Technical glossary


Manual flash mode
Flash mode with unregulated light output. The flash unit delivers the full light output, if no partial light output is set.



Manual zoom
The zoom position of the main reflector and thus the illumination of the flash unit can be adjusted manually to the lens focal length.


Modeling light
Modeling light is a stroboscope light with a high flash frequency lasting a few seconds. With this “quasi permanent light”, the light dispersion and shadow formation at the subject can be checked before taking the photograph.


Motor zoom
The zoom position of the main reflector and hence the illumination of the flash unit can be adjusted automatically to the lens focal length.


Partial light mode
Manual flash mode with unregulated light output. By setting partial light mode on the flash unit, the light output or illumination duration of the flash unit can be adapted specifically to the photographic situation.


P-TTL
Modern further development of the TTL flash control with measurement pre-flash technique for Pentax and Samsung cameras.


REAR
Synchronisation to the 2nd shutter curtain for more natural blurring effects for longer exposure times.


Remote operation
A remote system consists of a master or controller flash unit on the camera and one or more slave flash units. The slave flash unit is remotely controlled wirelessly by the master or controller flash unit. With a master flash unit, the flash light contributes to the exposure, in contrast to a controller flash unit.


SCA 3002 adapter system
For system cameras with digital or analog data transmission between the camera and flash unit. By using an SCA adapter from the SCA 3002 system, there are numerous additional system flash functions available with flash units from the SCA 3002 system, depending on the type of camera. The firmware of an SCA adapter from the SCA 3002 system is updateable via Metz service for future cameras.


SCA 300 adapter system 
For system cameras for adaptation to flash units of the SCA 3002 or SCA 300 system. Depending on the type of camera, not all system flash functions are supported by the SCA 300 system.


Secondary reflector
To brighten shadows cast in the close-up ranges which appear when using an indirect flash.


Slave mode
An integrated sensor makes this wireless slave flash mode possible in combination with a master or controller flash unit. (>>> Remote operation)


Stroboscope mode
Manual flash mode for flash sequences with a selectable intensity, frequency, and number of flashes, e.g. for special effect photos and motion studies.


Swivel reflector
Can be tilted horizontally and vertically for indirect flash.
Can be tilted vertically for indirect flash.


TTL flash control
While taking the photograph, the flash light is measured through the lens (TTL = through the lens) by a sensor in the camera. The light output of the flash unit is terminated as soon as the subject is correctly exposed.


TTL fill-in flash control
Reduces too high subject contrast (e.g. to brighten dark shadowy areas in bright sunshine).


USB
Interface for firmware updates via the Internet.


Wake-up
The flash unit can be reactivated by actuating the shutter release if the flash is in energy-saving standby mode after an extended break from taking photographs. (>>> Automatic unit switch-off)


Wide-angle attachment
Increases the light angle of the flash unit. Depending on the type of flash unit, the wide-angle attachment is either integrated or attachable as an accessory.


Zoom size
Automatic adaptation of the display of the reflector position of the flash unit to the picture-taking chips for digital cameras.


ADI
Modern further development of the TTL flash control for Sony Alpha and Konica-Minolta cameras in which, for example, the data for distance to the subject must be put into the flash exposure in addition.



AF measurement flash
An autofocus auxiliary light (AF measurement flash) integrated in the flash unit automatically supports the central autofocus sensor of the camera in the event of low ambient light. For a multi-zone AF measurement flash, the decentralized AF sensors are supported in the process.


Automatic unit switch-off
During extended breaks from photographing, the flash unit is switched automatically to an energysaving standby state to prevent the power source from discharging (Auto-Off). Through the wake-up function, the flash unit is reactivated, for example when the shutter release is actuated.


Automatic flash mode
A photo sensor integrated in the flash unit measures the subject during photographing, and automatically terminates the light output as soon as the subject is correctly exposed.



Buzzer
Additional acoustic status messages can be activated for flash readiness, flash exposure control as well as warning tones.



Correct exposure indication
The correct exposure indication OK is shown on the flash unit after the photograph if the subject in automatic or TTL flash mode was correctly exposed.



D-TTL
Modern further development of the TTL flash control with measurement pre-flash technique for Nikon and Fujifilm cameras.

 


3D and D-TTL-3D
For the 3D-TTL (Nikon) and D-TTL-3D flash control, additional data such as the distance to the subject, for example, is taken into consideration in the flash exposure.



Dot matrix display with soft keys
Individual adaptation of the display on the camera system and the operating state for optimum and self-explanatory operation of the flash unit via soft keys.



E-TTL
Modern further development of the TTL flash control with measurement pre-flash technique for Canon EOS and PowerShot cameras.



E-TTL II
For E-TTL-II , additional data is taken into consideration during flash exposure such as the distance to the subject and the guide number of the flash unit, for example.


 
Extended zoom
With Motor Zoom mode, the main reflector illuminates the subject more than necessary by one reflector position. As a result, the additional dispersed light provides softer illumination of the subject.



Flash bracketing
Flash bracketing series with three photos of different flash exposure: minus correction value, no correction value, and plus correction value.



Flash readiness indication
The flash readiness indication illuminates when there is enough energy in the flash capacitor of the flash unit.



Guide number (GN)
The guide number is the code number for the light output of a flash unit. It is dependent on the set light sensitivity ISO and (for zoom reflectors) on the reflector position, as well as on any reflector attachments that may be in use (e.g. wide angle or telephoto lens cover). For high speed synchronization (HSS), the guide number is dependent on the shutter speed as well.



HSS – high speed synchronization
In high speed synchronization (HSS), you can flash with exposure times that are shorter than the flash sync time of the camera. As a result, flash photos with wide aperture openings are possible for high ambient light levels, for example to limit the depth of field in portrait shots.



i-TTL
Modern further development of the TTL flash control with measurement pre-flash technique for Nikon and Fujifilm cameras.



i-TTL-BL
For the i-TTL BL flash control, additional data such as the distance to the subject, for example, is taken into consideration in the flash exposure.



Key function
Locking of the operating elements. Protects against unintentional changes.



LCD / LED display
Provides information on the flash modes and settings being used. (>>> Dot matrix display)