External sensor for Metz 45CT-1

Terrence Brennan · Jan 24, 2022

I have a Metz 45CT-1, and would like to buy an external sensor. The manual specifies the Mecamat 45-43, of which at this time, there is only one for sale on eBay, and is priced about US$107.00. There are, however, a number of Metz Mecamat 45-20 units available, and are somewhat cheaper.

Can any of the APUGgers tell me if this unit will work with my 45CT-1?

Chan Tran · Jan 24, 2022

It depends on how old the unit is.
Check this
http://strobeex.blogspot.com/2010/04/metz-45-ct-1-and-mecamat-45-20.html

AgX · Jan 25, 2022

To spend that much money on a Mecamat should be justified by its benefits on plain model-45 flashes:

in AE mode:
-) if flash is moved away from camera (though here the integrated sensor might work too)
-) at extreme macro work
-) working with very small apertures, or with film of very low sensitivity. (45-20 yields same set of auto.apertures as flash plus a second set of smaller ones)

in Manual mode
to gain a set of 7 stops (flashes at best yield 3 stops)

wiltw · Jan 25, 2022

So only the 45-20 will work with the earlier version CT-1. Note that later versions of the CT-1 have low voltage electronics and use the mecamat 45 -43. The later versions start at serial number 534000

When I used to cover weddings several decades ago, I would use the Mecamat 45-46 with my 45-CT3 as remote sensor because the photosensor of the flash was blocked by a large softbox, and it was radio triggered by my camera which had 45CT-4 under TTL control of my Bronica ETRSi.

Chan Tran · Jan 25, 2022

wiltw said:
So only the 45-20 will work with the earlier version CT-1. Note that later versions of the CT-1 have low voltage electronics and use the mecamat 45 -43. The later versions start at serial number 534000

When I used to cover weddings several decades ago, I would use the Mecamat 45-46 with my 45-CT3 as remote sensor triggered by my on-camera 45CT-4 which was under TTL control of my Bronica ETRSi.

Back in the late 70's I had 2 45CT1 and I use the 45-20 with them. They are high voltage units I think as I used them with the Nikon F2AS.

wiltw · Jan 25, 2022

Chan Tran said:
Back in the late 70's I had 2 45CT1 and I use the 45-20 with them. They are high voltage units I think as I used them with the Nikon F2AS.

That is what I said...early 45CT1 (before s/n 534000) were high voltage, whereas s/n >534000 were low voltage.

External sensor for Metz 45CT-1

Terrence Brennan

Chan Tran

AgX

wiltw

Chan Tran

wiltw

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