An old chesnut but still unresoved!

Off Camera Flash

Using Sony A99 Mk2 + 4 Sony flashguns (one is wireless trigger).

I have two powerful Metz 45 type flashguns previously used with Minolta camera that I wish to use along with this setup. However the Sony camera INSISTS on a TTL Preflash (which works perfectly with the three HVL F43Ms) butthe Metz, using simple optical triggers add ons, fires on the Pre Flash.

Why can't I buy a device that ignores the pre flash and fires on the main flash?

I've investigated Wein products already but reports suggest these are unreliable. Radio triggers are ruled out as the current set up works for 95% of my needs.

Advice please.

If you want dumb preflash less multi flash rig: Fire a non system flash as your trigger. TTL capable* Metz 45s should be safely triggerable by anything digital and film TTL flashes work without preflash. - Can you set the Sony stuff to manual and to be triggered by a non system flash? (I use Yongnuo for Pentax or EOS giving me such an option.)

(*= Just FTR: The ancestor of the later Metz 60 was called "45" too and is something I wouldn't plug into my digitals...)

If you want dumb preflash less multi flash rig: Fire a non system flash as your trigger. TTL capable* Metz 45s should be safely triggerable by anything digital and film TTL flashes work without preflash. - Can you set the Sony stuff to manual and to be triggered by a non system flash? (I use Yongnuo for Pentax or EOS giving me such an option.)

(*= Just FTR: The ancestor of the later Metz 60 was called "45" too and is something I wouldn't plug into my digitals...)

I agree with you but (there's always a but) I really want to keep with the Sony setup. The two Metz 45s are intended to light the backgrounds.

My cheap YN560-iii speedlight works perfectly in S2 mode (ignore pre-flash slave) with a Sony NEX 6 and its popup TTL flash. Likewise with the older MK ii version of this flash. A couple of those would easily replace your ancient Metz hammerheads.

I have several Metz 45CT-x flashes, and all of my flash-meters tell me that their rated GN of 45 is complete fiction. They're actually barely more powerful than a good speedlight.

If you insist on using them you'll need to search quite hard for a suitable optical trigger with a pre-flash ignore mode - usually marked S2 on the function switch. This type of trigger used to be quite common, but seems to have fallen out of favour these days. Possibly because this type of trigger needs battery power, whereas simpler triggers are self-powered from the flash sensor.

Given the very reasonable price of a YongNuo YN-560 mkii or iii and the price and scarcity of suitable optical triggers; the YN560s might be an easier option. Plus they offer a very wide range of manual power output, which the cumbersome Metz 45s don't. They also don't need to hang upside down from a lighting stand like huge fruitbats in order to get a downward pointing light!