[Katja]

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I've recently purchased new flash unit Metz 45 CT4 -- this is apparently the old version of CL 4 for much lower price
Metz 45 CT-4 | eBay

According to the Metz digital camera 2014 compatibility it recommends that I need to purchase an adapter -- SCA 3702 for Metz CL 4 (I'm assuming that same model needs to be purchased with Metz CT4) to make it compatible with Pentax k5 --
http://www.focusnordic.no/archive/documents/metz/metz_camera_compatibility.pdf

Apparently, I need to purchase another (optional) accessory for this particular flash model -- the 3000C Cord to connect to 45CL4/60CT-4/G16 Grip -- to be able to use Synch and TTL -- Metz SCA 3000C M1 Converter | eBay

Anybody has any experience/other recommendations re this particular CT4 and necessary accessories to make it compatible with k5?

[awaldram]

I've recently purchased new flash unit Metz 45 CT4 -- this is apparently the old version of CL 4 for much lower price
Metz 45 CT-4 | eBay

According to the Metz digital camera 2014 compatibility it recommends that I need to purchase an adapter -- SCA 3702 for Metz CL 4 (I'm assuming that same model needs to be purchased with Metz CT4) to make it compatible with Pentax k5 --
http://www.focusnordic.no/archive/documents/metz/metz_camera_compatibility.pdf

Apparently, I need to purchase another (optional) accessory for this particular flash model -- the 3000C Cord to connect to 45CL4/60CT-4/G16 Grip -- to be able to use Synch and TTL -- Metz SCA 3000C M1 Converter | eBay

Anybody has any experience/other recommendations re this particular CT4 and necessary accessories to make it compatible with k5?

The metz 45's pre digital are TTL only and do not support P-ttl so can never be fully K5 compatable.

I assume you have the pc sync lead?

if so I'd stick with that, Your right sca3000+sca3702 will get you some additional fuctionality (flash ready and switch automatically to x-sync) but will not get you P-ttl compatablilty.

You will be using the flash in auto mode anyway, With the 54mz3 the 3072 also switches aperture for the flash in auto so is really usefull not sure if that will be available in the Ct4 though.

An sca300a+sca372 will get you the same functionality as the 3000 series and should be cheaper if you want flash ready.

If you want full Flash compatability you will need a Metz 45 CL4 Digitial + sca 3045 + sca 3072M3 that will give you all P-ttl functions + HSS but not wireless for the k5

For later bodies inc k3 you wil need an sca3072M4 which is in development

[Katja]

Thank you kindly for you response awaldram. I appreciate your expertise and also time. :-)

In the meantime, I also contacted Metz directly to see what they have to say and here is their response .. just in case there will be somebody here is interested in this particular threat:

"Due to the age of the CT series they use a high 24v trigger voltage as they were designed many years ago for traditional film cameras. Unfortunately we don't recommend them for use with digital cameras as the trigger requirements are usually much lower, between 6 & 8v. USING THE FLASH, COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO YOUR CAMERA."

This comment answers my question and I'm now considering Metz 45 CL4. Thanks again for your help.

[awaldram]

Pin vlotage
CT4 = 24v
CL4 = 17v

Ct4 with sca311 = 5v
Cl4 with sca372 = 5v

I no longer have any sca372 series or adapter for the CT4.

But think the Voltage is relative to the adapter in use, it not like the CT1 pin vlotage = 600v ! now that could cause issues.

Pentax hot shoe is ISO 10330:2002 compliant which means 24v across 240ohm resister = 24v@aprox 100mA

Canon for some reason spec the cameras at 6v Max wholst also claiming ISO10330:2002 compliancy (I know how??)

I've seen written information fro Pentax that its circuitry can withstand 380v which seem reasonable given the pc-sync socket

persoanlly I'm quite happy firing the ct4 off the pc-sync socket of a Penatx camera but it your choice not mine

Hot shoe - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/125-flashes-lighting-studio/87679-flash-t...-answer-2.html
Photo Strobe Trigger Voltages

As they say money where mouth is

Pentax Kx - Metz 45 CT4 sca300a and sca311 in auto

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Last edited by awaldram; 12-23-2015 at 08:32 AM.

[Class A]

"Due to the age of the CT series they use a high 24v trigger voltage as they were designed many years ago for traditional film cameras. ..."

Pentax DSLRs should not have any trouble with 24V trigger voltage. Pentax never came forward with an official answer, but apparently several employees said that 30V is the upper limit (c.f., awaldram's information).

If you don't feel comfortable directly connecting the flash to the camera, you could go via a radio trigger. This has the added advantage of providing the option to take the flash off-camera.

The Cactus V6 can even potentially remote control the power level (manually) of your Metz 45 CT4, at least it can do it for the Metz 45CL-4 (analogue version, using the SCA 3000 C cable and the 3702 Pentax module). Awaldram probably will have a better feel whether the Metz 45 CT4 will also work.

[awaldram]

. Awaldram probably will have a better feel whether the Metz 45 CT4 will also work.

I'm betting it will and I will be testing when i get the V6's but will be using sc311 (canon TTL FD)

I'll be able to tell the 45 Cl4 Digital - sca3045 - sca3072M & M3 but don't imagine that'll help as the 45 cl4 Digitial of more of a change than the cl4-ct4

[Katja]

OK here is more prove about compatibility of Metz 45 CT-4 and Pentax 5:

Last Friday, I received the SCA3000/M1 and SCA3702 M3 adaptors. Before connecting them to K-5 camera, my partner measured the synch trigger voltages from the 45 CT-4 :

1. With the45CT-4 flash unit connected via the PC cable, synch trigger voltage measures 24.5V.

2. Then, connecting the SCA3000 unit along with the SCA3702 M3 and measuring the voltage off the pins on the bottom of the connector which connect to the camera hot shoe, the voltage now reads 4.78V. SO, there should be NO issue with potential damage to the K-5, if it is considered safe to operate off 4.8V!

Oh, and incidentally, we also measured the synch trigger voltage off my other Metz-for-Pentax external flash, the Metz 50-AV-1 and the sync trigger voltage on that unit is 4.56V.

Now, just have to learn how to use it with the K-5 and to work out if it’s capable of TTL and P-TTL! Thanks again awaldram and Class A for your input as it made me to re-think my decision -- purchase/not to purchase Metz CT4.

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[Class A]

SO, there should be NO issue with potential damage to the K-5, if it is considered safe to operate off 4.8V!

Yes, that's 100% safe.

Glad we could help.