Flashes: 550EX vs. Metz 54 MZ-3

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Hello... I am thinking of buying a flash, and I can't decide wether to choose the Canon Speedlite 550EX, or the Metz 54 MZ-3...

The only difference is that the Metz can do A-TTL, and the Canon one can't....and the Metz is even cheapier....

Can you help me with suggestions.....Thank you

-- Diego Garcia (samsagaz07@hotmail.com), June 03, 2001

Answers

I got to looking at these too. Although the price seems nearly the same as a 550EX. But buying a gray market 550EX is a bit cheaper. This is in the USA (B&H Photo & Adorama). I understand that in other places around the world the Metz line is considerably less.

My one question concerns the use of wireless TTL flash with multiple units. The 550EX has this built in, the Metz forces you to buy the optional SCA adapter (3082 I think). That ups the price considerably. Also this wireless system isn't likely to be compatible with Canon's E-TTL wireless system. Few of us use wireless TTL so that might not be a big concern for most, but you never know what you might want to upgrade to.

The big advantage to the Metz system is that it uses both SCA 300 & 3002 adapters to make it compatible with a great number of camera systems. So if you use more than Canons, say a Pentax 645 or other MF system, you just buy additional SCA adapters for it. Much cheaper than buying a whole new flash outfit.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), June 04, 2001.


I've been thinking about doing the same, that way I only need one flash for both 35mm and MF. Waiting for someone else to take the plunge first. =) Too bad the 550EX doesn't have the auto-thyristor bit.

-- Steven Fisher (srf@srf.com), June 04, 2001.

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