Pentax 40 MZ-3i - Manual (Page 22)

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11. Fill-in flash in daylight
When shooting into the light ensure that the backlight does not shine
directly onto the sensor as this will confuse the flashgun’s electronics.
Fill-in flash in manual mode
The partial light output levels can be used in manual flash mode to achieve the
desired brightening effect of fill-in flash.
Complete illumination of shadow areas
Use the camera, or a hand-held exposure meter, to establish the required apertu-
re and adjust this value on both the camera and flashgun. The aperture adjusted
on the camera is automatically transferred to the flashgun when an SCA 3000
adapter is used in conjunction with a data compatible camera. The given range of
the flashgun is indicated on the LC display. If the distance to the subject is
shorter than the indicated flash range, then select a partial light output level to
match the distance. For this purpose continue pressing the P button and the „-“
button until the flash range and subject distance coincide.
Graduated brightening effect
Use the camera, or a hand-held exposure meter, to establish the required aperture
and adjust this value on both the camera and flashgun. The aperture adjusted on
the camera is automatically transferred to the flashgun when an SCA 3000 adap-
ter is used in conjunction with a data compatible camera. To diminish the brigh-
tening effect compared with complete illumination, adjust the partial light output
levels in such a manner that the setting is advanced by 1/3 f-stop with each
depression of the button.
11. Fill-in flash in daylight
Fig. 22: Fill-in flash in daylight
The mecablitz can also be used for fill-in flash in daylight to soften harsh shadows
and lower the contrast, thereby producing a more balanced exposure when
shooting against the light. Various possibilities are open to the user for fill-in flash.
Fill-in flash in auto mode
Use the camera, or a hand-held exposure meter, to establish the required aperture
and shutter speed for a normal exposure. Ensure that the shutter speed either equals,
or is slower than, the fastest flash synch speed (varies with different camera models).
Example:
Established aperture = f/8; established shutter speed = 1/60th sec.
Flash synch speed of the camera e.g. 1/100th sec. (see operating instructions for
the given camera).
The two established values for aperture and shutter speed can be set on the
camera because the camera’s shutter speed is slower than the camera’s flash
synch speed.
To maintain a balanced range of highlights, for instance in order to retain the
character of the shadows, it is advisable to select the automatic aperture on
the flashgun one setting lower than the aperture adjusted on the camera. In
our example f/8 was set on the camera. Consequently, we advise you to adjust
f/5.6 as the aperture setting on the flashgun.
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