Yet another UPS box arrived at the door today. This one had a Metz G-16
Power Grip in it. Similar to a BG-2, it allows sliding the Metz 40-Mz3
into the top to convert it into a "potato masher." The bottom plate also
reverses to the other side of the handle so that it can be mounted on
either side of the camera. The cord that comes with it plugs into the side
of the handle and has a PC connection on the other end. Thanks to a fellow
list member who included the cord for using an SCA-3## with an SCA-321, I
can also plug it into the side for full TTL control. A nifty orange button
on the front along with a sub-miniature phone jack on the back allow
connecting a cable to trigger an electronic shutter release (for the OM
this will trigger a Winder or Motor Drive).
All went well playing with the new toy^H^H^H accessory until I tried to
configure it with the Winder 2. The M.Grip cord that goes between the BG-2
and Winder/Motor Drive isn't long enough!! Fortunately, I just happened to
have an M.In-Focus Trigger Cord (for an OM-F) that was scooped up as part
of a "package deal" with a few other odds and ends I needed a couple years
ago. The cord on it is about 2 inches longer than the M.Grip cord and just
a little longer than needed to reach between the winder and power grip handle.
The bad news:
The M.In-Focus Trigger Cord cannot be used as-is in lieu of an M.Grip
cord. It has isolation and switching circuitry inside the end with the
button for use with the OM-F's AF system. In short, one plug never is not
directly connected to the other one.
The good news:
The M.In-Focus Trigger Cord button can be disassembled. It's held together
with two very tiny phillips head screws. The circuitry inside, albeit very
small, is not complicated. Using a loupe and a low wattage pencil iron I
rewired the cord directly to the plug inside its button housing. The
center conductor (a red wire) can be soldered to the plug tip by moving it
slightly. A small piece of 22 guage insulated wire (about 3/4 inch or 2cm+
long) can connect the pad where the ground braid of the cable attaches to
the circuitry to the ground side of the plug. The M.In-Focus Trigger Cord
now works just as a slightly longer version of the M-Grip cord, and the
Metz G-16 can be configured with the Winder 2 just as the BG-2 can.
Works as advertised; it's slick as pig snot . . .
-- John
[who's now in hog heaven]
< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
|