Admin Thread Title Edit: Suitability of Metz 45CL-1 Hammer Head Flash with EOS 300D

[hanqiang1011]

Hi guys,

I am using a Canon 300D and a Film EOS 33.

Someone offered this Metz 45CL-1 Hammer Head Flash to me. I would like to know more about how existing users find this flash?

I got lots of good comments on the offical website and foreign website but would like to know how local user rate this Hammer Head? Cos when I buy, I want to know more, just like when I was about to buy the EOS 33, I asked then now no regrets. I want know more about this Hammer Head cos next two month a lot of event awaiting for me.

And one more thing is that besides this model, what model and brand is suitable for my workhorse 300D? Just in case cant find the Metz 45 CL-1 anymore.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Jack
90048011

[+evenstar]

Originally Posted by hanqiang1011 Hi guys, I am using a Canon 300D and a Film EOS 33. Someone offered this Metz 45CL-1 Hammer Head Flash to me. I would like to know more about how existing users find this flash? I got lots of good comments on the offical website and foreign website but would like to know how local user rate this Hammer Head? Cos when I buy, I want to know more, just like when I was about to buy the EOS 33, I asked then now no regrets. I want know more about this Hammer Head cos next two month a lot of event awaiting for me. And one more thing is that besides this model, what model and brand is suitable for my workhorse 300D? Just in case cant find the Metz 45 CL-1 anymore. Thanks in advance. Regards, Jack 90048011

Any hammerhead will work. Best in Metz series is the Metz 60CT-4 and 70MZ-5. But for the 70 MZ-5, you can't mount another flash on your hotshoe cos it doesn't use PC Sync (not that you can do so with the 60 CT-4 with your 300D...)

[cosycatus]

Metz 45CL-1 is a simple automatic flash. It's most usually compared to its sibling the 45CL-4.
45CL-1 only has one bulb head ( that big square bulb)
The 45CL-4 is a twin head system, there's a small flash in the front for fill in. Only problem is, you can't control this small flash. TTL is also possible if u buy an adaptor. TTL is not possible with the 45CL-1
If u are using with ur 300d and is comfortable or proficient with using automatic flash, then the CL-1 is good enuff since the build in flash of 300d can be used as a fill in ( AND if u use the russian hack, u can do FEC for the small flash)

They consume a lot of power, you can't live without a battery pack if it's for events. With a external batt, u can do 3fps and the flash can keep up. Quantam battery 2 will do nicely but they are going for a bomb ( unless u can find a second hand one, etc from ebay or csers)

if u want the 45-CL1, u can try enghong ( i think he's selling one) or pm skyetang ( the one selling the justbounce..)

Er, why don't u buy a 580ex? Its quite a good flash cost about the same or even lesser than a hammerhead + external pack

[hanqiang1011]

Originally Posted by cosycatus Metz 45CL-1 is a simple automatic flash. It's most usually compared to its sibling the 45CL-4. 45CL-1 only has one bulb head ( that big square bulb) The 45CL-4 is a twin head system, there's a small flash in the front for fill in. Only problem is, you can't control this small flash. TTL is also possible if u buy an adaptor. TTL is not possible with the 45CL-1 If u are using with ur 300d and is comfortable or proficient with using automatic flash, then the CL-1 is good enuff since the build in flash of 300d can be used as a fill in ( AND if u use the russian hack, u can do FEC for the small flash) They consume a lot of power, you can't live without a battery pack if it's for events. With a external batt, u can do 3fps and the flash can keep up. Quantam battery 2 will do nicely but they are going for a bomb ( unless u can find a second hand one, etc from ebay or csers) if u want the 45-CL1, u can try enghong ( i think he's selling one) or pm skyetang ( the one selling the justbounce..) Er, why don't u buy a 580ex? Its quite a good flash cost about the same or even lesser than a hammerhead + external pack

Not enough budget for the 580EX.

Can buy the 420EX but I had it once so gotta try some other flash.

By the way, 45-CL1 can tilt up and down and turn left and right? If I not wrong if I buy the PC cord to connect CL1 to 300D, got TTL is it? Really need advices on this issue.

Regards

[enghong17]

PC cord got no TTL, If you want TTL then you have to get the 45CL-4 and above models. Also need to get a SCA module which i think costs as much as the flash. The PC sync is the same as those used on studio flashes and basically is on ON/OFF connector, no info transmitted.

Basically its you get what you pay, the cheapest Metz model is the 45CL-1 then the 45CL-4 then the 60 series. WIth TTL, you'll be paying a premium and might as well be better off paying for a dedicated Canon E-TTL module.

Plus points of Metz is the fast recycle rate. I can get 3 bursts off with AA Alkaline. Think will be faster with the Quantum?

[hanqiang1011]

Originally Posted by enghong17 PC cord got no TTL, If you want TTL then you have to get the 45CL-4 and above models. Also need to get a SCA module which i think costs as much as the flash. The PC sync is the same as those used on studio flashes and basically is on ON/OFF connector, no info transmitted. Basically its you get what you pay, the cheapest Metz model is the 45CL-1 then the 45CL-4 then the 60 series. WIth TTL, you'll be paying a premium and might as well be better off paying for a dedicated Canon E-TTL module. Plus points of Metz is the fast recycle rate. I can get 3 bursts off with AA Alkaline. Think will be faster with the Quantum?

OK,

You cleared up some of my doubts.

Supposingly, if i shoot in wide angle then i have to manually adjust the focal length of the flash is it (18mm on my lens then 24 mm on the flash)? then vice-versa for telephoto shots?

I dont know the case for Hammer Heads cos EX series speedlites are programmed to do the communication between lens focal length and flash focal length automatically.

Regards

[enghong17]

erm there's no zoom function. Its manually set at 28mm and with the diffuser on its 18mm? There's a distance gauge to tell you the distance the flash is effective foe that mode you set to, just like the bars on the bottom of the 550EX which tells you the effective range for that setting. its powerful enough to cover most ranges.

[cosycatus]

Yes, you can tilt it anyway u want.
I believe the flash zoom is set at 35mm, not 28mm. To get 28mm, u've got to add an adaptor on.
Anyway, if u are using bounce flash or using a bounce card, it doesn't matter.

Maybe u should borrow one from a friend and try, hammerhead is really quite a big setup and u got to rest the whole thing on ur shoulder to shoot. It's kinda cumbersome, but u get added stability, look more pro and added coverage.

[hanqiang1011]

Originally Posted by enghong17 erm there's no zoom function. Its manually set at 28mm and with the diffuser on its 18mm? There's a distance gauge to tell you the distance the flash is effective foe that mode you set to, just like the bars on the bottom of the 550EX which tells you the effective range for that setting. its powerful enough to cover most ranges.

Hi,

Put akaline batteries can last how long roughly?

Regards

[hanqiang1011]

Hi all,

If lets say my camera i set to f8, 1/125, ISO 400 for shoot.

Then my Hammer Head should set to f5.6, 1/60, ISO 200 is it?

The whole idea of this thing is to fool the Hammer Head isnt it?

Regards,
Jack

[hanqiang1011]

Hi Guys,

Have finally decided to buy the 420EX instead of the Hammer Head. This is because:

1) For convivences purposes.

2) I have little experience on Hammer Head Flash.

3) May still buy the Hammer Head in the future But for the present a 420EX will do the job.

4) I have the FEC function now so a 420EX will be just nice.

Sorry for all the inconvivences caused earlier.

The 420EX is my finally decision.

Thanks to all fellow members for all the advices, especially enghong17

Please continue to offer me the 420EX

Regards,
Jack

[+evenstar]

Originally Posted by hanqiang1011 Hi all, If lets say my camera i set to f8, 1/125, ISO 400 for shoot. Then my Hammer Head should set to f5.6, 1/60, ISO 200 is it? The whole idea of this thing is to fool the Hammer Head isnt it? Regards, Jack

What for you fool the hammerhead? you'll get wrong flash output instead.

[enghong17]

Originally Posted by hanqiang1011 Hi Guys, Have finally decided to buy the 420EX instead of the Hammer Head. This is because: 1) For convivences purposes. 2) I have little experience on Hammer Head Flash. 3) May still buy the Hammer Head in the future But for the present a 420EX will do the job. 4) I have the FEC function now so a 420EX will be just nice. Sorry for all the inconvivences caused earlier. The 420EX is my finally decision. Thanks to all fellow members for all the advices, especially enghong17 Please continue to offer me the 420EX Regards, Jack

Upz for you.......i would have bought the 420EX instead of my 550EX if i hadn't needed the manual controls and the power cord terminals for my CP-E2 and if the 430EX were not the same price as the 550.........crazy pricing by Canon.......

[enghong17]

Originally Posted by +evenstar What for you fool the hammerhead? you'll get wrong flash output instead.

I think he calculated wrongly.........shld be F11, 1/60 ISO 200 for the same output.......