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TV • VIDEO • CAMCORDER • MECABLITZ
MECABLITZ 34 AF-3 M
Operating instructions
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Foreword Dear Customer, Please read these operating instructions carefully, even if, at first sight, some points may not appear We thank you for your confidence in our meca- to be of interest. Our design work placed particular blitz MB 34 AF-3M. value on ensuring that operation of the mecablitz is as simple as possible, but it should be noted that The MB 34 AF-3M flashgun has been especial- the system cameras for which the flashgun is ly designed for Minolta system cameras of the intended offer a g
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Contents 1. Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 6. Flash synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 2. Preparing the mecablitz for use . . . . . . .24 6.1 Normal synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 2.1 Power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 6.2 Slow-synchronisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 2.2 Loading and replacing the batteries . . . . . .24 6.3 Second curtain synchronisation . . . . . . . . .31 2.3 Automatic flashgun cut-out circ
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1. Safety instructions • NEVER fire a flash in the immediate vicinity of • In the event of flash shots with full light output the eyes! Flash fired directly in front of the eyes observe an interval of at least 3 minutes after a of a person or animal can damage the retina and series of 20 flashes. This will protect the flash- lead to severe visual disorders - even blindness! gun against overload. • Spent batteries should be immediately remo- • NEVER place material that is impervious to light ved. Chemi
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2. Preparing the mecablitz for use 2.1 Power supply The flashgun can only be operated with 2 CR2-type lithi- um batteries. This type of battery can be stored for many years with practically no loss of energy, thus making it ideal for occasional amateur flash photography. Batteries have become discharged or spent when recycling takes more than 60 seconds. The batteries should be removed from the mecablitz if the flashgun is not going to be used ➭ for a prolonged period. ☛ Fig. 1: Unlocking and exc
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2. Preparing the mecablitz for use When loading the batteries ensure correct pola- 2.4 Mounting/Removing the flashgun rity. Incorrectly loaded batteries can destroy the • Turn off the mecablitz. flashgun! All batteries must be of the same • Press the unlocking catch at the back of the make and have the same charge level. Exhau- mecablitz (see fig. 2). sted batteries must not be thrown into the • Slide the mounting foot into the camera’s dustbin! Contribute to the protection of the mounting shoe.
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3. Setting the mecablitz into operation 3.1 Preconditions The mecablitz must only be used with TTL flash controlled cameras! The sensor of TTL flash controlled cameras OFF ON measures the light reaching the film through the camera lens and instantly cuts out the flash when the film has been correctly expo- sed. Please refer to the camera’s operating instructions to find out whether your camera features this function. Fig. 3: Switching the flashgun on and off A full-power flash is fired if the ca
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4. Flashgun instructions to the camera The mecablitz transmits different signals and 4.2 Automatic flash sync speed control messages to the camera when it is connected to Most system cameras automatically change to the camera and is switched on. flash sync speed when flash readiness is reached. The flash sync shutter speeds may vary between 4.1 Flash-ready indication 1/30th and 1/300th second, depending on the camera model. Please refer to the camera’s opera- The green light on the mecablitz illum
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4. Flashgun instructions to the camera 2) Permanently The flashgun is primed and illuminated ready for firing 1) or blinks slowly Permanently The flashgun is primed and 2) illuminated ready for firing 1) or blinks slowly 2) blinks The light output was sufficient 1) blinks rapidly for correct exposure Fig. 4: Exposure o.k. Camera models: 3xi / 2xi / SPxi / 5000i / 3000i blinks The flashgun is being primed 4.4 Information displayed in the camera’s viewfinder 1) 1) 2) Camera models 8000i / 7000i / 700s
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5. TTL flash control The mecablitz receives its information exclusively The table on page 37 gives the maximum range from the connected TTL-controlled camera. for the selected aperture. The minimum lighting distance is approx. 15% of the maximum thres- Exposure measurement in TTL mode (TTL = hold range. through-the-lens) is completed by the camera’s sensor. This sensor measures the light reaching If the actual distance is shorter than the the film through the camera lens. An electronic minimum lig
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6. Flash synchronisation Different modes of flash synchronisation are pos- Flash shots at low lighting levels and fast shutter sible, depending on the camera model. Please speeds (normal flash sync speed) can often result refer to the camera’s operating instructions to find in overexposed subjects in front of a very dark out how the individual modes of synchronisation back-ground. are set on the camera. The slow-sync function allows the use of slow shutter speeds right up to 30 seconds, to signifi-
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6. Flash synchronisation This makes the light trail behind the moving objects instead of appearing in front of them, and renders a more natural looking picture. First curtain Second curtain 6.3 Second curtain synchronisation (REAR) Some cameras offer the facility of second shutter curtain synchronisation. With normal synchronisation, the flash is fired pre- cisely after the opening of the first shutter curtain. When using slow shutter speeds, and with moving objects, this would result in an unnatu
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7. Flash in the individual camera modes Auto program mode with flash (P-function) Activating the flash manually In this mode, the camera automatically activates (manual fill-in flash) the flash function when the ambient light level is Although the camera automatically activates the too low, it automatically adjusts the aperture and flash whenever the prevailing light conditions shutter speed, and triggers the flash when the make this necessary, it is still possible to trigger shutter release is pressed
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8. Autofocus measuring flash The integrated AF red-light beam of the mecablitz supports the automatic focusing of autofocus TTL cameras. When the prevailing light is insufficient for automatic focusing, the mecablitz will project a AF red-light beam pattern of red vertical stripes onto the subject as soon as the camera’s release is lightly touched (or is activated by the eye-start system of cameras of the xi series). The camera’s autofocus system then focuses the picture by this striped pattern.
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9. Flash techniques and flash functions Fill-in flash in daylight will soften harsh shadows and diminish the contrast, thereby producing a more balanced exposure when shooting against the light. The camera’s computer-controlled metering system automatically selects the shutter speed, working aperture and light output in such a manner that both the main subject in the foreground as well as the background are uniformly exposed. Fig. 6: Fill-in flash in daylight (left without, right with fill-in flash 9
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10. Lighting and attachments Your mecablitz provides full and even illumination guiding edge of normal 24 x 36 mm negatives when using len- ses of 35 mm focal length and longer. A wide-angle diffuser is supplied with the flash- gun to increase the coverage if you wish to use a 28 mm wide-angle lens. A telephoto attachment (identified with a „T“) is included for telephoto lenses of 85 mm focal length. case gap PLEASE NOTE: The use of the wide-angle diffu- Fig. 7: Mounting and removing the attachme
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11. Care and maintenance - Troubleshooting Remove grime and dust with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use cleaning agents as these could damage the plastic parts. Forming the flash capacitor The flash capacitor incorporated in the flashgun undergoes a physical change when the flashgun is ☛ not switched on for prolonged periods. For this reason it is necessary to switch on the flashgun for approx. 10 minutes every 3 months and to fire a few flashes The batteries must supply sufficient power to light up the fl
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12. Technical data Guide number ISO 100/21°: 34 (with telephoto attachment) Number of flashes: Flash recycling time: 28 (without attachment) ca. 100 ca. 6 s at full light output Lighting: Rectangular 20 (with wide-angle diffuser) Without attachment: horiz. approx. 56°, vertical approx. 40° Lighting for 35mm camera from 35 mm focal length With W-diffuser: horiz. approx. 75°, vertical approx. 55° onwards, with wide-angle attachment from 24 mm, and with With T-attachment: horiz. approx. 25°, verti
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Lighting distances 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 ISO ISO 50 10 7 5 3,5 2,5 1,8 50 33 23 16 11 8 6 100 14 10 7 5 3,5 2,5 100 46 33 23 16 11 8 200 20 14 10 7 5 3,5 200 65 46 33 23 16 11 400 28 20 14 10 7 5 400 92 65 46 33 23 16 W – 20% W – 20% [m] [ft] T + 20% T + 20% This table indicates a section of the most im- portant maximum lighting distances in different ISO/aperture combinations. 2 2,8 4 5,6 8 11 ISO 50 10 7 5 3,5 2,5 1,8 The sticker can be applied to the back of the 100 14 10 7 5 3,5
