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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Flash gun for wedding photography
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05/23/2006 01:21:18 PM · #1
Hi

I am looking to buy a flash for my Canon 350D as I have been asked to do my friends wedding shots.

I have seen favourable reviews of Metz equipment and my current thinking is to buy either a new Metz 54MZ-4 or 70 MZ-5, or a used Metz 60CT-4 TTL.

Should I just go for the shoe mount 54MZ-4 or is there some great advantage in using a handle mount like the 70 MZ-5?

I'm open to alternatives like the Canons or Sigmas as well but I'd like something that if I stick my 350D into aperture priority mode, that the flash will automagically work for and properly expose.

What other accessories should I consider getting for doing wedding shots i.e. diffuser, etc ?

How many batteries am I likely to need for a full day shooting? and is it worth purchasing a battery pack as well?

My budget is around a max of €400 ( about $550 )

Thank you

05/23/2006 02:25:49 PM · #2
Why not get a 580 and a battery pack?
05/23/2006 02:33:10 PM · #3
I have a metz 54mz4 and used it with my 300D (eTTL) and 20D/30D (eTTL2).
eTTL (one) sucks. Not sure what the 350XT has - probably eTTL2, so this should not be a big deal.

eTTL2 is very good with the Metz and 3102 shoe (M3 programming). Very good. Very very good.

what makes the metz so popular is it's auto mode. it is very good - much better than eTTL, but I think eTTL2 is better. Still testing this out.

I played with a 580ex a bit and didn't like it (on a 5D) - very inconsistent. I may borrow one and do more extensive testing now that I know my 30D well and see how i like it. I need a second / backup flash and am considering the sigma EF500DG Super (the ST lacks a few features i want).

The 580EX will recycle a bit faster than the Metz I am told, but I can get thru a whole wedding with only one set of batteries. changing partway thru does speed up recycle time. 150 flashes is about average on 4 AA NiMh batts. Depends on the amount of light output - all full blasts will of course use the batts sooner.

One gothcha on the Mets54 is they have a sensor of somesort in the flash tube area so you cannot use a modifier in eTTL mode (like an omnibounce). You can in Auto mode IF you bounce the light - the auto sensor is on the front of the flash unit so if you splash too much light there you get underespozures.

As for durability - the metz is well buitl, the canon feels a tad more solid on the hotshoe though. the canon has more buttons and is a bit harder to use IMO, but i guess you get used to whatever you use a lot. no idea on life of these, but the sigma is good for about 5,000 flashes.
05/23/2006 02:34:47 PM · #4
Originally posted by Ampao64:

Why not get a 580 and a battery pack?


why get a battery pack?

the metz 54 has been with me for 5 weddings. i have not had to change batteries yet. I've gotten over 250 flashes on one set of AAs, although the recycle time slows a bit as the batts get low.
05/23/2006 02:50:48 PM · #5
I don't use the Metz flash (I have the Canon 580, 550 and 420), but I change batteries just before the cake cutting or bouquet toss. They tend to do that at the end of the reception around here and slow recycle times would just be a killer...
05/26/2006 10:04:14 AM · #6
I have seen a few 2nd hand Metz Handle Mount Flashes like the Metz 45 CL-4 on eBay.
I have been told that the handle mount flashes produce more power than a show mount like Metz 54 or Canon 580 flashes, is this true?

Should I go for the Metz 45 CL-4 if the price is very good ?

Also what are required extras for the Metz units? I have seen that I would need a SCA adapter and maybe a connection cable, can anybody clarify what would be required?

Thanks
05/26/2006 10:17:38 AM · #7
I use the Metz 45 CL-4 with my camera. As the camera does not have a dedicated hot shoe I just use the standard adapter and do things the old fashioned way! I also use a brace of Vivitar 283s and evidence to date suggests that the Metz 45 is more accurate - and more powerful - that the Vivitars.

There is one major disadvantage with the Metz 45 and that is the activation voltage - which is a lot higher than a digital camera can handle. I use a hot shoe mounted device to reduce the voltage to 6v so this is OK.

You will need a dedicated cable from the flashgun to the camera but according to the Metz handbook I have in front of me they do not recommend the 45 for a Canon digital (voltage games I guess). However, the standard cable plus the voltage regulator will allow you to use the flashgun in non dedicated mode - no TTL.

On the other hand, the Metz 45 digital will work - but may be difficult to find on eBay are they are fairly new. :-)

Hope this was useful.

Carl
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