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ned opposite the ISO film speed.
• Set the selector dial ቭ (fig. 3) to M.
The aperture to be adjusted is indicated on the scale above the given flash-
to-subject distance.
At a flash-to-subject distance of 5 m (as in our example), an aperture of
f/8 has to be set on the camera.
The adjusted aperture must be corrected when the wide-angle diffuser
is used.
5. Bounced Flash
Photos shot with full frontal flash are easily recognizable by their harsh, den-
se shadows. This is often associated with a sharp drop of light from the fore-
ground to the background.
This phenomenon can be avoided with bounced flash because the diffused
light will produce a soft and uniform rendition of both the subject and the
background. For this purpose the main reflector is turned in such a manner
that the flash is bounced back from a suitable reflective surface (e.g. ceiling
or walls of a room).
For this reason the main reflector can be turned vertically and horizontally.
The following are the vertical lock-in positions for bounced flash:
• 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75° and 90° (simply tilt the reflector to the required
angle)
The head can be swivelled horizontally to the left and right by 180°, and
locks into position at 90° and 180°.
When swivelling the reflector vertically, it is essential to ensure that it is
turned by a sufficiently wide angle so that direct light can no longer
fall on the subject. Therefore, always tilt the reflector to at least the 60°
lock-in position.
The diffused light bounced back from the reflective surfaces results in a soft
illumination of the subject.
The reflecting surface must be white or a neutral colour, and it must not be
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structured (e.g. wooden beams in the ceiling) as this could cast shadows. For
colour effects just select reflective surfaces in the required colour.
Use of the secondary reflector is advantageous to avoid disturbing dense
shadows with bounced flash, for instance under the eyes and nose of por-
traits.
5.1 Bounced flash in automatic flash mode
It is advisable to check prior to the actual exposure whether the light is suffi-
cient for the selected aperture. Please refer to Ch. 7, for the corresponding
procedure.
5.2 Bounced flash in manual flash mode
The required camera aperture in the manual flash mode is best established
with an exposure meter. Observe the following rule of thumb if an exposure
meter is not available
guide number
Camera aperture = —————————
light distance x 2
to establish the guide value for the aperture that can then be varied by +1 f-
stop for the actual exposure.
6. Fill-in Flash in Daylight
The mecablitz can also be used for fill-in flash in daylight to soften harsh sha-
dows and lower the contrast, thereby producing a more balanced exposure
when shooting against the light. Various possibilities are open to the user for
this purpose.
6.1 Fill-in flash in automatic 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 the given camera model).
