Metz 34 CS-2 Digital Flash with S30

[James_with_C_5050]

Finally got a Metz Mecablitz 34 CS-2 Digital flash unit as a slave flash for my S30 and it works perfectly. It includes wide-angle and telephoto attachments, flash bracket and two CR2 batteries.



More info about the flash unit can be found here:

http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.php3?link=4&sub=1&linkname=mecablitz

James

 

[freeway680]

I am still deciding on the s30. Do you think this will help the canon to focus a little better in low light situation? How much did you pay for it and can you post some pictures taken with this flash? thank you

Finally got a Metz Mecablitz 34 CS-2 Digital flash unit as a slave
flash for my S30 and it works perfectly. It includes wide-angle and
telephoto attachments, flash bracket and two CR2 batteries.



More info about the flash unit can be found here:

http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.php3?link=4&sub=1&linkname=mecablitz

James

 

[gary ng]

It won't help in focusing. Only Canon EX flashes can be used for focus assist and it only limits to specific models like the D60.

Finally got a Metz Mecablitz 34 CS-2 Digital flash unit as a slave
flash for my S30 and it works perfectly. It includes wide-angle and
telephoto attachments, flash bracket and two CR2 batteries.



More info about the flash unit can be found here:

http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.php3?link=4&sub=1&linkname=mecablitz

James

 

[James_with_C_5050]

Gary,

Remember me looking for a slave flash for quite some time? Well, I was hoping to find a hotshoe slave flash adapter to use with a Vivitar 283/285HV flash, but I couldn't find any here in Toronto. The only one I could find is a Wein Peanut slave sensor which does not have the hotshop adapter. Remeber I once told you there is a particular one I was looking for from Wein for $69 (Canadian) available at Henrys and Vistek but when I visited the stores there is none left. Finally I got this Metz flash unit. By the way this flash unit works when my S30 is in Manual, P, Tv, Av or whatever mode and when the camera's flash is with or without red-eye reduction.

James

Finally got a Metz Mecablitz 34 CS-2 Digital flash unit as a slave
flash for my S30 and it works perfectly. It includes wide-angle and
telephoto attachments, flash bracket and two CR2 batteries.



More info about the flash unit can be found here:

http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.php3?link=4&sub=1&linkname=mecablitz

James

 

[James_with_C_5050]

Freeway680,

I don't think this slave flash unit will help a digital camera focus in any way. By the way, I tested the flash with my S30 and it just works when the S30 is in Manual, P, Tv, Av or whatever mode and when the camera's flash is with or without red-eye reduction. I bought the flash (Made in Germany, Guide Number 34 at ISO 100 and 85mm focal length) for $249 Canadian ($162 U.S.) which is a bit too expensive (close to what a Canon 420EX would cost?). I will post some pics taken with this slave flash soon.

James

Finally got a Metz Mecablitz 34 CS-2 Digital flash unit as a slave
flash for my S30 and it works perfectly. It includes wide-angle and
telephoto attachments, flash bracket and two CR2 batteries.



More info about the flash unit can be found here:

http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.php3?link=4&sub=1&linkname=mecablitz

James

 

[Jeremy Shoemaker]

James,

I was so close to buying this for my S40 but did not want to spend the money if it did not work as well as I hoped. I am very interested in any low low light situations you take with it. Its funny I had a Nikon 800 digital camera with the standard flash and you could take a picture in total darkness and after looking at it you would swear the light was on. Thats the performance I am trying to achieve.

Thanks
Jeremy

 

[gary ng]

I remember. This is very good flash and as I have said before, the only thing I don't like is the battery which can be costly if frequently used. Are there any rechargeable for the CR2 shape ?

Remember me looking for a slave flash for quite some time? Well, I
was hoping to find a hotshoe slave flash adapter to use with a
Vivitar 283/285HV flash, but I couldn't find any here in Toronto.
The only one I could find is a Wein Peanut slave sensor which does
not have the hotshop adapter. Remeber I once told you there is a
particular one I was looking for from Wein for $69 (Canadian)
available at Henrys and Vistek but when I visited the stores there
is none left. Finally I got this Metz flash unit. By the way this
flash unit works when my S30 is in Manual, P, Tv, Av or whatever
mode and when the camera's flash is with or without red-eye
reduction.

James

Finally got a Metz Mecablitz 34 CS-2 Digital flash unit as a slave
flash for my S30 and it works perfectly. It includes wide-angle and
telephoto attachments, flash bracket and two CR2 batteries.



More info about the flash unit can be found here:

http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.php3?link=4&sub=1&linkname=mecablitz

James

 

[James_with_C_5050]

Well, here is a test photo with this Metz slave/digital flash which I took yesterday from an area inside my office which does not have any window. The subject (a lottery wagering terminal/device) was about 20 feet away from the S30 camera and the Metz flash was fired on its full power. By the way, the same shot without the Metz flash came out very very dark.



James

Finally got a Metz Mecablitz 34 CS-2 Digital flash unit as a slave
flash for my S30 and it works perfectly. It includes wide-angle and
telephoto attachments, flash bracket and two CR2 batteries.



More info about the flash unit can be found here:

http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.php3?link=4&sub=1&linkname=mecablitz

James

 

[Blinduzr]

Folks,

I purchased the Digislave Deluxe 3000 ( http://www.srelectronics.com ) as it counts flashes and syncs rather than triggering on flash-1 + Delay.

It also has zoom + bounce head and 3 power settings and runs on 4 AA cells.

I have found it to be excellent in most conditions and it also resists triggering from most other flash cameras.

Some shots taken with it are in:

http://www.nutec.co.uk/liam/Pictures/Thumbs.ASP?Cat=Assorted&Group=&Sub=Flash-Testing

http://www.nutec.co.uk/liam/Pictures/Thumbs.ASP?Cat=Badgers&Group=&Sub=Jimbos-Stag-Do

Liam

James,
I was so close to buying this for my S40 but did not want to spend
the money if it did not work as well as I hoped. I am very
interested in any low low light situations you take with it. Its
funny I had a Nikon 800 digital camera with the standard flash and
you could take a picture in total darkness and after looking at it
you would swear the light was on. Thats the performance I am trying
to achieve.

Thanks
Jeremy

 

[Michael H Katz]

Can you bounce it?

Finally got a Metz Mecablitz 34 CS-2 Digital flash unit as a slave
flash for my S30 and it works perfectly. It includes wide-angle and
telephoto attachments, flash bracket and two CR2 batteries.



More info about the flash unit can be found here:

http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.php3?link=4&sub=1&linkname=mecablitz

James

 

[Michael H Katz]

Can you explain how correct exposure is acheived with this flash? Do you have to set the flash for a specific aperature so that it can adjust its output accordingly?

I purchased the Digislave Deluxe 3000 (
http://www.srelectronics.com ) as it counts flashes and syncs
rather than triggering on flash-1 + Delay.

It also has zoom + bounce head and 3 power settings and runs on 4
AA cells.

I have found it to be excellent in most conditions and it also
resists triggering from most other flash cameras.

Some shots taken with it are in:

http://www.nutec.co.uk/liam/Pictures/Thumbs.ASP?Cat=Assorted&Group=&Sub=Flash-Testing

http://www.nutec.co.uk/liam/Pictures/Thumbs.ASP?Cat=Badgers&Group=&Sub=Jimbos-Stag-Do

Liam

James,
I was so close to buying this for my S40 but did not want to spend
the money if it did not work as well as I hoped. I am very
interested in any low low light situations you take with it. Its
funny I had a Nikon 800 digital camera with the standard flash and
you could take a picture in total darkness and after looking at it
you would swear the light was on. Thats the performance I am trying
to achieve.

Thanks
Jeremy

 

[James_with_C_5050]

I understand that a DigiSlave 3000 is much more powerful, has much more feature and is probably also cheaper than a Metz 34 CS-2 Digital but unfortunately I could not find any DigiSlave flash locally (in a brick and mortar retail store here in Toronto) and if I understand it right, it (the DigiSlave) is only sold on-line but unfortunately I have not done and will never do any on-line shopping.

James

I purchased the Digislave Deluxe 3000 (
http://www.srelectronics.com ) as it counts flashes and syncs
rather than triggering on flash-1 + Delay.

It also has zoom + bounce head and 3 power settings and runs on 4
AA cells.

I have found it to be excellent in most conditions and it also
resists triggering from most other flash cameras.

Some shots taken with it are in:

http://www.nutec.co.uk/liam/Pictures/Thumbs.ASP?Cat=Assorted&Group=&Sub=Flash-Testing

http://www.nutec.co.uk/liam/Pictures/Thumbs.ASP?Cat=Badgers&Group=&Sub=Jimbos-Stag-Do

Liam

James,
I was so close to buying this for my S40 but did not want to spend
the money if it did not work as well as I hoped. I am very
interested in any low low light situations you take with it. Its
funny I had a Nikon 800 digital camera with the standard flash and
you could take a picture in total darkness and after looking at it
you would swear the light was on. Thats the performance I am trying
to achieve.

Thanks
Jeremy

 

[James_with_C_5050]

Yes I can with a bounce hotshoe and tripod adapter (for another $20 Canadian!). Three negative things about this flash I can think of are:

1. Relatively expensive,
2. Uses two CR2 batteries which may be expensive, and

3. A guide number of no more than 34 at ISO 100 so it's not quite powerful (I believe a Vivitar 283 or 285HV offers the guide number 120!).

James

Finally got a Metz Mecablitz 34 CS-2 Digital flash unit as a slave
flash for my S30 and it works perfectly. It includes wide-angle and
telephoto attachments, flash bracket and two CR2 batteries.



More info about the flash unit can be found here:

http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.php3?link=4&sub=1&linkname=mecablitz

James

 

[gary ng]

283 is in feet, Metz in meter so the Metz is more like 100. Does the Metz mention at which zoom level it is measured to be 34 ? Their potato masher line(45/60CT) is measured at 35mm so even with the same GN, they are actually more powerful.

1. Relatively expensive,
2. Uses two CR2 batteries which may be expensive, and
3. A guide number of no more than 34 at ISO 100 so it's not quite
powerful (I believe a Vivitar 283 or 285HV offers the guide number
120!).

James

Finally got a Metz Mecablitz 34 CS-2 Digital flash unit as a slave
flash for my S30 and it works perfectly. It includes wide-angle and
telephoto attachments, flash bracket and two CR2 batteries.



More info about the flash unit can be found here:

http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.php3?link=4&sub=1&linkname=mecablitz

James

 

[James_with_C_5050]

gary,

I didn't know that (GN in metres instead of in feet?).

For this Metz 34 CS-2 Digital flash, its technical data indicates:

Guide Number at ISO 100 -

34 (with telephoto attachment and 85mm focal length)
28 (without attachment and 35mm focal length)
20 (with wide-angle diffuser and 24mm focal length)

I couldn't find in the manual that the Guide Numbers are in metres or in feet. How do you know that? And if in metres, how is the above data compared with a Vivitar 283, then? Thanks.

James

1. Relatively expensive,
2. Uses two CR2 batteries which may be expensive, and
3. A guide number of no more than 34 at ISO 100 so it's not quite
powerful (I believe a Vivitar 283 or 285HV offers the guide number
120!).

James

Finally got a Metz Mecablitz 34 CS-2 Digital flash unit as a slave
flash for my S30 and it works perfectly. It includes wide-angle and
telephoto attachments, flash bracket and two CR2 batteries.



More info about the flash unit can be found here:

http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.php3?link=4&sub=1&linkname=mecablitz

James

 

[gary ng]

All Metz GN is in meter as they are a European vendor

Vivitar is 120 feet(or about 38 in meter) at 50mm so I would say they should give out comparable lights. Canon's 420EX is in the same range too as the 42(meter) GN is measured at 105mm.

I didn't know that (GN in metres instead of in feet?).

For this Metz 34 CS-2 Digital flash, its technical data indicates:

Guide Number at ISO 100 -

34 (with telephoto attachment and 85mm focal length)
28 (without attachment and 35mm focal length)
20 (with wide-angle diffuser and 24mm focal length)

I couldn't find in the manual that the Guide Numbers are in metres
or in feet. How do you know that? And if in metres, how is the
above data compared with a Vivitar 283, then? Thanks.

James

1. Relatively expensive,
2. Uses two CR2 batteries which may be expensive, and
3. A guide number of no more than 34 at ISO 100 so it's not quite
powerful (I believe a Vivitar 283 or 285HV offers the guide number
120!).

James

Finally got a Metz Mecablitz 34 CS-2 Digital flash unit as a slave
flash for my S30 and it works perfectly. It includes wide-angle and
telephoto attachments, flash bracket and two CR2 batteries.



More info about the flash unit can be found here:

http://www.metz.de/1_metz_2000/m_pages_english/main_index_e.php3?link=4&sub=1&linkname=mecablitz

James

 

[DRG]

Vivitar is 120 feet(or about 38 in meter) at 50mm so I would say
they should give out comparable lights.

Comparable? Seems to me that the Vivitar is 44% more powerful, for 20% more range. That's a significant difference. At F4.9 (maximum S30/S40 aperture at maximum zoom), it's the difference between 24 and 20 ft (maximum working distance at ISO100 is GN divided by aperture).

 

[James_with_C_5050]

That's what I thought (a Vivitar 283 is a lot more powerful than a Metz 34 CS-2) also considering the Metz flash is much smaller than the Vivitar. The Metz is about the same size of a pack of 20 cigarettes.

James

Vivitar is 120 feet(or about 38 in meter) at 50mm so I would say
they should give out comparable lights.

Comparable? Seems to me that the Vivitar is 44% more powerful, for
20% more range. That's a significant difference. At F4.9 (maximum
S30/S40 aperture at maximum zoom), it's the difference between 24
and 20 ft (maximum working distance at ISO100 is GN divided by
aperture).

 

[gary ng]

Have to remember that GN is not some rigid things and by comparable I mean more or less in the same range. I have a 550EX and a vivitar 283 and even though they both have a stated GN of 120 at 50mm focal length, my flash meter said that the vivitar gives out about 85% of the 550EX. The official GN can only be used as an ballpark, not some strict measure or calculation.

Vivitar is 120 feet(or about 38 in meter) at 50mm so I would say
they should give out comparable lights.

Comparable? Seems to me that the Vivitar is 44% more powerful, for
20% more range. That's a significant difference. At F4.9 (maximum
S30/S40 aperture at maximum zoom), it's the difference between 24
and 20 ft (maximum working distance at ISO100 is GN divided by
aperture).

 

[Blinduzr]

Sorry for the delay in replying,

Yes, there is an exposure calculator thing on the back of the flash, you set it to the ISO Equiv you are using and it reads back the Aperture setting for the flash setting you are using,this is typically F/2.8 on level one and F/5.0 on level two when shooting ISO 50.

The flash self meters using a (quite well) FOV shielded phototransistor in the front.

Liam

I purchased the Digislave Deluxe 3000 (
http://www.srelectronics.com ) as it counts flashes and syncs
rather than triggering on flash-1 + Delay.

It also has zoom + bounce head and 3 power settings and runs on 4
AA cells.

I have found it to be excellent in most conditions and it also
resists triggering from most other flash cameras.

Some shots taken with it are in:

http://www.nutec.co.uk/liam/Pictures/Thumbs.ASP?Cat=Assorted&Group=&Sub=Flash-Testing

http://www.nutec.co.uk/liam/Pictures/Thumbs.ASP?Cat=Badgers&Group=&Sub=Jimbos-Stag-Do

Liam

James,
I was so close to buying this for my S40 but did not want to spend
the money if it did not work as well as I hoped. I am very
interested in any low low light situations you take with it. Its
funny I had a Nikon 800 digital camera with the standard flash and
you could take a picture in total darkness and after looking at it
you would swear the light was on. Thats the performance I am trying
to achieve.

Thanks
Jeremy