Metz toughts

[airfrogusmc]

Any thoughts on the Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 C compared to the 580 EX II ?

Think'n about pick'n one up.

[airfrogusmc]

Doesn't anyone have one of these or has used one?
Curtiss??? Anyone???

[nadtz]

There have been several reviews/comments on the 58 on this forum, a search should find them for you. 3rd parties have also reviewed the flash and compared it to the usual suspects, a google search will find most of those articles for you.

Oak park eh? Finally some decent weather in these parts! (in chi-town myself).

[Curtis N]

Here's Leo's review:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=268574

I considered the Metz 58 and the Canon 580EX II, and ultimately decided on the Canon. The thing about the Metz that bothered me most was its 1/125 sync speed limitation at full power. This effectively cuts its outdoor range by a stop, since you would need a smaller aperture to compensate for the slower shutter speed.

I don't believe the Metz 58 has a PC socket, if you care about that. However, I believe its current firmware solved a compatibility issue with hotshoe adapters so you can fire it with a PC cord or PocketWizard if you use a hotshoe adapter.

There are other factors that favor the Metz, though. Its dedicated auto mode works with any EOS camera (unlike the 580EX II), and from what I have read the auto mode on the Metz seems to work nicely and is calibrated properly (unlike the 580EX II). I think you could argue that the Canon is a better outdoor unit and the Metz is a better indoor unit.

Leo (PacAce) owns both and would be the voice of authority on this. If he doesn't chime in, send him a PM.

[SFzip]

I heard that the Metz 58's optical slave sensor is not as responsive as the Canon's. But someone who actually owns a Metz 58 can confirm that.

[Wilt]

I heard that the Metz 58's optical slave sensor is not as responsive as the Canon's. But someone who actually owns a Metz 58 can confirm that.


One wonders, though, that since the 58AF is designed to be Canon wireless compatible, why most would be using it with an optical slave.

[Curtis N]

Neither of those units has a traditional optical slave. But they do have IR sensors for use with the Canon wireless flash system.

[airfrogusmc]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll be getting the Metz tomorrow. I have a couple of 580 EX the older ones. I like the built in fill feature flash for bounce I think. I had an old 65 CT that was great...

[airfrogusmc]

Here's Leo's review:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=268574

I considered the Metz 58 and the Canon 580EX II, and ultimately decided on the Canon. The thing about the Metz that bothered me most was its 1/125 sync speed limitation at full power. This effectively cuts its outdoor range by a stop, since you would need a smaller aperture to compensate for the slower shutter speed.

I don't believe the Metz 58 has a PC socket, if you care about that. However, I believe its current firmware solved a compatibility issue with hotshoe adapters so you can fire it with a PC cord or PocketWizard if you use a hotshoe adapter.

There are other factors that favor the Metz, though. Its dedicated auto mode works with any EOS camera (unlike the 580EX II), and from what I have read the auto mode on the Metz seems to work nicely and is calibrated properly (unlike the 580EX II). I think you could argue that the Canon is a better outdoor unit and the Metz is a better indoor unit.

Leo (PacAce) owns both and would be the voice of authority on this. If he doesn't chime in, send him a PM.

Thanks so much Curtis...You da flash man...Just needed other opinions besides the usual company lines.