From rps Thu Jun 13 20:06:51 1996 Subject: Re: Flash for EOS SYSTEM To: ph50@prism.gatech.edu (Philip Hurwitz) Date: Thu, 13 Jun 96 20:06:51 MET DST In-Reply-To: <2.2.32.19960612145843.002e504c@esmsun.gtri.gatech.edu>; from "Philip Hurwitz" at Jun 12, 96 10:58 am X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL0] Status: OR > The basic info I have on the 540 is as follows: I will compare the 540 to the Metz 40 MZ-2 + SCA 3101 adapter, since it is the model in the same price range. Note that there is a Metz 50 MZ-5 which is better, more powerful, and (much) more expensive. > Compared to the 430EZ, the 540EZ adds the following features: > - greater zoom range (24-105 vs. 24-80), plus 18mm wide panel The 40 MZ-2 zoom head has the positions: 24, 28, 35, 50, 70 and 85. Note that the 105mm position main advantage is a marketing one allowing the manufacturer to quote an higher GN. the 18mm wide panel is probably more useful. The Metz doesn't have that. > - more power (max GN 54 vs. 43) See above. At 50mm coverage the manufacturers claim GN 42 for the 540 EZ and GN 40 for the Metz 40 MZ-2. Chasseur d'Images tests measure both at 36.5 > - able to tilt downward (7 degrees) for close-ups The Metz can tilt downward both 5 or 13 degrees. Upwards it can tilt, 60, 75 or 90 degrees. Horizontal is from 90 degrees to one side to 180 to the other. > - able to use wide panel as catchlight reflector with vertical flash Same for the Metz. The code number for that accessory is 0004023. > - flash exposure confirmation light (in A-TTL and bounce modes only) The Metz has a flash exposure confirmation light. In the Pentax it always works. I don't know how it behaves with a Canon. > - more manual flash level settings (from full power to 1/128 power) Metz: From 1/1 to 1/256 in 1/3 stops increment in manual and auto modes. It seems that the partial power in auto modes is to reduce recharge time, but if you believe the flash display it also reduces the minimum working distance. > - no A-TTL pre-flash in Tv or Av modes, or in bounce mode Not sure about this. Check the Bo-Ming Tong review of the 32 MZ-3 on my homepage for differences between the Metz and Canon flashes behaviour with regard to A-TTL. > - display of coupling range in Tv, Av, M modes and manual flash mode Yes. > - switch-selectable feet/meter display of coupling range I am not sure about this, never having felt the need. I will check at home. > - wide autofocus assist beam (irrelevant for the Elan) The Metz has an autofocus assist beam. If what you mean by wide is able to be used by the multi af sensor, it is not. > - higher maximum strobe frequency (100 Hz) 40 Hz maximum. 1 to 20 flashes > - energy-saver override Yes. > - slightly heavier (14.2 oz. vs. 12.7 oz., excluding batteries) The 40 MZ-2 weights 397 g > - emits very annoying high-pitched whine while powered on No. > Any further info you could give me on the Metz would be greatly appreciated! By this time you are probably wondering what advantages have the Metzs, and in reality compared to the Canons they are not very superior. But there are some significant advantages: - secondary flash for use with bounce flash. This reduces shadows in the eyes of the persons or other things that would not be well iluminated by the bounced light. - if you can afford 2 flashes you will get remote TTL flash, something that only Minolta has with brand name flashes. - I don't have here the magazines tests, but Metzs have a very even light distribution. Many flashes have an uneven light, which allows the manufacturer to quote high GNs at wide coverage. Then you read a test and discover that the light at the corners of the coverage is one or more stops lower. I don't think Canon is very bad in this regard, but I will check it. - big range of accessories. There are power packs, grips with batteries, filters and some more things. And the big advantage: versatility. The Metzs are made to work with many brands and models of cameras. If you think that in the future you might want to change brands or to use at the same time more than one brand of camera, Metz is really the best option. For instance, if you also had a Nikon camera, you could buy the adapter for Nikon, and when use the flash with both cameras using the different adapters. This compatibility also has some interesting side-effects. The Pentax flashes, for instance, only work in TTL or in manual mode. But the Metz is a universal flash so it also had the Auto mode (also sometimes called computer mode), in which a sensor in the flash controls the amount of light. This allows for instance to test if the flash can cover what you are about to photograph without wasting film. Well, it is late, so I will end now. rps From rps Fri Jun 14 14:26:44 1996 Subject: Re: Flash for EOS SYSTEM To: ph50@prism.gatech.edu (Philip Hurwitz) Date: Fri, 14 Jun 96 14:26:44 MET DST X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL0] Status: OR I checked at home, so I can now complete my reply. > > - switch-selectable feet/meter display of coupling range > I am not sure about this, never having felt the need. I will check at home. The Metz does have feet and meter display. > - I don't have here the magazines tests, but Metzs have a very > even light distribution. Many flashes have an uneven light, > which allows the manufacturer to quote high GNs at wide > coverage. Then you read a test and discover that the light at > the corners of the coverage is one or more stops lower. > I don't think Canon is very bad in this regard, but I will check it. Actually it is not very good. From a Chasseur d'Images test: Canon 430 EZ Canon 540 EZ Metz 40 MZ-2 power: *** **** ***** field coverage: ** ** ***** light quality: *** *** ***** electronics: ** **** **** features: *** **** ***** The magazine recommends keeping the 18mm diffuser in place when using 28mm or wider angles, to improve the coverage. > This compatibility also has some interesting side-effects. > This allows for instance to test if the flash can cover what you are > about to photograph without wasting film. Also the zoom setting can be set in manual (don't know about the Canon). This is of some advantage if you need silence or if you want to improve coverage in wide angle use (not really necessary since the coverage of the flash is good, but not perfect).