ttbek wrote:
First I would like to talk a little bit about my experience with the Samsung flash. Absolutely awful. The Samsung UK website says the flash is compatible with all NX cameras and it sounds like the only caveat is no HSS (when reading their SEF580A page here: http://www.samsung.com/uk/consumer/smart-camera-camcorder/smart-nx/smart-nx-accessories/ED-SEF580A ). They state just below the "View the Specs" heading, "Compatible Models All NX Cameras. High Speed Sync function is available with NX30 only. " B&H extends compatibility claims even to EX models: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1027039&gclid=CjgKEAjwwPabBRCXo46OtM_RhGMSJACgCeqAmD0PhS4LgisZfviq83bEtUQn4PGHZ0i6vPVKA81hwvD_BwE&Q=&is=REG&A=details claiming, "TheSamsung ED-SEF580A Flash is a Samsung A-TTL compatible flash unit for Samsung NX and EX cameras with a powerful guide number of 190' at ISO 100 and 105mm."
Mmmk... well it didn't work as I would have expected on my NX300. Only two modes were available when on the camera, A-TTL and M. I would also have expected at least Master and Multiflash modes (HSS not expected on the NX300 and slave/remote modes, it makes sense they wouldn't be used on camera). So I did some digging and I remember reading something about only A-TTL and M being available on some models... but I can't find that source again now, and it didn't specify which models, leaving things open ended. So I went looking for information on whether or not this was expected behaviour on the NX300. Samsung US does not have the flash in their product database, nor is it on their website yet. They claim the flash is not compatible with the NX300, basing that claim on the list of compatible flashes in the NX300 manual, which predates the SEF580A and has not been updated, so it doesn't really mean anything. When I cited the Samsung UK page they said to talk to Samsung UK. Turns out my phone service plan doesn't allow me to make calls to the UK, I admit I haven't contacted them by e-mail yet. Finally I was able to speak to a Samsung US agent that told me they source their flashes through SamsungParts, aka J&J International and that I should contact them. Calling them I was on hold for a stupid amount of time and have still been unable to get through. Attempting to contact Metz (the supposed actual manufacturer of this flash) was also a dead end, they direct you to their US distributor that is as clueless as Samsung US about the SEF580A.
So... no info on if this is right or not, though another members NX210 (I think) experience bodes ill as well. Alright, two modes, they should at least work right? No, they don't. In A-TTL mode the flash auto zoom does not update when you zoom (yes, with NX lenses). It does update if you tilt the flash head and replace it or if you toggle the AF/MF switch. So much for auto. Alright, M mode works right, it's super simple after all. Nope, no matter what is set on the flash, it fires at full power. Also in the A-TTL it uses the flash exposure compensation set on camera (which is +/-2 stops only, whereas there is +/- 3 assignable on the flash itself). It is almost literally operating as a power pumped SEF8... so not very useful for anything besides auto shooting if you're willing to constantly deal with moving the flash head or a switch back and forth to updated the zoom (or manually set the zoom, but that takes even a little bit longer). For a $550 dollar flash that's just not even close to cutting it, so I'm returning it T.T.
On the plus side B&H gave a full refund and prepaid return shipping.
Alright, now for the Metz 58 AF-1 story. I got this flash for my mom for Christmas, ETTL HSS works great on the Canons we have and all that, updated the firmware because Metz is awesome like that and everything is ticking great on the Canons. My only complaint is that the secondary reflector fires when in master mode when the master flash is set not to fire, even when it is set to off and is off for other modes of shooting. This isn't about Canon though, so I put this on my NX300. Manual works, that's already a point over the SEF580A. Multiflash works. Master mode works (just manual, but hey, it's more than the SEF580A is doing). Pretty much the only thing that doesn't work is the ETTL and HSS of course, but it's a high powered flash with numerous use cases that can be had for much less than the SEF580A. Well, what about the A-TTL, what can the 58 AF-1 do there? Well, no TTL, but it has an auto thyristor mode, so you can still do auto flash if you put in the ISO and f-number, and the zoom, often you're predominantly be changing the zoom, so it's really not all that much more work that the much pricier SEF580A and you have somewhat more control being able to use all +/- 3 stops of flash exposure compensation. This exposure is actually quite good, you need to look out for the special contrast cases and use the exposure compensation, also it can't quench quickly enough to be used a < ~10% of the current flash range. Apparently (from my current reading online) many in it's day claimed the thyristor exposure did a better job than TTL. So overall, this is a flash that does almost everything one could ask of it on the NX300, certainly much more than one would expect of a flash not specified for the camera and packs similar power and features (e.g. modelling light, zoom extension, flash bracketing) to the SEF580A (which something like the Metz 44 does not). I might be picking up one of these for myself soon.
For those wondering, the only differences I could find between the 58 AF-1 and 58 AF-2 were that the AF-1 had a plastic shoe that was changed for metal in the AF-2. They do appear to have different firmwares on the Metz site though, so who knows what hidden details there may be.
It's possible my copy of the SEF580A was faulty, after all, I have still been unable to verify any known behaviour on the NX300. It's also possible there is still a firmware update in the works, for the camera, the flash, or both, but unless there is some official announcement I can't afford to hold onto the flash in the meantime.
Seems you expended an inordinate amount of time, energy and money on this issue.
