Metz 45 CL-4 - should I even bother

Frank Miller · Mar 25, 2019

I got this lovely potato masher flash when I purchased some Mamiya 645 gadgetry a couple years ago.

I've never been able to get it to fire. The ready light goes on, but neither the test button nor the PC cord makes it pop.

So... should I even bother getting this fixed? It'd look cool on my Rolleiflex, but I'd guess I can get a Vivitar 283/285 for what I'd pay to repair this beast.

Any thoughts?

BrianShaw · Mar 25, 2019

I went through similar thought pattern and ended up (happily) with 285s and Stroboframes. Both were fortuitously inexpensive and in good operational condition.

The amount of light a 285 provides is enough for my purposes. If I needed more light I probably would have invested in the Metz.

But theMetz sure looks pretty and professional.

dpurdy · Mar 25, 2019

The batteries die on the Metz. Probably the problem.

R.Gould · Mar 25, 2019

The sync cords in the ,etz can break internally, fairly cheap and worth getting, sometimes the open flash button needs to be pressed in just the right way to fire the flash, over many years of using these metz flashes, 45 cl1 and 4 I have gone though a few cords, finally got a coiled lead a few years ago which seems to be holding up well, The NI cad battery packs do give up and are no longer available, but you can get a Nimh battery pack with a new charger, or get a aa battery holder, takes 6 batterys and is quicker to re cycle and gives more flashes per set than Ni cad's apart from these small issues the metz hammer head flashes are great reliable and powerful units

Fin · Mar 25, 2019

Frank Miller said:
So... should I even bother getting this fixed? It'd look cool on my Rolleiflex, but I'd guess I can get a Vivitar 283/285 for what I'd pay to repair this beast.

You might be able to get another 45 CL-4... I just took delivery of a 45 CT-5 for £16.88! It's got a few marks on it, but it seems to work fully. Obviously, I'm in the UK, but I imagine there are many available for not much money.

Ian Grant · Mar 25, 2019

dpurdy said:
The batteries die on the Metz. Probably the problem.

If the neon light glows the capacitor is charged so not a battery issue unless it takes a long time ti recharge.

It's really easy to refurbish the battery packs. I bought a case full of Metz flash kit at a Camera fair 2 years ago, there were about 20 maybe more battery packs 4 chargers, 3 working CT-1 flash units and more. Most of the NiCad battery packs work fine, but there were also 3 that'll take any AA batteries.

These are great flash units but cheap, easier to just find a better one than get one repaired.

Ian

foc · Mar 25, 2019

I shot professionally with a Metz CL4 for 15 years and then another 15 with the CT4 and they never let me down.

Only problem I ever had was when a drop of rain (I am in Ireland) got into the synch connection on the side of the flash. A tissue sorted it out.

I still have the CT and it works perfectly.

wiltw · Mar 25, 2019

The Metz 45 is a real workhorse, the -CL4. It works with cameras with TTL flash automation...film camera TTL when paired with the suitable SCA300 module, and with digital camera xTTL with newer SCA3000 modules. And they recycle quickly when used with Quantum Turbo external power packs. More powerful than even the most powerful modern xTTL flash for digital cameras. Few flash units have this much flexibility and power.

I own two myself, and have used them professionally in coverage of events and weddings. Purchased over 25 years ago, they still work!

AgX · Mar 26, 2019

That sync issue is new to me. I would not bother to get it fixed unless you just need that very model of type 45 and rarely come across one cheap.

baachitraka · Mar 26, 2019

I have rewired Metz 45 CL-4 to take NiMH. It will not disappoint you.

baachitraka · Mar 26, 2019

Metz 45 CL-4: In fact I was using the big RC-battery packs. Full power and really quick recharge times.

baachitraka · Mar 26, 2019

https://www.pbase.com/dvas/metz_45cl4_battery_pack_conversion
https://www.pbase.com/dvas/metz_45cl4_battery_pack_conversion
To take same battery basket https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/34966-REG/Metz_MZ_5312_45_39_AA_Battery_Holder.html

So instead of alkali we use NimH.

And to use RC-battery pack, I have soldered these https://www.kab24.de/strom-licht/ad...cker-2-pol-jst-kupplung-kabel-je-ca-28cm.html to the appropriate terminals as shown in first link.

https://www.conrad.de/de/conrad-ene...ellen-zahl-6-stick-tamiya-stecker-206032.html

YMMV for the current rating.

Frank Miller · Mar 27, 2019

Hmmm....

NOW I'm more interested in tinkering with it than whether or not it works...

Thanks baachitraka! I might waste a weekend trying out the instructions you posted. Probably end up with a handful of parts and a flash that (still) doesn't work... but it'll be a fun project....

baachitraka · Mar 27, 2019

I might take just 10 mins. Some small screws and caution with the capacitor. It worked for me and I am not very skilled in soldering.

M Carter · Mar 27, 2019

Someone mentioned the 283/285 - other than its lazy recycle time, it's still a viable flash for non-TTL systems. I used one with a DSLR at an event a while back (my main flash died, I don't do many events) and it worked as well as my SB on my Nikon. I hadn't touched in in a decade, impressed at its accuracy.

I butchered an old Speedotron head and made a bracket for it that attaches it to a stand and allows me to put my speedo modifiers on it (I'm a freak for the 11" with the grid). It's a crazy-handy location light with a radio or optical slave, the 4 power levels are enough to dial it in for manual setups or use it where there's no power.

Frank Miller · Mar 27, 2019

Change of direction (and maybe a reason for another post) but I see an Agfatronic 343 on ebay with a bracket for not-that-much.

Are these any good? I like a handle style just so that there are fewer wobble points (as in a 283/285 on a bracket has given me in the past....)

Chan Tran · Mar 27, 2019

I will have to try to find out but I think if you hold on the fire button it will recycle but won't fire again until you release the fire button. So it's possible that the fire button is shorted and appears to be pushed all the time. I wouldn't recommend taking it apart. I took the 45CT1 apart 40 years ago and could never put it back together.
I do like Metz flashes a lot. I do have a 283 but it's voltage is too high to use on newer cameras so I don't use it.

AgX · Mar 27, 2019

Frank Miller said:
I see an Agfatronic 343 on ebay with a bracket for not-that-much.

Are these any good?

-) SCA 300 TTL
-) more compact and lighter than the Metz
-) integrated wide-angle diffusor
-) unique design

-) 2/3 stop less than the Metz
-) auto-apertures dependant on film speed
-) mechanically less sturdy
-) no backwards flash
-) no secondary reflector

(the model 338 has secondary reflector and is only 1/2 stop off)

Fin · Mar 27, 2019

Frank Miller said:
I see an Agfatronic 343 on ebay with a bracket for not-that-much. Are these any good?

I looked at a similar one that had a swivel head and a fill in flash many years ago. Not that it helps greatly, but I think it was a decent unit but I was heading towards a Nissin hammer head that I also didn't buy!

I did end up with a Philips P526, which was a similar sort of shoe mount flashgun with the rotating inner head thing. That was a really good unit, can't remember if I sold it or I still have it somewhere...

KN4SMF · Mar 28, 2019

For 42 years now I have used a Sunpak Auto 611, used on manual mode. Old faithful. Enough power to wash out a summer day and gentle enough for the finest nuance of fill. And I can use the dollar store alkalines and they never quit.

Metz 45 CL-4 - should I even bother

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