Close-ups / Macrophotography | Metz 44 AF-3M guide

4.5 Flash techniques 4.5.1 Bounce flash

Photos shot with full frontal flash are easily recognized by their harsh, dense shadows. This is often associated with a sharp drop in light from the fore- ground to the background. This phenomenon can be avoided with bounce flash because the diffused light will produce a soft and uniform rendition of both the subject and the background. For this situation the reflector is turned in such a manner that the flash is bounced off a suitable reflective surface (e.g. ceiling or wall of the room).

The reflector can be turned verticall up to 90°. The reflector head is mechani- cally interlocked in its basic position. Press the pushbutton to unlock and turn the reflector head.

When turning the reflector vertically, it is essential to ensure that it is moved by a sufficiently wide angle so that direct light can no longer fall on the sub- ject. Consequently, always turn the reflector at least to the 60° lock-in posi- tion. The distance readings on the LC display will disappear. The flash-to- subject distance via the ceiling or wall is an unknown magnitude.

The light bounced off the reflecting surfaces produces a soft and uniform illu- mination of the subject. The reflecting surface must be white or have a neu- tral colour, and it must not be structured (e.g. wooden beams in a ceiling) as these might cause shadows. For colour effects just select the reflective surface in the desired colour.

☞Take into account that the maximum flash range is considerably dimi- nished when bouncing the flash. The following rule of thumb will help you determine the maximum flash range for a room of normal height:

guide number

Maximum flash range = —————————————————

flash-to-subject distance x 2

4.5.2 Close-ups / Macrophotography

The flash reflector can be swivelled down by an angle of -7° to compensate for parallax error. For this purpose depress the unlocking button of the reflec- tor and swivel down the reflector.

For close-ups it is necessary to ensure that certain minimum lighting distances are maintained to avoid overexposure.

The minimum lighting distance is approx. 10 per cent of the maximum flash range indicated on the LC display. Since the maximum flash range is not indicated on the LC display when the reflector is swivelled down, then be guided by the maximum flash range indicated by the mecablitz when the reflector is in its normal position!

4.6 Flash synchronisation

4.6.1 Normal synchronisation (Fig. 7)

In normal synchronisation the mecablitz is triggered at the beginning of the shutter time (1st curtain synchronisation). Normal synchronisation is the standard mode on all cameras, and is suitable for most flash shots. Depending upon the given mode,

the camera is changed over to the camera’s sync speed, the customary ones being between 1/30th sec. and 1/125th sec. (see the camera’s operating instructions). No settings have to be made on the mecablitz, nor is there any display for this mode.

4.6.2 REAR - Second-curtain synchronisation (Fig. 8)

Some cameras offer the facility of second-curtain synchronisation (REAR mode) triggering the mecablitz by the end of the exposure time. Second-cur- tain synchronisation is particularly advantageous when using slow shutter speeds (slower than 1/30 s) or when shooting moving objects that have their own source of light. Second-curtain synchronisation gives a more realistic impression of movement because the light streaks behind the light source instead of building up in front of it, as is the case when the flash is synchron- ised with the 1st shutter curtain! Depending on its operating mode, the camera uses shutter speeds slower than its sync speed.

☞The REAR function is set on the camera (see operating instructions of the camera). It is not displayed on the mecablitz.