Any METZ 76 MZ-5 owners?

[skinnfell]

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I am toying with the idea of getting a strong flash to use with my Monochrom, for some "deer in the headlights"-style photos.

 

Naturally, the Metz 76 MZ-5 "digital" comes to mind. But they are hard to come by for testing and renting.

 

Have anyone tried this with digital M series?

Do I need a fancy SCA adapter if I intend to use it only in M or A mode?

 

Would you like to share your experiences or perhaps show a sample or two?

 

Thanks in advance!

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[Hookeye]

Sorry, cannot help you as I have no experience with the Metz 76 myself. But I'll give your post a hefty "bump" nevertheless

 

And maybe Interfoto in Oslo can help you. They may rent you the thing for a while and you get the rental refunded if you decide to buy.. Worth a try.

[Paul J]

I've tried it with other systems. It was a good flash. It had some useful features like "modelling light" in the form of stroboscopic flash. You don't need the SCA for Auto but you do for TTL.

 

I never warmed to the design because of the shadow placement it can look quite messy at times and I think this is the reason why hammerhead flashes have faded from popularity. I went down the path of Quantum Flash T5 and also Lumedyne Flash, which I prefer for it's quality of light. Much more power and usability too, IMO. Quantum is TTL and Auto everything if you want it has some very advanced features like intelligent fill. Lumedyne can be TTL wiht the right head and there is also an Auto module.

[giordano]

The standard SCA adapter that comes with the flash is all you need for M and A.

 

But if you just want to try out a powerful flashgun, don't shell out for the 76 MZ-5. Instead, pick up a used 45 CL series for a small fraction of the price and see how you get on.

 

"76" sounds a lot more powerful than "45" but this is apples and oranges. The numbers refer to the maximum guide number in metres at ISO 100 - but the 76 series only have a guide number of 76 metres with the reflector set to the narrowest position, for lenses 105mm and up. If you want to cover a 35mm frame, the 76 series gives you a guide number of 45 metres - exactly the same as the 45 series.

 

So in practice the 45 tends to have as much usable oomph as the 76 unless you're using longer lenses, or you want direct flash coverage wider than 28mm (the 76 goes as wide as 20mm, the 45 needs its clip-on diffuser for 28).

 

The 45 CLs have been around for a very long time. There's a 45 CL-4 digital that has limited smart functions with digital Leicas, but if all you want is A and M it's no advance on the preceding 45 CL-4 (without the "digital"). The 45 CL-1 tends to run a bit cheaper but doesn't give you as many fractional power options on M.

 

All but the very earliest 45 CLs have low trigger voltages that are safe on all digital cameras; and earlier threads on this forum suggest that the digital Ms are safe even with the higher voltages of the oldest units.