Metz Hammerheads. How do you use yours ?

[John Bragg]

I have spent literally years using natural light predominantly and that is still my thing, however I have 2, (soon to be 3), Metz 45 flash units and I have decided to use them as a travelling portrait setup. This will be used with my Nikon film SLRs and predominantly the F5 and F90x and 2 light stands and Brollies. I was also lucky enough to score two NiMh battery packs and charger in good condition. Those seem to be very rare indeed and must be made of Unobtanium ! Do you have a Metz Potato Masher or 2 and how do you use them ?

 

[charjohncarter]

I just finished a roll of Kodak Gold 200 with my BessaR. I use the flash on possibly every frame. Lots of fill flash, and auto flash in doors or night. But I don't have a Metz this last time I used a Vivitar 2800-D. It is small and I just mounted it on the hot shoe. You make lots of goof ups at first . If possible use a digital SLR at first (you can see your mess ups quickly), but be careful you will probably have to use radio trigger or a Wein Safe. I'm like you I would rather just use natural light, but flash does add a different 'look' to your work.

I think the most important concept with flash is: you taking two images; one is the flash image and two is the ambient light image. You just happen to be doing them at the same time.

Here is a image in which I used fill flash (always easier with a leaf shutter), this was the Vivitar 2800-D or the 2600-D and an Olympus 35RC:

Tmax400 at 250 by John Carter, on Flickr

 

[John Bragg]

I just finished a roll of Kodak Gold 200 with my BessaR. I use the flash on possibly every frame. Lots of fill flash, and auto flash in doors or night. But I don't have a Metz this last time I used a Vivitar 2800-D. It is small and I just mounted it on the hot shoe. You make lots of goof ups at first . If possible use a digital SLR at first (you can see your mess ups quickly), but be careful you will probably have to use radio trigger or a Wein Safe. I'm like you I would rather just use natural light, but flash does add a different 'look' to your work.

I think the most important concept with flash is: you taking two images; one is the flash image and two is the ambient light image. You just happen to be doing them at the same time.

Here is a image in which I used fill flash (always easier with a leaf shutter), this was the Vivitar 2800-D or the 2600-D and an Olympus 35RC:

Tmax400 at 250 by John Carter, on Flickr

Lovely shot John. I am very comfortable with flash, but chose not to use it much for the last 20 or so years. I know the Metz units quite well and shot a couple of weddings with them and promo shots for a friends hotel. I also have no Digital camera so I am used to making my mistakes with confidence !

 

[Doug A]

I use a Metz 45 CL-1 for bounce light off the ceiling when I take indoor group portraits with one of my Barnack Leicas.

 

[John Bragg]

Very pleased to say that a second 45 CL4 came through the post today, complete with SCA 300A lead. It is in very good condition and boxed with all the bits and a NiCad power pack that actually still works.