Flashgun instructions to the camera

4. Flashgun instructions to the camera

The mecablitz transmits different signals and messages to the camera when it is connected to the camera and is switched on.

4.1 Flash-ready indication

The green light on the mecablitz illuminates when the ﬂash capacitor is fully primed, thereby indicating ﬂash readiness. This means that ﬂash can be used for the next exposure. The ﬂash rea- diness signal is transmitted to the camera where it is indicated by a corresponding display in the camera’s viewﬁnder. Depending on the selected operating mode, the camera is changed to ﬂash sync speed when ﬂash readiness is reached. The ﬂash will not be ﬁred if the shutter is released before the ﬂash ready light illuminates with the result that the exposure may be incorrect if the camera control circuit has already changed over to ﬂash sync speed. Please refer to the camera’s operating instructions for further details.

4.2 Automatic ﬂash sync speed control

Flash readiness has the following effect on system cameras:

Camera mode:

Effect:

Programmed auto exposure mode [P]:

Camera changes to 1/30 - 1/250 sec. ﬂash sync speed, depending on camera model.

Aperture priority mode[Av]:

As in [P]

Shutter priority mode [Tv]:

Shutter speeds can be set on the camera that equal or are slower than the sync speed.

Manual mode [M]: As in [Tv]

Note: If (independent of the operating mode) a shutter speed faster than the ﬂash sync speed is set on the camera, the camera will automatically change to ﬂash sync speed when ﬂash readiness is reached.

Refer to the camera's operating instructions for details.