2.4 Automatic switch-off function / Auto-OFF (Fig. 2)
To save battery power and prevent inadvertent battery discharge, the meca-
blitz is factory-set to automatically switch-over to standby mode (Auto-OFF),
while flash readiness indication and the LC display are simultaneously
switched off, approx. 3 minutes after:
• Switch-on
• Firing a flash
• Touching the shutter release
• Switching off the camera's exposure metering system
After automatic switch-off the last-used settings are retained and instantly
available when the flash unit is switched on again. The flash unit is reacti-
vated merely by depressing the "Mode" or "Zoom" key or by touching the
shutter release (wake-up function).
The mecablitz should always be turned off by its main switch if it is
not going to be used for an extended period!
The Auto-OFF function can be deactivated whenever required:
Turning off the Auto-OFF function
• Turn on the mecablitz by its main switch.
• Continue depressing the key combination "Select" (= "Mode" key + "Zoom"
key) until the mecablitz LC display indicates "3m" (= 3 minutes).
• Continue depressing the "Zoom" key until "OFF" flashes on the mecablitz
LC display.
• The setting becomes immediately effective. The LC display returns to its nor-
mal state after approx. 5 sec.
Turning on the Auto-OFF function
• Turn on the mecablitz by its main switch.
• Continue depressing the key combination "Select" (= "Mode" key + "Zoom"
key) until the mecablitz LC display indicates "3m" (= 3 minutes).
• Continue depressing the "Zoom" key until "On" flashes on the mecablitz LC display.
68
• The setting becomes immediately effective. The LC display returns to its nor-
mal state after approx. 5 sec.
3. Programmed Auto Flash Mode (Full Auto Mode)
In Programmed Auto Flash Mode the camera controls the aperture and shut-
ter speed, as well as the mecablitz, automatically so that optimal results are
always assured in most photographic situations, including fill-in flash.
Settings on the camera
Set your camera to program "P", "Vari" or a "Scene" Mode (landscape, por-
traiture, sport, etc.). Select the "Single-AF (S)" auto-focus mode on the ca-
mera. On various Nikon cameras (e.g. F5, F65, F80, F100), you must
always set the highest f-number on the lens (see the camera's operating
instructions).
When using a Group B camera (see Table 1) or a lens without CPU
(i.e. without electronic data transmission), the flash reflector's zoom
position must be manually adjusted to the focal length of the lens
(see 5.7.2)!
Use a tripod for the "Night Shots Program" to avoid the danger of
camera shake in connection with slow shutter speeds!
Settings on the flash unit
Set the "TTL" mode on the mecablitz (see 4.1). When using the mecablitz
44 AF-4N in conjunction with a digital SLR camera (e.g. D 100) select the
flash mode D-TTL or D-TTL 3D on the mecablitz (see 4.2).
Having completed the above settings, problem-free flash photography can
commence as soon as the mecablitz indicates flash readiness (see 5.1)!
4. Operating modes of the mecablitz
4.1 TTL flash mode (Fig. 3)
The TTL flash mode is a very simple way to achieve excellent flash shots. In
this mode exposure readings are taken by a sensor built into the camera
which measures the light reaching the film through the camera lens (TTL). The