Metz 45CL-4 Flash Flashes
Metz 45CL-4 Flash Flashes
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[Apr 26, 2003]
Expert
Strength:
Power, accuracy, build quality
Weakness:
Price - you could get four Vivitar 283s instead. Nothing to criticise about this gun at all! It has plenty of power and the auto sensor is pretty accurate. You don't really need the TTL adaptor. Buy the NiCd version, which comes with a spare battery cluster for normal alkaline cells in case your NiCds run out. Similar Products Used: Metz 45CT-1 |
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[Feb 08, 2003]
Yamanomichi
Expert
Strength:
- power - reliability - easily connected to other cameras - second reflector for macro shots
Weakness:
- NC-charge unit is not intelligent - short lifetime of the NCs - diffusor not very robust I have owned the 45CT-5 and the actual 45CL-4. Both are perfect machines in terma of power, versatility and rugged design. The SCA-connectors link both flashes to my old Canon A1 or (CL-4 version only) to my EOS 3. I prefer using the A-TTL-mode of this flash over the e-TTL mode of the dedicated systems (my Canon 420EX flash) since the latter tends to unexpected under- and overexposures. Read the comments of some professionals on the 550EX systems VERY carefully! For macro photography, I use the Metz 45CL-4 not attached to the camera but hand-hold to obtain various directions of light. At distances below 0.8 m from the subject I simply turn the main reflector by 180° and use unly the second small reflector. Result: perfect macro exposures without ring light! I also don´t miss the motorized reflector for indoor photography since the brute power of the unit mostly allows a bounced illumination which I prefer by far. Customer Service - never needed Similar Products Used: Metz 60-CT1, 45-CT5, Canon 420EX |
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[Aug 14, 2002]
allblood
Intermediate
Strength:
- Good power - TTL capability - easy-to-use Auto dial
Weakness:
- relatively slow recharging time I use this with my Pentax 645. Since I shoot mostly 400 film indoor, the distance coverage is exactly what I need. I use it both with TTL and auto. I like the Auto setting much more than the color coding of Vivitar 285HV since I can set the f-stop and see the max. distance all in the same dial. This is especially convenient when doing fill flash outdoor. Also, the wide-angle diffuser couples with the distance scale to show the reduced distance coverage. I like the idea of having the battery in the flash since I don't need to carry an extra battery pack. The recharging time is long, but not too bad. I am planning to purchase the NiCad battery since Metz suggests against using any non-Metz battery pack, NiMH batteries, or Li battery. Customer Service Metz in Germany responded e-mail promptly. Similar Products Used: Vivitar 285HV |
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[Mar 22, 2002]
nur seraph
Intermediate
Strength:
1)built like a brick 2)very reliable 3)can double up as a riot control device
Weakness:
none. bought mine second hand a couple of years back.failed only once... due to a faulty syncro cord.very good and reliable piece of kit.very accurate 2.i highly recommend it Customer Service none needed... Similar Products Used: metz 60 550ex |
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[Jan 13, 2002]
MarceloSQ
Intermediate
Strength:
- Good recycle time, especially with NiCad batts. - Strong handle and metallic angle latch. - Compatible with 2fps winders, at minimum light power. - Secondary lamp. Very useful for fill-in flash when bouncing main beam. - Upgradeable to fit any modern TTL camera, though adaptors needed can be a little expensive.
Weakness:
None remarkable. Though if I have to mention one: bulky. You´ll need a medium to large photo bag to carry it. An excellent lighting instrument. I bought it back in 1992 and it gave me those long years of satisfaction. Still use it frequently, and it wasn´t but some months ago that original NiCad batteries started to show worn. Nevertheless I did not replace them yet. Mechanically strong, you can rely on its handle to hold your camera, motor and a medium telephoto or zoom lens. Powerful enough for almost every situation. Customer Service Never needed it. Similar Products Used: Agfa shoemount, Philips. |
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[Jul 26, 2000]
robert gardner
Intermediate
Strength:
overall build recharable battry packs. able to decitate to various brands i own both pentax and bronica and able to use to both cameras back up in australia the name saids it all able to use mains power also able to use dry battries briant for large group photos for fill flash also see my review for metz 40mz2(only complaint the silly names)
Weakness:
cost of accs i love both my metz flashes i will never stray from this brand Customer Service exellent Similar Products Used: sunpac |
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[May 27, 2000]
C Lau
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
45CL-4 Flash Unit
Strength:
Very powerful and durable flash unit providing great coverage. Interchangeable modules allowing the unit to work with different cameras. Swivel and bounce heads provide flexiblility in different lighting situaltions. Accessories are readily available for this popular flash among the professionals.
Weakness:
No auto-zoom head or other high-tech bells or whistles. The spring-clip locking the battery holder to the bottom of the handlemount broke after only a few use. A replacement is about $30. A great powerful flash unit for the "enthusiast" amateur. The higher models in the Metz line like the 60 CT series are much more expensive. The 45 series does not require a seperate dedicated power pack, although using a Quantum battery is more desirable which provides excellent recycle time. Customer Service No experience Similar Products Used: None |
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[Oct 08, 2000]
Ivan Jimenez
Intermediate
Strength:
Fast in recylcle time, perfect for sequences mode with my Nikon F5 (Even in Ch mode!).The bouncing head and the wide angle adapter help a lot when it comes to covering dead angles. Good and reliable connection by cord.6 batteries is perfect=More autonomy.Great flash.
Weakness:
I'd like to have more manual control. Only 1/1, 1/2 and 1/4, sometimes you just say "I just would like more control", but the auto mode is really good. Too big. With the F5 and the flash attached my camera looks like a tank, but its all right.Skateboard pictures love this flash! Similar Products Used: None |
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[Nov 04, 2000]
Simon Forsyth
Professional
Strength:
Rugged, reliable well designed
Weakness:
None Excellent all round work horse. Very reliable and well made. I've never had a problem. Would never purchase any other brand. Mine has been dropped several timies and still works. I now own three of them, one I purchased 2nd hand from a Professional. It still works as well as the day it was new.This is a Professional product designed for the hard life that most Professionals would give it. Customer Service Never needed it Similar Products Used: Unomat (Greman make) |
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[Mar 10, 2001]
Jean Sinotte
Professional
Strength:
Powerfull, superb exposure and solid.Can work on any aperture you need or in ttl mode
Weakness:
If you decide to buy with the Metz power pack, use it regulary because the batteries will stop to charge after will. I sue for my self, two ragualr batterie pack with rechargeable batterie for less cost and rapid charge. It is my best flash i ever use. After all those years, it is working perfectly. I use it with my Canon F-1N and i just bought a Nikon F-100 and i had to buy only the modules for it instead to buy a Nikon flash. For the price, go with this flash. May be big, but powerfull and you can count on it. Customer Service The exposure cell broke and the technicien fix it very fast and for 90.00 cost and never broke again after that. Very good service. Similar Products Used: Canon, Sunpack |