Metz 60CT4 and VPS rated at 100ASA (by 2 users)

On 12 Jul 1997 19:47:28 GMT, dcjphtg @aol.com (DCJPhtgrfy) wrote:

I have noticed, when measuring flash output of my Metz 45 with a
Minolta Autometer IV, that the flash in its automatic mode overexposes
by about one stop. When I shoot, whenever I have the opportunity, I
measure the light with my Autometer and get perfect exposures. The
meter is spot on.

I guess Metz must think that it is better to compensate for
reciprocity failure and running the chance to overexpose, than it is
to leave it up to the photographer and run the chance to underexpose
and have dissatisfied customer. After all, overexposing is not as bad
as underexposing.

In this case you got bitten because you expose your film as ISO-100.
In a sense, this means double correction (by you and Metz). I bet that
exposure would be better if you set your flash to 160 or even 200.

Suggestion: Calibrate your Metz using a good flash meter and adjust
the film sensitivity on the flash until it gives the amount of
exposure you want it to give.

Michiel

I must not understand your general question regarding your mets and VPS.
I use VPS on weddings every week with the 60CT4 and have never had a this
neg. I rate it at 160 as it should be rated and my lab always gives me good
prints. Also, I often change film mid way in a wedding to ASA 100 for
example, and forget to let the Metz know what I did. The point being that
VPS has a good two stop lat.
I can not believe someone suggests that you problem would be solved if you
use a tripod, get real, you are doing weddings not photo class assignments.
Some questions that come to mind would be:
are you using the Auto setting on the Metz and a normal (80) lens? What
camera are you using?
Bob Johnston

I am using a Mamiya 1000s with an 80/1.9 lens.  I am not using a tripod.
I am using a stroboframe R4B bracket with my Metz 60CT4 and reflex
bounce card.

I set the Flash to ASA 100 and F-stop to F8.  My camera is set to F8.
Every camera is different.  I am going to vary the ASA on the flash
until I find a setting that works for my camera.

Kelan Griffin

In article <33cb26bf.1479 @news.nlrtdfsc.origin.nl>,
Michiel.Fie @nl.origin-it.com.nospam (Michiel Fierst van

Better over than under-- how do you know they are overexposed?  My lab
has no trouble with this kind of overexposure, however you probably could
cut back a tad--  If they are printing them light-- you are using the
wrong lab.  Are you using a pro lab that normally does wedding work and
checks each negative?

I get too light prints all the time from many mini labs-- and I can see a
minilab doing wedding stuff-- averaging the faces with the dark
backgrounds-- Reprints are ok though.

Another tip-- you lose half the light with a tall ceiling-- another
reason people use "overexposure" a bit.

Great flash, if you don't like it , email me with a good asking price.  I
continue to use the CT2-- the flash is generally more important than the
camera in wedding work,  IMHO.

Also, if you are going to do this kind of thing-- wedding photography,
you might even consider the new 400 ISO Kodak Pro films-- they are great,
and nothing like depth of field.

Good luck.
John

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If you had densities around 35, you underexposed your VPS (by almost 3
stops). Your film speed setting, or aperture setting on your Metz was
probably not set correctly. Properly exposed VPS should have densities in
the 75 range.

Actually you need to shoot at a shutter speed of 1/60 or slower. It is a
good idea to shoot at a slower shutter speed (1/8 or so) on a tripod to
allow the ambient light to be visible on the film.

It's a good idea to rate VPS at about 100, in all situations. Be sure to
have your flash set at 100. Make sure your camera f-stop matches your
flash f-stop (in auto mode). A 60 series Metz would have a flash to
subject distance of about 24 feet at f8 (Guide # 197). Were your subjects
more than 24 feet away?

That's all I can think of for now.

DCJ