Metz 45 ct 4 and canon 40d

Leviathan40

Leviathan40

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Greg
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Ive just got a metz 45 ct 4 and i was wondering what advantage there is to having the Metz 301 standard foot and connecting cable over the pc cable?
 
Hi,
I have a similar question regarding my new D90. The 343 foot worked perfectly with my 5700 giving full TTL control, but have been advised that it will not give me TTL with the D90 as this is digitally controlled whereas the 5700 and the FE2 had analogue controlled flash. So far havn't had the courage to try it and might end up buying a new flash gun.

Doing a voltage check on the Metz contacts, the trigger voltage is around 20V, but there is also a negative voltage between another pin and the neutral contact which might be a problem as the manual for the D90 specifically warns against negative voltages. It might be that the 301 foot doesn't connect the negative contact with the camera hot-shoe...but I don't really know without trying it.

If anybody has any experience of a similar set-up I also would appreciate any advice / comment.

To get back to the original question though, I thought the 301 foot replaced the dedicated TTL foot for the 'old' camera, but used the same cable to connect to the gun. I'm not sure what you mean by the pc cable? The only other cable I have was supplied with the gun and connected to the coax connection on the FE2. This was redundant with the 5700, though.

As I say, any help would be appreciated.


Regards,


Ernie
 
Thanks for your comment, Daryl, I'm glad somebody else likes what is old better!

I had planned initially to try the Metz on 'Auto' mode, say on f5.6, letting the gun determine the flash intensity and make any adjustments necessary. Clearly, the camera would need to be on either manual or aperture priority at f5.6 also.

Do you trigger your Metz's by direct attachment to the camera, or is it by a remote signal?

I appreciate your help.


Ernie
 
I'm using a Metz 45 cl 4 non digital on my Nikon D200 with the hotshoe adapter all set fully manual with no problems and a friend of mine uses a 60 ct 4 on a canon 7d again with no issues.
 
So what advantage does the 301 hotshoe adapter give over the pc cable then?
 
Hope you don't see this as a stupid question.....but what is a pc cable? As far as I can see, a 301 hotshoe adapter will only trigger the flash; any flash control will have to be manually through the gun, i.e. using distance / guide no. calculations or alternatively by setting a f no on the gun to correspond with that on the camera. I would think that a bit of trial and error would be required by either method, though.

To be honest, much as I like my Metz, I might end up buying a gun that will give me ttl flash control for the camera!

OK somebody, I've told you all I know....now what is a pc cable?:bonk:


Ernie
 
OK Greg.......On the camera end what is the connection? My CT45 was supplied with a co-axial cable that went into the connection on the camera body (Nikon FE2). This gave a simple auto / Manual controlled from the gun. However, this became redundant when I went on to TTL using the 343 adapter on the hot shoe and its corresponding cable.

At the moment, I'm not sure how you are plannig to connect the Metz to the camera, but I think the safest way, as far as I can see, is to use a 301 and its cable to give you a trigger from the camera, rather than using any TTL adapters. However, it might be possible to slave the CT45 from the camera using a wireless connection.

Hopefully somebody who knows more about these things might be able to help as I am also feeling my way!


ERnie
 
On the camera end of the 40D is a pc socket, and the cable i have goes into this and then into the ct 45 via the rectangular connector on the right hand side when you look at the flash unit from the back.
 
Right then Greg; that being the case, I don't think there is any advantage to be gained by purchasing the 301 because it seems to do the same as your pc connection, i.e. merely syncs the camera to the flash gun but does not provide any control.

I could be wrong because I havn't got as far as checking yet, but if you use the 301 adapter, you might have to buy yet another cable to go between the adapter and the gun - so cheaper to use what you have!

It would be nice if somebody else who has been down this route would confirm these thoughts, but in any event, Bristol Cameras (www.bristolcameras.co.uk) have a lot of info on their web-site, if you look at their faqs for their products.

By the way, have you already successfully used the flash gun along with the 40D using the pc socket?

Hope this all helps!


Ernie
 
Have a 45CT-4 from my film days - spoke to Metz who advised the voltage would be wrong for my 30D.

Shame - fantastic bit of kit..... have a 430 II now:thumbs:
 
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