sigma 530 super vs metz 48

jawn doe · 07-19-2009, 07:36 PM

i'm looking into getting my first flash and cant decide between the sigma ef-530dg(Pentax P-TTL Flash Comparison: Sigma EF-530 DG Super) super and the metz 48 af-1(Pentax P-TTL Flash Comparison: Metz Mecablitz 48 AF-1 Digital). they both seem to be on about the same level of performance (function wise) with the sigma a bit stronger, but also more confusing. it seems like the sigma also doesnt have as much fine tuning when it comes to output level. also the sigma is listed as doing wireless and wireless p-ttl, but the metz is only listed as wireless p-ttl slave- is this what they talked about when they say the metz cannot be used as a master/controller?
i dont know too much about flash but i'm trying to get into it and ill likely be using the flash on a pc cord and maybe the new cactus v4s since theyre so cheap and it would let me learn a lot about flash quickly
thanks for all help

*geauxpez* · 07-20-2009, 09:23 AM

The Metz 58 can be used as a master and the 48 is a slave only.

jawn doe · 07-20-2009, 01:54 PM

the 58 is a bit out of my price range. would you suggest the sigma 530 super over the metz 48?

Egg Salad · 07-25-2009, 01:43 PM

I was in the same situation - needed a flash: Pentax 360 was too lame, Pentax 540 and Metz 58 too expensive.
So it was Metz 48 vs Sigma 530 (Super). I decided to go for the Metz after I read about several failures of the Sigma due to poor build quality (and other things I don't remember). Also to consider for future cameras: the Metz has an USB-port for firmware upgrades.

Controls on the Metz aren't that great with only 4 buttons but it works although you can't press 2 buttons simultaneously when holding the camera.

If you are still searching for one you should really search the web (which I'm sure you have probably already done) because fortunately there are a lot of people with the same choice.

This is the first external flash I have bought so I can't say how it compares but I would definitely buy it again.

filorp · 07-27-2009, 02:13 PM

....and metz is stronger than sigma - i was comparing both on max manual mode...

hanamai · 07-29-2009, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Egg Salad

I was in the same situation - needed a flash: Pentax 360 was too lame, Pentax 540 and Metz 58 too expensive.
So it was Metz 48 vs Sigma 530 (Super). I decided to go for the Metz after I read about several failures of the Sigma due to poor build quality (and other things I don't remember).

This is the first external flash I have bought so I can't say how it compares but I would definitely buy it again.

Ditto! (Though I had other reasons for not going with the Pentax 540...)
I read that there are compatibility issues with the Sigma and that the Metz was more reliable in that department.

So I went for the Metz 48, and so far, so good. This is also my first flash, ever. So there's a lot to learn, yet.

On an aside- I bought Rayovac Hybrid (pre-charged rechargeables/very comparable to Eneloops!) batteries and they are doing quite well with my new flash. Good rechargeables are important when you're using 4 AAs at a time!

*oshua* · 07-29-2009, 01:14 PM

I am in the same position as the OP. I wanted to get a dedicated flash with possibility of getting another one to use in a Master/slave combination to use HSS. If the Metz 48 could be the master then i would have gotten it.

The cheapest flash combination, that I've found, for off camera hss is 2 530 supers. For Metz i would need at least one 58 with a 48, and for that price I could get 3 sigma supers.

If the quality of my sigma is sub par I may return it a get the metz but hopefully it works out for me.