1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

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Archive 2008 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

Daniel Buck
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p.1 #1 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

I have a Metz 54 MZ-3 that I purchased some years ago, and it works wonderfully on my 1Ds2.

Anyway, I'm interested in trying some off-camera stuff with the flash. What all is needed to do this? I'm aware of the pocket-wizard route, but I would like to avoid that, at least for my initial experiments to see if I like the results. After which I may invest in a pair of pocket wizards if they are more effective.

What are my options for shooting the flash off-camera? I'm probably not going to need anything more than 20 feet away or so, but I would like to have it wireless, no cable.

Is this possible with my combo? Or would i need to get a Canon flash?

Dec 11, 2008 at 07:16 PM

theSuede
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p.1 #2 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

With TTL or without? Metz has a "digital slave" SCA-3083 unit that I think is compatible with Canon's TTL... You'd need another compatible Metz for the control, though. If you're going down the "off-camera" flash route, getting another Metz is not a bad option, though - they're the best there is in compact shoe-mount flashes, in my opinion.

With TTL, you also have the radiopopper option, but then you'd have to buy a Canon flash that is able to range-control other units. Only the 580 can do that right now (I think) - so that will be quite pricey.

Otherwise (with no TTL - manual flash) there are plenty of cheap eBay options - starting at ~25us$. They're not as good as the PW's, of course, but for some initial experimenting they're as good as anything.

Dec 11, 2008 at 09:18 PM

bpark42
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p.1 #3 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,11447.html

I don't know anything about that flash, so the triggering voltage might be a concern

Dec 11, 2008 at 09:26 PM

Daniel Buck
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p.1 #4 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

TTL wouldn't be bad, but I don't need it. Could I get a small cheap metz to fire my existing one? Or would it be cheaper to get manual vivitar flashes or something cheap?

Dec 11, 2008 at 10:08 PM

Greg Feldman
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p.1 #5 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

If you don't care about TTL, and you want wireless but not PocketWizards, you can use cheap eBay triggers (which are cheap for a reason) or put an optical slave on your Metz and fire it with a different flash on your camera.

Dec 11, 2008 at 10:12 PM

Daniel Buck
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p.1 #6 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

That cactus radio slave (at only $37) would surely give me an idea if I want to pursue off-camera flash shooting, I think I'll pick up one of those. The metz has a trigger voltage of about 4v, I think.

Dec 11, 2008 at 10:18 PM

theSuede
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p.1 #7 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

yupp. The manual (and the very good flash based autosensing) still works very well when triggered by those triggers.

I think the metz trigger voltage is a little higher, but I won't swear by it... Standard 3000 series shoes are usually ~6v.

Dec 11, 2008 at 10:26 PM

Daniel Buck
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p.1 #8 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

what do you mean 'flash based autosensing'? that's a new term for me.

Dec 11, 2008 at 10:27 PM

theSuede
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p.1 #9 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

Always forget something, that's my motto!

- hm. Well, anyway - the 45CT-series was the last of the "HighV-trigger" Metz'es. (Remember those old hammerheads?)

... End of addemdum.

Dunno what I forgot to include this time, but it must be something....

Dec 11, 2008 at 10:29 PM

Greg Feldman
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p.1 #10 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

Daniel Buck wrote:
what do you mean 'flash based autosensing'? that's a new term for me.

The light sensor in the flash meters the exposure and cuts it off, rather than letting the camera's TTL sensor do it. It's not as "smart" as TTL but probably more consistent. Not a bad choice if you refuse to use manual.

Dec 11, 2008 at 10:33 PM

theSuede
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p.1 #11 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

argh... and then replies before you post your own reply... Time-lagged communication is confusing sometimes.

If I'm not remembering it wrong, the 54MZ series also has a small light-sensor of its own? Used to balance power without ttl... You set the flash on "F4" or "F5.6" or something, and it cuts off flash power when the necessary amount of light has been emitted. This is one of the ways you can use a multi-Metz setup. master flash tells the slaves at what relative power they should be, and then it (the master) by itself decides what the total power should be.

You can use this with a single unit also. Either you go fully manual, or you set the flash on "self-regulating" at a certain threshold (the F-number)

RTFM!

- meant in a friendly way... This flash knows lots of tricks, more than most users take their time to learn!

Dec 11, 2008 at 10:39 PM

theSuede
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p.1 #12 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

Metz light sensors are extremely well built, btw. Many wedding photographers swears by them, and often prefer to use the flash meter over using the in-camera meter!

Dec 11, 2008 at 10:41 PM

Daniel Buck
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p.1 #13 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

ok, I've ordered a set, look forward to trying them out!

So, the flash will work in manual for sure. What any type of auto exposure on the flash? I guess I would have to tell the flash what aperture I'm using, right? Or how would that work? full manual should be fine with me though.

Dec 11, 2008 at 10:44 PM

Corojo
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p.1 #14 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

Here is the easiest and cheapest way to do this...using the Metz as a trigger, ANY 2nd strobe w/an optical slave will work. Just dial down the power on the Metz and point it away from your subject, letting the Metz (in AUTO mode) trigger the second flash/strobe. Remember, there is no 'pre flash' on the Metz in Auto mode, so the 2nd. optically slaved light sees only one burst.

Dec 11, 2008 at 10:51 PM

Daniel Buck
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p.1 #15 · 1Ds2 with off-camera Metz flash?

Ok, I've got the Cactus, but it doesn't seem to work with my Metz flash. It works wonderfully with my friends Canon 580 EX II, but not my Metz. Guess I'll be in the market for some cheap vivitar flashes or something :-D

Jan 09, 2009 at 07:25 AM

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