K100D flash aquisition ...dillema

Asimilatrixu · 04-18-2008, 02:09 AM

There are few options on the market. How the others says:
Pentax 360 (220 EUR)
Pentax 540 (390 EUR)
Metz 48 (205 EUR)
Metz 58 (345 EUR)
Sigma 530 super (280 EUR)
Prices are from France, where the Metz flashes are not in stock.
I read reviews, forums topics and other informations, but i could not decide myself.
I'd like to have the swivel head for portraits especially. And wireless capability for (maybe) an ulterior use with another flash gun. What is the best price for the money spent? What would you do in my place?

**rparmar** · 04-18-2008, 03:44 AM

Do you need P-TTL for automatic metering or are you going the manual Strobist route? I guess the former from your list.

You need tilt and swivel? That will eliminate the 360FGZ from your list. From what I have read the non-Pentax options are a good alternative to the expensive 540FGZ. The Metz 48 is something I wouldn't mind having. It has P-TTL and manual power down to 1/125. This is the cheapest on your list and does almost everything one could want.

The Metz 58 has its own meter and a secondary flash tube, in case you need that.

mattdm · 04-18-2008, 03:50 AM

Can you find the Metz flashes in stock anywhere? Because at European prices, they seem like the obvious choice. (Here in the US, they're more expensive than the Pentax rough equivalents.)

**rparmar** · 04-18-2008, 04:00 AM

In stock at SRS Microsystems.

Matjazz · 04-18-2008, 04:42 AM

I bought Mecablitz 58 AF-1 at Foto Erhardt for €290 + €20 shipping to Slovenia (including some other items). At this price Metz is, like mattdm said, an obvious choice. They have Mecablitz 48 AF-1 for €179.

**rparmar** · 04-18-2008, 07:39 AM

And the Metz 48 is €179 but my three words of German do not help me know if it is in stock.

Asimilatrixu · 04-18-2008, 08:01 AM

I really appreciate the quick feedback on this Pentax dedicated forum. I thought to a Metz 58 too, but as rparmar said, my 3 words of german help me not to understand what's happen on Foto Erhardt.
@mattdm: Yes, the Metz flashes are produced in Germany, that's why the price is higher in US.

From what I read before, the choice could be between pentax 540 and Metz 58. What about Sigma 530 Super. What could you say about it?

04-18-2008, 02:09 AM	#1
Asimilatrixu New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 10	K100D flash aquisition ...dillema There are few options on the market. How the others says: Pentax 360 (220 EUR) Pentax 540 (390 EUR) Metz 48 (205 EUR) Metz 58 (345 EUR) Sigma 530 super (280 EUR) Prices are from France, where the Metz flashes are not in stock. I read reviews, forums topics and other informations, but i could not decide myself. I'd like to have the swivel head for portraits especially. And wireless capability for (maybe) an ulterior use with another flash gun. What is the best price for the money spent? What would you do in my place?

04-18-2008, 07:39 AM	#6
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Foto Erhardt And the Metz 48 is €179 but my three words of German do not help me know if it is in stock.

04-18-2008, 08:01 AM	#7
Asimilatrixu New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 10 Original Poster	Thanks I really appreciate the quick feedback on this Pentax dedicated forum. I thought to a Metz 58 too, but as rparmar said, my 3 words of german help me not to understand what's happen on Foto Erhardt. @mattdm: Yes, the Metz flashes are produced in Germany, that's why the price is higher in US. From what I read before, the choice could be between pentax 540 and Metz 58. What about Sigma 530 Super. What could you say about it?

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04-18-2008, 03:44 AM	#2
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Do you need P-TTL for automatic metering or are you going the manual Strobist route? I guess the former from your list. You need tilt and swivel? That will eliminate the 360FGZ from your list. From what I have read the non-Pentax options are a good alternative to the expensive 540FGZ. The Metz 48 is something I wouldn't mind having. It has P-TTL and manual power down to 1/125. This is the cheapest on your list and does almost everything one could want. The Metz 58 has its own meter and a secondary flash tube, in case you need that.

04-18-2008, 03:50 AM	#3
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Can you find the Metz flashes in stock anywhere? Because at European prices, they seem like the obvious choice. (Here in the US, they're more expensive than the Pentax rough equivalents.)

04-18-2008, 04:00 AM	#4
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	In stock at SRS Microsystems.

04-18-2008, 04:42 AM	#5
Matjazz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: EU/Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 774	I bought Mecablitz 58 AF-1 at Foto Erhardt for €290 + €20 shipping to Slovenia (including some other items). At this price Metz is, like mattdm said, an obvious choice. They have Mecablitz 48 AF-1 for €179.