Attached Metz flash with new batteries and loud bang!

Thepickledimage · 07-12-2018, 09:38 PM

Whoa. Not sure what happened.

Just put new batteries in my Metz 50 af-1, attached it to my newly acquired (used, purchased here on forum) K3ii and as I was raising it to my face it made a very loud bang and now won’t turn on! 🤔🤔 The glass on the flash looks fine, I don’t see any black and though it’s hard to see it looks as though I can see the bulb. Took batteries out and inspected, they look fine. Super confused and on location for a shoot starting in 20mins!! 😬😬 Shoulda got the KP!! 😝😝😝 I did notice some green corrosion on battery terminals..??

Paul the Sunman · 07-12-2018, 11:23 PM

Capacitor? Bulb?

Wasp · 07-13-2018, 01:03 AM

Some guesswork from me. If the bulb looks OK it was probably the capacitor. If the bulb is gone, the thing should still power up. The green stuff might well be the electrolyte leaking out. If the electrolyte didn't do too much damage, a repair should be possible. All in all, not much that can be done on location. A trip to a repair shop is needed.

By the sound of it, the shoot did not go as planned. I hope you were able to come up with a plan B.

victormeldrew · 07-13-2018, 02:47 AM

Originally posted by Thepickledimage

Whoa. Not sure what happened.

Just put new batteries in my Metz 50 af-1... I did notice some green corrosion on battery terminals.

I think that whatever happened to the flash before this holds the answer to why it has blown, possibly the old batteries were left in it while it was unused and they leaked...maybe moisture got in...I don't know. But whatever it is, the result is it needs repairing or replacing.

**twilhelm** · 07-13-2018, 06:07 AM

Capacitor failure. Usually an explosion is due to a short, likely by leakage. I would probably just replace it.

Thepickledimage · 07-13-2018, 11:52 AM

Thanks you guys. Living in Hawaii has its challenges-main one being moisture. I’m wondering if that has something to do with it. I appreciate all the feedback. Luckily as far as the shoot goes I enjoy natural light photography and was able to position everyone appropriately for some great shots, especially with the evening light. Unfortunately no shots with the colorful sunset behind them, but still a viable shoot. I will look into sending off for repair vs replacing. Such a bummer I ‘just’ sold my spare flash..

victormeldrew · 07-13-2018, 02:58 PM

I've heard good things about Metz's service, so it's worth giving them a call to see what they say.

Thepickledimage · 07-13-2018, 07:17 PM

Originally posted by victormeldrew

I've heard good things about Metz's service, so it's worth giving them a call to see what they say.

Oh sweet, thanks!!

**Just1MoreDave** · 07-13-2018, 07:39 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Thepickledimage

Thanks you guys. Living in Hawaii has its challenges-main one being moisture. I’m wondering if that has something to do with it.

I can tell you from personal experience, moving from Kaua'i to Colorado will cure any equipment moisture issues. But you won't be able to see the ocean from the Home Depot.

Photobill · 07-13-2018, 11:05 PM - **1 Like**

Don't have any input on what happened to your flash but sorry to here about it. My two cents is about Mr. Murphy.
As soon as you think you don't need a backup and you leave it @ home or sale it. Mr. Murphy "ALWAYS" finds the time to stop by.
Murphy's Law is so amazing how often it comes true.
Glad that you made it through the photo shoot!!!!

07-12-2018, 09:38 PM	#1
Thepickledimage Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Kaua'i Posts: 57	Attached Metz flash with new batteries and loud bang! Whoa. Not sure what happened. Just put new batteries in my Metz 50 af-1, attached it to my newly acquired (used, purchased here on forum) K3ii and as I was raising it to my face it made a very loud bang and now won’t turn on! 🤔🤔 The glass on the flash looks fine, I don’t see any black and though it’s hard to see it looks as though I can see the bulb. Took batteries out and inspected, they look fine. Super confused and on location for a shoot starting in 20mins!! 😬😬 Shoulda got the KP!! 😝😝😝 I did notice some green corrosion on battery terminals..??

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07-12-2018, 11:23 PM	#2
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,847	Capacitor? Bulb?

07-13-2018, 01:03 AM	#3
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,663	Some guesswork from me. If the bulb looks OK it was probably the capacitor. If the bulb is gone, the thing should still power up. The green stuff might well be the electrolyte leaking out. If the electrolyte didn't do too much damage, a repair should be possible. All in all, not much that can be done on location. A trip to a repair shop is needed. By the sound of it, the shoot did not go as planned. I hope you were able to come up with a plan B.

07-13-2018, 02:47 AM	#4
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	Originally posted by Thepickledimage Whoa. Not sure what happened. Just put new batteries in my Metz 50 af-1... I did notice some green corrosion on battery terminals. I think that whatever happened to the flash before this holds the answer to why it has blown, possibly the old batteries were left in it while it was unused and they leaked...maybe moisture got in...I don't know. But whatever it is, the result is it needs repairing or replacing.

07-13-2018, 06:07 AM	#5
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	Capacitor failure. Usually an explosion is due to a short, likely by leakage. I would probably just replace it.

07-13-2018, 11:52 AM	#6
Thepickledimage Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Kaua'i Posts: 57 Original Poster	Thanks you guys. Living in Hawaii has its challenges-main one being moisture. I’m wondering if that has something to do with it. I appreciate all the feedback. Luckily as far as the shoot goes I enjoy natural light photography and was able to position everyone appropriately for some great shots, especially with the evening light. Unfortunately no shots with the colorful sunset behind them, but still a viable shoot. I will look into sending off for repair vs replacing. Such a bummer I ‘just’ sold my spare flash..

07-13-2018, 02:58 PM	#7
victormeldrew Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South West UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,493	I've heard good things about Metz's service, so it's worth giving them a call to see what they say.

07-13-2018, 07:17 PM	#8
Thepickledimage Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Kaua'i Posts: 57 Original Poster	Originally posted by victormeldrew I've heard good things about Metz's service, so it's worth giving them a call to see what they say. Oh sweet, thanks!!

07-13-2018, 07:39 PM - 1 Like	#9
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by Thepickledimage Thanks you guys. Living in Hawaii has its challenges-main one being moisture. I’m wondering if that has something to do with it. I can tell you from personal experience, moving from Kaua'i to Colorado will cure any equipment moisture issues. But you won't be able to see the ocean from the Home Depot.

07-13-2018, 11:05 PM - 1 Like	#10
Photobill Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 228	Don't have any input on what happened to your flash but sorry to here about it. My two cents is about Mr. Murphy. As soon as you think you don't need a backup and you leave it @ home or sale it. Mr. Murphy "ALWAYS" finds the time to stop by. Murphy's Law is so amazing how often it comes true. Glad that you made it through the photo shoot!!!!