I'm looking for a good flash for my K10D. And I think I"ve decided on the Metz 54 MZ-4 series.

However, I noticed another version, called Metz 54 MZ-4i that's a lot more expensive (200-300).

However, I can't find any US dealers that carry them.

Does anyone know what's the difference?

I've heard that the i means it has new integration of the i-TTL to be used with new systems and very helpful. Is that true and worth that much more?

Thanks.

 

I remembered seeing this a while back when today I found myself peeking at Metz flashes.

The 54 MZ-4(i) is from their older SCA series of flashes which require a separate adapter to work on each kind of camera. Sort of nice if you want to use one flash on multiple cameras from different manufacturers but otherwise kinda ehh.

Their newer lineup of flashes is what they call System Flash, each one is built to work with a particular camera brand. Assuming you want something nice and powerful take a look at the 58 AF-1 digital and 48 AF-1 digital.

This is to go on a Pentax camera, right? The 58 AF-1 is more expensive than even the highest level Pentax flash, the AF540FGZ. Generally people go for the 58 AF-1 in lieu of their camera manufacturer's top line flash. The 48 AF-1 is more like the second-best flashes from the camera companies.

For Pentax you would be looking at these prices (from B&H):

Metz 58 AF-1: $400
Pentax AF540FGZ: $319
Sigma EF-530 DG Super: $299
Metz 48 AF-1: $250
Pentax AF360FGZ: $219

 

^ Thanks Mike, I got the 58-AF the other day Came in less than a week. I'm still playing with it I was going to go for the new Sigma 530 DG Super, but read the reviews and a lot of people favored the Metz for tons of extra features so I said, wth and went with it.

I bought it on ebay, with %25 cash back from Live.com so it came to be ~300

 

I still have to get me a nice flash one day...I think an 18-200 lens though will be first.