[hanamai]

Originally Posted by muzscman
So if I'm going to drop the 350 or so for a new one, should I get the Metz or the Pentax?

It's a tough call. They both have their strengths. Honestly, I don't think you can go far wrong with either. Personally, I'm so happy with my Metz 48 AF-1 that if I ever get the money I'm going to get a 58 AF-1.

I have the Metz 48 and I couldn't agree more. It's a wonderful flash that I haven't yet completely mastered- it's very powerful and feature-rich. There's one thing though, I don't know how important it is to you, but you cannot use the flash manually while using it wirelessly (with IR). I personally find that a little frustrating. You could of course drop a few more bucks on some radio triggers to do so. I don't know if the Metz 58 or Pentax 540 is capable of that or not.

Oh, and if you haven't visited Matt's Pentax P-TTL Flash Comparison you really, really should. It helped me immensely in my flash buying decision (and to go with the Metz 48). I'm always wanting to make sure I'm getting the best I can, for the money I have.

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Last edited by hanamai; 02-02-2010 at 09:16 PM. Reason: To give Matt's site mad props!

[rustynail925]

Pentax af540 @ $400
the Metz48 is only $220
The question is what features does the af540 has that the metz 48 dont

[Kazy]

The AF540 is more powerful and can act as a wireless commander, and the Metz can't be a commander.

[p0opstlnksal0t]

the AF360 is more in line with the metz 48. cost comparison id look at a metz 58 vs the af540. the metz can be had for about 370.00 after BCB shipped on ebay for a new unit

[nulla]

Pentax af540 @ $400
the Metz48 is only $220
The question is what features does the af540 has that the metz 48 dont

AF540

The AF 540FGZ Electronic-Flash unit features a large guide number of 54 (at ISO 100) and provides a variety of advanced flash applications, including advanced P-TTL auto flash, high-speed synchronisation and wireless P-TTL auto flash (when mounted on a Pentax SLR camera). When mounted on a Pentax auto-focus SLR (after the Z-10 and including digital format models) equipped with an FA-, FA J-, DFA- or DA- series lens, the AF540FGZ automatically adjusts its angle of discharge to the lens' focal length. The AF540FGZ auto-flash unit also features a newly provided 'Digital' position on the focal-length conversion scale of the zoom head which can accommodate digital SLRs, Bounce Flash function with adjustable angles of -10 to 90 degrees vertically and up to 180 degrees horizontally, and Power-zoom flash head to cover angles of view for 24mm to 85mm lenses (in 35mm format). It is compatible with a range of batteries, and is able to run on either 4x AA alkaline batteries, 4x AA lithium batteries or 4x AA Ni-MH batteries. We advise using rechargeable batteries. External LCD indication - Format; Flash mode; Zoom; Channel; ISO speed; Discharge level compensation; Spotbeam; F number; Discharge level; Wireless mode; Bounce flash warning; Sync mode; Discharge distance; Out-of-coupling-range warning. LED illumination available

TypeShoe mount
Guide No.68' (21 m) at 20mm
105' (32 m) at 24mm
115' (35 m) at 28mm
128' (39 m) at 35mm
148' (45 m) at 50mm
164' (50 m) at 70mm
177' (54 m) at 85mm
Angle of Coverage60° to 23° (24 to 85mm in 35mm format)
85° (20mm) with built-in wide angle diffuser
Auto f/StopsFull TTL at all apertures (with TTL-capable Pentax cameras)
Vari-PowerIn Manual mode: 1/1, 1/2, 1/4th, 1/8th, 1/16th, 1/32nd, and 1/64th
With wireless slave: 1/1, 2/3rd, 1/2, 1/3rd
TTL DedicationYes, including P-TTL
Bounce HeadYes
Swivel HeadYes
Zoom Head24-85mm (flash senses focal length automatically)
Off Camera TerminalYes; can be triggered off-camera in slave mode (with TTL if used on MZ-S or *istD series cameras)
Recycle Time(based on fresh batteries & full power)
6 Seconds with alkaline, NiMH, & lithium
4.5 Seconds with TR-III battery pack
Power SourceFour AA 1.5-Volt batteries (alkaline, lithium, NiCad, NiMh)
Dimensions3 x 5.6 x 4.2" (76 x 142 x 107mm) WxHxD
Weight13.4 oz (380 g)



Metz48

• Guide number of 48 at ISO 100 and 105mm focal length
• Guide number of 35 at ISO 100 and 50mm focal length.
• Integrated reflector card.
• Uses 4x AA batteries (not included).
• Auto zoom head with swivel and tilt function.
• 48 AF-1 C - offers E-TTL and E-TTL ll flash operation from Canon.
• 48 AF-1 N - offers i-TTL and D-TTL from Nikon / Fuji S series.
• 48 AF-1 O/P - for Olympus Four-Thirds TTL mode and Panasonic / Leica TTL mode.
• 48 AF-1 P/S - for Pentax and Samsung PTTL mode.
• 48 AF-1 SO - for Sony Alpha digital SLR cameras, supports ADI TTL flash control.
• Fill in flash mode.
• Manual flash mode with 12 partial lighting levels
• Swivel -and-tilt main reflector with motor zoom (24 ? 105 mm focal lengths).
• Integrated wide angle diffuser for illumination for 18 mm (35mm format).
• Illuminated LCD.
• Box contents: flash unit and manual.
• Weight: 340g (without batteries).
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 71 x 137 x 99mm.

[mattdm]

Nulla, not sure where you're going with that bold print there. The Metz 48 AF-1 also has a zoom head; in fact, it goes one step further to 105mm-equivalant coverage. And it also switches automatically to displaying crop-factor focal lengths.

[Russell-Evans]

Nulla, not sure where you're going with that bold print there. The Metz 48 AF-1 also has a zoom head; in fact, it goes one step further to 105mm-equivalant coverage. And it also switches automatically to displaying crop-factor focal lengths.

Also has a setting to do one step less zoom when you are bouncing in a small enough environment for a more diffused light. Around my house it is a pretty nice feature.

Thank you
Russell

[nulla]

Nulla, not sure where you're going with that bold print there. The Metz 48 AF-1 also has a zoom head; in fact, it goes one step further to 105mm-equivalant coverage. And it also switches automatically to displaying crop-factor focal lengths.

My error Matt... copied the specs from somewhere on another forum where same was highlighted.

I was only trying to show specs to Rusty nail...

Have adjusted bolds to normal text


Cheers

Neil

[LinXitoW]

I have the Metz 48 too, but i'm not really happy with it.
It gets a big fat F for usability. It only has for buttons and requires you to press two of them at once to change most of the settings. For me, its really hard pressing both those buttons with just one hand.
What i'm also missing is a little stand for the flash, that most other manufacturers give you "for free". With Metz, you have to buy that, if you want manual wireless you need flash triggers or an extra sensor and since they're so happy about their flash being updateable via USB, they shouldve added a USB cable.