Metz Flash with RB67 questions

I have a Metz 45 CL-4 for use with my RB67 and I want to be sure that I am getting the settings correct. According to the manual, the CL-4 has a GN of 148 feet or 45 meters. I am taking for granted that I will need to use the Manual Flash Mode. If my assumption is incorrect please let me know. This is my understanding of how to get the right amount of light. If I am using ISO 200 film then I set the small center dial to 200. In this example, with the subject being 20' away the recommended aperture is f/11. I would then set that aperture on my lens. I then would then need to decide on the shutter speed. Since the Mamiya lenses let you sync all the way up to 1/400 sec. this gives me a lot of options. My assumption here is that if I want to "freeze" the action, and only have the subject lit I would go up to 1/400, but if I want to include more ambient light I would then slow the speed down to a much slower speed (perhaps even slower than 1/60 in a dimly lit room).

I would appreciate any feedback to let me know if I looking at this correctly.

Thanks
Graham

Sounds like a good approach. But overall, I think a flash meter is indispensable. My inexpensive little gossen digipro gives good flash readings. The thing is, you'll seldom want the flash sitting on or tight near the camera.... you'll want to diffuse it and have it at some angle off the subject-camera axis. Then figuring guide numbers and ambient/flash ratios etc becomes a pain. With a flash meter, you can meter in incident mode right at the subject and voila. If there is money on the shot then get a meter with flash capability, and maybe also an instant film back for quick proofing.

You can also use it in Auto mode by turning the outer dial (the one with the large silver arrow) to your chosen aperture. eg, set it (and your lens) to f/8. Then everything within about 27 feet is properly exposed (assuming EI = 200 set on inner dial). Your shutter speed would function just as you described. The 45CL4 is quite accurate and you can bounce the light from the large head off of the ceiling and the Auto function still works properly as the sensor is aimed toward the subject.

Thanks for both replies. I can see where the meter would come in real handy when one has the time to get it just right. Perhaps that would be the best approach for posed shots like of a wedding party. On the other hand, when just "working the crowd" then I could see where a less structured approach would work better. I will check out KEH for an inexpensive light meter.

This whole Medium Format (and older cameras in general) is opening a whole new "old" world for me!

Graham, I posted my reply on that "Other" site (Photo.net). Not being a computer/digital maven, not sure how to cut & paste it here.

Thomas Wilson said:

Graham, I posted my reply on that "Other" site (Photo.net). Not being a computer/digital maven, not sure how to cut & paste it here.

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Thanks Thomas. You found me out. I did pose the same question on photo.net and I saw your response. I got a couple more replies over there but both forums have been very helpful.

Graham_Martin said:

I have a Metz 45 CL-4 for use with my RB67 and I want to be sure that I am getting the settings correct. According to the manual, the CL-4 has a GN of 148 feet or 45 meters. I am taking for granted that I will need to use the Manual Flash Mode.

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Use the auto mode. The Metz auto mode is very good.

I use a Metz 45 CL-$ with my RB67, the auto mode when used with bounce flash is very good, but it's worth checking with a flash meter if you can..