German flash maker Metz historically used a system of interchangeable modules to provide compatibility with various camera systems. They still make many models that use that system, including one hot shoe flash which works with P-TTL, but they now have three dedicated P-TTL flashes as well:
- 36 AF-4 — an entry-level flash with a few more tricks than the Pentax AF200FG and flash power about like the AF360FGZ. The Pentax version of this flash is very new and is just recently easy to find in US stores.
- 48 AF-1 — effectively a small upgrade from Pentax's AF360FGZ, with about 50% more power, a tilt/swivel head, and equivalent advanced functionality (plus a few unique features). Oddly, while the 48 AF-1 can function as an off-camera wireless slave it cannot act as a camera-mounted controller for other slaves.
- 54 MZ-4i — this model requires the SCA 3702 adapter module with firmware M2 or later. With that module, the 54 MZ-4i has features roughly equivalent to the 58 AF-1, but slightly less flash power. It also can't do Pentax's P-TTL wireless, but can act as part of Metz's own wireless auto flash system.
- 58 AF-1 — another completely-dedicated model, with more power and the longest list of features of any Pentax-compatible flash.
There is a slightly older version of the 54 MZ-4i without the i — the 54 MZ-4. The differences between the two primarily apply to Nikon and Olympus; for Pentax, they're interchangeable. This guide uses the name 54 MZ-4i simply because it's newer. The non-i version is currently much easier to find for sale.
Additionally, there are two module-based Pentax-compatible models not covered here: the 45 CL-4 and the top-of-the-line 76 MZ-5. These are "hammerhead"-style flashes, designed to mount on a flash bracket and connect via a cable (included with the 76 MZ-5 but not the 45 CL-4) to the shoe-mounted SCA 3702 adapter.
Metz also makes a P-TTL ring flash, the Mecablitz 15 MS-1, which operates as a wireless P-TTL slave (which would allow an on-camera controller to also control additional slaves).
The 48 AF-1 and 58 AF-1 modules feature a USB port for in-the-field firmware upgrades. (The current release for both models is 1.1, dated December 30, 2009.) The 36 AF-4 may need to be sent for factory service for compatibility upgrades to match future Pentax cameras. The 54 MZ-4i is upgradable via factory updates to the SCA module.
While Metz flashes are more expensive than their Pentax counterparts in the US, the reverse is often true in Europe.
