Just got Metz 48 flash

NicoleAu · 03-02-2011, 12:41 AM

Shall I take a photo and you can see if there is something wrong?

elpolodiablo · 03-02-2011, 12:53 AM

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/97856-help-metz-48-a.html

NicoleAu · 03-02-2011, 01:02 AM

I've cleaned them and tightened as far as they can go and still no joy. Reckon I could try with a bit of alfoil in there or would that kill it? lol.

Catalana · 03-02-2011, 01:06 AM

I also own the 48 AF-1. It worked as advertised after un-boxing. Recently (after infrequent use), I became aware of the firmware update and decided to play around a bit. When I put it on my K-7, I had the same problem, i.e., it would not switch itself into P-TTL mode. I gently twisted it while on the camera, cleaned the contacts on the camera and toggled the ON/OFF switches on both flash and camera. Eventually it did communicate and now it is working fine.

I cannot say what exactly caused it to eventually communicate, but it might be worthwhile to try and reset the camera back to factory default settings, if you haven't done so yet.
Likewise, you can reset the flash, by pressing down the "Mode" button for 5 seconds.

Over the last hour or so, I have tried various combinations of settings, lenses (including manual SMC's and a Sigma10-20mm) and cannot replicate a P-TTL failure. This is with my K-7 and K-x. It is entirely possible, that your sample of the Metz 48 is simply faulty.

Edit: If it is a contact problem, it usually arises from an oxidation layer on either the camera's of flash's metal contacts. So roughing them up a bit with emery paper may help.

Last edited by Catalana; 03-02-2011 at 01:19 AM.

NicoleAu · 03-02-2011, 01:46 AM

Tried the eraser and as I said tried another flash on my camera on Sunday and it worked fine. My contacts and the flash contacts are bright and shiny.

I'm guessing that it is indeed faulty, especially since it works just fine in Slave mode. What a hassle

elpolodiablo · 03-02-2011, 01:55 AM

well...I just replicated(almost) your problem, but it's a simple fix as it was cause by the fact that I didn't push it all the way in to the proper contact point. Not sure if it helps tho

NicoleAu · 03-02-2011, 02:08 AM

I've pushed it as far as I can, I'll attach a photo I took with my phone to show.

Last edited by NicoleAu; 03-07-2011 at 10:41 PM.

elpolodiablo · 03-02-2011, 02:28 AM

that looks about right...

Anyway, if it doesn't work, send it back and get a refund

**felixkh** · 03-02-2011, 06:18 AM

Looks like a dud. Just send it back for a refund. See if you can get one locally from a brick store so you can test it before buying.

twitch · 03-02-2011, 05:42 PM

That must be really disappointing, it does sound like it is not talking to the camera body. I had a play around with my Metz 48 & K-x last night and your symtoms can be replicated by not sliding the flash all the way in

adwb · 03-03-2011, 05:41 AM

I have the 48 and it works ok on my K-r and K10d, set your camera to P mode, go to flash settings make sure the flash is enabled. turn off both units fit the flash make sure it is right home on the mount and the clamp screw is fully tightned. switch on camera then then the flash
press mode switch to cycle through M - to TTL it will show TTL till you press the shutter button and then the display should change to P-TTL. Also watch the shutter speed if the camera picks a speed higher than 180 the flash will not fire. if the speed is too high lower the iso setting or try TV or manual and set the speed to 160 NOT 180 if after all that it only works on wireless you have I think a dud.
on wireless it is working as a fill flash and the pop up one auto sets the shutter speed to 180

NicoleAu · 03-06-2011, 02:24 PM

I took along the flash to the Pentax workshop yesterday and the guy who works for Pentax confirmed it was definitely a fault flash. Glad to know it definitely wasn't me lol. Anyway, sending flash back for a replacement. Saga over.

KJon · 03-06-2011, 02:45 PM

Nicole, thanks for the update. Too bad about your flash, but at least you know it was defective and can return it for a new one. Looking forward to your posting some flash photographs when you get a good unit.

Best,
Kevin

NicoleAu · 03-08-2011, 02:58 PM

Now the seller is trying to tell me the Metz 48 isn't suitable for Pentax and has offered me the Pentax 360 instead. I sent him links to the review section on this forum in reply.

taiweitai · 03-08-2011, 04:13 PM

good move

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03-02-2011, 12:41 AM	#46
NicoleAu Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Central Coast, NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 539 Original Poster	Shall I take a photo and you can see if there is something wrong?

03-02-2011, 12:53 AM	#47
elpolodiablo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,637	https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/97856-help-metz-48-a.html

03-02-2011, 01:02 AM	#48
NicoleAu Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Central Coast, NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 539 Original Poster	I've cleaned them and tightened as far as they can go and still no joy. Reckon I could try with a bit of alfoil in there or would that kill it? lol.

03-02-2011, 01:06 AM	#49
Catalana Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Posts: 190	I also own the 48 AF-1. It worked as advertised after un-boxing. Recently (after infrequent use), I became aware of the firmware update and decided to play around a bit. When I put it on my K-7, I had the same problem, i.e., it would not switch itself into P-TTL mode. I gently twisted it while on the camera, cleaned the contacts on the camera and toggled the ON/OFF switches on both flash and camera. Eventually it did communicate and now it is working fine. I cannot say what exactly caused it to eventually communicate, but it might be worthwhile to try and reset the camera back to factory default settings, if you haven't done so yet. Likewise, you can reset the flash, by pressing down the "Mode" button for 5 seconds. Over the last hour or so, I have tried various combinations of settings, lenses (including manual SMC's and a Sigma10-20mm) and cannot replicate a P-TTL failure. This is with my K-7 and K-x. It is entirely possible, that your sample of the Metz 48 is simply faulty. Edit: If it is a contact problem, it usually arises from an oxidation layer on either the camera's of flash's metal contacts. So roughing them up a bit with emery paper may help. Last edited by Catalana; 03-02-2011 at 01:19 AM.

03-02-2011, 01:46 AM	#50
NicoleAu Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Central Coast, NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 539 Original Poster	Tried the eraser and as I said tried another flash on my camera on Sunday and it worked fine. My contacts and the flash contacts are bright and shiny. I'm guessing that it is indeed faulty, especially since it works just fine in Slave mode. What a hassle

03-02-2011, 01:55 AM	#51
elpolodiablo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,637	well...I just replicated(almost) your problem, but it's a simple fix as it was cause by the fact that I didn't push it all the way in to the proper contact point. Not sure if it helps tho

03-02-2011, 02:08 AM	#52
NicoleAu Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Central Coast, NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 539 Original Poster	I've pushed it as far as I can, I'll attach a photo I took with my phone to show. Last edited by NicoleAu; 03-07-2011 at 10:41 PM.

03-02-2011, 02:28 AM	#53
elpolodiablo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,637	that looks about right... Anyway, if it doesn't work, send it back and get a refund

03-02-2011, 06:18 AM	#54
felixkh Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,201	Looks like a dud. Just send it back for a refund. See if you can get one locally from a brick store so you can test it before buying.

03-02-2011, 05:42 PM	#55
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	That must be really disappointing, it does sound like it is not talking to the camera body. I had a play around with my Metz 48 & K-x last night and your symtoms can be replicated by not sliding the flash all the way in

03-03-2011, 05:41 AM	#56
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636	I have the 48 and it works ok on my K-r and K10d, set your camera to P mode, go to flash settings make sure the flash is enabled. turn off both units fit the flash make sure it is right home on the mount and the clamp screw is fully tightned. switch on camera then then the flash press mode switch to cycle through M - to TTL it will show TTL till you press the shutter button and then the display should change to P-TTL. Also watch the shutter speed if the camera picks a speed higher than 180 the flash will not fire. if the speed is too high lower the iso setting or try TV or manual and set the speed to 160 NOT 180 if after all that it only works on wireless you have I think a dud. on wireless it is working as a fill flash and the pop up one auto sets the shutter speed to 180

03-06-2011, 02:24 PM	#57
NicoleAu Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Central Coast, NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 539 Original Poster	I took along the flash to the Pentax workshop yesterday and the guy who works for Pentax confirmed it was definitely a fault flash. Glad to know it definitely wasn't me lol. Anyway, sending flash back for a replacement. Saga over.

03-06-2011, 02:45 PM	#58
KJon Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Connecticut, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 542	Nicole, thanks for the update. Too bad about your flash, but at least you know it was defective and can return it for a new one. Looking forward to your posting some flash photographs when you get a good unit. Best, Kevin

03-08-2011, 02:58 PM	#59
NicoleAu Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Central Coast, NSW, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 539 Original Poster	Now the seller is trying to tell me the Metz 48 isn't suitable for Pentax and has offered me the Pentax 360 instead. I sent him links to the review section on this forum in reply.

03-08-2011, 04:13 PM	#60
taiweitai Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: HI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 168	good move