Best "bang-for-the-buck" flash?

mickeyobe · 02-10-2009, 05:10 PM

Best Bang for the buck.

Old fashioned flash powder without a doubt. Smoke too.

Mickey

Class A · 02-10-2009, 07:07 PM

Originally posted by rparmar

The Metz 58 AF-1 upgrades this with a built-in sensor to support "A" mode, plus a built-in infill flash.

What is "A" mode? I guess it has nothing got to do with the "A" setting on lenses, since the Metz 48 AF-1 should support that too, right?

I don't understand "built-in infill flash" either.

Would be great if you could elaborate.

**rparmar** · 02-10-2009, 08:08 PM

Originally posted by Class A

What is "A" mode? I guess it has nothing got to do with the "A" setting on lenses, since the Metz 48 AF-1 should support that too, right?

I don't understand "built-in infill flash" either.

I'm not a flash expert but as I understand it the infill flash is actually a second bulb that can be independently set in power to illuminate the target. So, say you bounce the main flash off the ceiling to get a nice ambient light. You can still use the infill flash to bring out some detail in the subject, since it will flash head-on.

The "Auto mode" is indeed nothing to do with a lens, at least not directly. It is an intelligent metering mode that uses the flash's own light sensor to determine the correct brightness, coupled to the cameras settings. So it's an alternative to P-TTL. But since the flash works in all wireless P-TTL modes, someone smarter than me will have to chip in to explain the advantage(s) of using Auto mode instead.

mattdm · 02-10-2009, 08:09 PM

Originally posted by Class A

What is "A" mode? I guess it has nothing got to do with the "A" setting on lenses, since the Metz 48 AF-1 should support that too, right?

Right. This A stands for Auto rather than Aperture. It means the flash makes its own automatic decision about when the exposure is correct, without help from either you or the circuitry in the camera body. More: Pentax P-TTL Flash Comparison: Other Flash Modes

Quote:

I don't understand "built-in infill flash" either.

The Metz 58 AF-1 (and Metz 54 MZ-4i, and a couple of Promaster models) actually has a smaller second flash bulb and reflector pointing forwards. You can bounce off of the ceiling with the main flash and still get some fill light from the secondary reflector.

See: Pentax P-TTL Flash Comparison: Secondary Reflector

Nick Siebers · 02-10-2009, 08:31 PM

I have one of the Promasters that does the infill flash. It is great! Makes indoor candids quite easy. And while not reproducible, it only cost me $1.50 at my local thrift shop - so even cheaper than oranges. (of course, there are batteries, too.

marcdsgn · 02-10-2009, 11:41 PM

Originally posted by mickeyobe

Old fashioned flash powder without a doubt.

And better diffusion too, I reckon!

lastdodobird · 02-11-2009, 07:30 PM

Okay... so let's see here... my candidates are:

Sigma EF-530 DG ST
Metz 48
>>> Is this the same as the Metz 48 AF-1? Because I've already used this flash and it seems to have problems with correct metering. I usually shoot in Av and the shutter speed rarely adjusts relative to the position of the flash, the focal length used, and other settings in the camera...
Sigma Super 500
Pentax AF280T

oh... and oranges... and flash powder

lol.

Since I've used the Metz48 AF-1 as borrowed from a friend and used it, I'd say it is quite decent. Like I've said though, I just have problems with it since I can't figure out how to use it properly when shooting in Av. It seems to have metering problems.

Then again, I wasn't able to borrow it long enough to play with it to the hilt.

maxwell1295 · 02-11-2009, 08:08 PM

I'm partial to the Sunpak 433D. Safe strobe voltage, bounce & swivel, lots of power, and settings from full power to 1/16th. Great manual flash...

mattdm · 02-11-2009, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by lastdodobird

Sigma EF-530 DG ST
Metz 48
>>> Is this the same as the Metz 48 AF-1? Because I've already used this flash and it seems to have problems with correct metering. I usually shoot in Av and the shutter speed rarely adjusts relative to the position of the flash, the focal length used, and other settings in the camera...

Yes, Metz 48 AF-1. And it sounds like it's behaving exactly as expected.
The Sigma flash will do exactly the same thing, as will Pentax or Promaster flashes for that matter. The shutter speed is being determined by the camera body's program. The actual exposure is determined mostly by the power at which it decides to fire the flash.

This may be helpful: Flash Modes for Pentax Photo Gallery by Steve Jacob at pbase.com

richard64 · 02-13-2009, 11:32 AM

Originally posted by Mike Cash

Scrape together about $30 and find yourself an AF280T.

I agree with Mike. Mine cost a bit more (£26) but it came with the telephoto and wide angle adapters. The AF280T has a sensor and has two modes so that the flash determines if it has provided enough light and in my experience, it does this quite well.

If you have manual focus lenses you cannot use PTTL, so a flash that knows what it is doing is very useful.

Richard

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02-10-2009, 05:10 PM	#16
mickeyobe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,759	Best Bang for the buck. Old fashioned flash powder without a doubt. Smoke too. Mickey

02-10-2009, 07:07 PM	#17
Class A Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 11,251	Originally posted by rparmar The Metz 58 AF-1 upgrades this with a built-in sensor to support "A" mode, plus a built-in infill flash. What is "A" mode? I guess it has nothing got to do with the "A" setting on lenses, since the Metz 48 AF-1 should support that too, right? I don't understand "built-in infill flash" either. Would be great if you could elaborate.

02-10-2009, 08:08 PM	#18
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by Class A What is "A" mode? I guess it has nothing got to do with the "A" setting on lenses, since the Metz 48 AF-1 should support that too, right? I don't understand "built-in infill flash" either. I'm not a flash expert but as I understand it the infill flash is actually a second bulb that can be independently set in power to illuminate the target. So, say you bounce the main flash off the ceiling to get a nice ambient light. You can still use the infill flash to bring out some detail in the subject, since it will flash head-on. The "Auto mode" is indeed nothing to do with a lens, at least not directly. It is an intelligent metering mode that uses the flash's own light sensor to determine the correct brightness, coupled to the cameras settings. So it's an alternative to P-TTL. But since the flash works in all wireless P-TTL modes, someone smarter than me will have to chip in to explain the advantage(s) of using Auto mode instead.

02-10-2009, 08:09 PM	#19
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by Class A What is "A" mode? I guess it has nothing got to do with the "A" setting on lenses, since the Metz 48 AF-1 should support that too, right? Right. This A stands for Auto rather than Aperture. It means the flash makes its own automatic decision about when the exposure is correct, without help from either you or the circuitry in the camera body. More: Pentax P-TTL Flash Comparison: Other Flash Modes Quote: I don't understand "built-in infill flash" either. The Metz 58 AF-1 (and Metz 54 MZ-4i, and a couple of Promaster models) actually has a smaller second flash bulb and reflector pointing forwards. You can bounce off of the ceiling with the main flash and still get some fill light from the secondary reflector. See: Pentax P-TTL Flash Comparison: Secondary Reflector

02-10-2009, 08:31 PM	#20
Nick Siebers Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Madison, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,165	I have one of the Promasters that does the infill flash. It is great! Makes indoor candids quite easy. And while not reproducible, it only cost me $1.50 at my local thrift shop - so even cheaper than oranges. (of course, there are batteries, too.

02-10-2009, 11:41 PM	#21
marcdsgn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Queensland Photos: Gallery Posts: 265	Originally posted by mickeyobe Old fashioned flash powder without a doubt. And better diffusion too, I reckon!

02-11-2009, 07:30 PM	#22
lastdodobird Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 128 Original Poster	Okay... so let's see here... my candidates are: Sigma EF-530 DG ST Metz 48 >>> Is this the same as the Metz 48 AF-1? Because I've already used this flash and it seems to have problems with correct metering. I usually shoot in Av and the shutter speed rarely adjusts relative to the position of the flash, the focal length used, and other settings in the camera... Sigma Super 500 Pentax AF280T oh... and oranges... and flash powder lol. Since I've used the Metz48 AF-1 as borrowed from a friend and used it, I'd say it is quite decent. Like I've said though, I just have problems with it since I can't figure out how to use it properly when shooting in Av. It seems to have metering problems. Then again, I wasn't able to borrow it long enough to play with it to the hilt.

02-11-2009, 08:08 PM	#23
maxwell1295 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Long Island, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,703	I'm partial to the Sunpak 433D. Safe strobe voltage, bounce & swivel, lots of power, and settings from full power to 1/16th. Great manual flash...

02-11-2009, 08:31 PM	#24
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by lastdodobird Sigma EF-530 DG ST Metz 48 >>> Is this the same as the Metz 48 AF-1? Because I've already used this flash and it seems to have problems with correct metering. I usually shoot in Av and the shutter speed rarely adjusts relative to the position of the flash, the focal length used, and other settings in the camera... Yes, Metz 48 AF-1. And it sounds like it's behaving exactly as expected. The Sigma flash will do exactly the same thing, as will Pentax or Promaster flashes for that matter. The shutter speed is being determined by the camera body's program. The actual exposure is determined mostly by the power at which it decides to fire the flash. This may be helpful: Flash Modes for Pentax Photo Gallery by Steve Jacob at pbase.com

02-13-2009, 11:32 AM	#25
richard64 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: England Posts: 309	Originally posted by Mike Cash Scrape together about $30 and find yourself an AF280T. I agree with Mike. Mine cost a bit more (£26) but it came with the telephoto and wide angle adapters. The AF280T has a sensor and has two modes so that the flash determines if it has provided enough light and in my experience, it does this quite well. If you have manual focus lenses you cannot use PTTL, so a flash that knows what it is doing is very useful. Richard

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