Metz 45CL-4 with Hasslelbad 501CM

[ted_smith]

Hi all

I've asked a similar question (there was a url link here which no longer exists) but this is not exactly the same.

I don't very often use my Metz 45CL-4 flash with my Hasselblad 501CM very often but I may need to soon on-and-off for an event that is coming up soon, so I am hoping for a refresher.

There's the auto settings that range from 2.8 - 16, TTL and then three manual modes (M = full, M1/2 = half power, M1/4 quarter power).

Generally, under controlled conditions, if my Blad is set to f8, I set the auto mode on flash to f5.6 to add fill light only and I attach it to the lens using the lead. That works fine. But in less controlled conditions where I might be switching up and down the f range on the lens a bit, I'm worried I'll forget the setting on the flash and over or under expose as a result. Say I jump to f16 all of a sudden on the lens but leave flash set at f5.6...

Correct me if I am wrong, but TTL is useless on 501CM, so I can forget about that, yes?

So what is the best way to use it for less controlled situations where the camera settings will be jumping up and down a lot? Do I just always have to remember to change the auto mode (develop a kind of memory automation in my head), or will the flash somehow talk to the lens and correct matters for me?

Thanks

 

[baachitraka]

Auto works satisfactorily if you don't block the sensor in-front of the lens.

I don't think your camera have any TTL so either auto or manual mode using flash meter.

 

[BrianShaw]

The 501 does not support TTL...

The auto on that flash works great for normal flash photography. I also use Vivitar 285's for the same purposes. One can certainly forget to change the aperture and flash setting in the heat of the moment. That is where experience comes in. I tend to pick the setting that includes the full range (as best possible) for the type of shooting I'm doing so I don't have to keep changing aperture settings. In that situation I can pay more attention to focus and composition.

For fill flash, though, manual mode is best to use... preferable with a flash meter. For "normal" flash photography with a leaf shutter, the only setting you need to worry about is aperture. Any shutter speed is okay. For fill flash you are using the combination of aperture and shutter speed, together with a known flash output, to get the fill you desire.

Or... you can trade in the 501 for a 503 and use TTL... life is a lot easier that way!

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

If you're at an event (well, depending on the type of event), most of the photos you'll be taking will be at the same relative distance, so you can still lock the aperture at f8, zone focus, set the flash to f8, shutter to 1/60th, and just compose away. But do use the auto settings on the 45CL-4, they're quite good. Also, shoot color negative film so if you do accidentally overexpose a shot or two, you'll still have usable images.

 

[wiltw]

Assuming ISO 100, the 45CL4 set to f/8 is underexposed by -1EV at 30' and overexposed by +1EV at 15', both well within the printable latitude of color film! A very wide range of distances that you can shoot without remembering to change the flash selected aperture when you change it on the lens.