Metz Flash Gun

[barry]

In the near future I have the opportunity to use a Metz 60CT-4 flash gun to take group photos at an engagement party.

Not having used one of these guns before can anyone suggest what I need to consider when hooking up to my D70. I am assuming it will give me full TTL capabilities similar to what I get with my SB800.

Because it is a more powerful unit do I need to do anything different to using the SB800.

Any advice would be most welcome.

Barry

[birddog114]

Barry,
If that flash gun has been used with Nikon SLR or DSLR? If not you have to find a suitable to attach to the hotshoe of the D70.

[christiand]

Hi Barry,

try http://www.metz.de, select english then go to photo electronics.

HTH,
CD

[big pix]

The metz CT60 will not work in ttl mode but only works in manual mode....... in saying this, the flash head or arm has its own control for shooting of matching the f stop on your lens....... set the camera body to shoot at say 60th second lens at f11 and your flash head at f11...... if you come in close you may have to shot at f16 or very large groups f8.......... do some tests..... you will find this very close

[daniel_r]

Barry,

I haven't used this particular model Metz with a Nikon DSLR. I've only used a Metz with a Canon DSLR, and was pretty underwhelmed by the experience.

I dont think this model Metz supports iTTL/CLS like the SB800 - You'll probably have to work harder to get the results you're after. I don't think it lets you bounce the flash either, so you'll be hitting the subjects straight on and need to watch for shadows and hotspots.

I've been of the opinion that the Metz guns like this are more for paparazzi work than event portraiture. My preference for shooting this event would be a SB800, and if flexibility allowed (and if you have an assistant) a SB-600 slaved.

For me, the only thing I'd use a Megablitzin Metz would be picking one up cheaply to jerry-rig a wannabe studio strobe (I'm trying to be nice )

[barry]

Birdy I assume you are saying I need a hotshoe adaptor. I will check it out to see if it has one.

Chrsitaind thanks for link I will check it out, dont seem to be able to get onto it at the moment..

Barry

[barry]

Thanks for the basin setting Big Pix.

Daniel_R flash head has full 90deg tilt but I take your point about over flashing

Barry

[birddog114]

Birdy I assume you are saying I need a hotshoe adaptor. I will check it out to see if it has one.

Chrsitaind thanks for link I will check it out, dont seem to be able to get onto it at the moment..

Barry

Yes, if you don't have, I may loan you one.

[Matt. K]

Forego the Metz and get hold of a SB-800 if you can. If not you will have to use the camera in manual mode with the gun attached to a hot shoe synch. Take a couple of test shots and adjust the guns output until you get a good histogram. Do all your testing well before the actual photograph shoot and you'll be OK. The Metz is a fine gun. If you can bounce it off the ceiling all the better.

[gstark]

Barry,

I haven't used this particular model Metz with a Nikon DSLR. I've only used a Metz with a Canon DSLR, and was pretty underwhelmed by the experience.

In what way? Metz are very good, very powerful, very robust flash units.

They may not have the bells and whistles that an SB800 has, but often those bells and whistles make a hell of a lot of noise, but provide very little real extra functionality.

I dont think this model Metz supports iTTL/CLS like the SB800 - You'll probably have to work harder to get the results you're after.

You're correct in that it won't support iTTL. That's where the hard works starts.

And stops.

As Bernie said, throw the camera into manual mode, throw the flash into A mode, match the aperture on the camera and flash head - noting and respecting the maximum shooting distances for the flash at any given aperture - set your shutter speed to a reasonable synch speed (I'd probably use 1/250 but anything that synchs is fine) and you're there.

I don't think it lets you bounce the flash either,

The 60 (and the 45) rotates the head vertically through 90, and horizontally through 180. No problems bouncing.

Do watch for shadows though. ALWAYS shoot your portrait orientation shots with the flash head located vertically above the camera, rather than below it. Otherwise you'll be throwing massive shadows behind and above your subjects. That looks unsightly in weeding, engagement and portrait photography.

I've been of the opinion that the Metz guns like this are more for paparazzi work than event portraiture.

In that the raw light output is powerful and obvious, maybe.

But it's because these units are powerful that makes these units so damn good. Just be sure that you know how to shape and soften the light, and you have a great, portable, versatile light source for all occasions.

Even raw, by simply bouncing, you can get some great results.

My preference for shooting this event would be a SB800, and if flexibility allowed (and if you have an assistant) a SB-600 slaved.

To each his own.

The 800 is great, but given a choice between the complexity of an SB800 - and its lack of power compared with a 60, I'd take the power plus simplicity of the 60 any day. The 800 is way too complex, and the manual for it that tells you - accurately not simply how to use all of its features, but why you'd want to, has yet to be written.

And Barry, as Thanh has correctly noted, you will need some sort of adapter for this; the D70 has no pc-synch connector. The easiest and cheapest way is to get a simple hotshoe to pc-synch adapter; the 60 should have a pc cord and that's it.

Check too the batteries for the 60; make sure you have at least two fully charged. My recollection is that these units recharge in-situ, and so recharging on-site could be slightly problematic.

[daniel_r]

Thanks for the update Gary - I haven't used specifically this model, and I cant recall the model # that I have used with Canon D30.

In what way? Metz are very good, very powerful, very robust flash units.

I don't doubt that, there's a lot of pro's out there that really like them. For me, it was a matter of personal taste - It didn't appeal to me a whole lot. I'm sure they would meet or exceed a number of different uses and styles out there though.

As Bernie said, throw the camera into manual mode, throw the flash into A mode, match the aperture on the camera and flash head - noting and respecting the maximum shooting distances for the flash at any given aperture - set your shutter speed to a reasonable synch speed (I'd probably use 1/250 but anything that synchs is fine) and you're there.

Useful advice to be had there. I recently had to use this exact approach due to a faulty metering circuit in a D2h not iTTL/CLS synching with a SB800/600.

To each his own.

The 800 is great, but given a choice between the complexity of an SB800 - and its lack of power compared with a 60, I'd take the power plus simplicity of the 60 any day. The 800 is way too complex, and the manual for it that tells you - accurately not simply how to use all of its features, but why you'd want to, has yet to be written.

And that's the brilliant part about choices - so many of them
The SB-800 manual is a brilliant piece of literature... for totally confusing people. The Sb-600 manual makes more sense thankfully.

[barry]

Matt K

I have an SB800 but I thought the extra power of the the Metz would help me light up the larger group shots. I'll be taking the SB800 along.

Gary

Thanks for your input. I have a Metz 402 (old but similar to 60CT) so I am familiar with the manual setting situation. Would like to use this but can not buy wet cell batteries any more. Cost to upgrade to dry cell pack is relatively high.

Daniel_R.

Apart from the power issue I see the Metz offering portability to move around, rather than be fixed with a 2 or 3 flash setup.

Barry

[gstark]

Barry,

Thanks for your input. I have a Metz 402 (old but similar to 60CT) so I am familiar with the manual setting situation. Would like to use this but can not buy wet cell batteries any more. Cost to upgrade to dry cell pack is relatively high.

I'm very familiar with both the 402 and the 60. Aren't the gel cells compatible? I thought they were, but I'm likely mistaken on this point.

IAC, the 60, in use, is much the same as the 402, but a little more powerful.

And of course, they both can virtually eliminate any instances of red eye.

[Nosh]

Hi Barry,

You could probably use both the SB 800 and the Metz together. Put an optical slave unit on the Metz and trigger it with the SB800.

What is the size of the group you envisage shooting? I just did an engagement with largish group shots, but used 2 SB800s, 1 with the LS PJ and bounced/fill with the other. For 2 group shots the second SB had not arrived on the day, so did it with one, and have got ugly shadows at the back.

I have the Metz and was using it with my FM3A and like gstark loved the simplicity of the setup.

You can view the slideshow I put up for the couple here:
http://www.noshmistry.com/wedding_slides/jess_pat/jess_pat.htm Cheesy song but it was their choice!!!

Cheers,
Nosh.

[Big V]

I have and use the metz 60ct4 and it is an awesome unit. I use a hotshoe adapter and manual mode on the camera. This is one of the most accurate and powerful flash guns you can use. It has a secondary unit for fill flash and the head rotates and tilts to cover all directions. The only downside is the size of the battery unit which you carry via a strap - it is large and heavy. Go ahead and use it but do practice first - I am sure it will give you excellent results.

[avkomp]

I have 2 metz 60ct1 units and have used them successfully with d70 and d2x.

you need a hotshoe adaptor for the d70 but not the d2x.

I found that whilst the metz offers 6 working apertures, that it tends to overexpose by around .3 f stop (at least on my flashes) I put this down to the fact that the metz came out to service film cameras and the iso equivalence of the digital approximates that of film, albeit fairly closely

I like the metz units but the ttl capabilities of the sb800 makes it my flash of choice for day to day usage.

Steve

[christiand]

Hi Barry,

the link that I posted is incorrect, it had an additional comma at the end

the correct link is: http://www.metz.de

Cheers,
CD

[barry]

Thanks for comments everyone.

Gary, spoke with CR Kennedy (Metz agents) and they say grey fill battery will fit ok in battery carrier but carrier can not be used as a charger. They can however supply a separate charger for around $75 but will need to bring in from Germany (3 months). Sounds like a cheap way to get my powerful flash unit back in action?

I agree Nosh the Metz is so simple compared to the SB800.

Avkomp, good point about the f stop adjustment. Will need to do a bit of testing.

Thanks for the offer Birdy.

Barry

[big pix]

Barry ..... I have one of these charges and they work very well..... one battery on charge one in flash unit

[avkomp]

Barry: something interesting about the batteries for metz 60s


the original batteries were made by sonnershein?? something like that, but a german word for sunshine in any case.

trying to source a real battery from metz dealers and being alarmed by the price I decide to try battery world, and they told me that they had one to suit.

when I went there, to my great surprise, the item that they sold me was made by the same sonnershein? company and is exactly the same dimensions and specs as the metz one (except that it doesnt say metz also).
having used it the last few years with no issues, I would suggest you try battery world and see how you go.

steve

[avkomp]

oh and I forgot to mention that the original metz charger just works in charging them!!

Steve

[barry]

Thanks Steve I'll check it out. Maybe they can do a charger too.

Barry

[avkomp]

didnt realise your didnt have a charger.

the price for the battery from battery world was from memory something like 1/3 of what the one that said metz was worth.

sTeve

[barry]

Steve Metz battery is $75.

[Matt. K]

I have used the Metz flashguns for many years and they were excellent....but they lack the beautiful subtlety of the SB-800s. I guess you could light about 50 heads with an Sb-800 and around 120 with a Metz. The Metz guns need immaculate technique with digital cameras but no reason why that can't be achieved.

[barry]

Thanks Steve,

Managed to purchase a sealed Pb/acid battery from Battery Word for $59. Now got myself a cheap flame thrower plus it charges in the standard battery housing. Better than the $150 Kennedy's wanted for a NiCad and charger.

Barry