metz 54 MZ 4 or canon 580 EX ?

[gtan]

hi can you experts please advise me which is a better flash for my 5D? i am not heavy into flash photog but at least know the better quality of bounce flash images and need one to shoot on P mode on my 5D for nice dinner party shots or of the kids at night so need full synchronization. the metz seems smaller and handier and also has a small flash unit in front but i wonder whether the canon has something which the metz does not on my 5D ? thanks in advance

[dEthANGeL]

Personally if you're not a heavy flash user, would just advise you to get the 580EX to avoid complications / compatibility issues. Metz has no sole agent now, and many of us are either waiting for fixes and/or firmware upgrades to the SCA foot.

Build wise - Metz wins hands down. The 580EX is pretty dead on accurate on exposures. As for the Metz, there is a slight learning curve (correct me if i'm wrong)

[EUGSEOW]

I would vote for 580 EX as well.

[Snoweagle]

Same here...580EX as it's specially made for Canon cams with the ability to use the full functions of the flash.

[shinken]

Not meaning to be negative here, but the ETTL/ETTLII have not been very useful for me, in terms of correct compensation, in terms of consistent compensation. It cost my friend dearly when his cam/flash decided to underexpose during one of the most important shots during his wedding shoot. And many of us have stories to tell.

In fact, for some strange reason, many users of Metz on auto see less of this inaccuracies and inconsistencies when left on auto mode. For that reason, I've considered Metz for the longest time. But it's really quite an investment to be made based on hearsay.

However, I've since learnt to adapt to my flash behaviour through experimenting with metering modes and FEC. My whole point is, Metz on auto, may be easier to adapt to as compared to 580EX on ETTLII on DSLRs. Funds desperately dry. Otherwise will try it out and share the observation.

[Garion]

shinken, thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Yes, ETTL/ETTL II seems to be pretty inconsistent, whether it be in full manual mode or in the Av/Tv priority modes. From personal experiences also. (I use a 550EX btw). Sorry for OTing, which flash do you use now btw? TIA.

[dEthANGeL]

Originally Posted by shinken Not meaning to be negative here, but the ETTL/ETTLII have not been very useful for me, in terms of correct compensation, in terms of consistent compensation. It cost my friend dearly when his cam/flash decided to underexpose during one of the most important shots during his wedding shoot. And many of us have stories to tell. In fact, for some strange reason, many users of Metz on auto see less of this inaccuracies and inconsistencies when left on auto mode. For that reason, I've considered Metz for the longest time. But it's really quite an investment to be made based on hearsay. However, I've since learnt to adapt to my flash behaviour through experimenting with metering modes and FEC. My whole point is, Metz on auto, may be easier to adapt to as compared to 580EX on ETTLII on DSLRs. Funds desperately dry. Otherwise will try it out and share the observation.

...

So far i've tried my Metz on ETTL and A mode. I'll post the photos online later tonight when i get home. ETTL / ETTL 2 tends to underexpose at most situations. With A mode on the Metz, its pretty spot on and exposure is beautiful.

Metz is a powerful flash that needs to be controlled correctly to get the most ouf of it. Showed the shots to Garion and comparison under same settings and lighting conditions ... he saw for himself also and the histogram on the camera proves it.

[shinken]

Originally Posted by Garion shinken, thanks for sharing your experiences with us. Yes, ETTL/ETTL II seems to be pretty inconsistent, whether it be in full manual mode or in the Av/Tv priority modes. From personal experiences also. (I use a 550EX btw). Sorry for OTing, which flash do you use now btw? TIA.

I use the 550EX now. Tried the 580EX, but it behaves similarly. Faster recharge time for burst tho! If I remember correctly.

[TrailsofLife]

Originally Posted by shinken Not meaning to be negative here, but the ETTL/ETTLII have not been very useful for me, in terms of correct compensation, in terms of consistent compensation. It cost my friend dearly when his cam/flash decided to underexpose during one of the most important shots during his wedding shoot. And many of us have stories to tell. In fact, for some strange reason, many users of Metz on auto see less of this inaccuracies and inconsistencies when left on auto mode. For that reason, I've considered Metz for the longest time. But it's really quite an investment to be made based on hearsay. However, I've since learnt to adapt to my flash behaviour through experimenting with metering modes and FEC. My whole point is, Metz on auto, may be easier to adapt to as compared to 580EX on ETTLII on DSLRs. Funds desperately dry. Otherwise will try it out and share the observation.

I've been using 580EX for all my wedding shoot so far...only once I lost a shot, but was a user error as I set ISO to 800 and there's a sudden change to bright light on the stage during the banquet. Other than that, 580EX tend to underexpose by 1/2 stop or so, which is good, because I won't lose the details of white areas.

Ultimately, its how you learn and make full use of your equipment's limits.

[Snoweagle]

I'm using a 420EX but most of my shots are well exposed, thanx to the flash compensation light after taking every shot on the 420EX

[judeseah]

something the canon won't do,
fill in with the secondary flash.

when bounce combine with fill,
u get a mixed of soft(bounce) n hard(fill),
a lot better than bounce card/stofen/LS imo.

got a cousin whi bought a fill flash
with another hotshoe on it w/ett support
for his 5D/580ex combi,
quite impressive.
but not sold locally.

jude

[20D]

Metz for me, anyday.

[slacker123]

metz 76 =)

[dEthANGeL]

.. all the metz supporters coming in to bash

Yeah .. any idea how much does the digital hammer head cost?

[eugenep]

hheh... ask sykestang... he got some stocks i think.