Metz 60 CT4 and 30D

Anyone know what auto capabilities you have if using a Metz 60CT4 wity the SCA

3102(and optional 3000C cord) with an EOS 30D digital body?

 

Does Ettl or any of the auto function work with this combination? I like the

power of the big Metz units and the handle mount which works great as a grip

during events. Just want to find out if it will work with the 30D with all the

options or what I will be giving up. If I have to give up too much I will go

with the Canon flash I guess and just use the bit Metz units for stand mounted

portables in manual setups.

I doubt you'll get much functionality and you definitely won't get E-TTL to work. However, the Metz 60 flashes work very well using the auto modes and generic PC connector. The Metz 60 CT-4 is the flash I use when shooting digital (Canon DSLR's).

You should get TTL, I just use mine on Auto and put the camera on F8 in manual mode. Then I think I know what I'm doing.

Sounds as if I won't be able to use it at f/2 or f/2.8 and pretty much wide open. Am used to using them for fill with the 8x10 LF film gear for and with 35mm for Rodeo work. Now with the digital stuff I seem to be finding this stuff doesn't work as well.

You won't get ETTL for sure, and the TTL on the Metz is the old TTL, not ETTL, which is the only flash metering system the 30D understands. The 60 can be used only in thyristor mode (plus manual, of course) with or without the SCA unit and cord. Without, you don't get focus assist and can make a mistake like using a shutter speed higher than the max flash sync speed because the flash has no communication with the camera. With, you get focus assist (center focus point only) and it won't let you make the sync speed mistake. You can't use Program or Shutter Priority with either set up, and with Aperture Priority, your shutter speed will lock at the max sync speed. And as you've noted, you can't use the very wide apertures and there are no settings for the really high ISOs. Incidentally, you wouldn't need the SCA 3102--the older, non 3000 series one would work fine, because none of the fancier features are available with the 60.

 

Another problem is that you sometimes can't ramp the flash back enough as you can with an ETTL/EX flash. Auto thyristor sometimes has a hard time outdoors--I find it tends to overexpose, so if using it for fill flash, you might have to resort to manual to ramp it back, and then might have to use a modifier/bouncer to cut the power enough if using high ISO and/or wide apertures.

 

So why use it with the 30D? Some people say auto thyristor is more consistent, and indoors, bouncing off high ceilings, you can't beat it. Or for long throw needs, like your rodeo work...

Nadine. I`ve always ramped my Metz`s back by simply dialing in a different ISO setting on the flash eg 200ISO film~320ISO setting on flash to reduce light output, have you tried that method. BTW sometimes I use a Metz60 CL1 with a Metz Tele adapter gives double the guide number.

 

cheers

ETTL doesn't work. TTL will, but I think it's the older version. I don't use the auto-modules, I don't know anyone that does.

 

I use the 20d and 60CT4 all on manual. I tend to leave the flash around ISO 400 and F5.6 and make adjustments as needed, and I put the camera in manual and go from there.

 

If you want to work in ETTL, get the 7x Series of Flashes.

Chris--yes, I sometimes do flash comp that way too. I've found that outside, using the flash for fill, the thyristor system tends to overexposure, so I find I need to ramp the flash back as much as 3-4 stops under to get minus fill. If you were using high ISO, you'd run out of stops. Now you could figure it out (also for wider apertures than offered) using manual flash and ND filters, etc., but that kind of defeats the purpose of fast and easy automatic flash metering.