Puzzled with Metz 36C-2 on FZ20

[johanesrudis]

Hi All,

I bought an external flash Metz 36C-2 for my FZ20. It says in the manual that this model has an auto feature. Where it will cut off its power when the sensor detects enough lumination on the subject. All I got to do is to put the power switch to "A" position, set the ISO and focal length switches accordingly, put the coloured "A" switch to the correct color (yellow, green, or red), and then follow the apperture and distance guide.

As a very new beginner to an external flash, I always follow the rule. And I expect this auto feature to help me in taking well exposed pictures. But, in fact, it seems that it doesn't. Most of my shots came out over-exposed. Maybe it is me who can't measure the flash-subject distance very well. But I hope any of you guys could help me to master this flash.

Another question. When I went back to the shop, the seller told me it was because Metz 36C-2 is an ISO100 model, with only 1 connecting mode. Unless it has 3 or 4 nodes like in Canon/Nikon flashes, the auto feature will not really work. Could this be true?

Thanks is advance for your kind advises and lectures :D

Johanes Rudi
Jakarta, Indonesia

[24Peter]

Hi Johanes - don't have experience with that particular flash but I did have the same problem trying to use the auto feature on my Sunpak DS 20 - bottom line is, I couldn't get it to work (I don't think it has anything to do with the number of contacts on the bottom but I could be wrong.) Instead I resorted to placing little pieces of ND gel over the flash lens to control the amount of light (see my post from earlier today here: http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1981&page=12&pp=10)

[genece]

The Panasonic camera use a non dedicated flash so the Metz you are talking about will work as well as any.
There is a learning curve with a non dedicated flash, some people get pretty good at it, but I need to bounce the flash off a ceiling or use a Omni bounce like this. ( I am not sure which one will fit your flash)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=258211&is=REG

You will get the Idea how low to set the flash, that flash is suppose to help at at 100 feet so you will need to turn it down for most shots, or if your indoors bouce the flash off the ceiling.

That flash works just like the Sunpak 383 and you will figure it out with practice.

[chinmi]

Hmmm... mister rudy, where do you bought the metz blitz ??
I'm planning to use it with my fz20 too... :D

Garis Gemilang
Jakarta, Indonesia

[xx_man]

Metz 36c-2 is very good flash for FZ20. To make a good pictures follow the steps:
1. set in camera menu manual mode for flash
2. set in camera menu ISO100
3. set on lamp ISO100
4. set 'A' switch to position red, yellow or green
When you set focal range switch in right position you can check under colored mark range of your flash. Choose one of this.
5. set in camera aperture acording to range you have choosen and exposure time to 1/60s.
Now you can take a picture. Remember that You don't need to change the aperture or time of exposure if You are in range of the colored position.
You have to check minimal distance of object for every colored programs. If You took a picture in program that have long range Your object can't be too close to camera.
I have got two flashes : Sunpak5000AF and Exacta ctz-26. Both have auto mode and both do very good job for me. I think that Your flash will do good job for You too. :)

[gary_hendricks]

Here's a great guide to external flash you may want to look at:

http://www.panix.com/~donwiss/flashfaq.html