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4.5 Flash techniques
4.5.1 Bounce flash
Photos shot with full frontal flash are easily recognized by their harsh, dense
shadows. This is often associated with a sharp drop in light from the fore-
ground to the background. This phenomenon can be avoided with bounce
flash because the diffused light will produce a soft and uniform rendition of
both the subject and the background. For this situation the reflector is turned
in such a manner that the flash is bounced off a suitable reflective surface
(e.g. ceiling or wall of the room).
The reflector can be turned verticall up to 90°. The reflector head is mechani-
cally interlocked in its basic position. Press the pushbutton to unlock and turn
the reflector head.
When turning the reflector vertically, it is essential to ensure that it is moved
by a sufficiently wide angle so that direct light can no longer fall on the sub-
ject. Consequently, always turn the reflector at least to the 60° lock-in posi-
tion. The distance readings on the LC display will disappear. The flash-to-
subject distance via the ceiling or wall is an unknown magnitude.
The light bounced off the reflecting surfaces produces a soft and uniform illu-
mination of the subject. The reflecting surface must be white or have a neu-
tral colour, and it must not be structured (e.g. wooden beams in a ceiling) as
these might cause shadows. For colour effects just select the reflective surface
in the desired colour.
Take into account that the maximum flash range is considerably dimi-
nished when bouncing the flash. The following rule of thumb will help
you determine the maximum flash range for a room of normal height:
guide number
Maximum flash range = —————————————————
flash-to-subject distance x 2
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4.5.2 Close-ups / Macrophotography
The flash reflector can be swivelled down by an angle of -7° to compensate
for parallax error. For this purpose depress the unlocking button of the reflec-
tor and swivel down the reflector.
For close-ups it is necessary to ensure that certain minimum lighting distances
are maintained to avoid overexposure.
The minimum lighting distance is approx. 10 per cent of the maximum flash
range indicated on the LC display. Since the maximum flash range is not
indicated on the LC display when the reflector is swivelled down, then be
guided by the maximum flash range indicated by the mecablitz when the
reflector is in its normal position!
4.6 Flash synchronisation
4.6.1 Normal synchronisation (Fig. 7)
In normal synchronisation the mecablitz is triggered at the beginning of the shutter
time (1st curtain synchronisation). Normal synchronisation is the standard mode on
all cameras, and is suitable for most flash shots. Depending upon the given mode,
the camera is changed over to the camera’s sync speed, the customary ones being
between 1/30th sec. and 1/125th sec. (see the camera’s operating instructions). No
settings have to be made on the mecablitz, nor is there any display for this mode.
4.6.2 REAR - Second-curtain synchronisation (Fig. 8)
Some cameras offer the facility of second-curtain synchronisation (REAR
mode) triggering the mecablitz by the end of the exposure time. Second-cur-
tain synchronisation is particularly advantageous when using slow shutter
speeds (slower than 1/30 s) or when shooting moving objects that have their
own source of light. Second-curtain synchronisation gives a more realistic
impression of movement because the light streaks behind the light source
instead of building up in front of it, as is the case when the flash is synchron-
ised with the 1st shutter curtain! Depending on its operating mode, the
camera uses shutter speeds slower than its sync speed.
The REAR function is set on the camera (see operating instructions of
the camera). It is not displayed on the mecablitz.
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