> > I have a friend with a D60 who is a professional photographer. He got > the Metz based on its supposed better flash shots than the 550EX. > Unfortunately, he's been just as unhappy. He says he used to get > better shots with old non-TTL flash units. > > The only real solutions seems to get a Digital Rebel or 10D. Canon > really, really dropped the ball on this.
I respectfully disagree with your friend. I am perfectly happy with the Metz 54-MZ3 in automatic "A" mode on top of a 10D, rather than ETTL or any kind of Canon TTL. It would be the same on a D60. If you get the Canon adapter for the Metz, it figures out the aperture and the film speed or digital ISO from the camera in "A" mode even without TTL operation and, at least to me, seems to me to do a fine job of making exposure decisions. At least a heck of a lot better than either the D60 or the 10D with a 550EX. What you give up with Metz is wireless multiflash (you can do it, but it's not as convenient or versatile). By the way, if you're just talking about a single on-camera shoe-mount autoflash, the Vivitar 285HV is nearly as good as the Metz once you get used to its quirks, and around US$250-$300 cheaper brand new. Like the 550EX, both the Metz and Vivitar take a variety of external power packs (their own, Quantum, Digital Pursuits, etc.) so you can shoot all day without changing batteries. The Vivitar feels a lot more plasticky than either the Metz or Canon, and they sell a lot of replacement feet for it so I guess the foot has a tendency to crack, although mine never has. I guess it's something one has to go to a store and try out. --Ken S. * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
