TV • VIDEO • CAMCORDER • MECABLITZ MECABLITZ 34 AF-3 M 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. We thank you for your confidence in our mecablitz MB 34 AF-3M.
Contents 6. 6.1 6.2 6.3 7. 8. 9. 9.1 9.2 10. 11. Flash synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Normal synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Slow-synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Second curtain synchronisation . . . . . . . . .31 Flash in the individual camera modes . .32 Autofocus measuring flash . . . . . . . . . . .33 Flash techniques and flash functions . .34 Automatic fill-in flash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Exposure correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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 CR2-type 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. ☞ Batteries have become discharged or spent 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. ➭ Fig.
2. Preparing the mecablitz for use ☞ When loading the batteries ensure correct pola- 2.4 Mounting/Removing the flashgun • Turn off the mecablitz. • Press the unlocking catch at the back of the mecablitz (see fig. 2). • Slide the mounting foot into the camera’s mounting shoe. • Always turn off the flashgun before it is removed. • Press the unlocking catch at the back of the mecablitz (fig. 2) and withdraw from the camera. rity.
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 Most system cameras automatically change to flash sync speed when flash readiness is reached. The flash sync shutter speeds may vary between 1/30th and 1/300th second, depending on the camera model. Please refer to the camera’s operating instructions for further details. 4.
4. Flashgun instructions to the camera Fig. 4: Exposure o.k. Permanently 2) illuminated or blinks slowly1) The flashgun is primed and ready for firing Permanently illuminated 2) or blinks slowly1) The flashgun is primed and ready for firing blinks 2) blinks rapidly 1) The light output was sufficient for correct exposure Camera models: 3xi / 2xi / SPxi / 5000i / 3000i 4.
5. TTL flash control The mecablitz receives its information exclusively from the connected TTL-controlled camera. 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. 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.
6. Flash synchronisation Flash shots at low lighting levels and fast shutter speeds (normal flash sync speed) can often result in overexposed subjects in front of a very dark back-ground. 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. Flash synchronisation This makes the light trail behind the moving objects instead of appearing in front of them, and renders a more natural looking picture. First curtain Second curtain 6.3 Second curtain synchronisation (REAR) Some cameras offer the facility of second shutter curtain synchronisation. With normal synchronisation, the flash is fired precisely after the opening of the first shutter curtain.
7. Flash in the individual camera modes Auto program mode with flash (P-function) In this mode, the camera automatically activates the flash function when the ambient light level is too low, it automatically adjusts the aperture and shutter speed, and triggers the flash when the shutter release is pressed.
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 (or is activated by the eye-start system of cameras of the xi series). The camera’s autofocus system then focuses the picture by this striped pattern.
9. Flash techniques and flash functions Fill-in flash in daylight will soften harsh shadows and diminish the contrast, thereby producing a more balanced exposure when shooting against the light. The camera’s computer-controlled metering system automatically selects the shutter speed, working aperture and light output in such a manner that both the main subject in the foreground as well as the background are uniformly exposed. Fig. 6: Fill-in flash in daylight (left without, right with fill-in flash 9.
10. Lighting and attachments Your mecablitz provides full and even illumination of normal 24 x 36 mm negatives when using lenses of 35 mm focal length and longer. guiding edge 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.
