Is there no report button?

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:

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.

The advantage of the DA* lenses over the FA is that they make hardly any noise and are good around wildlife.

With the DA*300 the only lens I have been tempted by in between it and the 50-135 is the DA*200. Everything else is just feels too big and heavy for my liking.

I am not saying the 300 is light but it is lighter and more comfortable.

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.

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!

Exchange rate was good today to ordered 4 x Cactus V5 transceivers.

I'll let everyone know how I get on with them once they arrive.

What not to do in stormy weather...

Remember that the zoom has worse focus breathing. The focal length of the 300 hardly changes as it focuses and it has a fairly high magnification and close focus.

Not complaining about that, just need to figure out what I really need. Wish SRS hired out Sigma and Tamron lenses as well as Pentax for K-mount. It would make this much easier.