Metz 48 AF 1

Landaris · 01-20-2008, 10:43 AM

Hi, I received a couple of weeks ago my k10d, 18-55, 50-200, fa 50mm 1.4 and the flash Metz 48 AF1.

I'm super happy with everything, apart for the flash. I don't have a diffuser, so I usually bounce on the ceiling, but it NEVER get the right exposure. Bounced it's usually very underxposed. I know I can compensate, but what's the purpose of p-ttl ? e-ttl on Canon ( I come from a 30d ) was flawless, with the 430ex, bounced or whatever.

Is my flash a bad one, or is it this way with pentax in general?

DJey · 01-30-2008, 03:18 AM

Does you flash support Av and Tv mode?
thanks!

egordon99 · 01-30-2008, 05:29 AM

I find that P-TTL is very convservative with the metering in trying to preserve highlights. It is also sensitive to reflective surfaces. Setting +1 FEC makes things much better. I shoot RAW, so if a highlight is blown/almost blown, I have more latitude in RAW than I would in JPEG to recover the highlight.

I have the Pentax 540, but I'm guessing it would work similar on the Metz unit. What mode do you use on the camera? Indoors, I always use Manual mode, set the shutter speed to 1/180 (or thereabouts), f-stop to what DOF I want, and ISO lowest I can get away with so flash has enough power when bouncing.

In a "normal" room, I'm usually at ISO200, 1/180s, f/5.6 or so.

In BIG room with BIG ceilings, I'll go to f/2.8 and ISO800. I've had no problems lighting up a big room with this setup.

DJey · 01-30-2008, 08:48 AM

so does it asupport Av and Tv? or just Manual?

Mike Bokeh · 01-30-2008, 06:34 PM

Originally posted by Landaris

Hi, I received a couple of weeks ago my k10d, 18-55, 50-200, fa 50mm 1.4 and the flash Metz 48 AF1.

I'm super happy with everything, apart for the flash. I don't have a diffuser, so I usually bounce on the ceiling, but it NEVER get the right exposure. Bounced it's usually very underxposed. I know I can compensate, but what's the purpose of p-ttl ? e-ttl on Canon ( I come from a 30d ) was flawless, with the 430ex, bounced or whatever.

Is my flash a bad one, or is it this way with pentax in general?

Reread the flash's owner's manual, and if you don't find an answer there, try this: Set the flash to a particular apeture setting, and make some test exposures. If they're consistantly underexposed, try opening up the lens 1 stop and see if the exposures are any better.

I have a Metz 36C-2 flash unit, and when I set it, and the lens to f8.0, the exposures are about 1 stop underexposed. I simply changed the apeture to f5.6, and now the exposures are fine.

I don't know if there's something wrong with the flash or the communication between the camera and the flash, but opening up 1 stop solved the problem.

By the way, I usually use my flash in auto mode, with the camera in manual mode.

Good luck.

Mike

Landaris · 02-06-2008, 07:18 AM

Thanks guys, after a lot of experiments I sent it back to B&H, because the underexposure was not even following a precise pattern, it was quite random.

So now I have a store credit to spend on another flash, between another Metz 48, a Sigma 530 Super or a Pentax 360. Any advice?

spitfireap · 02-11-2008, 10:05 AM

Originally posted by Landaris

Thanks guys, after a lot of experiments I sent it back to B&H, because the underexposure was not even following a precise pattern, it was quite random.

So now I have a store credit to spend on another flash, between another Metz 48, a Sigma 530 Super or a Pentax 360. Any advice?

I've read nothing but good things about the 48 so I'm surprised by the porblems you've had. I currently have the 360 and am pleased with all aspects of it except the lack of swivel on the head. I am currently trying to decide between a Metz 48 and a Pentax 540 (I know there's a price difference) as a new primary flash. I'd still have the 360 as a second flash to do multiple flash wireless. The only minus I can see for the Metz is no Auto mode (never really used that before) and the lower GN.
As for your question, I'd stay away from the 360 just for the lack of swivel.

Landaris · 02-11-2008, 10:33 AM

thanks for the input.
I ordered again the metz 48, I hope to be more lucky this time.

spitfireap · 02-13-2008, 09:25 AM

Originally posted by Landaris

thanks for the input.
I ordered again the metz 48, I hope to be more lucky this time.

I, too, just pulled the trigger on the Metz 48 for my K10D. I can't wait to try it out.

Wethphotography · 02-14-2008, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by Landaris

Thanks guys, after a lot of experiments I sent it back to B&H, because the underexposure was not even following a precise pattern, it was quite random.
?

I have similar issues with my Pentax 540 and K10d. I am a second shooter for a wedding photographer who uses a Canon 30D and Canon flashes. She gets much more consistent results with her set up than I do, regardless of our settings. It is something I've learned to live with and it is nothing I cannot fix in Lightroom. But the variability of the flash results can be frustrating. Best wishes with the new flash. If you get one that yields more consistency, please let me know so I can buy one.

spitfireap · 03-01-2008, 08:57 AM

I got my Metz 48 a few days ago and have been playing around with it a little. Overall it's a solid product which will replace the 360 as my primary flash. The only thing I haven't figured out, though, is how to use the flash in manual mode as a wireless slave and adjust the output.
I can set it to manual, then set it to wireless and it'll pop off using my K10d's built in flash as master. The only problem is that it always fires at 100% output. I go back to the manual menu and try to reduce the output to 1/16 or so and then set it back to slave and try again - 100% output. I go into the EV adjustment menu in the Slave setting and reduce it to -3.0 and fire it again - 100% output.
Does anyone know how to adjust the output in wireless mode when set to manual? The 360 will do this just fine and I want to have this capability on the 48 if it can. I don't want to get on ebay and get some of those V2 triggers if I don't have to.

mattdm · 03-01-2008, 07:13 PM

I just got the Metz 48 AF-1 too, and mine seems to overexpose by 1/3 or so stops pretty consistently. Haven't done enough shooting to be absolutely sure what's going on, or done any specific tests yet.

time-snaps · 03-02-2008, 06:40 AM

have you all checked that you are using the viewfinder cover, IF you are holding the camera in such a way that your eye is not covering the viewfinder. Have had issues with that in the past, when shooting images 'from the hip' so to speak. random over and under exposures on my K10D..

just a though - it may affect the output for the flash

01-20-2008, 10:43 AM	#1
Landaris New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rome Posts: 13	Metz 48 AF 1 Hi, I received a couple of weeks ago my k10d, 18-55, 50-200, fa 50mm 1.4 and the flash Metz 48 AF1. I'm super happy with everything, apart for the flash. I don't have a diffuser, so I usually bounce on the ceiling, but it NEVER get the right exposure. Bounced it's usually very underxposed. I know I can compensate, but what's the purpose of p-ttl ? e-ttl on Canon ( I come from a 30d ) was flawless, with the 430ex, bounced or whatever. Is my flash a bad one, or is it this way with pentax in general?

02-11-2008, 10:05 AM	#7
spitfireap New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 4	Another Metz or the 540. Originally posted by Landaris Thanks guys, after a lot of experiments I sent it back to B&H, because the underexposure was not even following a precise pattern, it was quite random. So now I have a store credit to spend on another flash, between another Metz 48, a Sigma 530 Super or a Pentax 360. Any advice? I've read nothing but good things about the 48 so I'm surprised by the porblems you've had. I currently have the 360 and am pleased with all aspects of it except the lack of swivel on the head. I am currently trying to decide between a Metz 48 and a Pentax 540 (I know there's a price difference) as a new primary flash. I'd still have the 360 as a second flash to do multiple flash wireless. The only minus I can see for the Metz is no Auto mode (never really used that before) and the lower GN. As for your question, I'd stay away from the 360 just for the lack of swivel.

02-13-2008, 09:25 AM	#9
spitfireap New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 4	Me, too Originally posted by Landaris thanks for the input. I ordered again the metz 48, I hope to be more lucky this time. I, too, just pulled the trigger on the Metz 48 for my K10D. I can't wait to try it out.

03-01-2008, 08:57 AM	#11
spitfireap New Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 4	Wireless Manual I got my Metz 48 a few days ago and have been playing around with it a little. Overall it's a solid product which will replace the 360 as my primary flash. The only thing I haven't figured out, though, is how to use the flash in manual mode as a wireless slave and adjust the output. I can set it to manual, then set it to wireless and it'll pop off using my K10d's built in flash as master. The only problem is that it always fires at 100% output. I go back to the manual menu and try to reduce the output to 1/16 or so and then set it back to slave and try again - 100% output. I go into the EV adjustment menu in the Slave setting and reduce it to -3.0 and fire it again - 100% output. Does anyone know how to adjust the output in wireless mode when set to manual? The 360 will do this just fine and I want to have this capability on the 48 if it can. I don't want to get on ebay and get some of those V2 triggers if I don't have to.

03-02-2008, 06:40 AM	#13
time-snaps Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Beijing, China Photos: Gallery Posts: 86	just a thought... have you all checked that you are using the viewfinder cover, IF you are holding the camera in such a way that your eye is not covering the viewfinder. Have had issues with that in the past, when shooting images 'from the hip' so to speak. random over and under exposures on my K10D.. just a though - it may affect the output for the flash

01-30-2008, 03:18 AM	#2
DJey Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 284	Does you flash support Av and Tv mode? thanks!

01-30-2008, 05:29 AM	#3
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	I find that P-TTL is very convservative with the metering in trying to preserve highlights. It is also sensitive to reflective surfaces. Setting +1 FEC makes things much better. I shoot RAW, so if a highlight is blown/almost blown, I have more latitude in RAW than I would in JPEG to recover the highlight. I have the Pentax 540, but I'm guessing it would work similar on the Metz unit. What mode do you use on the camera? Indoors, I always use Manual mode, set the shutter speed to 1/180 (or thereabouts), f-stop to what DOF I want, and ISO lowest I can get away with so flash has enough power when bouncing. In a "normal" room, I'm usually at ISO200, 1/180s, f/5.6 or so. In BIG room with BIG ceilings, I'll go to f/2.8 and ISO800. I've had no problems lighting up a big room with this setup.

01-30-2008, 08:48 AM	#4
DJey Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Philippines Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 284	so does it asupport Av and Tv? or just Manual?

01-30-2008, 06:34 PM	#5
Mike Bokeh Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Queens, New York Photos: Gallery Posts: 608	Originally posted by Landaris Hi, I received a couple of weeks ago my k10d, 18-55, 50-200, fa 50mm 1.4 and the flash Metz 48 AF1. I'm super happy with everything, apart for the flash. I don't have a diffuser, so I usually bounce on the ceiling, but it NEVER get the right exposure. Bounced it's usually very underxposed. I know I can compensate, but what's the purpose of p-ttl ? e-ttl on Canon ( I come from a 30d ) was flawless, with the 430ex, bounced or whatever. Is my flash a bad one, or is it this way with pentax in general? Reread the flash's owner's manual, and if you don't find an answer there, try this: Set the flash to a particular apeture setting, and make some test exposures. If they're consistantly underexposed, try opening up the lens 1 stop and see if the exposures are any better. I have a Metz 36C-2 flash unit, and when I set it, and the lens to f8.0, the exposures are about 1 stop underexposed. I simply changed the apeture to f5.6, and now the exposures are fine. I don't know if there's something wrong with the flash or the communication between the camera and the flash, but opening up 1 stop solved the problem. By the way, I usually use my flash in auto mode, with the camera in manual mode. Good luck. Mike

02-06-2008, 07:18 AM	#6
Landaris New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rome Posts: 13 Original Poster	Thanks guys, after a lot of experiments I sent it back to B&H, because the underexposure was not even following a precise pattern, it was quite random. So now I have a store credit to spend on another flash, between another Metz 48, a Sigma 530 Super or a Pentax 360. Any advice?

02-11-2008, 10:33 AM	#8
Landaris New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rome Posts: 13 Original Poster	thanks for the input. I ordered again the metz 48, I hope to be more lucky this time.

02-14-2008, 06:37 PM	#10
Wethphotography Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Washington, D.C., USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 417	Originally posted by Landaris Thanks guys, after a lot of experiments I sent it back to B&H, because the underexposure was not even following a precise pattern, it was quite random. ? I have similar issues with my Pentax 540 and K10d. I am a second shooter for a wedding photographer who uses a Canon 30D and Canon flashes. She gets much more consistent results with her set up than I do, regardless of our settings. It is something I've learned to live with and it is nothing I cannot fix in Lightroom. But the variability of the flash results can be frustrating. Best wishes with the new flash. If you get one that yields more consistency, please let me know so I can buy one.

03-01-2008, 07:13 PM	#12
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	I just got the Metz 48 AF-1 too, and mine seems to overexpose by 1/3 or so stops pretty consistently. Haven't done enough shooting to be absolutely sure what's going on, or done any specific tests yet.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Wanted - Acquired: Metz 48 Af-1 or Metz 58 AF-1 flash for Pentax	jstingo	Sold Items	0	07-14-2010 04:07 AM
Metz 58 wireless not working? Metz 48 works great? Ideas?	ksignorini	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	6	02-07-2010 05:33 PM
Metz 48	Effi	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	1	07-23-2008 12:15 PM