Metz Mecablitz 202 and Mamiya C330 - would they love each other? :)

[eumenius]

Hello friends,

I want to ask your advice about Metz 220 flash. It's available in our photo store for about $50, absolutely never used, in box, without a battery. Is it a good flash? What Metz battery should I find to put there? Is the flash automatic? Would it fit my Mamiya C330? I understand the unit is really old, judging from its looks it should have been made in early 70s... but Metz should be still Metz, right?

Regards from Moscow,
Zhenya

 

[Nick Zentena]

My rule is anything 30 years old and never used likely never worked. I think that flash used a battery similar to the current 60 flash.

http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=146&itemid=1378

Click on the in depth and you'll see it mentions the 202. BUT email Metz tech support in Europe and ask. They'll know for sure.

IIRC you'll need a case for the battery and for sure you'll need a charger. By the time you've bought all that a used Metz 60 with all the fitings might be cheaper. A used Metz 45 almost certainly will.

 

[eumenius]

My rule is anything 30 years old and never used likely never worked. I think that flash used a battery similar to the current 60 flash.

IIRC you'll need a case for the battery and for sure you'll need a charger. By the time you've bought all that a used Metz 60 with all the fitings might be cheaper. A used Metz 45 almost certainly will.

Hello Nick,
thanks for your help! The battery mentioned on the page you pointed does not work with 202, probably except when charged in a separate charger. The 202 outfit I was so attracted with includes flash, bracket, two cords, power supply and a box for battery with carrying strap I think I don't need a separate charger for it. Another NiCad battery (http://www.bogenimaging.us/product/templates/templates.php3?sectionid=146&itemid=1379) bears 202 on top, so maybe it should fit?

The worst problem in Russia's photo life is that we have never had here any decent things. So the second-hand market is empty - I would LOVE to get an used Metz 45 or 60, but I really can't - they have not been here, so there is no way to get them used I understand that something that was on the shelf for 30 years never worked, but the choice is nil, unfortunately

Regards from Moscow,
Zhenya

 

[Dave Swinnard]

Hi Zhenya

I used this flash back in the early 1970s - it was one of the first of the bigger automatic flashes. I found it a real workhorse, but it had one feature I sometimes found limiting. Unlike newer automatic flashes, the 202 would dump the unused energy from the capacitors on every flash. So instead of using just the appropriate amount of energy required (as determined by the "auto" sensing circuitry) it threw away any excess. This meant every flash recycle pulled a "full" charge worth of energy from the battery.

The next model in that line, the Metz 402, if my memory serves correctly, did save the excess energy thus giving more flashes from a fully charged battery.

But, if it is what is available, and it actually works (old capacitors may be an issue) you may find it a useful tool.

Dave

 

[glbeas]

That dump style of limiting the flash power does have one upside. It will give you a much shorter duration lowest power flash than a thyristor will. From my reading and experiments with a small strobonar it will fire at 1/50000 sec as opposed to a thyristors 1/20000 sec minimum. At least that was the situation back then.

This shot was taken with that setup:
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
I also got some pictures of exploding firecrackers and falling water droplets that were pretty interesting.

 

[Nick Zentena]

The 202 outfit I was so attracted with includes flash, bracket, two cords, power supply and a box for battery with carrying strap

So it's everything but the battery? Which makes me wonder what happened to the battery. Email Metz they will know exactly the battery you need. They are very good with tech questions.

I'd STILL try and either get a lower price or get a chance to test it first. The battery you need isn't that cheap. Will you have a use for the battery if the flash doesn't work? FWIW a 202 is on Ebay right now for $9 and I get the feeling no one will bid on it. Ask for a better price-)