Visit MPB Visit MPB Visit MPB

Sigma or pentax flash

Posted 18/03/2009 - 16:54 Link
Hi everone i am trying to persuade the wife to buy me a flash for my birthday.I would like the pentax AF540-fgz but this is probably out of my league money wise.I was thinking of getting a sigma EF530 Dg super flash or a metz one but these are things i dont really know much about.Ideally i would like a flash gun with a digital screen on the back could anyone offer any advice on this subject.Thanks for any replies
beakynet
Posted 18/03/2009 - 16:56 Link
Th Metz 58 is a fantastic option, has the screen and has not let me down!
Bodies: K5IIs, K7, MZ5n, LX, MV
Lenses: DA*16-50, DA18-55WR, DA18-135, DAL35, M50 F2, A50 f1.4, FA50 f1.4, DA*50-135, DA55-300, Tamron 70-300, DFA 100 WR Macro, M135 f3.5, Sigma 120-400 APO DG HSM, Tokina 500 f8.0
Flash: Metz 58, Metz 48
Accessories: BG4, Pentax right angle finder, Pentax mirror adaptor lens, O-ME53 Viewfinder Loupe
Auto 110 System: Auto 110, Winder, 18mm, 24mm, 50mm, 70mm, 20-40mm, AF100P, 1.7x telecon
Posted 18/03/2009 - 16:58 Link
Hi beakynet what sort of price are these compared to the pentax cheers
ttk
Posted 18/03/2009 - 17:38 Link
Martin,
For your needs the Sigma EF530 DG super would be ideal.
Tel,
pentaxian450
Posted 18/03/2009 - 22:03 Link
ttk wrote:
Martin,
For your needs the Sigma EF530 DG super would be ideal.

I have three SigmaEF 530 DG flashes, and, considering the prices, they're Super(pun intended)
Yves (another one of those crazy Canucks)
Posted 19/03/2009 - 06:19 Link
The sigma is definately sounding a good bet seems quite a bit cheaper than the metz and the pentax just wondered if the quality of the sigma is any worse than the others
pentaxian450
Posted 19/03/2009 - 12:17 Link
Quality of manufacturing or quality of results? As far as manufacturing goes, the battery compartment door is kind of flimsy, but everything else is OK. As far as results are concerned, it is on par with the Pentax and Metz units. The LCD display is not laid out in a logical way, so it takes some getting used too. And it doesn't have a catchlight panel.
Yves (another one of those crazy Canucks)
Anvh
Posted 19/03/2009 - 12:31 Link
This would be helpfull for you Martin link
The Metz 48 is also capable depending on what you need so give that one a look too if you don't like the interface of the Sigma.

Or else just save a bit more and get the AF540FGZ, is my advice.
Better get the one you want then to go halfway because of the money and decide later that you want to get the Pentax one, it would be more waste of the money in the end.
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
Posted 19/03/2009 - 14:28 Link
thanks for the link stefan will give it a read
StoneyLoon
Posted 20/03/2009 - 09:57 Link
Just to add my tuppence worth, after a bit of research I recently bought the Metz58. First class flash and so far good results. Main reason was the secondary flash and build quality. Mind you I did upgrade from a Jessops 360, so I was bound to see a big improvement.
TonyM
Posted 27/03/2009 - 20:36 Link
Martin - I bought the Samsung SEF54 from Amazon for £177 and it is EXACTLY the same as the Pentax AF540. I was tipped off by another thread on this forum and it's appeared since. The only downside is that shipping is 1 to 2 months, but Amazon stuck to the first date they gave me, which was 4 weeks. It really is an amazing price and there is no difference between the Samsung and Pentax (other than the name!) All the comms are the same (P-TTL, wireless, it even switches the flash backlight on when you operate the camera backlight!) It is a hefty beast, but makes indoor flash photography a pleasure. Here's the link:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-SEF-54PZF-Flashgun-GX-SLRs/dp/B000OURPXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1238185659&sr=8-1
Posted 27/03/2009 - 20:40 Link
Cheers tony will give it a look
philstaff
Posted 28/03/2009 - 13:48 Link
I had the same question a few months ago and went for the sigma have to say Im happy with the choice. One or two things took a little working out but when I did the results are very pleasing. Good luck in your choice.
Ian
golfdiesel
Posted 28/03/2009 - 14:56 Link
I am allso looking into a new flash because I am not completely satisfied with my Samsung labeled AF360.
I want a bit more light out of it and I really want the swivel option of the larger flash units.
The Pentax 540 is quite expensive, and strangely the Samsung version is even more expensive here in the Netherlands.

The Sigma looks like a nice alternative, I read about the flimsy battery door, but hey the battery door of the AF360 is just as flimsy.
The Metz 58 AF-1 is nice as well, but a little more expensive then the Pentax 540.
Camera:K20D|Ist*DS|Spotmatic II|MZ-10
Pentax Lenses: DA16-45|DA50-200|50A 1.7
Tamron Lenses: 28-200
Takumar Lenses: SMC 55 1.8
Sigma Lenses: EX DG 50-500 'Bigma'|EX 50mm Macro
Flashes: Metz 58 AF-1|Samsung SEF-36PZF|Pentax AF-220T
Anvh
Posted 28/03/2009 - 17:00 Link
I don't know if you can use antoher brand flash to controll the AF360.
With a Pentax AF540, you can controll the the AF360 or the other way around so it might be worth the extra money. You can build a small studio flash system then
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ

Add Comment

To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.