Rhys
Sasquatch
Reged: 15/01/2004
Posts: 3377
Loc: York (home of the speedbump)
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Just got rid of my SB80DX as I'm not struck on top mount flashes - had an SB28DX before it but missed my Metz that got nicked along with my old blad stuff some years ago.
Just ordered a used 45-CL4 Nicad from Ffordes, really nice folks threw in a normal battery holder as well (used to have a 45-CT3) Turns out I'm not loosing anything price wise, maybe some functionality etc. but nowt I won't miss. Main concern was frying my camera but the CL series work OK with digi, it's the older CT series that have the higher trigger voltage (according to the Metz website). Ordered a Sto-fen omni to go with it. A mate has asked me to do some pics for his wedding so I thought I'd get some thing I feel comfortable with. To think I said never again after the last one..  Its supposed to arrive on Tuesday so I'd better get some portrait practice in when it comes - What fun 
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NRIPN (Officially Nuts..)
RGMP.co.uk (My Website.. getting there at last.)
Benchinistas.org.uk The home of Benchism
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huwevans
Old Hand
Reged: 05/08/2000
Posts: 15557
Loc: Dorset, UK
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Quote:
Main concern was frying my camera but the CL series work OK with digi, it's the older CT series that have the higher trigger voltage (according to the Metz website).
It might be higher, maybe, but the CT's trigger voltage was only about 5.6V - not going to fry much with that! :-) [For comparison, my decades-old monolights have about a 180V trigger, IIRC - that's the sort level you need to worry about.] I've certainly used my CT-3 on Nikon DSLRs quite happily. Of course it's no longer any use for TTL flash in the digital world, so it makes sense to get a newer version anyway.
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Huw Evans.
   
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Rhys
Sasquatch
Reged: 15/01/2004
Posts: 3377
Loc: York (home of the speedbump)
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apparently the 45 CT-1 and the CT-5 were particularly high and shouldn't be used with a dSLR at all, the others weren't as bad but aren't recommended. Far as I know this only applies to hot-shoe mounted sync cables (you can buy suppressors to lower the trigger voltage) I'll be using the sync socket on the front of my Nikon. When I spoke to Ffordes about the Metz guns they weren't sure they'd be DSLR friendly.
I've no idea what the trigger voltage of the old strobe packs we used at college were - the generators were quite large oil cooled things that kicked out several thousand joules with cables over an inch thick. Good job DSLR's weren't readily available then methinks
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NRIPN (Officially Nuts..)
RGMP.co.uk (My Website.. getting there at last.)
Benchinistas.org.uk The home of Benchism
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huwevans
Old Hand
Reged: 05/08/2000
Posts: 15557
Loc: Dorset, UK
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Quote:
apparently the 45 CT-1 and the CT-5 were particularly high and shouldn't be used with a dSLR at all, the others weren't as bad but aren't recommended.
I just dug this out of the Metz FAQ section:
Quote:
Metz mecablitz 45 CT-1 units featuring a model number that is smaller than 534 000 are fitted with a so-called high-voltage ignition circuit. These flash units must not be directly connected to modern cameras as this could even damage the camera!
All other flash units of the Metz mecablitz 45 CT and 45 CL series feature a low-voltage ignition circuit in keeping with the current standard.
So it would appear that the earliest version of the 45CT-1 had different circuitry, but that later 45CT-1 guns and all other 45CT models are just fine (as are the 45CLs). As I say, my CT-3 certainly has a trigger voltage of under 6V, and hasn't caused any identifiable problems with any of my Nikon DSLRs to date.
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Huw Evans.
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Rhys
Sasquatch
Reged: 15/01/2004
Posts: 3377
Loc: York (home of the speedbump)
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Interesting reading, might be worth remembering that as I'm sure the question of compatibility will rear up again some time in the future.
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NRIPN (Officially Nuts..)
RGMP.co.uk (My Website.. getting there at last.)
Benchinistas.org.uk The home of Benchism
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parisian
Over the hill and far away...
Reged: 10/02/2002
Posts: 7758
Loc: Môn mam cymru
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I use my CL-4 with the D2X for weddings Rhys. I have an SB800 but prefer the balance of the Metz. I do use the SB800 off camera occasionally but still feel 'safer' with the machine I have used for years in the pressure of wedding situations. Good luck with it.
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Hells pensioner - born to be mild
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Rhys
Sasquatch
Reged: 15/01/2004
Posts: 3377
Loc: York (home of the speedbump)
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Quote:
I use my CL-4 with the D2X for weddings Rhys. I have an SB800 but prefer the balance of the Metz. I do use the SB800 off camera occasionally but still feel 'safer' with the machine I have used for years in the pressure of wedding situations. Good luck with it.
Nice, thought folks might have thought it would be a step backwards using a non-dedicated unit.
Haven't used a twin flash for donkeys years - my previous one was a 45 CT-3 with the single head.
Do you find you use the smaller secondary flash at all? Going to get a sto-fen for the main flash though don't know whether to leave the secondary diffuser on as well?
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NRIPN (Officially Nuts..)
RGMP.co.uk (My Website.. getting there at last.)
Benchinistas.org.uk The home of Benchism
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parisian
Over the hill and far away...
Reged: 10/02/2002
Posts: 7758
Loc: Môn mam cymru
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Yes I use both options Rhys. Big gun off the ceiling and small reflector smack in the eyes. Gives a lovely 'catchlight'.
The SB800 tends to be used by my wife who acts as 'second shooter', wandering around for the candids.
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Hells pensioner - born to be mild
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