How do I use a Metz 35 CT-2 flash on a fully manual Praktica camera?
Asked 9/25/2010
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I inherited a Metz 35 CT-2 and want to use it with an older fully manual Praktica camera. The flash has a top slider with ISO/DIN markings, aperture and distance information, and a mode selector with TTL, M, and three colored Auto modes (yellow A, blue A, red A). How should these controls be set on a manual camera, and what do the different modes mean?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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Googled at some Pentax maillist archive:
User interface - very simple. Switch for mode selection - 3 auto (f2,f4,f8 apertures at 100 iso), manual, ttl. Above it is Exposure OK Check light. At top of back panel is f/stop & distance calculator, where you set iso and see instantly color-coded auto f/stops as well as maximum TTL/manual distance at any aperture.
So I guess the slider at the top sets power for manual mode, where aperture/ISO/distance table is a guide for setting the correct power. Colored auto modes might be build-in metering for different f-stops, and TTL should be TTL metering work with some Metz-compatible camera.
Originally by user112. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user112
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Set the flash and camera up in manual exposure mode. The Metz 35 CT-2 offers three main ways to use it:
- ttl: For cameras that support compatible through-the-lens flash metering. Your manual Praktica likely will not use this mode.
- a (yellow/blue/red): These are auto or “computer flash” modes. The flash uses its own sensor to measure reflected light and cuts off output automatically. First set the slider to your film ISO/DIN. Then choose one of the colored A modes and set your lens aperture to the matching aperture shown for that color. Stay within the distance range indicated for that mode.
- m: Full manual flash. The flash fires at full power, and the top scale is used as a guide to choose aperture based on ISO and subject distance.
So in most cases with a manual Praktica, use one of the colored A modes: set ISO on the flash, pick a color, set the lens to that color’s aperture, and keep the subject within the marked distance range. Use M only if you want fully manual guide-number style control. TTL is generally only for compatible TTL cameras.
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