Quick Flash advise needed.

Hi,

I have used the search function to try to find out some answers but seem to be more confused now than when I started.

I just have a couple of questions regarding the Metz 48-AF1 Flash unit.

1) Will the onboard flash on the K20D set off the above flash unit being used as a slave ?

2) Can someone give me a simple run down on the pros/cons of the Auto mode that this flash unit doesn't have ? Is auto mode a big advantage to have or would I not miss it too much ?

Thanks

Jason

1) Yes

2) You may not miss it at all. Some people have used "auto" flashes for years and feel more comfortable with it, others argue that it's less prone to under-expose than P-TTL. Personally though I tend to use either P-TTL or fully manual (unless it's on my MX when I find the auto mode quite useful). If you don't have an older camera then that last bit won't effect you either. In summary, I'd argue it isn't a "big" advantage but something that's quite nice to have nonetheless. The Metz flash is a bowl of ice cream with strawberry sauce, it's just missing the chocolate sprinkles...

I take it the Metz 58 & Pentax 540 would have the chocolate sprinkles then ?

When you would find auto mode useful to have ?.

1: When it's on a camera that doesn't support the more sophisticated flash metering systems available.

2: When it's used as an off-camera slave flash.

If you have a P-TTL capable flash and camera, why not use that mode?

I concur with Peter's answers and add one further:

P-TTL is designed to not blow any highlights so if you're shooting a highly reflective surface (like a mirror) then it can severely under-expose. Because in auto mode the flash does the thinking (and it's not as sophisticated as the camera) it measures the reflected light according to a whole different set of rules; hence it's more likely to give the effect you actually want rather than the one the camera wants you to have.

The Pentax 360 has chocolate sprinkles; with their swivelling heads the Metz 58 and the Pentax 540 have Flakes in them too!

How big are the Metz 58 & Pentax 540 to each other and the Metz 48 ?

Jason

Hi, I inputted the dimensions from the manufacturers websites into sizeasy - hope this gives you an idea of the sizes of these flashguns.

Thanks for that.