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Olympus FL-36r or Metz 48 external flash unit?

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ericinho

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Since they are more or less equally priced overhere, I was wondering what your favorite flash weapon of choice is.
 
If Metz had done the Oly RC feature a bit earlier, I did go for metz, so I have two FL-36Rs. Bad point, 36R uses only two batteries, so it takes time to load, think Metz uses 4 and has an additional soft flash reflector card build in?? Guide number of FL36R is 36 at zoom to 85mm (42mm F/T) and 43 on the Metz at 85mm, or zoomed to 28mm (14 at F/T) its 22 to 26. Zoom Range Oly is from 8 to 42 on the Metz from 9 to 52 in F/T numbers.

So yes, for the same price I would go for the Metz, faster, more light. Only FP mode isn´t listed in the Metz manual, so I dont know if it works....
 
ericinho said:
Since they are more or less equally priced overhere, I was wondering
what your favorite flash weapon of choice is.
Click to expand...
Performance, Metz. Portability, Olympus.

Metz makes flashes for Leica.

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thanks guys.

how much bigger/heavier is the Metz compaired to the Olly?

And what about the zoom head issue with the Metz 48?
 
leandrod said:
ericinho said:
how much bigger/heavier is the Metz compaired to the Olly?
Click to expand...
Think two batteries, and slightly more.
leandrod said:
And what about the zoom head issue with the Metz 48?
Click to expand...
Which issue?

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Click to expand...
gave an error message.
a search here for Metz 48 brought it to my attention.
 
According to this:
http://www.metzflash.co.uk/pdffiles/Tech48%20AF-1%20digital.pdf
and this:

http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/imsg/digicamera/download/manual/esystem/man_fl36r_e.pdf

The only thing the fl36 can do that the metz can't is opperate in 'Auto' mode (as opposed to AUto TTL), using a sensor on the flash.

The painfully slow recycle times make it really hard to recommned the fl36 (2-4 seconds vs 12-13 seconds).

Plus the Metz is a Metz! That used to mean something a few years ago. They were the Leica of the flashgun world with prices to match.
 
I've oned the Metz 48 and used it together with my fz50. I really liked it. The TTL worked great, has lot's of power and a good recycle time. The only thing that didn't work was the TTL-flash burst. If you try to take a burst of pictures the first one is properly exposed, the second one over exposed and the flash won't go on the third since it seemed to have used all it's juice on the second flash. Other people experienced the same so I guess it wasn't just my unit.... Apart from this it's a great and well priced flash. I now own the canon-version because I liked it so much!

Greetings,

Jeroen
--
FZee50, Raynoxx m250, MSN 202, teecon 17

Metzzz 48AF1+mecabouncee, Canon 30D, sigmaa 4oo 5.6 HSM APO macroo, Tammy 28-75 2.8
 
I have a Metz 48 and it has worked well apart from a common fault with the zoom head (after a couple of months light use it no loger zooms in). There was a thread about this on the forum a month or so ago. I bought my flash from Adorama in the US, I live in Australia. The Metz does not have an international Warranty! So if I want it fixed I have to pay. I too thought Metz was the RollsRoyce of flashes; not anymore!

Regards Paul
 
Paul61 said:
The Metz does not have an international Warranty! So if I want it
fixed I have to pay. I too thought Metz was the RollsRoyce of
flashes; not anymore!
Click to expand...
That would be Quantum.

Metz fame is due to its Leica models... perhaps the new, dedicated system digital flashes failed to keep the quality?

--
skype:leandro.gfc.dutra?chat Yahoo!: ymsgr:sendIM?lgcdutra
+55 (11) 3040 7344 gTalk: xmpp:[email protected]
+55 (11) 9406 7191 ICQ/AIM: aim:GoIM?screenname=61287803
BRAZIL GMT-3 MSN: msnim:chat?contact=[email protected]
 
leandrod said:
Paul61 said:
The Metz does not have an international Warranty! So if I want it
fixed I have to pay. I too thought Metz was the RollsRoyce of
flashes; not anymore!
Click to expand...
That would be Quantum.
Click to expand...
Excellent flash guns, no doubt. Do they have an international warranty?
leandrod said:
Metz fame is due to its Leica models... perhaps the new, dedicated
system digital flashes failed to keep the quality?
Click to expand...
I think their fame is due to producing reliable, powerful flashguns for over 70 years. One dissatisfied customer with a grey import and it's all over for them? That seems bit harsh.
 
The flash was purchased from a reputable dealer (because I was not able to find one locally) and apart from the zoom head issue I have been happy with it. This is not an isolated problem with this model. I have OM, Sunpak and Vivitar flashes that have given many years of service without any problem. One can only comment on ones experience with particular brands. I think a company with the reputation of Metz should be able to offer an international warranty.
Regards Paul
 
oddly enough they only advice you Olly or Metz, didnt come across many people with Vivatar or Sunpak.

how do they measure up against Metz and Olly?
 
one important thing not addressed here is: try them both out! Not for performance (you can do that as well ofcourse), but for balance: Depending on the weight of your camera, and depending on you, the Metz might feel too heavy. On my E510 it feels out of balance when coupled with the 14-42 kit lens and the Metz 48. Coupled with the 14-54, which is heavier, I find the balance better.

So try them on!
--

Groeten,
Arjan
 
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