Metz 36 AF-4 on istDL

Hi.
Not knowing much about flashes, can I ask what benefits I would get with the above flash on my camera?
I currently us an old Cobra flash, which, I believe senses the light coming back to itself. Does the Metz "talk" to the camera and get controlled by the camera ( is that TTL? )

My good lady is considering getting one for me for Christmas. I know her budget isn't large, so a brand new expensive flash is out of the question.

---

Getting there! Thanks to you guys

Pentax K10d, *istDL, Kit lens ( 18-55mm ), 50mm f1.7 lens, Tamron 70-300mm lens, Prinzflex 70-162 manual lens, Various old flashes.

I have the 58-af-1 and to be honest, it is nearly always on manual or 'A'. Pttl is too easily fooled by small bright things. It is also very often not on the camera at all, hence manual mode.
'A' is almost flawless for normal work.
However, despite rarely using all its features, when my last one broke, I bought another, mainly for the sheer power.
Not sure if that helps really

If you like playing with settings then posh flashes have lots of potential, strobing and high-speed-synch for example. Maybe I'm just lazy

---

Facebook Page
Plymouth Photographer

This is a link to the instruction pdf for the Metz 36 AF4.

http://www.metzflash.co.uk/pages/pdfpage.htm

---

Friendly Regards
Graham

OK, Thanks for that.
I've just flicked throughj the manual. It appears that this flash supports TTL mode and I'm pretty sure the istDL supports TTL mode, so, I suppose, it will give me better flash control than my current units.

Do these flashes come in specific "flavours"? ie, will I have to get a secific Pentax one? Or is it a case that, so long as the camera will support it, then it's OK?

---

Getting there! Thanks to you guys

Pentax K10d, *istDL, Kit lens ( 18-55mm ), 50mm f1.7 lens, Tamron 70-300mm lens, Prinzflex 70-162 manual lens, Various old flashes.

Ted have you also considered second hand Pentax flashes. Like the FTZ series. Think there was the 330, 400 and 500. They all have TTL

---

Alan


PPG
Flickr

Thanks, I'll check them out.
Mrs Ted asked as she saw one for sale locally.

---

Getting there! Thanks to you guys

Pentax K10d, *istDL, Kit lens ( 18-55mm ), 50mm f1.7 lens, Tamron 70-300mm lens, Prinzflex 70-162 manual lens, Various old flashes.

I thought the Pentax istDL had the later PTTL Flash and was not compatable with the older TTL flash system.

I think the Metz 36 AF-4 is PTTL on the Pentax variant.

Yes you would order a Pentax dedicated one.

---

Friendly Regards
Graham

Only the *ist-D, *ist-Ds, and (IIRC) *ist-Ds2 support original TTL and P-TTL.

Everything else if P-TTL only (but, of course can use TTL-only flashguns in "A" and "M" mode - which can still be incredibly useful, like the Metz 50MZ5 I have... for sale)

Matt

---

http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)