TV. VIDEO. AUDIO.
Contents Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Points worth knowing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 1. Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 2. Preparing the flashgun for use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 2.1 Attaching the flashgun to a camera . . . . . . . . . .
Points worth knowing This flashgun can be used with: • All cameras with a hot shoe in conjunction with the synch cable 45-54 (optional accessory) • All cameras with synch connection in conjunction with the supplied synch cable • System cameras Brief survey of the operating functions: Configuration • 45 CL-1 with synch cable: Operating modes possible Automatic flash mode, Ch. 3, p. 30 Manual flash mode, Ch. 4, p.
1.
2. Preparing the Flashgun for Use holder block rapid-action catch Fig. 1a: Mounting the components Fig.1b: Inserting the camera bracket 2.1 Attaching the flashgun to a camera The macablitz must always be connected to the X contact on the camera or the synchronization selector must be set to X. Always switch off the camera and the flashgun before mounting or removing the flashgun. ☞ Mounting the flashgun: • Fasten the camera bracket with the bracket screw to the camera’s tripod bush.
2. Preparing the Flashgun for Use ➭ ➭ ➭ ➭ Fig.2a: Battery changing Fig.2b: Opening the battery housing (only with BAT-version, otherwise optional extra) 2.2 Power supply The flashgun can be operated with: • Alkaline manganese batteries, size IEC LR 6 (AA-type) (only with BAT-version, otherwise optional extra) • Metz NiCad battery pack 45-40 (only if NiCad is featured; otherwise available as an optional accessory). A charger (see table 2, page 25) is included with the flashgun if NiCad is featured).
2. Preparing the Flashgun for Use Fig. 3a: Voltage selector Fig.3b: Charging the battery 2.3.2 Operation with the battery pack (only with NC-version, otherwise optional extra) The NiCad battery should be charged for 5 hours before it is used for the first time. The NiCad battery can be charged within the flashgun or externally.
2. Preparing the Flashgun for Use Fig. 4: Switching on the flashgun 2.3.3 Operation with the mains unit The mecablitz can be powered directly from a wall outlet in conjunction with the mains units N 22 or N 23 (optional accessories). The connection for the above mains units is located in the side of the handle-mount grip. ☞ ☞ During operation with the mains unit the flashgun must be switched off with the main switch.
3. Automatic Flash Mode 2 photosensor 1 Fig. 6: Example Fig. 5: Measuring procedure for automatic flash mode In the automatic flash mode the photosensor measures the light reflected from the subject. The flash is cut off as soon as sufficient light has been emitted for correct exposure. In this manner there is no need to calculate and set a new aperture when the distance is changed, provided that the subject remains within the indicated automatic flash range.
3. Automatic Flash Mode To achieve the shortest possible depth-of-field (as required in portraiture) we recommend an aperture of f/2.8. For group shots where there can be several rows of people behind each other, we recommend an aperture of f/8. • Wait for flash readiness - the green LED lights up. subject should be within the middle third of the distance range. This gives the ☞ The electronic control sufficient scope for compensation should this be necessary.
4. Manual Flash Mode 2 1 Fig. 7: Shot with direct flash light Fig. 8: Adjusting procedure for manual flash mode In this mode the flashgun will emit its full power. The flashgun can be adapted to the actual picture shooting situation by setting the corresponding aperture on the camera. If the displayed value does not coincide with the actual distance, then the aperture have to be changed accordingly.
5. Bounced Flash Fig. 9: Bounced flash (The photo was shot with the flash bounced off the right-hand wall) Photos shot with full frontal flash are easily recognizable by their harsh, dense shadows. This is often associated with a sharp drop of light from the foreground to the background. This phenomenon can be avoided with bounced flash because the diffused light will produce a soft and uniform rendition of both the subject and the background.
5. Bounced Flash 5.1 Bounced flash in automatic flash modes It is advisable to check prior to the actual exposure whether the light is sufficient for the selected aperture. Please refer to Ch. 7, Auto-check display, for the corresponding procedure. 5.2 Bounced flash in manual flash mode The required camera aperture in the manual flash mode is best established with an exposure meter.
6. Fill-in Flash in Daylight Fig. 13: Fill-in flash in daylight (left without - right with mecablitz) The mecablitz can also be used for fill-in flash in daylight to soften harsh shadows and lower the contrast, thereby producing a more balanced exposure when shooting against the light. Various possibilities are open to the user for this purpose. 6.1 Fill-in flash in automatic mode Use the camera, or a hand-held exposure meter, to establish the required aperture and shutter speed for a normal exposure.
☛ 7. Auto-Check Display Fig. 10: Manual firing button Fig.11: Auto-check signal The auto-check signal o.k. lights up only when the frame will be, or was, correctly exposed in auto mode. In this manner it is possible to manually fire a test flash while in auto mode so that the correct aperture can be established beforehand. This is particularly valuable with bounced (indirect) flash when reflection conditions are difficult to judge. The test flash is triggered with the manual firing button (fig. 10).
8. Illumination and Wide-Angle Diffuser The wide-angle diffusor widens the horizontal lighting angle from 62° to 65°, and the vertical lighting angle from 42° to 60°. The wide-angle diffusor is intended for use with focal lengths of less than 35 mm (for 24 x 36 mm), and less than 75 mm (for 6 x 6 cm). Mounting: Slip the wide angel diffusor on the reflector and allow the two lateral catches to engage into the reflector slots. For removal, slightly lift the diffusor laterally and pull it off toward the front.
9. Exposure Corrections The automatic exposure systems are based on a subject reflection factor of 25%, this being the average reflection factor for subjects shot with flash. Dark backgrounds absorb a lot of light, while bright backgrounds reflect a great deal of light (e.g. backlit scenes), thereby resulting in subject overexposure or underexposure, respectively. 9.
11. Technical Data Guide numbers at ISO 100/21°: For meter systems: 45; for feet systems: 148 5 auto working apertures at ISO 100/21°: f/2.8 - f/4 - f/5.6 - f/8 - f/11 Flash durations: • approx. 1/300...1/20000 second • In M mode approx. 1/300 second at full light output Photosensor measuring angle: approx. 25° Colour temperature: approx. 5600 K Film speed: ISO 25 to ISO 1000 Synchronization: Low-voltage thyristor ignition Number of flashes: 50*...2000 NiCad battery 100*...
11.
12. Optional Accessories and damage caused to the mecablitz 45 CL-1 due to the use of ☞ Malfunctions accessories from other manufacturers are not covered by our guarantee! • Bag 45-29 (Order No: 0004529) for telephoto attachment 45-33. • Battery holder 45-39 For alkaline manganese batteries. • Battery charger set B 45 (Order No: 0012045) NiCad battery and charger for subsequent conversion of the 45 CL-1 Battery model to NiCad battery operation.
12. Optional Accessories • Mecamat 45-46 (Order No: 0004546) External sensor that significantly extends the application range of the mecablitz. 11 auto apertures are available. „MANUAL“ provides 7 co-ordinated light output levels with 7 fixed flash durations. Built-in viewfinder with parallax compensation for close-ups. Two measuring angles of 25° and 12° for optimal measurement.
Index Accessories, 41 Auto-check display, 36 Automatic flash mode, 30 Bounced flash, 33 Exposure corrections, 38 Fill-in flash, 35 Manual flash mode, 32 Mounting the flashgun, 26 Synch connection, 26, 42 22
