TV • VIDEO • CAMCORDER • MECABLITZ MECABLITZ 34 AF-3 C Operating instructions
Foreword Dear Customer, Please read these operating instructions carefully, even if, at first sight, some points may not appear to be of interest. Our design work placed particular value on ensuring that operation of the mecablitz is as simple as possible, but it should be noted that the system cameras for which the flashgun is intended offer a great diversity of capabilities.
Contents 1. 2. 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 3. 3.1 3.2 4. 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 5. 5.1 6. 6.1 6.2 7. 7.1 7.2 8. 9. 9.1 10. 11. Use of flash in the program modes . . . . . .32 Special functions not supported by flash . .32 Autofocus measuring flash . . . . . . . . . . .33 Flash techniques and flash functions . .34 Automatic fill-in flash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Lighting and attachments . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Care and maintenance Manual firing button Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 12.
1. Safety instructions • 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! • In the event of flash shots with full light output observe an interval of at least 3 minutes after a series of 20 flashes. This will protect the flashgun against overload. • Spent batteries should be immediately removed.
2. Preparing the mecablitz for use 2.1 Power supply The flashgun can only be operated with 2 CR2type lithium batteries. This type of battery can be stored for many years with practically no loss of energy, thus making it ideal for occasional amateur flash photography. when recycling takes more than 60 seconds. The batteries should be removed from the mecablitz if the flashgun is not going to be used for a prolonged period. 2.2 Loading and exchanging batteries • Turn off the flashgun with the main switch.
2. Preparing the mecablitz for use ☞ When loading the batteries ensure correct polarity. Incorrectly loaded batteries can destroy the flashgun! All batteries must be of the same make and have the same charge level. Exhausted batteries must not be thrown into the dustbin! Contribute to the protection of the environment and discard exhausted batteries at the appropriate disposal points. 2.4 Mounting/Removing the flashgun • Turn off the mecablitz.
3. Setting the mecablitz into operation 3.1 Preconditions The mecablitz must only be used with TTL flash controlled cameras! The sensor of TTL flash controlled cameras measures the light reaching the film through the camera lens and instantly cuts out the flash when the film has been correctly exposed. Please refer to the camera’s operating instructions to find out whether your camera features this function. OFF ON Ǻ A full-power flash is fired if the camera does not feature TTL flash control! Fig.
4. Flashgun instructions to the camera The mecablitz transmits different signals and messages to the camera when it is connected to the camera and is switched on. 4.2 Automatic flash sync speed control When the flash unit is on, the camera will automatically switch it to flash sync speed from any operating mode selected. The sync speed depends on the camera model and usually ranges between 1/30 sec. and 1/250 sec. For details please refer to the camera’s instructions for use. 4.
4. Flashgun instructions to the camera 4.4 Information displayed in the camera’s viewer The following table only gives a general survey. Camera-specific deviations ar possible (please refer to the camera’s operating instructions. Fig. 4: Exposure o.k. 9 blinks: Indicates that flashgun should be used or switched on (on some cameras). illuminated: The flash is ready for use (on some cameras) Please refer to your camera’s operating instructions to find out if this applies to your camera model.
5. TTL flash control The Table on page 37 gives the maximum range for the selected aperture. The minimum lighting distance is approx. 15% of the maximum threshold range. The mecablitz receives its information exclusively from the connected TTL-controlled camera. Exposure measurement in TTL mode (TTL = through-the-lens) is completed by the camera’s sensor. This sensor measures the light reaching the film through the camera lens.
5.1 E-TTL flash control E-TTL flash control is only possible with cameras featuring this function. E-TTL flash control is automatically set on the flash unit. In the E-TTL flash control mode, a pre-flash is fired to establish the reflective characteristics of the subject just before the actual shot is taken. A partial light output level is transmitted and adjusted on the flash unit as a result of this measurement.
6. Flash synchronisation Different modes of flash synchronisation are possible, depending on the camera model. Please refer to the camera’s operating instructions to find out how the individual modes of synchronisation are set on the camera. 6.1 Normal synchronisation First curtain This mode is available with all TTL cameras, and it is suitable for most flash shots. With normal synchronisation, switching to the camera’s flash sync shutter speed is automatic.
7. Flash in the individual camera modes • Program shift: Program shift (shutter speed/aperture combination) in auto program mode cannot be performed when the flashgun is switched on. 7.1 Use of flash in the program modes TTL-controlled flash shots can be made in all exposure and auto program modes. Once the mecablitz is attached to the camera and switched on, it automatically operates with TTL flash control in auto program (P), aperture priority (Av), shutter priority (Tv) and in the manual modes.
8. Autofocus measuring flash The integrated AF red-light beam of the mecablitz supports the automatic focusing of autofocus TTL cameras. When the prevailing light is insufficient for automatic focusing, the mecablitz will project a pattern of red vertical stripes onto the subject as soon as the camera’s release is lightly touched. The camera’s autofocus system then focuses the picture by this striped pattern.
8. Autofocus measuring flash 9. Flash techniques and flash functions • Depending on the camera type, either the AF illuminator of the camera or that of the flashgun will be activated whenever the autofocus measuring facility becomes necessary. • Only the central AF sensor is supported ☞ Low-speed lenses, e.g. with an aperture of f/5.6 or f/8 (such as zoom lenses), significantly restrict the range of the autofocus measuring flash! Fig.
10. Lighting and attachments guiding edge Your mecablitz provides full and even illumination of normal 24 x 36 mm negatives when using lenses of 35 mm focal length and longer. A wide-angle diffuser is supplied with the flashgun to increase the coverage if you wish to use a 28 mm wide-angle lens. A telephoto attachment (identified with a „T“) is included for telephoto lenses of 85 mm focal length. case gap ☞ PLEASE NOTE: The use of the wide-angle diffuser diminishes the effective range of the flash! Fig.
11. Care and maintenance - Troubleshooting Remove grime and dust with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use cleaning agents as these could damage the plastic parts. Forming the flash capacitor The flash capacitor incorporated in the flashgun undergoes a physical change when the flashgun is not switched on for prolonged periods. For this reason it is necessary to switch on the flashgun for approx.
12. Technical data Guide number ISO 100/21°: 34 (with telephoto attachment) 28 (without attachment) 20 (with wide-angle diffuser) Lighting for 35mm camera from 35 mm focal length onwards, with wide-angle attachment from 24 mm, and with telephoto attachment from 85 mm focal length onwards. Colour temperature: approx. 5600 °K Synchronization: Low-voltage IGBT firing Flash duration: 1/250 s ...
Lighting distances ISO 50 100 200 400 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 10 7 5 3,5 2,5 1,8 14 10 7 5 3,5 2,5 20 14 10 7 5 3,5 28 20 14 10 7 5 [m] W – 20% T + 20% IS O 50 100 200 400 2 2,8 4 33 23 16 46 33 23 65 46 33 92 65 46 5,6 11 16 23 33 8 8 11 16 23 11 6 8 11 16 [ft] W – 20% T + 20% This table indicates a section of the most important maximum lighting distances in different ISO/aperture combinations. ISO 50 100 200 400 The sticker can be applied to the back of the flashgun.
