I would like to use my Metz 45CT4 with my 10s,A2E and 7E. Do I need an SCA adapter for Canon or what? If I just use it with a hot shoe adapter and the sync cord from the Metz, is there any chance for damage to the camera? Do I simply use all manual settings on camera and flash or can I use any Auto settings on either flash or camera? I am really in need of this info as I do wedding photography and need the more powerful flash. Thanks in advance for any advice.

-- Dave Knisely (dknisely@kconline.com), October 17, 2001

Answers

I've never used a Metz flash, but here is what I do know. You can get an SCA adapter for Canon EOS cameras & that should give you TTL flash metering. You can also use a hot shoe adapter and the sync cord from the Metz, but there is a possibility of doing damage to the camera.

EOS cameras are designed for a max sync voltage of 6 volts. I don't know what the Metz flash puts out, but it might be well over that. Many flash units that use 6 or even 3 volts for power put more than 30 volts across the sync terminals. Some over 100 volts. You need to check this with a good volt meter, but it's easy to do. I wouldn't use the falsh if it checks out over 9 volts. The A2E has a PC terminal though and it should be able to handle much higher voltages if you use it instead of the hot shoe converter. Also, Wein makes a hot shoe to PC converter with a voltage isolator/regulator that will protect the camera.

You can use all manual controls on the flash if you want, but the auto setting should work fine as well. Set the shutter speed to the max sync speed or less (10s & Elan 7 = 1/125, A2E = 1/200) and the aperture to whatever the flash tells you. Putting the camera in manual mode works best for this.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), October 19, 2001.