According to the M7 pdf brochure, the Metz 54MZ-3 and the current SCA3502 are fully compatible with the M7 High Speed flash system.

Which means that system was ready for Photokina 2000.

-- Lucien (Lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), February 25, 2002

Answers

click here for the pdf brochre

-- Lucien (Lucien_vd@yahoo.fr), February 25, 2002.

i'm unclear how the high speed flahs sync works with the Metz flash. it doesn' work in ttl mode so how would one use it for fill flash? by manually matching the f-stop setting on the flash with the f stop set on the lens?

-- Tristan (tt@tristan.net), February 25, 2002.

It is a low powered manual mode that you use a guide number to calculate your f/stop. Probably the flash does all the calculations for you but there is no TTL or even automatic control.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), February 25, 2002.

Nikon has a similar feature on their dedicated flashes. You eleminate all automation, and flash output is decreased significantly. I don't see it as a terribly exciting feature.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), February 25, 2002.

On my EOS system, I pick a fast shutter speed (1000), allowing me to shoot wide open. The flash only works to 20 feet, but I use this for outdoor portraits all the time. There is just a hint of light in the eyes, and the flash takes out the unflattering shadows under the lower lid and chin. I can't wait to be able to do this with my M system.

-- Michael Rivers (mrivers@mac.com), February 25, 2002.

So does the Metz flash work in TTL mode at 1/50th on an M7? Or, would one need the SF-20 flash for TTL mode?

-- Tristan (tt@tristan.net), February 25, 2002.

"So does the Metz flash work in TTL mode at 1/50th on an M7? Or, would one need the SF-20 flash for TTL mode?"

Yes, the 54MZ3 will work in TTL mode at 1/50th on the M7. It works on the M6TTL. Erwin Puts implied that it ONLY worked in TTL at 1/50, but I suspect he meant 1/50 and slower, as that's the way the TTL circuit works on the M6TTL.

As I've noted before, the 54MZ3 is a great versatile flash, but it's top heavy on the M6TTL (as it will be on the M7) and it can torque the top plate enough to shift the rangefinder vertical alignment.

-- Robert Schneider (rolopix@yahoo.com), February 25, 2002.

"As I've noted before, the 54MZ3 is a great versatile flash, but it's top heavy on the M6TTL (as it will be on the M7) and it can torque the top plate enough to shift the rangefinder vertical alignment. "

Would the fact that the M7's top plate is brass help this any?

-- tim (emulsion71@hotmail.com), February 25, 2002.

Brass bends more readily than cast zinc. I can't see where brass would be an improvement.

-- Robert Schneider (rolopix@yahoo.com), February 25, 2002.

I owned a 54MZ3 when I owned an EOS3 (great combo for what it meant to do, by the way !). I tried to mount the Metz on my M6. It looked and felt awkward. And way too heavy. I would expect Metz to come up with a much smaller unit.

-- Stéphane Bosman (stephane.bosman@2ci.net), February 27, 2002.