Sigma or Metz mecablitz

I'm going to buy a new flash to replace my old Braun Variozoom 340. Which do you prefer, Sigma or Metz?

I have listed here some flashes with two price category:
Sigma EF-530 DG 165,- €
Metz mecablitz 44 AF-1 170,- €
Sigma EF-610 DG 195,- €

Metz Mecablitz 50 AF-1 Digital 240,- €
Sigma EF-530 DG Super 246,- €

What do you recommend for both price categories?

BW. My camera is K-x.

General feeling seems to be, go for the Metz.


I did (and I love it)

I'm not sure whether the current range are up to the same standards but the old Metz 45s seem to go on forever even with heavy professional use. If all of their products are up to that level then go for it.

The 50 has just replaced the 48, the 48 can now be found at a bargain price.

I bought one from SRS with a packaged stofen diffuser & set of Sanyo eneloops. The current best value for money I'd say.

The Metz 58 AF-1 has also been replaced by the 58 AF-2, but I haven't seen a price reduction. A shame, since it is a top of the range flash. Would be nice to have them available at a further discount!

Thank's to everyone. I think Metz is my choise.

Good morning.
I had metz58 and sigma, the best metz

Here's a little piece of advice...

If your Met gets the dreaded 'Err' in the zoom indicator, and the power zoom, well, doesn't. What worked for me, and a lot of other people, is:

Take the batteries out
Tap the Flash head solidly on both sides (I tapped the top as well for good measure!)
Batteries in
Turn on
Test

It appears that the problem is often caused by the mechanism just sticking, and a few taps on the flash head is enough to free the zoom mechanism. So, that saved a possible expensive repair on an out of warranty flash!