Metz AF-50 Servo Mode

dane.dawg · 05-14-2014, 04:45 PM

My metz AF-50 will not act as a slave in servo mode when I use my other flashes in manual mode.
The manual says it should but it will only activate if the other flash is set to p-ttl, this confuses me and any help would be great.
Cheers Travis

derekkite · 05-14-2014, 08:59 PM

I set mine to servo mode, and it triggers if the built in flash on the K3 is set to Pttl, control or master, but not manual.

I tried triggering it an older sunpak manual flash, and it wouldn't fire. It seems to need the preflash to tell it to trigger on the next one.

awaldram · 05-14-2014, 11:12 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by derekkite

I set mine to servo mode, and it triggers if the built in flash on the K3 is set to Pttl, control or master, but not manual.

I tried triggering it an older sunpak manual flash, and it wouldn't fire. It seems to need the preflash to tell it to trigger on the next one.

Servo = smart slave mode ignore pre-flashes (i.e it a mode for use with pre trigger flashes)
Slave = dumb dlave mode fire at any flash

This will give you some insight as to 'servo' mode though the data on versions is old and incorrect
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/2947339

To us the Metz flashes as dumb optical slaves you would need an optical peanut on the hot shoe.

i.e Metz flashes don't do dumb

dane.dawg · 05-15-2014, 04:55 AM

Thanx for the conformation Derek and Awaldram, this is a little annoying but at least my af-52 works as a dumb slave.

bdery · 05-15-2014, 06:40 AM

Originally posted by awaldram

To us the Metz flashes as dumb optical slaves you would need an optical peanut on the hot shoe.

i.e Metz flashes don't do dumb

Originally posted by dane.dawg

at least my af-52 works as a dumb slave

I believe indeed starting with the 52 (and 58 v2) they added the dumb mode, and the lean mode.

Class A · 05-15-2014, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by bdery

I believe indeed starting with the 52 (and 58 v2) they added the dumb mode, and the lean mode.

Actually, the Metz 58 AF-2 did not implement pre-flash suppression for the Servo mode initially but later firmware updates changed that (it may also be the case that pre-flash suppression was always the case but that just the manual was wrong; I only know for sure that there is an addendum/erratum to the manual, explaining the need for a pre-flash in Servo mode).

My 58 AF-2 (firmware V4.1) requires a pre-flash even in Servo mode.

I'm assuming the same story applies to the 52.

I don't think that it is a good idea to not offer an optical triggering mode that does not require a pre-flash, but then I personally never use optical triggering. Radio triggering is so much easier and more flexible.

bdery · 05-15-2014, 12:17 PM

Originally posted by Class A

My 58 AF-2 (firmware V4.1) requires a pre-flash even in Servo mode.

I'm assuming the same story applies to the 52.

I'm interested in this since I am currently considering the 52 AF 1 as a PTTL flash. I've handled it in a store, and there were three options in Servo : without preflash supression, with, and learn. I had nothing on hand to test this but I assume that it can work as a pure slave.

Originally posted by Class A

I don't think that it is a good idea to not offer an optical triggering mode that does not require a pre-flash, but then I personally never use optical triggering. Radio triggering is so much easier and more flexible.

I agree it's not a good idea not to offer a pure slave mode. In a pinch, it can be really useful!

dane.dawg · 05-15-2014, 01:09 PM

My 52 does works as a dumb slave.

Class A · 05-15-2014, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by bdery

I'm interested in this since I am currently considering the 52 AF 1 as a PTTL flash. I've handled it in a store, and there were three options in Servo : without preflash supression, with, and learn.

Cool!

The 58 AF-2 definitely does not offer these options.

dane.dawg · 05-16-2014, 10:00 AM

From this morning, quick edit but I might work on this some more.

Class A · 05-16-2014, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by dane.dawg

From this morning, quick edit but I might work on this some more.

Oh, wow!

Definitely worth spending more time on.

I think I'd work with a taller (less wide) crop.

05-14-2014, 04:45 PM	#1
dane.dawg Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,436	Metz AF-50 Servo Mode My metz AF-50 will not act as a slave in servo mode when I use my other flashes in manual mode. The manual says it should but it will only activate if the other flash is set to p-ttl, this confuses me and any help would be great. Cheers Travis

05-14-2014, 11:12 PM - 1 Like	#3
awaldram Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 732	Originally posted by derekkite I set mine to servo mode, and it triggers if the built in flash on the K3 is set to Pttl, control or master, but not manual. I tried triggering it an older sunpak manual flash, and it wouldn't fire. It seems to need the preflash to tell it to trigger on the next one. Servo = smart slave mode ignore pre-flashes (i.e it a mode for use with pre trigger flashes) Slave = dumb dlave mode fire at any flash This will give you some insight as to 'servo' mode though the data on versions is old and incorrect http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/2947339 To us the Metz flashes as dumb optical slaves you would need an optical peanut on the hot shoe. i.e Metz flashes don't do dumb Last edited by awaldram; 05-14-2014 at 11:33 PM.

05-15-2014, 09:59 AM	#6
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by bdery I believe indeed starting with the 52 (and 58 v2) they added the dumb mode, and the lean mode. Actually, the Metz 58 AF-2 did not implement pre-flash suppression for the Servo mode initially but later firmware updates changed that (it may also be the case that pre-flash suppression was always the case but that just the manual was wrong; I only know for sure that there is an addendum/erratum to the manual, explaining the need for a pre-flash in Servo mode). My 58 AF-2 (firmware V4.1) requires a pre-flash even in Servo mode. I'm assuming the same story applies to the 52. I don't think that it is a good idea to not offer an optical triggering mode that does not require a pre-flash, but then I personally never use optical triggering. Radio triggering is so much easier and more flexible. Last edited by Class A; 05-15-2014 at 10:17 AM.

05-15-2014, 01:09 PM	#8
dane.dawg Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,436 Original Poster	My 52 does works as a dumb slave. Last edited by dane.dawg; 05-15-2014 at 04:26 PM.

05-16-2014, 10:00 AM	#10
dane.dawg Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,436 Original Poster	From this morning, quick edit but I might work on this some more. Last edited by dane.dawg; 05-16-2014 at 12:22 PM.

05-14-2014, 08:59 PM	#2
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	I set mine to servo mode, and it triggers if the built in flash on the K3 is set to Pttl, control or master, but not manual. I tried triggering it an older sunpak manual flash, and it wouldn't fire. It seems to need the preflash to tell it to trigger on the next one.

05-15-2014, 04:55 AM	#4
dane.dawg Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,436 Original Poster	Thanx for the conformation Derek and Awaldram, this is a little annoying but at least my af-52 works as a dumb slave.

05-15-2014, 06:40 AM	#5
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by awaldram To us the Metz flashes as dumb optical slaves you would need an optical peanut on the hot shoe. i.e Metz flashes don't do dumb Originally posted by dane.dawg at least my af-52 works as a dumb slave I believe indeed starting with the 52 (and 58 v2) they added the dumb mode, and the lean mode.

05-15-2014, 12:17 PM	#7
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by Class A My 58 AF-2 (firmware V4.1) requires a pre-flash even in Servo mode. I'm assuming the same story applies to the 52. I'm interested in this since I am currently considering the 52 AF 1 as a PTTL flash. I've handled it in a store, and there were three options in Servo : without preflash supression, with, and learn. I had nothing on hand to test this but I assume that it can work as a pure slave. Originally posted by Class A I don't think that it is a good idea to not offer an optical triggering mode that does not require a pre-flash, but then I personally never use optical triggering. Radio triggering is so much easier and more flexible. I agree it's not a good idea not to offer a pure slave mode. In a pinch, it can be really useful!

05-15-2014, 02:29 PM	#9
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by bdery I'm interested in this since I am currently considering the 52 AF 1 as a PTTL flash. I've handled it in a store, and there were three options in Servo : without preflash supression, with, and learn. Cool! The 58 AF-2 definitely does not offer these options.

05-16-2014, 10:41 AM	#11
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by dane.dawg From this morning, quick edit but I might work on this some more. Oh, wow! Definitely worth spending more time on. I think I'd work with a taller (less wide) crop.

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