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A Flash With Range

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Jenna B

Jenna B

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Having not had a very good experience with the Metz 36 AF-4 (partially due to a power drain issue), I am going to swap it out for a different model and make it an investment, rather than bargain basket.

I'd really like a flash with good daylight power and a good zoom to it, so that, for example, I can capture birds and animals better in trees and bounce light off bushes and such for more interesting lighting in general.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a sub £300 flash that would be fit for purpose?

Many thanks in advance for any advice :-)

--

Always smiling! Jenn x
Flikr = http://www.flickr.com/photos/silentskies/
Personal Website = http://www.silentskies.co.uk/
 
I know you probably don't want to walk around with five flashes attached to belt loops and a hat band, but it is worth thinking about two flashes. Even if not right away... They can be fun sometimes and might want to shop with that in mind.

For a second flash to use for fill, there are all kinds of cheap manual ones or ones that may have a built-in auto mode (auto thyrister). The compatible TTL flashes take financial planning !
 
I just purchased the Metz 52-AF-1 and it has quite a bit of power with fast recycling time. I also constructed a flash extender out of foam board, duck tape (everyone's secret ingredient!), and a plastic fresnel lens which are sold as magnifiers at craft stores. I attach the device to the flash with velcro. It gives me about 3 extra stops of light. The cost of this was about 12 dollars US. I can also cover the fresnel lens with white cloth or a white plastic bag and it functions as a jumbo diffuser for macro shots......................................Jim
 
Zablot said:
Zablot wrote:

I just purchased the Metz 52-AF-1 and it has quite a bit of power with fast recycling time. I also constructed a flash extender out of foam board, duck tape (everyone's secret ingredient!), and a plastic fresnel lens which are sold as magnifiers at craft stores. I attach the device to the flash with velcro. It gives me about 3 extra stops of light. The cost of this was about 12 dollars US. I can also cover the fresnel lens with white cloth or a white plastic bag and it functions as a jumbo diffuser for macro shots......................................Jim
Click to expand...
This Metz 52 is sounding popular! Thanks Jim :-)
 
I have a pair of old Metz 45ct-4 that I guarantee will do what you want, shooting at f5.6 or wider will fire all night, worth looking on ebay as they now sell very cheap indeed. I used mine on Nikon D700 and a Panasonic Lumix 150.

Carl
 
carl english said:
carl english wrote:

I have a pair of old Metz 45ct-4 that I guarantee will do what you want, shooting at f5.6 or wider will fire all night, worth looking on ebay as they now sell very cheap indeed. I used mine on Nikon D700 and a Panasonic Lumix 150.

Carl
Click to expand...

Might want to use a wein hot shoe adapter with them.

45 cl4 would be a safer option
 
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