pesche Posted January 23, 2007 Share #1 Posted January 23, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I would like to use my Metz 54MZ-4i with an M8 in TTL mode. As I understand the M8 user manual this should be possible with a SCA 3502M4 adapter. The flash read out ISO and focal length correctly, but the M8 shows no flash symbol in the viewfinder and does not fire. In A mode, the flash works correctly on the M8. Has anybody encountered the same problem? any solution? Thanks for your help. Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 23, 2007 Posted January 23, 2007 Hi pesche, Take a look here M8 with Metz 54MZ-4i and SCA 3502M4 in TTL mode. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
khanosu Posted January 23, 2007 Share #2 Posted January 23, 2007 Hi Peter, Put the Metz in M mode (not TTL) and turn the small wheel on the flash until it shows GnC on the flash's LCD. The flash should now work in full GnC mode which the flash exposure measured by the M8. Furrukh Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pesche Posted January 23, 2007 Author Share #3 Posted January 23, 2007 Thank you very much Furrukh, with this method the M8/Metz combo works perfect. Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhoelscher Posted January 24, 2007 Share #4 Posted January 24, 2007 ... with this method the M8/Metz combo works perfect. With the notable exception that no flash exposure compensation is possible. DH Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
khanosu Posted January 24, 2007 Share #5 Posted January 24, 2007 Thank you very much Furrukh, with this method the M8/Metz combo works perfect. Peter You are welcome Peter. Once observation made by a few in this forum is that without using the IR cut filter this combo underexposes and is inconsistent; however with the IR cut filter on the lens the exposures are near perfect. As David mentioned it is unfortunate that in this mode the flash exposure can not be compensated; however one saving grace is that the exposure (with IR cut filter) is quite good so lack compensation is less of a problem. Furrukh Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted January 25, 2007 Share #6 Posted January 25, 2007 Put the Metz in M mode (not TTL) and turn the small wheel on the flash until it shows GnC on the flash's LCD. The flash should now work in full GnC mode which the flash exposure measured by the M8. Furrukh Furrukh, my Metz is a 54 MZ-3/4 and I have both the SCA 3502 and a SCA 3008 Am. The 3502 unit has "M3" on the side under the name and a sticker on the side with the contacts that says "M4." I am unable to find GnC either on the flash display or in the Metz instruction book for this flash. Is there a difference between the -3/4 and the -4i units? Tnx, Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicapfile Posted January 25, 2007 Share #7 Posted January 25, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Bill, The SC3502-3 (M3 designation on the outside of the module) with an M4 designation on the inside, have had their firmware upgraded by Metz. Found out that the upgrade was free, and they even sent it back with no charge including postage. That was about a year ago though. The 54MZ-3 is a terrific unit BTW. Unless/until the unit goes 'belly-up' I can't imagine the need to ever purchase a new flash unit. This thing must have 'searchlight' somewhere in it's genes. Best, Jerry Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
khanosu Posted January 25, 2007 Share #8 Posted January 25, 2007 I am unable to find GnC either on the flash display or in the Metz instruction book for this flash. Hi Bill, if I remember right GnC is not mentioned in the manual for the flash but is mentioned in the small booklet/manual for SCA 3502 (you can download the booklet from Bogen USA if you have misplaced yours). On a 54 MZ 4 or 54 MZ-4i you first set the SCA 3502 in GnC mode (by flipping a small switch on SCA 3502) and then put the flash in M mode and turn the small wheel on the flash until GnC shows up on the LCD screen. I have not used any other Metz flash so I am not sure if the flash you have will work in this way or not. Good luck! Furrukh Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pascal_meheut Posted January 25, 2007 Share #9 Posted January 25, 2007 No need to flip the switch on the adapter with the 54MZ. Put the flash on the camera, turn both on so that they now each other (press the shutter button on the M8) Then move to M mode and when its blinking, rotate the control wheel on the flash couterclockwise to select GnC. Press the wheel to confirm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted January 25, 2007 Share #10 Posted January 25, 2007 Right after I posted to Furrukh last nite I also emailed Metz. This morning they sent me an email with much of the same info as pascal's -- OMITTING the key words "turn both units on," but reading the email from Metz, I thot that the camera must also be on (to talk to the 54MZ-4 to tell it to enable the GnC. I will try this shortly. Thanks to all for the help. I have trouble with Metz' documentation, it seems. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhoelscher Posted January 25, 2007 Share #11 Posted January 25, 2007 Just as an aside, the rumor is that: 1) Metz is working with Leica to introduce a new flash more suited for the M8 (eventually), and 2) The 76 MZ flash can be run in TTL mode (with on-flash exposure compensation) when the SCA-3502 (M5 version) is set to "GN." DH Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted January 25, 2007 Share #12 Posted January 25, 2007 Furrukh et al, I got it right. 1. Yes. The M8 must be switched on in order for the GnC to appear on the Metz flash. I guess the circuit must be enabled from the hotshoe side. 2. In my case, 54MZ-4 with 3502 shoe, I have to select M (manual) before scrolling the wheel, but the GnC shows up just fine. This worked fine, with the M8 shutting down the flash on its own. I tried the same exposure under my desk at 2.8, 8, and 16 and the M8 adjusted as it was able; that is, f16 was too small for iso 160 and the pic was a little darker than the other two. But, the M8 did it just fine. 3. I then tried it with the 3008A off-camera extension gizmo (technical term). This works in the same fashion. Of course, the Metz knew all about GnC when I turned it on, with the M8 on and the 3008A cord connected. Same deal with 2.8, 8, and 16. I was a little closer this time to the corner under the desk, so the M8 got all pix with the same exposure. I am grateful to all -- including Mr. Goeschel of Metz, who sent the following: Dear William, please be informed, digital cameras of type Leica M8 are exclusively loaded with a so-called "Guide Number Control". Unfortunately, true TTL supposed by you is no longer offered by a M8 anymore. Therefore, your flash unit 54 MZ.. (unfortunately, the exact type was not mentioned) must be set on M-GNC before the first shot is done. For it, put your flash unit 54 MZ.. with SCA3502 on your camera M8, switch them ON and push the MODE button until M is flashing for a while. Into that time turn wheel until the letters gNc are indicated on the LCD. The secondare reflector must be switched OFF for that purpose. Also, in the past adapters like your SCA3502 M3 were up-dated on the actual software level (here M4 but actual M5 with same features) getting a sticker on the top side. This treatment is quite official so you can be sure already own a SCA3502 M4 working properly with a M8. Also, for off camera flash mode a SCA 3008A can be usewd anyway. All the flash features remains the same 1:1. In regard to having the mentioned accessories we recommend to get in touch with our agent in your country BOGEN Imaging. See: http://www.metz.de/en/service_support/photo_electronics.134.html Bogen Imaging Inc. P.O. Box 506 Ramsey, N.J. 07446-0506 Telefon: 001-201-8189500 Fax: 001-201-8189177 E-Mail: info@bogenimaging.com best regards Lutz Goeschel Technical support I would like to add that I have been using the Metz 54MZ-4 with the 3502 adapter for about 2 years now and it is absolutely superb. I waited for *many* years to get a Metz flash and am happy to be here. With the Quantum Turbo 2X2 that I purchased at the same time, I carry the sun with me whereever I go. The pair cost a kilobuck, of course, but well worth it. The Cherokee just keeps on trucking, fortunately. Again, many thanks to all! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_b_elmer Posted January 27, 2007 Share #13 Posted January 27, 2007 Use of flash is not Leica's strongest side. I have the Metz 54 MZ 3 , originally with 2502-m3, but later upgraded to sca 3502-m4. It worked perfectly with the R9 as a film camera, but with the DMR mounted, it is really much more difficult. On the DMR, the Leica SF 24-D Flash isn't much better. The flash function of the M8 is a great improvement over the DMR. However, this function only works well with the SF 24 D flash from Leica. I have stowed my MZ 54-3 flash away, since that is much too troublesome to use with the M8 Let's hope that Leica will make a new flash for their digital camera systems which will work as flawlessly as flashes worked on the R9 before the DMR (and on the M6 ttl). Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
khanosu Posted January 27, 2007 Share #14 Posted January 27, 2007 Bill, glad everything got sorted out I have just ordered the P76 Power pack and the power cord V54 for my Metz 54-4i; B&H were out of stock but got new units a few days ago. I will let everyone know how this combo works. I was finding the wait for the Metz 54 to charge very limiting since I was often missing good pictures while the flash was recharging. Furrukh Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted January 27, 2007 Share #15 Posted January 27, 2007 Good discussion here. There is a crying need for someone to develop and market a flash unit with a simple tilting head that is more that Leica's current offerings but less than the huge, complex and expensive beasts that Metz manufactures. I'm looking for a middle way... Until then, I'll continue to use my old and dumb Vivitar 283 and Sunpak 383 units with a Wein SynchSafe between it and the M8. A radio trigger replaces the shoe-mounted flashes when I infrequently work with studio flash equipment. -g Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterv Posted January 27, 2007 Share #16 Posted January 27, 2007 Good discussion here. A radio trigger replaces the shoe-mounted flashes when I infrequently work with studio flash equipment. -g Grober, What kind of radio trigger do you use? Will this also make the Metz 54 MZ-4i fire? Thanks, Peter Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted January 27, 2007 Share #17 Posted January 27, 2007 Fuffukh, I use the Quantum Turbo 2x2 with mine. L-o-t-s of power in the battery and lots of range in the Metz. With battery power it's a powerhouse! Thanks again for the help. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
khanosu Posted January 28, 2007 Share #18 Posted January 28, 2007 Bill, I should have thought of the Turbos before ordering the P76! In any case my P76 power pack is on its way. Once I have it let us compare notes and see the kind of flash recycle times and number of flashes we get with these power packs; this should be helpful for other form members with Metz systems. Furrukh Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted January 29, 2007 Share #19 Posted January 29, 2007 Furrukh, that sounds like a fun test. Thanks again, Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted February 15, 2007 Share #20 Posted February 15, 2007 Furrukh, Thanks for the info. Metz' UK agent did not know how to get a 54MZ-4i to do GNC on an M8. After seeing your post and trying it successfully, I told them. They asked me to pass on their thanks. Wilson Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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