Metz Flash on M6TTL

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What Metz flashes give full TTL on the M6TTL in addition to the SF-20? Which Metz would you reccomend? Thanks

-- Bob Haight (rhaigh5748@aol.com), April 16, 2002

Answers

I bought a "Metz 32 Z-2" for an assignment in New York City. This flash gives full TTL. It's head can be tilted and turned in all directions which is perfect for indirect bounced flash mostly used inside. But outside at night with very dark backgrounds, the flash is too strong in ttl mode. Faces are washed out. I didn't find a possibility to reduce the power on this model. The 32Z-2 is a good flash for the M6TTL, but I prefere the SF20 because it's more simple, lighter and I can reduce its power easely. Best Michael

-- Michael Wildi (michaelwildi@yahoo.com), April 16, 2002.

The Metz is a good unit but I didn't like using it on an M6 because it completely throws off the balance, tilting it forward and then upside down. The forward torque on the hotshoe can't be good for rangefinder alignment either... although I was fortunate not to have experienced any problems there, I have heard of it happening.

I didn't find a possibility to reduce the power on this model.

Sure you can, in fact there are several ways to do it. I don't recall a flash exposure compensation control on the unit if that's what you're talking about, although I could be mistaken. But even if there isn't, there are at least a couple of ways to accomplish the same thing. You can take the flash out of TTL, i.e. use it in "A" mode, at ISO 100 you have f2, f4, and f8 to choose from. Set the flash at f2 and the lens at f2.8 or f4. Your background will be darker of course, but drag out your shutter speed to compensate. You can also shoot in "M" mode and have complete control (not unfamiliar territory in Leica M photography anyway). Yet another way is to just leave it in full TTL and trick the whole setup by turning your ISO a stop faster than what you've actually got loaded. There may be others but these are all I can think of for now.

-- Anon Terry (anonht@yahoo.com), April 16, 2002.


The little 32-Z2 works great. Output in the range of +/- 2 stops of "normal" can be set via the SCA adaptor. The head swivels and tilts and the flash has enough juice to routinely do bounce at f5.6 @EI 400.

-- John Hicks (jhicks31@bellsouth.net), April 16, 2002.

Mike,

You can change your ISO speed on the Metz flash. Say you use ISO 400 film, set the ISO to 800 on your flash. It will give you less flash output, and those faces will not be washed out any more. Regards,

-- Dave E. Schneider (desgoerz@yahoo.com), April 16, 2002.


Output in the range of +/- 2 stops of "normal" can be set via the SCA adaptor

Ah hah, that's why I couldn't recall having the exposure comp. I used my 32Z-2 with standard shoe on a non-TTL M6. Thanks for the info.

-- Anon Terry (anonht@yahoo.com), April 16, 2002.



Setting the ISO on the Metz 32MZ3 or 32Z2 does *not* alter the output. The setting is only a guide/calculator, not connected to the flash electronics. You must set compensation on the SCA-3501 or 3502 module.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 16, 2002.

Concur with Jay. It is my understanding, Metz flashes in TTL mode read ISO via DX electronics in camera and not from ISO setting on flash. True for M-6 and R-8. Dedicated SCA module 3501/2 is the way to compensate EV.

-- Barbano (joseph.barbano@symmetron.com), April 16, 2002.

www.metz.de (I think, search it anyway -- or go to Boh\gen USA site and they will link you.

pick your camera, flash, it will tell you preferred adapter adn all available functions. I use the 32 MZ-2, and it would be slightly more limited than, say, the newer 54 (not for me, I am non TTL)

-- l smith (lacsm@bellsouth.net), April 16, 2002.


Jay and Barbano: My Metz SCA-3502 does *not* have any compensation dial. The unit is labeled as "SCA 3502" with a sticker "M2". I also checked my SCA-3401 (for Nikon AF), which does have a compensation dial. It is labeled "M3". How many different kinds of SCA-3502 modules out there? Regards,

-- Dave E. Schneider (desgoerz@yahoo.com), April 18, 2002.

I purchased my SCA-3502 module from B+H (http://www03.bhphotovideo.com/default.sph/FrameWork.class?FNC=Product Activator__Aproductlist_html___217273___ME53502___REG___CatID=0___SID= ED81124BD70). Have I missed something?

-- Dave E. Schneider (desgoerz@yahoo.com), April 18, 2002.


Dave,

I have the SCA 3502/M2 adapter. On the aft end is a swing gate which opens to reveal four switches which enable and control -3 1/3 to +3 1/3 TTL compensation. I have tested this carefully and it works as expected with the M6 TTL.

Cheers,

-- Jeff Stuart (jstuart1@tampabay.rr.com), April 18, 2002.


Speaking of flash exposure compensation, I found that (with the Metz) TTL-controlled flash exposure gives almost a stop less exposure than a continuous-light exposure made after careful metering with the standard meter. This doesn't surprise me; it's pretty normal with most cameras I've used and compared TTL-autoflash exposures with ordinary continuous-light exposures and probably results from separate circuits being used and film-reflection variation. This is of course easy to remedy by simply leaving the SCA switch set at +1.

No biggie; just something to be aware of.

-- John Hicks (jhicks31@bellsouth.net), April 19, 2002.


Metz flashguns work well with an M6TTL. I used to have a Metz 32 Z-2 but I exchanged it for a Metz 40 MZ-3i, because I preferred to have a secondary reflector for portraiture with bounce flash, to prevent "raccoon eyes". The 40 MZ-3i comes with a couple of slide-on neutral density filters, that can be fitted to reduce the output of the secondary reflector. I found I needed to use the darker of these filters for portrait work.

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), April 25, 2002.

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