how do you find metz 54 except its high price????

hll · 05-24-2008, 04:50 AM

i am looking for a flash which has no horror stories,
has wireless capacibility, wireless rear-sync, swivel and ..... (i don't remember), af assist lamp and good exposures.
do you have any experience with metz 54???? i couldn't find enough reviews but scott kelby likes it

thanks
halil

hll · 05-25-2008, 09:33 AM

ok, i gave up buying metz-54 and changed my flash choice radically, i will buy an af-360. Any one selling it???

Richard Day · 05-25-2008, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by hll

ok, i gave up buying metz-54 and changed my flash choice radically, i will buy an af-360. Any one selling it???

The AF-360 doesn't have swivel, only tilt.

If you can't afford the bigger AF-540, or the newer Metz 58 AF-1, the Metz 48 AF-1 has swivel, but it doesn't feature an A (auto) setting as it relies on the cameras metering to control it as do the Sigma 500 and newer 530 flashes. My son uses a 48 AF-1 with his istD and it works very well, it also supports P-TTL and wireless with no issues, it's also fine on my K10D.

I actually use my old Metz 54 MZ3 with my K10D in A (auto) mode and find that quite satisfactory, I must admit it would be nice to have Pentax wireless capability.

The AF-540 and the Metz 58 AF-1 are the most comprehensively specified guns. If I were buying today, I would probably go for the 58 AF-1 as I like Metz guns and like the extra power that a bigger gun gives me.

mithrandir · 05-25-2008, 03:16 PM

For the uninitiated (me) how do the Metz 48 AF-1 and 58 AF-1 compare to the Sigma 530s?

hll · 05-26-2008, 02:46 AM

metz-58 is pricey for me.
what do you think about metz 48?
i think it does not have wireless feature???
how can i use it as off-camera flash??? i have ebay triggers and two sunpak 383's???
does it have rear-sync???
any other difference between metz 48 and 360? i mean any other feature that 360 has and 48 doesn't have????
thanks
halil

hll · 05-26-2008, 02:54 AM

hmm, people say that metz 48 has wireless feature without HSS, no problem for me.
any other missing feature of metz comparing to af360???
many thanks
halil

hll · 05-26-2008, 08:17 AM

here is the problem for me with metz.
metz does not have auto mode, that's why i am not interested.
some people's eyes don't like P-ttl preflash, that's why i am interested in Af-360.
i am also interested in Af-540 but i need something without horror stories.
mail me if you sell one of these guns.
many thanks
halil

Richard Day · 05-26-2008, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by mithrandir

For the uninitiated (me) how do the Metz 48 AF-1 and 58 AF-1 compare to the Sigma 530s?

Both the Sigma's don't have an A (auto) setting. Like the Metz 48 AF-1 it relies on the cameras metering, so it's either P-TTL or M (manual), but they are more powerful than the Metz 48. Only the Super has wireless function.

The Metz 58 AF-1 and both the Pentax guns have an auto (A) setting as well as all the other modes including HSS. The Metz has the advantage of a separate secondary flash tube, so you can infill as well as bounce. It's probably the most flexible of them all. Needless to say, both the Sigmas, the AF 540 and Metz 58 AF-1 are much larger guns than the AF 360 or the Metz 48 AF-1

The alternative (and older) design Metz 54 MZ-4i does support P-TTL and have auto (A) mode as well, but it's wireless operation is via the Metz SCA system which is not campatible with the Pentax wireless system, nor does it support HSS. The large Metz 76 MZ-5 is also a SCA P-TTL gun similar to the 54 MZ-4i, but even larger and more powerful.

Hope this helps.

mithrandir · 05-26-2008, 08:46 PM

Richard,

Thanks for the very clear explanation on the Sigma and Metz Flashes.

Best regards

Rob

hll · 05-27-2008, 01:13 AM

perfect explanation richard!!!!
thank you a lot!!

*christinelandon* · 05-27-2008, 01:42 AM

Halil, here are a few resources for current Pentax-compatible Metz strobes from several of the large U.S. on-line dealers:

Calumet:
Metz 58 AF-1 Digital Flash for Pentax / Samsung - MZ11692 - MZ 58317PS

B&H Photovideo:
Metz | 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Pentax | MZ 58317PS
Metz | 48 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Pentax | MZ 48312PS

Adorama:
MZ48312PS Metz 48 AF-1 Shoe Mount Flash for for Pentax & Samsung TTL Digital Cameras, Guide Number 158'
MZ54247P Metz 54 Series MZ-4, TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras, Guide Number 177, ISO 100 ft.
MZ58317PS Metz 58 AF-1PS Digial Shoe Mount Flash for Pentax & Samsung Digital SLR's, with PTTL, Wireless function & USB Upgradable, Guide Number 190, ISO 100 ft.

Reading the specifications and features sections may help you understand what the different Metz models have to offer Pentaxians. The 58 AF-1 is pricey, but appears to be the most compatible with recent Pentax DSLRs and the P-TTL flash control/exposure system.

Andreas · 05-27-2008, 04:44 AM

Last weekend I used my sister's Metz 58.

I recommended this one to her because of the beautiful "auto" implementation. "Auto" here works in practice just as TTL... the flash reads the settings on the camera, you don't have anything to do yourself. (Most other flashes, as I understand it, have auto presets, and you have to make sure that your preset matches with the settings on your camera). I don't like P-TTL because many people in my environment blink on the pre-flash.

Some observations (all using "auto" mode):
-it's quite heavy (compared to my old Metz MZ32)
-auto was always spot on, better than TTL on my Ds
-when bouncing via the ceiling (which I always do), some light (adjustable: 1/4, 1/2, 1/1) is reflected forwards -in portrait AND landscape mode.
-the flash has also a small white card for similar purposes

The menu system is not very intuitive, but in fact you don't have to use it often.

If I had to buy a flash today, I would buy either a cheap second hand flash (with auto) or a Metz 58. It's rather expensive (about 300 EUR here in Belgium) but it will outlast a few camera's.

The manual (5 languages) is available on the metz.de website.

hll · 05-27-2008, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Andreas

Last weekend I used my sister's Metz 58.

I recommended this one to her because of the beautiful "auto" implementation. "Auto" here works in practice just as TTL... the flash reads the settings on the camera, you don't have anything to do yourself. (Most other flashes, as I understand it, have auto presets, and you have to make sure that your preset matches with the settings on your camera). I don't like P-TTL because many people in my environment blink on the pre-flash.

Some observations (all using "auto" mode):
-it's quite heavy (compared to my old Metz MZ32)
-auto was always spot on, better than TTL on my Ds
-when bouncing via the ceiling (which I always do), some light (adjustable: 1/4, 1/2, 1/1) is reflected forwards -in portrait AND landscape mode.
-the flash has also a small white card for similar purposes

The menu system is not very intuitive, but in fact you don't have to use it often.

If I had to buy a flash today, I would buy either a cheap second hand flash (with auto) or a Metz 58. It's rather expensive (about 300 EUR here in Belgium) but it will outlast a few camera's.

The manual (5 languages) is available on the metz.de website.

i aggree with you!!!
if i have more budget i will go for metz 54 or 58
but i don't have, that's why i am looking for pentax guns.
many thanks
halil

Colt1917 · 05-29-2008, 06:01 PM

There is a new in box metz 70MZ-5 on ebitz ending tommorow last check at 113.00. Im useing a 76MZ-5 & 50MZ-5 with a K100D & K100D super. Best flash I have been able to find. May be something better but I have not come across it.

*Tom S.* · 05-29-2008, 06:07 PM

For putzing around, I have an AF 360 and other than the pin issue, have nothing bad to say about it.

For big stuff, I have a Sunpak 622 that I picked up used (from where else: ebay). Besides having a Pentax dedicated module and lots of accessories, it's large enough I can use it defrost my car in the winter.