Metz MECABLITZ 54 AF-1 N Operating Instruction Download

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5.7 Motor zoom reflector

The reflector’s illumination angle equals the coverage of a lens of 24 mm fo-
cal length.

5.7.1 “Auto Zoom”

If the flash unit is operated with a Group B, C, D or E camera with CPU lens,
its zoom reflector position will be automatically adapted to the focal length of
the lens. When the flash unit is turned on, the LC display will indicate “Auto
Zoom” and the current reflector position.
Automatic reflector adaptation commences with focal lengths as of 24 mm. If
a lens with a focal length of less than 24 mm is used, the value “24” mm or
will start to flash on the LC display to warn you of vignetting because the
flash unit will not fully illuminate the picture right out to the image corners.

For lenses with focal lengths as of 20 mm a wide-angle diffuser can
be used (optional extra, see section 7). The flash head must then be
set to the 24 mm position.

5.7.2 Manual zoom mode “M. Zoom”

With Group A cameras, or when a lens without CPU is used (e.g. manual
focus lens), it is necessary to adjust the flash reflector’s zoom position ma-
nually to the focal length of the lens. In this case, auto-zooming is not pos-
sible. The flash unit’s LC display indicates “M.Zoom” (for manual zoom set-
ting) and the current zoom position (mm).
• The following reflector positions can be selected by repeated depression of

the “Zoom” key:

24 mm - 28 mm - 35 mm - 50 mm - 70 mm - 85 mm - 105 mm.
No warning is given if the zoom reflector setting is incorrect!

If you do not always need the full guide number and maximum flash
range of the flash unit you can leave the zoom reflector at the position
for the shortest focal length of the zoom lens. This will provide full
light coverage of the image corners and eliminate the need for per-
manent adaptation to the lens focal length.

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Example:
A zoom lens with a focal length range of 35 mm to 105 mm is being used: In
this case set the flash unit’s zoom reflector to 35 mm.

5.7.3 Manual zoom mode instead of “Auto Zoom”

When using Group B, C, D and E cameras with CPU lenses, the position of
the zoom reflector can be manually changed, for instance to achieve specific
lighting effects (e.g. hot-spot, etc.). Repeated depression of the “Zoom” key
on the flash unit will successively select the following reflector positions:
24 mm - 28 mm - 35 mm - 50 mm - 70 mm - 85 mm - 105 mm
The flash unit’s LC display indicates “M.Zoom” for manual zoom setting and
the current zoom position (mm). The setting becomes instantly effective. The
display is switched back to its normal state after approx. 5 sec.

If manual adjustment of the zoom reflector results in vignetting so that
the flash will not cover the image corners, then the reflector position
indicated on the flash unit’s display will start flashing as a warning.

Example:

•

You are using a lens focal length of 50 mm.

• A reflector position of 70 mm has been manually adjusted on the flash unit

(“M.Zoom” is displayed).

• “70” mm for the zoom position starts flashing on the flash unit’s LC display

because the image corners will not be fully illuminated.

Returning to “Auto Zoom”

There are various ways to return to “Auto Zoom”:
• Continue pressing the “Zoom” key on the flash unit until “Auto Zoom” appears

on the display. The setting becomes instantly effective. The LC display returns to
its normal state after approx. 5 sec.

Or:
• Briefly turn off the flash unit by its main switch. When the flash unit is

turned on again the display of the flash unit will indicate “Auto Zoom”.