Difference between revisions of "Mecablitz"

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| image_text=<small>Mecablitz 36 CT 3 on a [[Minolta 7000]]</small>
 
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| image_text=[[Metz]] Mecablitz 180 on [[Konica C35]]
 
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'''Metz Mecablitz''' was a largely advertised series of sophisticated electronic [[flashgun]]s.
+
'''Metz Mecablitz''' is a series of amateur and professional electronic [[flashgun]]s. Metz also developed SCA adapters allowing their flash units to be used on different cameras and provide full facilities, such as [[TTL]] operation. Metz introduced the SCA standard adapter together with six other European firms ([[Osram]], [[Agfa]], [[Braun]], Bauer, [[Regula]] and Paffrath & Kemper) at the 1982 [[Photokina]]<ref>Popular Photography, January 1983 p. 64</ref>.
  
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===Flashguns===
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===SCA===
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====System SCA 300====
 
 
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| image_text=<small>adapter Metz SCA 332 RL and Mecablitz 36 CT 3</small>
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| image_text=<small>Adapter Metz SCA 332 RL and Mecablitz 36 CT 3</small>
 
|image_by= Uwe Kulick
 
|image_by= Uwe Kulick
 
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The Metz System SCA 300 system comprises several intelligent electronic flashgun units, and for these flashes a set of interchangeable electronic flash adapters. The basic adapter is the SCA 301 which can be used on every standard [[hot shoe]]. But since many major camera companies decided to create their own variants of the hot shoe [[Metz]] made a lot of different electronic adapters, some even adding camera functionality like the [[autofocus]]-aiding red light. The Metz SCA 332 RL is a sample for such an adapter which adds an AF aid light and connects a Mecablitz flash unit of the System SCA 300 to the [[Minolta 7000]] SLR camera. The SCA adapters combine the Metz SCA 300 flash system with the bodies of certain [[camera system]]s. Even some other flash makers offer flash units which use the Metz SCA 300 flash system adapters, for example the sophisticated electronic flashguns of Cullmann and Osram.
+
The Metz SCA flash connectors ("'''S'''ystem '''C'''amera '''A'''dapter") were launched in 1979 and comprises a range of adapters for different cameras. As flash units became more complex, offering [[TTL]] measurement and viewfinder status, each camera manufacturer developed their own proprietary contact system on the hotshoe. As well as the standard central flash trigger connection, other pins are provided for additional functions. Metz developed the SCA connectors to allow their flash units to be used on different cameras with full functionality.
 +
 
 +
SCA connectors have evolved through several generations, starting with the SCA 300 (1979) with cables SCA 500 for analog communication between camera and flash,  and finally SCA 3000 (2000) which allowed digital communication between camera and flash.
 +
 
 +
The basic adapter is the SCA 301 which can be used on every standard [[hot shoe]]. Some adapters add extra functionality like the [[autofocus]]-aiding red light. The Metz SCA 332 RL is an example which adds an AF aid light and connects a Mecablitz flash unit of the System SCA 300 to the [[Minolta 7000]] SLR camera. Some other flash makers offer flash units which use Metz SCA adapters, for example the electronic flashguns of Cullmann, [[Starblitz]] and [[Osram]].
 +
 
 +
====SCA system modules====
 +
Analog Communication
 +
* SCA 301 - standard hot shoe
 +
* SCA 311 - Canon - A, T, New F-1, EOS wo AF assist
 +
* SCA 312/2 AF - Canon EOS
 +
* SCA 321 - Olympus OM
 +
* SCA 330 - Minolta - XD, XG, X-300, X-370
 +
* SCA 331 - Minolta
 +
* SCA 333/2 AF - Minolta Dynax Maxxum Alpha
 +
* SCA 340 - Nikon
 +
* SCA 343 - Nikon - EM, FA, FE, most AF
 +
* SCA 344 - Nikon F3
 +
* SCA 346/2 AF - Nikon
 +
* SCA 350 - Leica R4
 +
* SCA 351 - Leica - R4-R7
 +
* SCA 356 - Rollei
 +
* SCA 363 - Ricoh
 +
* SCA 364 - Ricoh
 +
* SCA 372 - Pentax
 +
* SCA 373/2 - Pentax
 +
* SCA 380 - Contax / Yashica
 +
* SCA 382 - Contax / Yashica
 +
* SCA 386 - Bronica
 +
* SCA 390 - Hasselblad
 +
* SCA 395 - Mamiya RZ
 +
* SCA 396 - Mamiya 645 Pro TL
 +
* SCA 551 - Leica
 +
Digital Communication
 +
* SCA 3102 - Canon - ETTL
 +
* SCA 3202 - Olympus
 +
* SCA 3301/N - Minolta
 +
* SCA 3302 - Minolta / Sony
 +
* SCA 3401 - Nikon
 +
* SCA 3402 - Nikon
 +
* SCA 3501 - Leica R8, R9, M6, M7
 +
* SCA 3502 - Leica M8, M9
 +
* SCA 3562 - Rollei 6008, Hy6
 +
* SCA 3702 - Pentax
 +
* SCA 3802 - Contax
 +
* SCA 3902 - Hasselblad H series
 +
* SCA 3952 - Mamiya 645 AF / ZD
 
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====Metz Mecablitz 36 CT 3====
 
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The '''Metz Mecablitz 36 CT 3''' is a flash for the ambitious amateur. It needs just 4 AA batteries put behind its front sliding door. Its flash head can be set to indirect lightning positions 45°, 60°, 75° or 90° upwards, or into normal straight-forward lightning position or the same position with the close-up variations 5° or 10° downwards. The flash head can also be turned horizontally, up to 180° to the right or 90° to the left. On the flash light part is an uncoupled analog calculator to see which film-speed/aperture combination allows which distance in feet or metres. A second analog calculator is coupled to the electronic settings switch on the back. This calculator also allows to read out different distances for wide, normal and tele lenses. And it switches the electronics to settings for apertures 11, 8, 5.6, 4 or 2.8, or to a [[TTL]] mode, or to the M mode (maximum), or to the W (weak) mode. The uncoupled analog calculator can be switched from M to W mode or vice versa. Thus this uncoupled calculator supports aperture setting calculations for the maximum mode and and the weak mode.
 
  
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The flash belongs to the SCA 300 system. That means that its foot can be exchanged with a special foot for a certain [[TTL]] camera's special [[hot shoe]]. That's what the TTL mode is good for since some of these adapter feet are made for cameras with TTL flash control.
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===Flash units===
 +
====Metz Mecablitz 32 series====
 +
Metz introduced the '''Mecablitz 32 CT 2''' with the SCA system at the 1982 Photokina<ref>Popular Photography, January 1983 p. 64</ref>. The '''Mecablitz 32 Z-1, 32 Z-2 and 32 MZ-3''' were introduced at the 1992 Photokina, supporting both the old 300 type and new 3000 type SCA adapter<ref>Popular Photography, June 1993 p. 56</ref>.
 +
 
 +
====Metz Mecablitz 36 series====
 +
Metz introduced the '''Metz Mecablitz 36 CT 2''' with the SCA system at the 1982 Photokina<ref>Popular Photography, January 1983 p. 64</ref>.
 +
 
 +
The '''Metz Mecablitz 36 CT 3''' is a flash for the ambitious amateur, compact and yet powerful. It was introduced at the 1984 Photokina<ref>Popular Photography, January 1985 p. 60</ref>. The 36 CT 3 flash head can be set to indirect lightning positions 45°, 60°, 75° or 90° upwards, or into normal straight-forward lightning position or the same position with the close-up variations 5° or 10° downwards. The flash head can also be turned horizontally, up to 180° to the right or 90° to the left. On the flash light part is an uncoupled analog calculator to see which film-speed/aperture combination allows which distance in feet or metres. A second analog calculator is coupled to the electronic settings switch on the back. This calculator also shows different distances for wide, normal and tele lenses. And it switches the electronics to settings for apertures 11, 8, 5.6, 4 or 2.8, or to a [[TTL]] mode, or to the M mode (manual full output), or W (winder) mode. The uncoupled analog calculator can be switched from M to W mode or vice versa. Thus this uncoupled calculator supports aperture setting calculations for the manual and winder modes.
 +
 
 +
The flash belongs to the SCA 300 system. That means that its foot can be exchanged with a special foot for a certain camera's special [[hot shoe]].
  
 
====Metz Mecablitz 38 CT 3====
 
====Metz Mecablitz 38 CT 3====
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====Metz Mecablitz 40 series====
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Metz introduced the '''Metz Mecablitz 40 MZ-2''' at the 1992 Photokina, supporting both the old 300 type and new 3000 type SCA adapter<ref>Popular Photography, January 1983 p. 64</ref>.
  
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====Metz Mecablitz 45 CT series====
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====Metz Mecablitz 45 series====
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|image_text= CT-4 on [[Pentax ME Super]]
 
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|image_by= John Nuttall
 
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|image_text= CT-5 on [[LOMO LC-A]]
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| image_align=right
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|image_text= 45 CT-5 on [[LOMO LC-A]]
 
|image_by= Romuald Swieconek
 
|image_by= Romuald Swieconek
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
|image_rights= with permission
 
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 +
More than any other flash unit, the 45 series established the reputation of Mecablitz for professional use. Powerful, reasonably compact using internal power, but also with the possibility of external power packs for extended use. Featuring a coupled computer dial / power setting, most versions with small fill in flash head, and most offering [[TTL]] exposure. Camera connection is made using a standard PC cable or SCA connector and cable to hot shoe.
 +
 +
The distinctive large main setting and readout dial offers six automatic settings, TTL (where applicable), M, M 1/2, M 1/4, and W (winder, low power for sequence shooting).
 +
 +
The main flash head may be tilted upwards and swivelled to either side.
 +
 +
Manufactured over several decades, the 45 CL-4 was available at least until 2012.
 +
 +
=====Mecablitz 45 versions=====
 +
*CT-1 Main flash only, no TTL
 +
*CT-3 Main flash only, TTL (Introduced at the 1984 Photokina<ref>Popular Photography, January 1985 p. 60</ref>)
 +
*CT-4 Main + fill in flash (Introduced with the SCA system at the 1982 Photokina<ref>Popular Photography, January 1983 p. 64</ref>)
 +
*CT-5 Main + fill in flash
 +
*CL-1 Main flash only
 +
*CL-3 Main + fill in flash
 +
*CL-4 Main + fill in flash
 +
 +
====Metz Mecablitz 60 series====
 +
The most powerful flash unit offered by Metz, its size and bulk limited general appeal. Always used with an external power pack, usually a small 6V lead/acid battery as used for small motor bikes, the weight was considerable.
 +
 +
=====Mecablitz 60 versions=====
 +
*CT-1 Main flash only
 +
*CT-2 Main flash only
 +
*CT-4 Main + fill in flash
 +
 +
 +
== Notes ==
 +
<references/>
 +
 +
 +
==Links==
 +
*[http://www.metz-mecatech.de/en/lighting/flash-units.html Flash units] at [https://web.archive.org/web/20180810230124/http://www.metz-mecatech.de/en/home.html Metz Mecatech] (archived)
 +
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180810211530/https://www.metz-mecatech.de//en/instruction-manuals/flash-units/mecablitz.html Instruction manuals] (English language) at Metz Mecablitz (archived).
 +
* [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/flashes_meters.htm Metz Mecablitz electronic flash PDF manuals] at [https://www.butkus.org/chinon/index.html OrphanCameras.com]
 +
  
 
[[Category:Electronic flash]]
 
[[Category:Electronic flash]]

Latest revision as of 06:12, 10 April 2023

5769093202_01dacf8ebc_n.jpg
Mecablitz 36 CT 3 on a Minolta 7000
image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)

Metz Mecablitz is a series of amateur and professional electronic flashguns. Metz also developed SCA adapters allowing their flash units to be used on different cameras and provide full facilities, such as TTL operation. Metz introduced the SCA standard adapter together with six other European firms (Osram, Agfa, Braun, Bauer, Regula and Paffrath & Kemper) at the 1982 Photokina[1].

SCA

5670450437_c92f8bc0e0_n.jpg
Adapter Metz SCA 332 RL and Mecablitz 36 CT 3
image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)

The Metz SCA flash connectors ("System Camera Adapter") were launched in 1979 and comprises a range of adapters for different cameras. As flash units became more complex, offering TTL measurement and viewfinder status, each camera manufacturer developed their own proprietary contact system on the hotshoe. As well as the standard central flash trigger connection, other pins are provided for additional functions. Metz developed the SCA connectors to allow their flash units to be used on different cameras with full functionality.

SCA connectors have evolved through several generations, starting with the SCA 300 (1979) with cables SCA 500 for analog communication between camera and flash, and finally SCA 3000 (2000) which allowed digital communication between camera and flash.

The basic adapter is the SCA 301 which can be used on every standard hot shoe. Some adapters add extra functionality like the autofocus-aiding red light. The Metz SCA 332 RL is an example which adds an AF aid light and connects a Mecablitz flash unit of the System SCA 300 to the Minolta 7000 SLR camera. Some other flash makers offer flash units which use Metz SCA adapters, for example the electronic flashguns of Cullmann, Starblitz and Osram.

SCA system modules

Analog Communication

  • SCA 301 - standard hot shoe
  • SCA 311 - Canon - A, T, New F-1, EOS wo AF assist
  • SCA 312/2 AF - Canon EOS
  • SCA 321 - Olympus OM
  • SCA 330 - Minolta - XD, XG, X-300, X-370
  • SCA 331 - Minolta
  • SCA 333/2 AF - Minolta Dynax Maxxum Alpha
  • SCA 340 - Nikon
  • SCA 343 - Nikon - EM, FA, FE, most AF
  • SCA 344 - Nikon F3
  • SCA 346/2 AF - Nikon
  • SCA 350 - Leica R4
  • SCA 351 - Leica - R4-R7
  • SCA 356 - Rollei
  • SCA 363 - Ricoh
  • SCA 364 - Ricoh
  • SCA 372 - Pentax
  • SCA 373/2 - Pentax
  • SCA 380 - Contax / Yashica
  • SCA 382 - Contax / Yashica
  • SCA 386 - Bronica
  • SCA 390 - Hasselblad
  • SCA 395 - Mamiya RZ
  • SCA 396 - Mamiya 645 Pro TL
  • SCA 551 - Leica

Digital Communication

  • SCA 3102 - Canon - ETTL
  • SCA 3202 - Olympus
  • SCA 3301/N - Minolta
  • SCA 3302 - Minolta / Sony
  • SCA 3401 - Nikon
  • SCA 3402 - Nikon
  • SCA 3501 - Leica R8, R9, M6, M7
  • SCA 3502 - Leica M8, M9
  • SCA 3562 - Rollei 6008, Hy6
  • SCA 3702 - Pentax
  • SCA 3802 - Contax
  • SCA 3902 - Hasselblad H series
  • SCA 3952 - Mamiya 645 AF / ZD
4902155784_73152573b1.jpg
Metz Mecablitz 36 CT 3
image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)


Flash units

Metz Mecablitz 32 series

Metz introduced the Mecablitz 32 CT 2 with the SCA system at the 1982 Photokina[2]. The Mecablitz 32 Z-1, 32 Z-2 and 32 MZ-3 were introduced at the 1992 Photokina, supporting both the old 300 type and new 3000 type SCA adapter[3].

Metz Mecablitz 36 series

Metz introduced the Metz Mecablitz 36 CT 2 with the SCA system at the 1982 Photokina[4].

The Metz Mecablitz 36 CT 3 is a flash for the ambitious amateur, compact and yet powerful. It was introduced at the 1984 Photokina[5]. The 36 CT 3 flash head can be set to indirect lightning positions 45°, 60°, 75° or 90° upwards, or into normal straight-forward lightning position or the same position with the close-up variations 5° or 10° downwards. The flash head can also be turned horizontally, up to 180° to the right or 90° to the left. On the flash light part is an uncoupled analog calculator to see which film-speed/aperture combination allows which distance in feet or metres. A second analog calculator is coupled to the electronic settings switch on the back. This calculator also shows different distances for wide, normal and tele lenses. And it switches the electronics to settings for apertures 11, 8, 5.6, 4 or 2.8, or to a TTL mode, or to the M mode (manual full output), or W (winder) mode. The uncoupled analog calculator can be switched from M to W mode or vice versa. Thus this uncoupled calculator supports aperture setting calculations for the manual and winder modes.

The flash belongs to the SCA 300 system. That means that its foot can be exchanged with a special foot for a certain camera's special hot shoe.

Metz Mecablitz 38 CT 3

4540468474_7311bb21b6_m.jpg 4540468232_c6d6e4c978_m.jpg 4540468430_b19c6fd143_m.jpg 4539834115_88f7c1aced_m.jpg

Metz Mecablitz 38CT3 flashgun, on Chinon CE-3 Memotron
images by Süleyman Demir (Image rights)


Metz Mecablitz 40 series

Metz introduced the Metz Mecablitz 40 MZ-2 at the 1992 Photokina, supporting both the old 300 type and new 3000 type SCA adapter[6].

Metz Mecablitz 45 series

3469785147_cbd1c673e4_m.jpg
45 CT-5 on LOMO LC-A
image by Romuald Swieconek (Image rights)

More than any other flash unit, the 45 series established the reputation of Mecablitz for professional use. Powerful, reasonably compact using internal power, but also with the possibility of external power packs for extended use. Featuring a coupled computer dial / power setting, most versions with small fill in flash head, and most offering TTL exposure. Camera connection is made using a standard PC cable or SCA connector and cable to hot shoe.

The distinctive large main setting and readout dial offers six automatic settings, TTL (where applicable), M, M 1/2, M 1/4, and W (winder, low power for sequence shooting).

The main flash head may be tilted upwards and swivelled to either side.

Manufactured over several decades, the 45 CL-4 was available at least until 2012.

Mecablitz 45 versions
  • CT-1 Main flash only, no TTL
  • CT-3 Main flash only, TTL (Introduced at the 1984 Photokina[7])
  • CT-4 Main + fill in flash (Introduced with the SCA system at the 1982 Photokina[8])
  • CT-5 Main + fill in flash
  • CL-1 Main flash only
  • CL-3 Main + fill in flash
  • CL-4 Main + fill in flash

Metz Mecablitz 60 series

The most powerful flash unit offered by Metz, its size and bulk limited general appeal. Always used with an external power pack, usually a small 6V lead/acid battery as used for small motor bikes, the weight was considerable.

Mecablitz 60 versions
  • CT-1 Main flash only
  • CT-2 Main flash only
  • CT-4 Main + fill in flash


Notes

  1. ↑ Popular Photography, January 1983 p. 64
  2. ↑ Popular Photography, January 1983 p. 64
  3. ↑ Popular Photography, June 1993 p. 56
  4. ↑ Popular Photography, January 1983 p. 64
  5. ↑ Popular Photography, January 1985 p. 60
  6. ↑ Popular Photography, January 1983 p. 64
  7. ↑ Popular Photography, January 1985 p. 60
  8. ↑ Popular Photography, January 1983 p. 64


Links

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Mecablitz&oldid=222830"