Lumix FZ50 & Cullmann 4500 D. A good team.

At first glance it appears that there are no more thumbscrew to attach the flash to the hot shoe. This task is performed by a locking device which certainly leaves a good impression; the flash is pushed to the hot shoe and then fastened by a lock button. To detach the flash located on the left and right of this lock key two more, with which the flash can be released again. The hot shoe is made of plastic, however, makes a good impression and is firmly seated in the hot shoe.

The start-up went very smoothly. The flash plugged into the hotshoe of the FZ50, turned and made the first flash photography via TTL. The results convinced directly 'overexposure I put only fixed when I reduced the gap to about 2m' but this could be very fast and easy with the Adjusting the camera settings (manual Panasonic FZ50, adjust flash output, p.51) also helped the built-diffusion plate here on.

The camera blends in very well with the Cullmann.

The display shows the set in the camera ISO setting and the shutter will be accurately reproduced. The display on the flash immediately informed about how far the direct lightning enough 'so to how many meters a correct illumination can be achieved. The camera shows on the display the readiness of the flash to also.
Even the power zoom works with the FZ50. If I zoom on the zoom ring, then the flash automatically adapts.

The settings in the camera menu (see Manual of Panasonic FZ50 from page 48ff) as red-eye pre-flash, Slow sync, forced off or on and the automatic mode are accepted and implemented by the D 4500 'also here does the communication between the camera and flash.

When the flash is in standby mode, a quick tip is sufficient to trigger (as in focus) to activate the flash.

Overall, the combination FZ50 and D 4500 seems wonderful to harmonize.

The flash head is horizontally and vertically adjustable.
Vertical to 90 °. Horizontal 90 ° to the right and 180 degrees to the left.
The flash is equipped with 85mm zoom setting on the guide number 36th
The display of the flash is approximately 5 sec by pressing. Illuminated.
In addition, the flash of the possibility has a sound after lightning when functioning correctly reproduce.

So far I shot about 40 shots with standard 1.69 package of eight batteries. The recycling times were very good with this, as I feel subjectively. In manual mode, when the flash delivers its full power he needed with these batteries after the test shots about 7 seconds to readiness. For manual setting with half power after 3 seconds. (Measured by stopwatch)
In the TTL direct flash readiness was restored very quickly; for bounce flash via TTL, it took about 5 seconds until I could again flashing. (Rely on inner sense of time)

Integrated in the flash head is a diffuser and a diffuser that do their job.

The manual mode works wonderfully well together with the camera. Since the FZ50 transmits aperture and ISO setting, the flash provides free house the meter indicating the scope for direct flashes on the display.

Flash in bounce this information is indeed not available. Here helps even known from analog days 'Directive': Range in m = guide number: (2 * aperture)
The flash is manually adjustable from full power to up to 1/16 of its energy in five stages. Thus, the flash can be in manual mode also adjust itself to the device.

When the flash is operated in manual mode, you should consider how you want to proceed. The Lumix FZ50 here offers two options in the camera menu: Preset and Manual. (See Instructions Panasonic FZ50, When using an external flash unit, p 105ff)
I prefer manually here.

The slave mode the flash, I did not test.

What I noticed two things negatively.
On the one hand, the power zoom flash is quite noisy. Secondly, this Zoom zooms with quite nice, but when I bring the camera back to the 35mm position, hooks here and there the flash zoom. The reason is that I then slowly turn back to the 35mm focal length. If I turn back quickly, the Moterzoom fits perfectly.
The battery compartment is probably enjoying a bit with caution. Somehow it does not look reassuring, although I could insert the batteries without any problems. It looks as if it could quickly damage is that it seems limp 'but this first impression needs to be called anything.

Overall, I would rate the first test of the Cullmann D 4500 is very positive.
The Lumix FZ50 communicates nicely with the flash and the camera's internal regulation of the flash output will be just like the transfer of aperture and ISO value support.
For the low price at which it is to have a new and even more so needed, an absolutely recommendable bargain.

The assist lamp for the auto focus is not supported; but that it is not also with other manufacturers. Seems to be a camera internal problem.

I would buy it again at any time. It leaves a quite useful impression on me.