TV • VIDEO • CAMCORDER • MECABLITZ
MECABLITZ 34 AF-3 P
Operating instructions
Contents
1. Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
6. Flash in the individual camera modes . .11
7. Autofocus measuring flash . . . . . . . . . . .11
8. Flash techniques and flash functions . .13
8.1 Automatic fill-in flash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
8.2 Exposure correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
9. Lighting and attachments . . . . . . . . . . . .14
10. Care and maintenance -
2. Preparing the mecablitz for use . . . . . . .5
2.1 Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2.2 Loading and replacing the batteries . . . . . .5
2.3 Automatic flashgun cut-out circuit . . . . . . .6
2.4 Mounting/Removing the mecablitz . . . . . . .6
3. Setting the mecablitz into operation . . .7
3.1 Preconditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
3.2 Switching the flashgun on and off . . . . . . .7
4. Flashgun instructions to the camera . . .8
4.1 Flash-ready indication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
4.2 Automatic flash sync speed control . . . . . .9
4.3 Correct-exposure indication . . . . . . . . . . .9
4.4 Information displayed in the
Manual firing button
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
11. Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Lighting distances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
camera’s viewfinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
5. TTL flash control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
3
1. Safety instructions
• NEVER fire a flash in the immediate vicinity of
• 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 flash-
gun against overload.
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!
• Spent batteries should be immediately remo-
ved. Chemicals leaking out of spent batteries
will damage the flashgun.
•
NEVER place material that is impervious to light
in front of, or directly on, the reflector screen.
The reflector screen must be perfectly clean
when a flash is fired. The high energy of the
flash light will burn the material or damage the
screen if this is not observed!
• Do not short-circuit batteries! DANGER OF
EXPLOSION!
• Batteries should not be exposed to excessive
heat, for instance sunshine, fire and the like!
• NEVER dismantle the flashgun! DANGER: HIGH
VOLTAGE! There are no components inside the
flashgun that can be repaired by a layperson.
• NEVER throw spent batteries in a fire!
• Do not expose the flashgun to dripping or
splashing water!
Disposal of batteries
Do not dispose of spent batteries with domestic
rubbish.
• Protect the flashgun against excessive heat and
high humidity levels! Do not keep the flashgun
in the glove compartment of a car!
Please return spent batteries to collecting points
should they exist in your country!
4
2. Preparing the mecablitz for use
2.1 Power supply
The flashgun can only be operated with 2 CR2-type lithi-
um 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. 1: Unlocking and exchanging batteries
2.2 Loading and exchanging batteries
• Turn off the flashgun with the main switch.
• Press the unlocking catch, slide the battery
compartment lid to the right and fold open (see
fig. 1).
• Insert the batteries according to the indicated
battery symbols.
The supplied lithium batteries are expendables
and, as such, are not subject to our warranty pro-
visions.
After the batteries have been inserted, fold down
the battery compartment lid, and push to the left
until it engages audible with the unlocking catch.
5
2. Preparing the mecablitz for use
When loading the batteries ensure correct pola-
2.4 Mounting/Removing the flashgun
☞
rity. Incorrectly loaded batteries can destroy the
flashgun! All batteries must be of the same
make and have the same charge level. Exhau-
sted batteries must not be thrown into the
dustbin! Contribute to the protection of the
environment and discard exhausted batteries
at the appropriate disposal points.
Mounting:
• Turn off the mecablitz.
• Turn the clamping nut upwards against the
case of the flashgun.
• Slide the mecablitz foot completely into the
camera's accessory shoe.
• Turn the clamping nut downwards against the
camera body, thereby securing the flash unit.
2.3 Automatic flashgun switch-off
To avoid accidental battery discharge the flashgun
automatically switches itself off to save power
approximately 8 minutes after
- the flashgun was switched on
- the last flash was fired
Removing:
• Switch off the flash unit before it is removed.
• Turn the clamping nut upwards against the
case of the flashgun and remove the flash unit
from the camera.
- tripping the camera release, or
- switching on the camera light metering system.
The green flash-ready indicator is turned off.
To turn on the mecablitz again switch the main
switch OFF and then ON. The flashgun should
always be turned off if it is not being used.
6
3. Setting the mecablitz into operation
3.1 Preconditions
The mecablitz must only be used with TTL
flash controlled autofocus 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 expo-
sed. 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. 3: Switching the flashgun on and off
In other words: Without TTL flash control, the meca-
blitz fires an unmeasured flash at maximum output.
3.2 Switching the flashgun on and off
Set the main switch in the ON position to turn on
the flashgun. The green flash-ready indicator
lights up to indicate flash readiness.
The camera's integrated flash may be additio-
nally used only if it can be completely folded out
into its operating position.
An incompletely folded out camera flash unit
can be damaged when the shutter release is
tripped.
Set the main switch in the OFF position to turn off
the flashgun.
7
4. Flashgun instructions to the camera
The mecablitz transmits different signals and
4.2 Automatic flash sync speed control
messages to the camera when it is connected to
the camera and is switched on.
Flash readiness has the following effect on
system cameras:
Camera mode:
Effect:
4.1 Flash-ready indication
Programmed auto exposure mode [P]:
Camera changes to 1/30 - 1/250 sec. flash sync
speed, depending on camera model.
The green light on the mecablitz illuminates
when the flash capacitor is fully primed, thereby
indicating flash readiness. This means that flash
can be used for the next exposure. The flash rea-
diness signal is transmitted to the camera where it
is indicated by a corresponding display in the
camera’s viewfinder. Depending on the selected
operating mode, the camera is changed to flash
sync speed when flash readiness is reached. The
flash will not be fired if the shutter is released
before the flash ready light illuminates with the
result that the exposure may be incorrect if the
camera control circuit has already changed over to
flash sync speed. Please refer to the camera’s
operating instructions for further details.
Aperture priority mode[Av]:
As in [P]
Shutter priority mode [Tv]:
Shutter speeds can be set on the camera that
equal or are slower than the sync speed.
Manual mode [M]: As in [Tv]
Note: If (independent of the operating mode) a
shutter speed faster than the flash sync speed is
set on the camera, the camera will automatically
change to flash sync speed when flash readiness
is reached.
Refer to the camera's operating instructions for
details.
8
4. Flashgun instructions to the camera
4.4 Information displayed in camera viewfinder when
flash unit is switched on
Displays in viewfinder Meaning
prior to shutter release
not illuminated
or blinks slowly
Flash unit not yetready for firing
permanently illuminated Flash unit is ready for firing
Warning with SF1/SFx: is illuminated in the camera's
viewfinder but the flash is not triggered when the shutter
is tripped. The camera has activated the triggering lock
because the ambient light is too bright.
Fig. 4: Exposure o.k.
4.3 Correct-exposure indication (see fig. 4)
Displays in viewfinder Meaning
prior to shutter release
The red correct exposure light briefly illuminates
when flash exposure was correct. At the same
time the mecablitz sends an o.k. signal to the
camera for display in the viewfinder.
blinks quickly
exposure
Flash was sufficient for correct
not illuminated or
blinks slowly
Flash was insufficient. Select
wider f/stop or shorten distance.
Please refer to the camera’s operating instructions
for further details.
9
5. TTL flash control
The mecablitz receives its information exclusively
from the connected TTL-controlled AF-camera.
The table on page 33 gives the maximum range
for the selected aperture. The minimum lighting
distance is approx. 15% of the maximum thres-
hold 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. An electronic
control circuit within the camera transmits a stop
signal to the flashgun as soon as the film has been
exposed by the correct amount of light; the flash is
then instantly cut out.
If the actual distance is shorter than the
minimum lighting distance, then this may
result in overexposure.
The speed of films to be exposed under
TTL flash control must be between ISO
25/15°* and ISO 1000/31°. Correct expo-
sures cannot be guaranteed with other
film speeds.
The advantage of the TTL mode is that all factors
influencing the exposure of the film (such as fil-
ters, change of aperture or variable aperture
zooms) are taken into account. You need not worry
about adjustment of the light output. The camera’s
electronic system automatically defines the requi-
red amount of light. You can also utilize various
metering facilities (e.g. spot , matrix or centre-
weighted overall readings) offered by some came-
ras.
A strip of film must be loaded in the camera if tests
are to be conducted in TTL flash mode. The effec-
tive flash range can only be checked by the cor-
rect-exposure display (o.k.) if the flash is triggered
by the camera and not with the manual release on
the flashgun!
* With automatic film speed setting (DX): ISO 32/16°
10
6. Flash in the individual camera modes
7. Autofocus measuring flash
If the mecablitz is switched on and ready for firing,
a flash will be fired each time the camera's shutter
is released. The amount of light is controlled by
TTL.
AF red-light beam
Triggering lock (only SF1 and SFx)
On the Pentax SFx and SF1 cameras, the flash will
not be fired when the prevailing light is sufficient
for an exposure in normal mode. The exposure is
then completed with the shutter speed indicated in
the display field.
Fig. 5: AF red-light beam
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 shutter release is lightly tou-
ched.. The camera’s autofocus system then focu-
ses the picture by this striped pattern.
If you intend to take a shot with a shutter speed
faster than e.g. 1/250 sec. (depending on the
camera model) you must switch off the flashgun.
Refer to the camera's operating instructions for
details.
11
7. Autofocus measuring flash
Notes:
Low-speed lenses, e.g. with an aperture of
f/5.6 or f/8 (such as zoom lenses), significant-
ly restrict the range of the autofocus
measuring flash!
• The AF measuring flash is only supported in the
camera's "SINGLE AF" mode.
• When the camera’s autofocus system is on, the
electronic circuit will automatically activate the
autofocus measuring flash whenever the
prevailing light is insufficient for the exposure.
• The AF measuring flash is not activated in the
camera's continuous focusing mode or when
the autofocus system is switched off.
•
The range of the autofocus measuring flash
depends on the speed of the lens (maximum
aperture)! With an f/1.8 standard lens of 50 mm
focal length, the range is approx. 6-10 m (depen-
ding on the sensitivity of the camera’s AF sensor).
• Due to parallax between camera lens and AF
measuring flash, a minimum distance of 1 m to
the subject is necessary. The AF measuring
flash will not cover the subject if the shooting
distance is less than 1 m. In such instances
ensure a higher ambient light level.
12
8. 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
8.2 Exposure correction
8.1 Fill-in flash
Various cameras enable the user to influence the TTL
exposure control. Accordingly, the camera’s expo-
sure settings can be corrected by up to ± 3 aper-
tures (in half f-stop settings).
When in the "Program" [P] camera mode, the
camera's metering system will automatically con-
trol the shutter speed/aperture combination so
that use of the mecablitz will soften the shadows
and produce a balanced exposure when shooting
against the light. However the camera may also
measure sufficient ambient light and activate the
triggering lock (see page.28). Please observe the
corresponding displays in the camera's viewfin-
der. For details refer to the camera's operating
instructions.
PLEASE NOTE: Do not forget to switch off
this function when it is no longer required!
☞
Please refer to the camera’s operating instructions
for further details.
13
9. Lighting and attachments
Your mecablitz provides full and even illumination
guiding edge
of normal 24 x 36 mm negatives when using len-
ses of 35 mm focal length and longer.
A wide-angle diffuser is supplied with the flash-
gun 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
onwards.
case gap
Please note that use of the wide-angle diffuser
diminishes the effective range of the flash, whe-
reas the telephoto attachment increases it.
Fig. 7: Mounting and removing the attachments
To remove turn the attachment beyond the retai-
ning spring (see fig.) and withdraw the attach-
ment.
Mounting and removing the attachments
The attachment is swivelled into the bayonet
mount (see fig. 7). Turn the attachment clockwise
and insert the guiding edge into the case gap.
14
10. 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. 10 minutes every 3 months and to fire a
few flashes The batteries must supply sufficient
power to light up the flash-ready light within one
minute after the flashgun was switched on.
Fig. 8: Manually firing button
Troubleshooting:
Manual firing button
If the flashgun does not work as it should in the
individual modes, then proceed as follows:
An uncontrolled flash can be fired with the manual
firing button (see fig. 8)
• Switch off the flashgun with the main switch.
• Remove the rechargeable or dry-cell batteries
for a brief period, and then load them again.
15
11. Technical data
Guide number ISO 100/21°: 34 (with telephoto attachment)
Number of flashes: Flash recycling time:
ca. 100
Lighting: Rectangular
ca. 6 s at full light output
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.
Without attachment: horiz. approx. 56°, vertical approx. 40°
With W-diffuser: horiz. approx. 75°, vertical approx. 55°
With T-attachment: horiz. approx. 25°, vertical approx. 18°
Weight: approx. 160 g
Dimensions: 61 mm x 102 mm x 35 mm
Colour temperature: approx. 5600 °K
Synchronization:
Flash duration:
Low-voltage IGBT firing
1/250 s ...1/45000 s
Items delivered:
Flashgun, attachments (W-diffuser/T = telephoto
attachment), Operating Instructions, 2 batteries CR2.
1,4
2
2,8
4
5,6
8
11
16
ISO
W N T W N T W N T W N T W N T W N T W N T W N T
25/15° 8 10 12 5,5 7 8,5 4
50/18° 11 14 17 8 10 12 5,5 7 8,5 4
100/21° 16 20 24 11 14 17 8 10 12 5,5 7 8,5 4
200/24° 22 28 34 16 20 24 11 14 17 8 10 12 5,5 7 8,5 4
400/27° 32 40 48 22 28 34 16 20 24 11 14 17 8 10 12 5,5 7 8,5 4
5
6 2,8 3,5 4,2 2 2,5 3 1,4 1,8 2,1 1 1,2 1,4 0,7 0,9 1
6 2,8 3,5 4,2 2 2,5 3 1,4 1,8 2,1 1 1,2 1,4
6 2,8 3,5 4,2 2 2,5 3 1,4 1,8 2,1
6 2,8 3,5 4,2 2 2,5 3
6 2,8 3,5 4,2
5
5
5
5
800/30° 45 56 67 32 40 48 22 28 34 16 20 24 11 14 17 8 10 12 5,5 7 8,5 4
max. distance in m
5
6
Table for max. lighting distance
16
Lighting distances
Example:
2
2,8
4
5,6
8
11
Film speed ISO 100, camera aperture f5.6:
The table indicates a maximum distance of 5 m.
The minimum lighting distance is 15% out of 5
m which equals approx. 0.75 m.
ISO
50 10 7 5 3,5 2,5 1,8
100 14 10 7
200 20 14 10
5
7
3,5 2,5
5
3,5
400 28 20 14 10
7
5
W – 20%
[m]
T +20%
This table indicates a section of the most im-
portant maximum lighting distances in different
ISO/aperture combinations.
The sticker can be applied to the back of the
flashgun.
17
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