M8 and Metz 40 MZ-3i

[gerasdoc]

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I am looking for information on whether the Metz 40 MZ-3i flash can be used in Guide Number mode with the M8. I am using it with SCA 3502 M5. If I put it in TTL mode and switch on GN mode in the adapter, I do get a pre-flash as well as an image that is consistently overexposed by about 2 stops. I am using a 28 cron that is hand coded with a B+W 486 filter. Automatic mode works reasonably well.

 

I have read on other threads that GN mode flash is possible on the 54 MZ-4 with the SCA 3502 by putting flash in manual mode. This does not work on the 40 MZ-3i. Any help would be appreciated.

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[pascal_meheut]

GNC does not work with the 40 MZ3i. You'll find more infos if you search the forum because we went through this 2 or 3 months ago but this is it basically.

[MP3]

I shoot my Metz 40 MZ-2i with my M8. They only work fine (actually ir is quite good) in A mode and not any other modes.

[cme4brain]

I am looking for information on whether the Metz 40 MZ-3i flash can be used in Guide Number mode with the M8. I am using it with SCA 3502 M5. If I put it in TTL mode and switch on GN mode in the adapter, I do get a pre-flash as well as an image that is consistently overexposed by about 2 stops. I am using a 28 cron that is hand coded with a B+W 486 filter. Automatic mode works reasonably well.

 

I have read on other threads that GN mode flash is possible on the 54 MZ-4 with the SCA 3502 by putting flash in manual mode. This does not work on the 40 MZ-3i. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I have not been able to get my Metz40MZ-3i to do any other function but automatic, however the camera will set the ISO and lens focal length on the flash. I consider this flash to be the best overall flash for the M8- it is not as tall or ungainly as the 54MZ, is much more powerful than the Leica flash, and has bounce capability. If you read the other threads about the TTL-flash situation with the M8, there are few that think the M8's TTL function is great. In fact, from what I read, many of those with TTL capability actually bypass this and use the "A" function anyway.

[wparsonsgisnet]

Barry, I played with the gnc mode using my 54 and the M8 and ran away from it as fast as I could.

 

If you're shooting things, cool, but with people preflash usually ruins my pix. People see the pre-flash and think the picture's over. When the real flash comes their mind and expression have moved on.

 

I always use Auto and shoot at 1/250 and usually f8.

 

BTW, I find I can't go smaller than f8 on the M8. At 11 and smaller, I'm losing definition with the 1.3 factor.

[grober]

I shoot my Metz 40 MZ-2i with my M8. They only work fine (actually ir is quite good) in A mode and not any other modes.

 

Which device is in "A" mode? The M8 or Metz (or both?)

 

-g

[cme4brain]

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Which device is in "A" mode? The M8 or Metz (or both?)

 

-g

 

The flash is set for "A" mode by a switch on the back of the flash. On the Metz 40MZ there is a switch near the base that you place in "A", or "TTL", or whatever. THe camera (with the propler SCA base) will sense that you have turned on the flash (note the lightening bolt in the M8 finder) and will tell the flash what ISO and lens focal length you are using. You still have to set the aperture on the flash, obviously. But with the flash set to "A" it will determine the exposure independant of what the camera meter says, even if the camera is expecting a TTL flash.

[gerasdoc]

Thanks for the replies. I have read many of the threads on the M8 and TTL flash, but I had not seen anything discussed about the 40 MZ-3i. The auto function of the flash seems to work pretty well, so I suppose I will be sticking with that.