Anyone use Metz 54MZ4 in AUTO mode only with KM5D?

Jim:

Here is my experience, for what it is worth. After I upgraded to the M5, I tried using ADI / TTL modes on my 5D, and got a full power flash that completely washed out my pictures. I emailed Metz, and they told me that the only way to avoid this was to activate HSS. I tried several times to follow their instructions, but never got HSS to work. I then figured that if it was that much trouble, chances are I would never use it anyway, particularly since it necessitated pre flash and I am pretty happy with using auto mode. So I haven't even tried it yet, and can't comment on what it does with bounce.

Regarding the effect of the second sensor in the flash head: I set up a fixed target and took two sequences of pictures at different f stops with Metz in auto mode, shooting straight on, with and without a Lumiquest SoftBox mounted on the flash. The histograms are virtually identical. Suggests that partially blocking light returning to the sensor in the flash head does not have much effect on the exposure. Bounce in auto mode with and withoug a Stoffen omnibounce works well for me. I have no experience with bounce in TTL mode.

I also experimented with using my two flashes off camera in a portrait set up: I used my 3600 HSD on a tripod high left as the main source (remote, ADI) and the Metz on remote, auto mode as a secondary source (low right). I put a piece of exosed film over the 5D camera flash to avoid inducing blink. This set up triggers a pre flash and flash in both the 3600 and the Metz, and seems to give a pretty good exposure. I can adjust the secondary source by moving it around. Not very scientific, but I am waiting for the opportunity to try some portraits with it.

Cheers,

Rick
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RickD

Hi Rick- I have been following this thread and I figure you can help me figure something out. I have the Metz 54 and the module which is the 05 firmware. When I ordered the Metz, I did not realize that the module was already attached and so I ordered another module from a different vendor. The extra module is still in the package and imprinted on its side is M4-same as the one on my flash which has been "retooled" to become an M5. I want to put the extra one up for sale but I need to know that it is the M5 form. I understand that the module can be taken off the flash. Can I do this or does it need to be a tech person? I am a little reluctant to pull or push on it. I did discover that the little door on the back can pop open but I have not figured where to go from there. Would really appreciate your help and I would like to thank you in advance.

In case Rick doesn't see your post, I will take the liberty of responding to it.

You can remove the module by opening the battery door and depressing the small green button located at the bottom of the battery row. While pressing the green button, pull the module/foot out away from the flash body. That's it. No need to push the green button when installing another module, only when removing module.

The door at the back of the module was made for other modules, Olympus, for one, and it revealed switches for the built in slave function on the Olympus module.
Regards, Jim

Gloria Payne said:

Hi Rick- I have been following this thread and I figure you can
help me figure something out. I have the Metz 54 and the module
which is the 05 firmware. When I ordered the Metz, I did not
realize that the module was already attached and so I ordered
another module from a different vendor. The extra module is still
in the package and imprinted on its side is M4-same as the one on
my flash which has been "retooled" to become an M5. I want to put
the extra one up for sale but I need to know that it is the M5
form. I understand that the module can be taken off the flash. Can
I do this or does it need to be a tech person? I am a little
reluctant to pull or push on it. I did discover that the little
door on the back can pop open but I have not figured where to go
from there. Would really appreciate your help and I would like to
thank you in advance.

Click to expand...

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Hi Jim- thank you so much for your help. Boy, I never would have discovered that little green button on my own. Ends up that the module they sent me is 04. I do not need two of them which is the reason I needed to know which it was. I guess I could tell people that it is 04 but what do I tell them if they want an 05? Will Minolta re-do it to an 05 for free? Anyway, I really appreciate your help.

I'll answer this one

Since it is M4, it can be upgraded by the US distributor. They do it at no charge, though you probably need to pay shipping both ways. Don't remember their name, but search Metz and distributor, and they should be easy to find.

Hi!

Jim N'AZ said:

For instance (and you can help me out here), I am finding TTL on
the Metz is a bit of an anomoly for me. I find the only way I can
get a proper exposure in TTL (on the Metz), is to implement HSS,
otherwise, without it, gross over exposure. I have yet to find out
why TTL (without HSS) is there if I have to turn on the HSS each
time to make it work properly. This is without any modifiers on the
flash as well. Does yours operate in this fashion? IOW, can you
shoot (in any camera mode) and get good flash exposure using TTL
w/o HSS turned on at the flash?

Click to expand...

As far as I can tell, this is a bug within the flash (or more probably within the SCA foot firmware). If you use TTL below the flash sync-speed, it will grossly overexpose the image; if you are above flash sync-speed (which automatically enables HSS), it works fine.

I have tried to contact Metz about it, but their technical support personnel is at least as stubborn as those from KM Netherlands. They refuse to acknowledge the problem, because "digital SLR cameras do not have off-the-film TTL flash metering" and any other TTL system than OTF metering apparently doesn't exist. I haven't been able to get them to even understand the principle of pre-flash TTL flash metering.

Maybe you could try too, see if we can get some response if enough people complain about it. Another option would be to complain to the distributor, maybe they have some contacts to people higher up in the service hierarchy of Metz. After my problems with KM Netherlands have been solved I will also ask the Dutch Metz distributor about this.

Gtnx
Marcel

Glad Jim was able to answer your question-I was "off line" for a day or so. I find Metz' implementation of TTL in the KM adaptor to be really clumsy - wasn't worth upgrading from M4 to M5. Thankfully, I am quite happy with its auto mode with the exception that it tends to overexposes faces when the background is dark. Hope they decide that Minolta mount is worth supporting and do better.
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RickD

Hi Rick- appreciate the reply. I have another question for you--are you saying that the M4 module can be used on the 5D[which I have] and also on the 7D? The reason I ask is that Otto just bought mine and it would help him. I told him he would need to update it. But, maybe he knows that it would not have to be updated.
Thanks in advance for your help.

P.S. I use my Metz in the auto mode.

Hi again.

The M4 adaptor works just fine in auto mode on my 5D, and presumably will work on the 7D as well. Based on the manual, auto mode will also work on a D5 or D7 using the generic Metz hotshoe. The only reason for updating to M5 is to be able to use ADI or TTL. To make the latter work, you have to then go through the sequence outlined in an earlier post on this thread to activate HSS.
Hope this helps
Rick
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RickD

Thanks, Rick. Will let Otto know.