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Need to choose between 3 flashguns. Help appreciated

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Schoug

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Hello,

I'm in need of an external flash gun for my Pentax K-x. I need it for party photography, with a bouncer etc. I've narrowed it down to three options.

Having been photographing intensively for two years, I know my way around, however flash photography is one field where I'm relatively novice.

The Sigma EF-530 Super http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/flash/530super.htm

The Metz 48 AF-1P http://www.photographyblog.com/news/metz_48_af_1_flashgun/

and the Dörr/Soligor DAF42/480 Ultra.

I've been comparing the three and they seem equivalent spec-wise except that the Dörr is significantly cheaper.

Any current users who could weigh in? What should I think about?

Cheers
 
Knowing nothing of the Dorr my personal choice would be to first buy the Metz 48 AF-1. The Metz 48 AF-1 is the only P-TTL flash under US $400 to be able to turn off its auto power off feature. If you have any desire to use radio trigger and a flash off camera in manual mode, this will be important. The Sigma 530 Super is the only flash under $400 to offer wireless master and controller with a swivel head. The two combined, one Metz 48 AF-1 and one Sigma 530 Super is the only solution around US $400 that will get you wireless HHS with flashes that swivel. For this reason I would buy the Sigma after buying the Metz AF-1. Spending $400 over a two or three years to have a pretty nice flash setup is something I think is worthwhile.

Thank you
Russell

--
http://waorak.tripod.com/
 
Schoug said:
The Sigma EF-530 Super http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/flash/530super.htm
The Metz 48 AF-1P http://www.photographyblog.com/news/metz_48_af_1_flashgun/
and the Dörr/Soligor DAF42/480 Ultra.

I've been comparing the three and they seem equivalent spec-wise except that the Dörr is significantly cheaper.
Click to expand...
If you think these have comparable specs, you need to do more research. The Metz can't act as a wireless controller. The Soligor doesn't have high-speed sync or work as a P-TTL optical wireless slave. The Sigma has all of the above features and is considerably more powerful than the other two. You can learn more here:
http://pttl.mattdm.org/

--
Dan
 
None of them are so perfect. There is something that the Sigma cannot do. I believe it is about using it to just for focus assist (without firing flash). You might want to wait for a review of the just announced Metz 50 AF, a small upgrade from the 48 and possibly replacing it. There may or may not be new models from Sigma as well later due to Photokina.
 
Gazooma said:
There is something that the Sigma cannot do. I believe it is about using it to just for focus assist (without firing flash).
Click to expand...
Do the other two flashes he's considering allow that? Because if they don't, then it's hardly worth mentioning.
--
Dan
 
Russell Evans said:
The Metz 48 AF-1 is the only P-TTL flash under US $400 to be able to turn off its auto power off feature. If you have any desire to use radio trigger and a flash off camera in manual mode, this will be important.
Click to expand...
I use the Sigma in P-TTL Wireless mode, and it doesn't turn off automatically. At least not within the 30 minutes that I just confirmed. I don't have a radio trigger. Would that make the flash behave differently?
Russell Evans said:
The Sigma 530 Super is the only flash under $400 to offer wireless master and controller with a swivel head. The two combined, one Metz 48 AF-1 and one Sigma 530 Super is the only solution around US $400 that will get you wireless HHS with flashes that swivel. For this reason I would buy the Sigma after buying the Metz AF-1. Spending $400 over a two or three years to have a pretty nice flash setup is something I think is worthwhile.
Click to expand...
I would recommend the Sigma first. Even the biggest flash guns have limited power, and the Sigma excels in that area compared to the price competition.

I have a Sigma 530 Super and it is brilliant when used on the camera. The only disadvantage I've found when using it off-camera is that it fires when my K20D uses strobe for AF. I can't use AF assist with off-camera flash in a dimly lit room. I either have to turn up the lighting or forego AF assist; not a huge problem, but not ideal.

I've been considering the Sigma + Metz option ever since you mentioned it a few weeks ago. The only thing holding me back is that it's pretty rare that I use camera/stand/umbrella, though the times I do are usually important to me.

--
Dan
 
audiobomber said:
I use the Sigma in P-TTL Wireless mode, and it doesn't turn off automatically. At least not within the 30 minutes that I just confirmed. I don't have a radio trigger. Would that make the flash behave differently?
Click to expand...
I asked on PF if the flash in wireless mode disables the hot shoe, and the answer I got back from a 530 Super owner was, yes. This is the same as the Pentax 360. With the hot shoe disabled, the only way to trigger the flash is with the P-TTL wireless. There are times when it just isn't possible to use wireless P-TTL and so radio triggers become necessary. There are also times when wireless P-TTL just won't give you the look you want either and manual flash with a radio trigger becomes the only option.

People probably do buy radio triggers for use with soft boxes and umbrellas, but I mostly have a set in my bag for use with the flash with a small diffuser, either an omni bounce or a flat panel Spectralight diffuser. I have a little flat plastic flash stand, and a self supporting monopod for mounting the flash to and find this works pretty well for ad hoc lighting. I also have an Ultrapod II to mount the flash to. The Ultrapod has a Velcro strip that makes it handy for strapping to posts and rails. It also works pretty well with the camera on it as a small tripod as long and you try to balance the load. For US $15, it is worth having in your bag.

You can spend more money, or less money, but I think the two flashes together is a balanced compromise from the choices we currently have. Which one comes first in buying, I picked my priorities, you picked yours, doesn't really matter. If you are really interested in the two flash set up, I would start watching for sales on the old, 48 AF-1 and 58 AF-1, Metz flashes now that the new 50 AF-1 and 58 AF-2 are announced. The used market might offer up some nice deals too if people upgrade.

Thank you
Russell

--
http://waorak.tripod.com/
 
nznhut said:
I have the Metz, and it is well built, high quality, and worth it.
Click to expand...
The one thing to do, if you do buy the flash, is to always keep your left hand thumb in the middle of the battery door when opening it or closing it. This will lessen the pressure on the door hinges which there have been some complaints about. I pretty much did this naturally, but right handed people might be tempted to open the battery door another way that allows more pressure on the hinges from the spring contacts and batteries.

Thank you
Russell

--
http://waorak.tripod.com/
 
I have a Metz 58 AF-1, and it is very, very nice! In a local magazine test they found this and a similar Nissim to be the best, much better than Nikon's and Canon's flashes!

The Metz 58 AF-2 is probably much better :-)!
11/10 points!
--
tord (at) mindless (dot) com
 
Why not Pentax's own, say AF540FGZ?

I can't say anything about flashguns you mentioned because I don't use them, but AF540FGZ allows you to do everything you have mentioned. I'm using it and I find it a good, reliable performer esp. in wireless.
Its price at Adorama is $400 exactly, a few $ less than Metz 58.
Schoug said:
Schoug wrote:
Any current users who could weigh in? What should I think about?
Click to expand...
 
Uluru said:
Why not Pentax's own, say AF540FGZ?
Its price at Adorama is $400 exactly, a few $ less than Metz 58.
Click to expand...
That's almost double the price of the flashes mentioned in the original post.
--
Dan
 
Tord S Eriksson said:
I have a Metz 58 AF-1, and it is very, very nice! In a local magazine test they found this and a similar Nissim to be the best, much better than Nikon's and Canon's flashes!
Click to expand...
Nissin does seem to make nice products. If you're interested, I encourage you to write them asking for Pentax versions.

--
Matthew Miller « http://mattdm.org/ »
 
Schoug said:
Hello,

I'm in need of an external flash gun for my Pentax K-x. I need it for party photography, with a bouncer etc. I've narrowed it down to three options.

Having been photographing intensively for two years, I know my way around, however flash photography is one field where I'm relatively novice.

The Sigma EF-530 Super http://www.sigma-imaging-uk.com/flash/530super.htm

The Metz 48 AF-1P http://www.photographyblog.com/news/metz_48_af_1_flashgun/

and the Dörr/Soligor DAF42/480 Ultra.

I've been comparing the three and they seem equivalent spec-wise except that the Dörr is significantly cheaper.

Any current users who could weigh in? What should I think about?
Click to expand...
Maybe if the price is right think about the Promaster 7500EDF.

I had the Pentax AF360 and its plastic foot broke after a few weeks of use in my tripod adapter. Lucky for me Ritz Camera had a 30 day return policy and I could return it.

Understand my thinking... my Kodak P20 ($120) external flash (made in 2005 for Kodak's prosumers) and my Quantaray (from Ritz camera) $30 external flash (I used for macro work on tripods) never broke after a year of use in the same adapter! For sure the Pentax flash foot is weak, this is good because it saves your camera. But not if you don't have it in the camera.

Many manufacturers use metal for the flash foot. At the time (a couple years ago) Nikon used metal and Canon was starting to use more and more metal flash feet. When I saw the Promaster 7500EDF had a metal foot as a feature I looked into it; because of that incident with the Pentax unit. I latter found manufacturers use metal feet for improved durability (really!) but had a weak break point further up the unit or where the foot is attached to help save your camera in a accident. The metal foot as now used by Metz is simply to prevent the chipping and other durability problems the often occurs with plastic feet.

The Promaster 7500EDF is a big flash. Its not quite as powerful as the Pentax AF560 but is as large. The 7500EDF is more powerful than the Pentax AF360 and larger. The head can tilt in any direction including facing you! Its has dual reflectors that does have its use and is not a novelty. Using bounce flash ofter leaves you at the mercy of the color of the rooms walls and you can have strange results at times. With the small direct reflector it adds just a touch of sparkle in people eyes and some direct light along with primarily reflected light.

The 7500EDF works well all, features just work, including exposure with the Pentax K10D and K20D, no problems. The unit is built very solid (really) its thick plastic gives confidence. I have dropped it 3' onto carpet with no damage. The flash recharge times at less the full power is really fast, instant at power levels less than half. It lacks two features the Pentax units give. One is high speed sycn. But do realize the faster the speed you shoot the less flash power is available with this feature. I was dead set on a Pentax until I realized the high-speed sync would be useless for subjects over say 60' and apertures high enough for daylight. Its good for running kids. Wireless flash, this is handy especially for macro indoors. But I have a PTTL cord for my 7500EDF which gives me 100% reliable communication, since the wireless flash on the Pentax units use very high speed bursts of light to communicate there is range, angle and many other limitations (and some problems). However the units your looking at don't have this as well AFAIK. Also the 7500EDF has strong clicks you can use any flash accessory with it and the head won't fall. Again a fairly powerful, largish, strong, nice unit.

Now price. I got it for $230 (about) I see they have raised the price! At the time it was just a bit more than the AF360 so it was a no brainier for me as nothing else offered a metal foot. If I was going to spend over $300 than the Metz units would be high on my list. Sigma had problem back a couple years ago. And the Pentax units had tons of problems two years ago. The Pentax units where known to get stuck on your camera and have the battery door break; Pentax your over-due for new flash units! The Promaster like all Promaster flashes despite the second tier name is a quality unit IMHO and worthy of consideration if it meets your needs.





--
jamesm007,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesm007/
 
I have not used any of these, but did a bit of research the other day. You did see on the front page yesterday that Metz has/will release an upgraded 48, named 50 that has been improved on a number of points?

From what I read back then, I decided to go with either Metz 48 or 58, depending on economic status. There was something with the Sigma I did not like, but can't recall what it was. The Dörr seems good for the money, but I read somewhere that many users get units that make a whining sound all the time when turned on, and not only when recharging. That crossed it off my list, regardless of how cheap it might be.

Sorry I can't give you more hard facts, but I can give you a very interesting link:

http://pttl.mattdm.org/

"The definitive guide to Pentax hot shoe flashes and compatible 3rd-party options."

--
Regards,
Johan - Swe



http://joj.smugmug.com
 
Perhaps I missed something. However, in my testing of the Promaster 7500, I felt it was a good flash but not especially powerful. It seemed to be weak when using bounce flash.
--
Sarah Joyce
 
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