Metz: Fascination Made in Germany

Andreas Thaler · Dec 23, 2024

Inspired by @ic-racer

Metz 45 CT-4 Repair

I got a Metz 45 CT-4 for a few dollars. Wondered if it works or if it can be fixed.

www.photrio.com

I would like to start here on the topic of Metz flash units and accessories.

I was so fascinated by the Metz system with its SCA adapters for using the flash units with various camera manufacturers that years ago I collected.

What are your experiences with the Metz system, do you still use it?

Another issue when storing flash units is the condition of the flash capacitor.

It is often recommended to fire the flash every month, which becomes difficult when you have a collection

On the other hand, I have never seen flash units break after being left inactive for a long time.

How do you look after your electronic flash units?

Chan Tran · Dec 23, 2024

I bought my first flash in 1977 for my Nikon F2AS and it was the 45CT-1. I broke the first one trying to take it apart for some minor reason. I bought the second one. I have the remote sensor I think it was the 45-20. I don't have them any more.
When I bought the Nikon F3HP in 1982 I bought the Metz 60CT-2 and SCA cable for it. I sold it with the F3HP.
When I bought the Nikon F5 I bought the Metz 60CT-4 and the SCA-3000C and 3042 module. I like the Metz flash but TTL with the F5 wasn't good. I still have the 60CT-4 and still use it but the SCA-3000C cable is bad. The battery went bad on it. I now use 2 32700 LiFePo4 batteries and it works very well.
I also have 1 45CT-4 and 3 45CL-4 but they all have some source of problems.
1 45CL-4 doesn't have full power. The power it has is about half or less.
1 45CL-4 TTL doesn't work. Something with the connector. It does work some of the times.
1 45CL-4 the ready light connection to the circuit board was loose. I can't seem to take it apart to resolder. I super glue it so it doesn't move and it does work.
Overall I like the Metz.

wiltw · Dec 23, 2024

I have one 45CT4 and one 45CL3, a module for use with my Olympus OM-4 TTL and a module for use with my Bronica ETRSi TTL; two Metz 54MZ4 and one Metz 64AF-1 for use with my Canon dSLR eTTL.

I take them out every 6 months and plug them into a power source (Quantum Turbo battery pack) and turn on each and leave each turned on for one hour, to keep the capacitor formed. I have owned both 45CT units since the early 1990s and both are fully operational with no known issues. I have a Metz Mecablitz 45-46 so that I can put the 45CT into a 16" x 20" softbox (which obscures the view of the photosensor) and the 45-46 sees the scene to shut off light output at the proper level. I have owned the two 54MZ4 units since the mid-2000's and the 64AF-1 since about 2016, and all are fully functional. Metz flash units are superb flash units.

I have had to replace the lead acid cell in the Quantum Turbo twice in the 35 years I have owned it.

Chan Tran · Dec 23, 2024

I think Metz kept production in Germany until the end. Too bad they are out of the flash business now.

jk0592 · Dec 23, 2024

I still use the Metz 45 CT-4 once or twice per year. Bought it new in the early 1980's. The original Nicads died out, so i did get the 5 AA adapter also new from camera store. It is a great flash unit.

dynachrome · Dec 23, 2024

I have a Metz 403 which was given to me years ago by a friend. It runs on a 510 volt battery. I don't know whether 510 volt batteries are even still made. If I knew how to rewire things so I could use another power source, I would.

RalphLambrecht · Dec 23, 2024

Andreas Thaler said:
Inspired by @ic-racer

Metz 45 CT-4 Repair

I got a Metz 45 CT-4 for a few dollars. Wondered if it works or if it can be fixed.

www.photrio.com

View attachment 386078

I would like to start here on the topic of Metz flash units and accessories.

View attachment 386080

I was so fascinated by the Metz system with its SCA adapters for using the flash units with various camera manufacturers that years ago I collected.

View attachment 386079

What are your experiences with the Metz system, do you still use it?

Another issue when storing flash units is the condition of the flash capacitor.

It is often recommended to fire the flash every month, which becomes difficult when you have a collection

On the other hand, I have never seen flash units break after being left inactive for a long time.

How do you look after your electronic flash units?

'long' time in this case, means a few decades. Modern capacitors don't die in a year or two. Weakened capacitors can be refreshed by charging the strobe until the ready light comes on and then leaving it that way for 20-30 minutes. Firing the strobe a few times once a quarter or so also helps keep them working as they should. Equipment maintenance is a boring and often time-consuming process with advantages, but there is no reason to turn it into an obsession.

ic-racer · Dec 23, 2024

You would no happen to have an extra SCA 300-a cable? Paying $$$

Andreas Thaler · Dec 24, 2024

RalphLambrecht said:
'long' time in this case, means a few decades. Modern capacitors don't die in a year or two. Weakened capacitors can be refreshed by charging the strobe until the ready light comes on and then leaving it that way for 20-30 minutes. Firing the strobe a few times once a quarter or so also helps keep them working as they should. Equipment maintenance is a boring and often time-consuming process with advantages, but there is no reason to turn it into an obsession.

Thank you, that is reassuring news for Christmas!

Andreas Thaler · Dec 24, 2024

ic-racer said:
You would no happen to have an extra SCA 300-a cable? Paying $$$View attachment 386111

At the time, I had collected everything I could find about the Metz system, as long as it was compatible with my cameras.

Should I look in the cupboard?

Chan Tran · Dec 24, 2024

Andreas Thaler said:
At the time, I had collected everything I could find about the Metz system, as long as it was compatible with my cameras.

Should I look in the cupboard?

If you have the SCA-3000C cable and SCA-3402 I would want to buy. I have them both but they are bad now. I don't know why. Just not working any more and I don't know if it's the cable or the module. I haven't used it in a long time as it only support TTL for Nikon film camera and not digital.

Ben Hutcherson · Dec 25, 2024

Chan Tran said:
If you have the SCA-3000C cable and SCA-3402 I would want to buy. I have them both but they are bad now. I don't know why. Just not working any more and I don't know if it's the cable or the module. I haven't used it in a long time as it only support TTL for Nikon film camera and not digital.

I was using my rough condition SCA3000c this evening with a 3701 on my Pentax 645N.

The 3000c is probably my least favorite piece Metz made, and it doesn’t help that it seems most people forget about the four AAAs hidden in them before putting into storage.

Mine almost never works when I first get it out, but I’ve found I can almost always wake it up with a sharp tap on the battery door…granted this one also has had leaky batteries.

mshchem · Dec 25, 2024

I have a neat little Metz made Leica branded flash for my M6ttl. Perfect

halfaman · Dec 25, 2024

I have currently three Metz flashes: 50 AF-2, M400 and 20 BC-6. All of them working and delivering quality light,mif there was ever a problem it was in the camera. The first one is my reference for strobe lightning due to its power and the manual and auto modes that I can use with any camera.

Chan Tran · Dec 25, 2024

Ben Hutcherson said:
I was using my rough condition SCA3000c this evening with a 3701 on my Pentax 645N.

The 3000c is probably my least favorite piece Metz made, and it doesn’t help that it seems most people forget about the four AAAs hidden in them before putting into storage.

Mine almost never works when I first get it out, but I’ve found I can almost always wake it up with a sharp tap on the battery door…granted this one also has had leaky batteries.

Mine were bought new but it did have leaked batteries but I have cleaned it very well. I will check and make the power supply is good.
Well I check and make sure the battery compartment is good but no luck. The flash wouldn't even fire.

pentaxpete · Dec 28, 2024

Wanted to get an AC Mains adapter for my CT-4 and CL-3 units but they are Rare as Hen's teeth ! The one for CT-1 series does not fit -- the plug is DIFFERENT .

MarkS · Dec 28, 2024

I worked for a portrait studio from 1979-81, making senior portraits for high schools. One of the services we provided, as part of the contract, was to shoot group portraits and 'candids' at the schools. So anywhere between 10-15 rolls of 120 Tri-X exposed every day, all lit by flash; usually one on a bracket high above the camera, and one unit off to the side on a stand.
For that work I was issued a Bronica ETRS and two Metz flashes, a 45 with internal battery and a 402 with separate battery pack. Apart from being very careful about recharging the NiCd batteries, they were marvelously rugged and powerful units that never failed. Top quality gear that always got the job done!

Patrick Robert James · Dec 28, 2024

I have a 20 BC-6 which is nice and small but I wish it had a thyristor. Recharge is slooooow. And I have a 32 CT-7 which is really nice to use. I have the single pin and Contax shoes for it. I don't use flash much for film but those two I use occasionally.

I'm curious if anyone knows if the 3000 and 300 modules are compatible. I could never figure that out.

Metz: Fascination Made in Germany

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