How to get the Metz Mecablitz 15 MS-1 to work

roelof · 06-14-2009, 09:40 AM

Hi all,

I just spent the afternoon getting the Metz 15 MS-1 Macro flash to work with my K200D. Beginners stuff, but I just thought I'd post where the various settings are hidden so the next newbe like me can find it here. The manual is a bit terse.

The Metz functions as a wireless slave unit to the build-in flash.

On the K200D:

- Menu, Custom settings, Flash in Wireless mode : Off

This setting makes the build-in flash act as a controller only. It only sends out sync pulses but does not illuminate the subject. This avoids creating a shadow of your lens and allows you to operate the Metz without using the included 'infrared Clamp'

- Fn key, Flash mode (down arrow) : Wireless mode

Enables the wireless flash mode. Without this setting, the build-in flash works as a normal flash

On the Metz:

Select 'Pen Remote' and 'all channels'

Fun fact: the manual warns you to only use 'internal focussing objectives' to avoid overtaxing the AF engine with the weight of the unit. How many macro lenses out there are internal focussing?

It is a very light unit, so I'll just take my chances :-)

yipchunyu · 10-01-2009, 09:27 AM

so, the p-ttl works?
so, it can use all mode ? A? S? AS? M?

roelof · 10-02-2009, 03:27 AM

Originally posted by yipchunyu

so, the p-ttl works?
so, it can use all mode ? A? S? AS? M?

Yes, p-ttl works.
For the rest, I haven't used it manually but it should simply support everything the internal flash supports..

yipchunyu · 10-04-2009, 02:52 AM

Originally posted by roelof

Yes, p-ttl works.
For the rest, I haven't used it manually but it should simply support everything the internal flash supports..

can it used to shoot other subject? how about daily in-door shooting. is it power enough and wide enough?

roelof · 10-04-2009, 04:18 AM

Originally posted by yipchunyu

can it used to shoot other subject? how about daily in-door shooting. is it power enough and wide enough?

The two flash tubes can be swiveled for 20 deg. , so you can play with the covered area.

I have not tried how wide it can get. Using it to augment the build in flash is not really practical, since the ringflash would generate a large shadow. And it only has a guide number of 15m.

All in all I would not recommend using a macro flash for regular in-door shooting. You would need to adjust the tubes manually and at best end up with a similar result as you can get automatically with the build-in flash.

You can use it as a separate slave flash. I once had someone hold it in their hand to illuminate the face from the side.

yipchunyu · 10-04-2009, 07:12 AM

Originally posted by roelof

The two flash tubes can be swiveled for 20 deg. , so you can play with the covered area.

I have not tried how wide it can get. Using it to augment the build in flash is not really practical, since the ringflash would generate a large shadow. And it only has a guide number of 15m.

All in all I would not recommend using a macro flash for regular in-door shooting. You would need to adjust the tubes manually and at best end up with a similar result as you can get automatically with the build-in flash.

You can use it as a separate slave flash. I once had someone hold it in their hand to illuminate the face from the side.

many thx for your advice. i think it's too hard for the built in flash. I guess the ring flash share the same problem.

rafaelt · 05-28-2013, 01:29 AM

Originally posted by roelof

On the K200D:

- Menu, Custom settings, Flash in Wireless mode : Off

This setting makes the build-in flash act as a controller only. It only sends out sync pulses but does not illuminate the subject. This avoids creating a shadow of your lens and allows you to operate the Metz without using the included 'infrared Clamp'

- Fn key, Flash mode (down arrow) : Wireless mode

Enables the wireless flash mode. Without this setting, the build-in flash works as a normal flash

On the Metz:

Select 'Pen Remote' and 'all channels'

I've just set my K-5 and Metz 15 like above. I use a 100f2.8 macro FA lens.
The lens aperture is at A and I use aperture priority on my camera.
The shutter is 1/180 (X).

I changed the aperture, like f/8, f/11, f/16, the Metz fires normally,
but the exposure changes according to different apertures,
so it seems that TTL is not working.

Any idea what I've been missing?

Thanks a lot.

06-14-2009, 09:40 AM	#1
roelof Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Leiden, the Netherlands Posts: 26	How to get the Metz Mecablitz 15 MS-1 to work Hi all, I just spent the afternoon getting the Metz 15 MS-1 Macro flash to work with my K200D. Beginners stuff, but I just thought I'd post where the various settings are hidden so the next newbe like me can find it here. The manual is a bit terse. The Metz functions as a wireless slave unit to the build-in flash. On the K200D: - Menu, Custom settings, Flash in Wireless mode : Off This setting makes the build-in flash act as a controller only. It only sends out sync pulses but does not illuminate the subject. This avoids creating a shadow of your lens and allows you to operate the Metz without using the included 'infrared Clamp' - Fn key, Flash mode (down arrow) : Wireless mode Enables the wireless flash mode. Without this setting, the build-in flash works as a normal flash On the Metz: Select 'Pen Remote' and 'all channels' Fun fact: the manual warns you to only use 'internal focussing objectives' to avoid overtaxing the AF engine with the weight of the unit. How many macro lenses out there are internal focussing? It is a very light unit, so I'll just take my chances :-)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 (Worldwide)	CThomas	Sold Items	4	10-10-2010 01:30 PM
Metz Mecablitz Af-1 48: A n00b question?	PeteyJ	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	14	04-07-2010 12:53 AM
For Sale - Sold: Metz mecablitz 48 AF-1	bigben91682	Sold Items	7	07-06-2009 05:44 PM
Metz Mecablitz 36 AF-4 ?	VaughnA	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	2	06-13-2009 04:38 PM
Metz Mecablitz AF44-3P with K200D	donelly duck eclair	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	5	03-22-2009 08:26 AM

10-01-2009, 09:27 AM	#2
yipchunyu Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: HK Posts: 171	so, the p-ttl works? so, it can use all mode ? A? S? AS? M?

10-02-2009, 03:27 AM	#3
roelof Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Leiden, the Netherlands Posts: 26 Original Poster	Originally posted by yipchunyu so, the p-ttl works? so, it can use all mode ? A? S? AS? M? Yes, p-ttl works. For the rest, I haven't used it manually but it should simply support everything the internal flash supports..

10-04-2009, 02:52 AM	#4
yipchunyu Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: HK Posts: 171	Originally posted by roelof Yes, p-ttl works. For the rest, I haven't used it manually but it should simply support everything the internal flash supports.. can it used to shoot other subject? how about daily in-door shooting. is it power enough and wide enough?

10-04-2009, 04:18 AM	#5
roelof Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Leiden, the Netherlands Posts: 26 Original Poster	Originally posted by yipchunyu can it used to shoot other subject? how about daily in-door shooting. is it power enough and wide enough? The two flash tubes can be swiveled for 20 deg. , so you can play with the covered area. I have not tried how wide it can get. Using it to augment the build in flash is not really practical, since the ringflash would generate a large shadow. And it only has a guide number of 15m. All in all I would not recommend using a macro flash for regular in-door shooting. You would need to adjust the tubes manually and at best end up with a similar result as you can get automatically with the build-in flash. You can use it as a separate slave flash. I once had someone hold it in their hand to illuminate the face from the side.

10-04-2009, 07:12 AM	#6
yipchunyu Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: HK Posts: 171	Originally posted by roelof The two flash tubes can be swiveled for 20 deg. , so you can play with the covered area. I have not tried how wide it can get. Using it to augment the build in flash is not really practical, since the ringflash would generate a large shadow. And it only has a guide number of 15m. All in all I would not recommend using a macro flash for regular in-door shooting. You would need to adjust the tubes manually and at best end up with a similar result as you can get automatically with the build-in flash. You can use it as a separate slave flash. I once had someone hold it in their hand to illuminate the face from the side. many thx for your advice. i think it's too hard for the built in flash. I guess the ring flash share the same problem.

05-28-2013, 01:29 AM	#7
rafaelt Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Taipei Photos: Albums Posts: 33	Originally posted by roelof On the K200D: - Menu, Custom settings, Flash in Wireless mode : Off This setting makes the build-in flash act as a controller only. It only sends out sync pulses but does not illuminate the subject. This avoids creating a shadow of your lens and allows you to operate the Metz without using the included 'infrared Clamp' - Fn key, Flash mode (down arrow) : Wireless mode Enables the wireless flash mode. Without this setting, the build-in flash works as a normal flash On the Metz: Select 'Pen Remote' and 'all channels' I've just set my K-5 and Metz 15 like above. I use a 100f2.8 macro FA lens. The lens aperture is at A and I use aperture priority on my camera. The shutter is 1/180 (X). I changed the aperture, like f/8, f/11, f/16, the Metz fires normally, but the exposure changes according to different apertures, so it seems that TTL is not working. Any idea what I've been missing? Thanks a lot.