Metz mecablitz 20-C2 - Auto Flash

Comments about Metz mecablitz 20 C-2 Auto Flash:

It's just a great, no nonsense, cheap flash unit without all the stuff that gets in your way. Even comes with a PC cord in the box. If, like me, you only use flash rarely but still need one, this is a great solution.

Comments about Metz mecablitz 20 C-2 Auto Flash:

The Metz 20 C-2 Auto Flash Illuminates the Dark Clandestine Details of the immigrant nocturnal recreational experience, Metz works very nicely with all manual " Old School" Nikon FM 10 which was bestowed upon me as a birthday present. Madame " Red Light" Lalande's elusive face was not revealed until I bought the Metz "Auto Flash" after about two weeks of scrimping and saving, Mecablitz Flash is quite affordable and excellent for the "Everyday Photographer" ...Beware of those other professional photographers who feel that superior gear results in soulful Pictures.

Comments about Metz mecablitz 20 C-2 Auto Flash:

Got this to augment ability to shoot in low light with my GF1. I like that this is a compact unit - balances well with my camera. And it was inexpensive - perfect since I'll only need it about 2% of the time. You have to trial and error a bit with your aperture to get the exposure you want, especially if you're bouncing, but the results I've gotten so far have been pretty painless and the images are very natural - much better than with the built-in flash. I consider this to have been a great bargain.

Comments about Metz mecablitz 20 C-2 Auto Flash:

If you read this, you are most likely looking for a light flash unit that will allow you to bounce of the ceiling for your DSLR or semi-pro camera. That's what's the Metz 20-C2 is aimed at. Being charged with only 2 batteries makes it specially light.

First, you must know that this is an AUTO (meaning non-TTL) unit, so it will require that you set your camera on manual mode, adjusting once ISO, Aperture and Speed to a defined value; once all is set, will allow the flash itself to measure the required power for each shot and adjust its output accordingly. Should working in manual mode and setting ISO and such appear challenging to you (actually it's quite straightforward), well, skip this one and look for a TTL unit. Vivitar, for example, sells the DF183, which has almost the same characteristics as this flash, and is a TTL unit. It's not a Metz, though (by the way, Metz is a very serious German manufacturer, know for its first class, enduring products).

Operation and recycle time: Its operation is quite simple (Auto flashes mostly are), and once you get the adjustments right on camera, it will expose properly every time; With freshly charged NiMH cells it takes about 5 seconds to be charged for the first, full power shot. If you shoot it when it is not yet recycled, if will not fire. When a full power flash is not required (and seldom is, unless you are bouncing off the ceiling), the recycle time will be much faster, so all in all perfectly acceptable.

Color cast: my Nikon SB-26 (for example) acquires excellent color accuracy using the daylight setting on my cameras. This 20-C2 has a little bluish (cold) tone, which can be easily compensated using a white balance preset. It's really a subtle tone, no big deal, and should not disturb most users even without adjusting the white balance.

Finish: Unit looks solid enough, although it's very light. Good quality plastics, no wobbling in the bouncing head.

Adequate for: semi-pro cameras like Olympus E-P1 and E-P2 (which lack a flash), or other hot-shoe equipped cameras that do have a built-in flash, but it lacks power and/or bounce capabilities. Flash will look balanced on my Olympus E-P1 (a perfect match) or a Canon G-10, G-11 (will look a little big), or even a Panasonic LX-3 (will look big, but not gigantic as most strobes); It is much smaller than the branded speedlights, and definitely lighter.

Sync: Yes, this flash does have a sync port, unlike a lot of more expensive units (Canon flashes anybody?). It does come with a small sync cable fit for this unit.

Output: Being a GN20 flash, it will allow you up to a 5m (15ft) reach using f/4 and ISO 100, or f/5.6 @ ISO 200, or 10m (30ft) @ f/5.6 and ISO400 - a very decent output for such a small unit, much better than built-in units, usually a much, much worse GN5 to GN7. Expect a 2 stop loss when bouncing off even a low height ceiling.

Flaws: When bouncing off a wall or using any angle on the flash heat other than 0 degrees, the flash will underexpose (by two stops on a 90º bounce, I believe). This can be compensated by adjusting the camera accordingly, of course. Also lacks some flexibility, as there is no manual mode other than full strobe (it could have a 1/1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 power setting that would make it perfect for us "strobists").

All in all I loved this little unit, will recommend it, and would (will?) buy other Metz products for sure in the future.

Comments about Metz mecablitz 20 C-2 Auto Flash:

I use it for fill flash on my panasonic LX3 and Canon 1d. At full power, flash duration is 1/1200sec, so I can sync at 1/1000sec and get excellent fill. On the canon 1d I need the included sync cable (the B&H specs are in error saying no external sync connection).
For indoor shots on my LX3, the bounce capability is very useful. auto modes are not very accurate when bouncing so some experimentation is required. Once the required compensation is determined, the results are very consistent.
Does not cover 24mm on my LX3 for direct flash, but I never use it for that anyway.
Small size means it balances well on my LX3, is practically unnoticeable on my 1d. also means it doesn't get left at home.
Based on my experience with the Metz, I got a Nissin866 for sports on my 1d(dialled down to 1/8, sync'd at 1/3000, fill flash at 8fps).
For 1/3 the price of the panasonic flash, it does everything I need it too, and works on my canon too!

Comments about Metz mecablitz 20 C-2 Auto Flash:

many companies don't make these small flashes anymore. I glad metz still does.I use this with my rollei f for outdoor fill flash. very nice and extremely small. recycles are ok on full with 2 small batteries. I also use this on auto with a polaroid 180.works great and priced right. The generic bracket i bought from b&h needed some tweaks and tightened by bending with pliers to hold this in properly. I had this little flash bounce on the concrete twice. it still works perfectly!!

Comments about Metz mecablitz 20 C-2 Auto Flash:

These are the days of digital cameras and sophisticated flashes, I know. But when it comes to photography while in the mountains, I am a little old fashioned -- I still carry a manual film camera (usually a Nikon FM2n). I want something that will still work if the batteries die.

One of my problems, however, has been finding just the right flash. I have Nikon SB-28 speedlights, but while they do have an "auto" mode (necessary because the FM2n doesn't support TTL), they use 4 AAs and are surprisingly heavy.

For a long time, I have wanted a 2 AA auto flash: something light (weight counts when you are walking or snow-shoeing uphill) that can give a little fill-flash. I finally found this flash.

So far, it performs admirably, which has generally been my experience with Metz. I might have given 5 stars, but 1) I tend to be a tough grader and 2) I need a little more time with it.