METZ MECABLITZ 36 AF-4

I don't much like using flash but it's difficult not to with close up/macro work so I was thinking of buying this:

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I was thinking of hooking it up to the X-synch socket with a standard cable. There's not much point in buying expensive Pentax off-camera cables and adaptors for macro is there? For info I'll be using a BPM bellows for some macro stuff. I don't want to spend too much at this stage as I doubt it will get a huge amount of use. £65.00 seems pretty good to me?!

Vic.

Lou (my wife) shoots a lot of macro using her K10D and Tamron 90mm Di. We got her the AF160FC to use as she was not getting on well using the Metz 58 AF-1. She absolutely loves using the ring flash as the lighting is always just right. Problem is a ring flash is quite a bit more than the 36 AF-4.

Two problems you may have with the single flash:

1. uni-directional light
2. harsh shadows

You'd be much better off if you could get two of the flashes to use off camera.

The Metz 36 AF-4 is a little limiting as you cannot control it manually (P-TTL only). It does look amazingly good for the price though at £65. Plus reliability wise as the zoom is manual there is no worrying about zoom motor failure like on other Metz flashes.

At the moment I have two Metz 29 AF-1 flashes because the zoom motors on both 58s broke and they are stuck at the widest setting outputting GN29!

Thanks for the comments. I have an old Vivitar flash that I could use as a second flash with a suitable trigger so perhaps that is the answer.

Vic.

If the Vivitar has manual settings then perhaps use that in manual mode off camera and bounce light back from the other side with a reflector to reduce harsh shadows.

Problem with the 36 is that you need a P-TTL cable to get it to fire at anything other than 1/1 power and you cannot adjust it creatively outside the +-1 EV stop allowed in camera.

That is why it is £65.

Thanks Tyr, Just been looking at the 44 instead which although a lot more looks tempting ...

Vic.

Just checked the manual for some information:

GN is 20 at 28mm (widest setting).
ISO speed compatibility is 25-800 only.
Maximum power flash duration is 1/500s.

If you had a P-TTL lead I don't see it being a bad flash.

If it had manual mode I'd get several myself.

Yes, I've been checking specs and as an additional flash it might suit but It's too basic for a first flash unit.

The MECABLITZ 44 AF-1 is looking to be better at £145.00 at SRS

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Just not sure about the "funky" control panel on the back! What do you think?

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Vic.

The only problem is again limited manual settings. I really don't understand why manual control is so expensive.

If you can get a cheap P-TTL cable then there is nothing wrong with the 36. Macro work will mostly be using automatic flash anyway:

MECABLITZ 44 AF-1 Bought and "under test"

Vic.