Metz 58AF - 1N

[Ozclick]

Hi guys....
Been looking for a flash for my D300 for a couple of weeks but I can`t make up my mind about the Metz over the SB800.
Has anyone used or know if the Metz is 100% compatible with the camera? Can it do all what the SB800 can do? I like the idea of the
second flash for a little bit of fill when you bounce. I`ve searched here but can`t find anything specific to that flash.

Thanks
Chris

[Oz_Beachside]

if you are a multiple flash fan, you will miss the nikon creative lighting system, but you can still get them to fire in manual if you are mixing in a metz.

[Mr Darcy]

This site is useful, but it doesn't list your flash
http://www.botzilla.com/photo/strobeVolts.html

Measure the voltage between the pins on the flash (pay attention to polarity) then check the safe trigger voltage as defined somewhere in the manual.

Only use the flash if the measured voltage is well under the safe trigger voltage ( I would go 50% - your warranty will be void if you use it and the camera blows), and the polarity matches.
Both my d70s and d200 claim 250V is safe, but ony if polarity is correct. Canon cameras I have seen claim 6V

[digitor]

I don't own the Metz 58, but I went through a similar exercise a while ago. I ended up buying the sb800, but I still might get a Metz as well. The upgradeable firmware has got to be a good thing I reckon!

According to the manufacturer, the 58 will do everything the SB800 does, CLS-wise - I didn't end up buying it in the end because it seemed from the manual that you couldn't manually set the aperture when using Auto mode, but you need to use the flash compensation instead (for adjusting fill). Same effect, I know, but just not the way I'm used to working.

I'm not a big fan of TTL flash, and very rarely use it.

I like Metz reliability, I'm still using my 18 year-old 45 CT4 with the D70 - it has never missed a beat.

Cheers

[gstark]

if you are a multiple flash fan, you will miss the nikon creative lighting system,

Perhaps ... but probably not.

I think that CLS is waaaaaaayyyyyyy too complex. Lighting is basically pretty bloody simple, CLS is not.

I think that a Metz is a good choice.

[Ozclick]

Thanks for all the input guys.
I decided on the Metz....looked around the camera stores here, some don`t carry it at all.
Found it for $369.90 at Adorama. All up it came to $434 AUD
Considering they go for about $650 to $700 here I`m quite pleased and will be on another learning curve
with another manual

Chris