-up: press any flash button or SH in the camera.
Switch off: press the button—for about 2 sec.—until all the LEDs go off
TTL flash mode
Press the TTL button
In the camera, focus with half-shutter: in the display the flash sign turns red
Fully depress the shutter: a preflash lets camera measure & a full flash fires for the picture
The camera automatically controls the flash output (see Correct/Incorrect exposure above)
If the picture was too light/dark, change camera’s flash intensity control (not the aperture!)
Manual flash mode After the shot the light does not turn red
Press the M button and press it again to cycle 1/1, 1/2, 1/8 and 1/32 output This setting is saved
In the camera, focus with half-shutter: in the display the flash sign turns red
Shutter speed and exposure with camera modes Modes TTL & Manual flash
Mode : Speed 1/60”. Camera sets the aperture automatically
Mode : Speed 1/60”. User sets the aperture, using the rear dial 
Mode : User sets any speed <> 1/60”, using the rear dial  With bright ambient light,
a high speed & open aperture allow either freezing a moving subject or limiting depth of field
Mode : User sets any speed <> 1/60” and any exposure, pressing Fn1 & using the rear dial 
With different speeds > 1/60” the pictures are slightly (but visibly) over/under-exposed
Video beam
Press the LED button and press it again to cycle 1/1, 1/2, 1/8 and 1/32 output. This setting is saved
Test flash
Press the TTL button for 1.5 sec.:the light stays green & the flash stays in TTL mode
Slave mode
Position the unit away from the camera. Have the camera and its own flash ready to fire.
Press the SL button. Front red light blinks.
FZ300: Menu-Rec-Flash: (1) Wireless: ON. (2) Wireless Channel: 1CH.
(3) Wireless Setup - A Group: TTL or Manual (not Auto).
Wide-angle diffuser (Manual p.115) When the wide-angle diffuser is deployed, there is no flash zoom
Meant for wide-angle < 24mm, is not needed in the FZ300, but it helps making the flash milder
Reflector card (Manual p.120)
With reflector tilted up for “bounce” flash, this card adds more light forward and reduces red-eye.