Automatic Flash at F22

[leighton_mcdonnell]

Hi

 

All my photography is outdoors using flash priority. I have just moved from a

hasselblad to a large format camera and I am trying to buy an automatic flash

unit which gives a automatic setting at F22 with 100 ASA and 150mm lens

 

I own a Vivitar 283 which only gives manual at this setting. A Metz CL-1 I just

bought used, despite being more powerful, also only goes up to F11 on automatic.

 

Can someone recommend a model or is there such a beast.

 

Many thanks

 

Leighton

[frank_skomial]

For a flash to work at F = 22 you would need about 1800 to 2400 Wattseconds energy, while your Vivitar perhaps has about 50. Metz has a bit more, but perhaps below 100. As you can see you are in need for another perhaps 2000 Wattseconds.

 

Those powerful studio flashes do exist but are usually not automatic.

 

I guess you are talking about automatic flash ranges that are built into flashes. At F 22 diaphragm is already too small and would cause aberations and loss of sharpness, though you do not tell what camera/lens you use.

[picturesque]

My Metz 60CT-4 has f22 as an auto aperture at ISO 100. The Quantum Q-Flash also does. Probably the auto thyristor unit made for the Lumedyne has it too, but I don't know for sure. Cheapest would be a used Metz 60CT-4--don't know about the 60CT-1. Might check the Metz website.

[steve_levine]

The problem is one of distance. Getting F22 out past 20 feet will take a small nuclear blast.

[picturesque]

Since Leighton hasn't said what he is shooting or how far away, why do we worry about whether the flash has enough reach for f22 at ISO 100? Isn't a 150mm lens about equivalent to a 35mm lens for 35mm gear--in other words--a slight wide angle lens?

[frank_skomial]

Yes, Metz 60 has 8 automatic apertures.

 

The range of this flash was discussed here:

 

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1039&message=24907079

 

e.g. fragment of discussion from Metz 60 user:

 

"With ISO 100 film ... the (daylight) outdoor exposure was FORCED to be f16 (@ 1/60). Thus, even with the highest power flash (Metz 60), the max effective distance was between 5' & 10' ... "

 

Leighton certainly needs to know how usable the auto flash mode at aperture 22 is.

[frank_skomial]

"My Metz 60CT-4 has f22 as an auto aperture at ISO 100." - Nadine must has some special Metz version...

 

Although Metz 60-4 has 8 automatic apertures, but at ISO 100 they are:

 

1, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11 - and that is plenty ! but not 22, not even 16.

 

I wonder why people provide advices like that ? What motivates them ?

[frank_skomial]

http://2007.metz.de/fileadmin/fm-dam/bilder/03_service_support/02_bedienungsanleitungen/02_foto_elektronik/mecablitz/Mecablitz_60_CT_4.pdf

[leighton_mcdonnell]

Thanks for the info. So I won't be buying a 60CT-4. I am thinking of just sticking with the Viv 283 and using manual with f16 and three quarters (you have this adjustment on a Rodenstock). The large format camera 4"x5" uses a 150mm lens equivalent to a telephoto on a 35mm (but normal lens on LF) so shallower depth of field hence the f22, so f11 would not be plenty as you suggest, at least not for my purposes.

 

But you have saved me money.