Metz 58 Fried

[zagiace]

During a wedding today my Metz 58 popped and then showed "err" on the display. It failed to work and there is a sound as if the head has sand in it. It does not smell like anything and there was no smoke.
Unfortunately My warranty was up 3 weeks ago. Anyone have a Metz sent in to Bogen for repair? Any thoughts on what I can expect cost to be? Could it be the capacitor? Or?

[Wilt]

It could be any one of a number of components which went bad, and in that going bad it could have then stressed a different component which actually blew out! Just send it in.

[zagiace]

I Sent it on Monday. Now anxiously awaiting the news. Over the phone Bogen says they will probably cover it under the warranty.
They would be a stellar company providing excellent service if that is the case.

[SYS]

Were you popping the flash almost non-stop when this happened?

[matonanjin]

I Sent it on Monday. Now anxiously awaiting the news. Over the phone Bogen says they will probably cover it under the warranty.
They would be a stellar company providing excellent service if that is the case.

some companies, if it is just barely out of warranty as your is, will go ahead and warranty it. I have never had a problem with mine. Let us know the outcome.

[zagiace]

Were you popping the flash almost non-stop when this happened?
No, I was shooting a frame every 5-10 seconds at the fastest. At the time I was taking altar pics at a wedding. It was under AA battery power (eenlopes) and has never been used with an external battery source.
Thanks for the responses peeps, I will update when I hear from them.

[Wilt]

No, I was shooting a frame every 5-10 seconds at the fastest. At the time I was taking altar pics at a wedding. It was under AA battery power (eenlopes) and has never been used with an external battery source.
Thanks for the responses peeps, I will update when I hear from them.

It is not the rate of fire only, it is also the NUMBER of shots fired without letting the flash cool. Specific recommendations by Metz in the owner's manual, even at the low power stroboscopic setting.

[zagiace]

It is not the rate of fire only, it is also the NUMBER of shots fired without letting the flash cool. Specific recommendations by Metz in the owner's manual, even at the low power stroboscopic setting.
HEY 500 POSTS!

I have not read that and do not know the number but I was definitely not abusing it any more then any flash I have had. At that time of day I probably shot 250 frames on it and nothing fast. I have a hard time thinking I hit what ever limit that would cause it to burn up on me.

[Wilt]

HEY 500 POSTS!

I have not read that and do not know the number but I was definitely not abusing it any more then any flash I have had. At that time of day I probably shot 250 frames on it and nothing fast. I have a hard time thinking I hit what ever limit that would cause it to burn up on me.

Taken from the Metz 54MZ manual, "When taking a series of flash shots at full light output and fast recycling times as provided by NiCad battery operation, make sure to observe an interval of at least 10 minutes after 15 flashes, otherwise the flash unit will be overloaded."

[zagiace]

thanks for the reply,
I am still sure i am within spec, I was not at full power, maybe 1/16th. I was not shooting quickly. And if the unit overloads I am pretty sure there is a protection circuit that would cause the flash to not fire until it cools. It should not pop, right?

[Wilt]

thanks for the reply,
I am still sure i am within spec, I was not at full power, maybe 1/16th. I was not shooting quickly. And if the unit overloads I am pretty sure there is a protection circuit that would cause the flash to not fire until it cools. It should not pop, right?

Someone on POTN fried three 580EXs before he wised up and followed published directions. Apparently Canon got tired of griping customers who abused and cooked their 580EXs, so they added a protection circuit against the uninformed users of 580EXIIs who could not read their manual, so even if you needed to shoot one last shot before stopping, now you cannot because the protection circuit protects you against yourself!

[zagiace]

wow, the flagship (at the time) flash 580EX did not have a overload protection circuit in it?

[Wilt]

wow, the flagship (at the time) flash 580EX did not have a overload protection circuit in it?

Few flashes I have heard of, prior to the 580EXII, had the need for thermal protection...in the days of film, you did not have endless time to abuse a flash, you had to change film! Digital machine gunning encourages flash abuse.

[zagiace]

Thanks for the info Wilt.

[ronxp2000]

Would love the followup also.

I have a Metz 58 on my Canon Xti. Works pefect. But I'd sure like to know about the customer service.

Did yours come with a warranty card?

How did you register yours?

[zagiace]

I honestly do not remember, I will update the thread with the results.

[zagiace]

I guess it is gonna be a while. I just tracked the package and UPS does not show it scheduled to arrive until the 27th. Thats 10 days! Wow. At least its a holiday. Should have upgraded it.

[ronxp2000]

Thanks, and the 27th is almost here. I hope it works great.,

[zagiace]

I talked to a Bogen service rep today and they are going to cover it under warranty. It should be shipped back to me in another week and a half. Add 5 more days for the travel time and this whole issue will be a whole month with out my flash. Luckily I have lots of back ups.
Props to Bogen for standing behind the Metz product.

[ronxp2000]

I hope you have had a good working product returned by now.....

[zagiace]

I would hope so too....
I had been trying to get in contact with the serve department at bogen but no one answers the phone and I wasn't getting a return call when I left a message.
I was able to get someone on the phone today and I was told my flash will ship tomorrow.
So, I should know early next week.

[zagiace]

**UPDATE**
I received the flash on Friday, the 19th. I tested almost every function on Saturday and other then a scary burning smell that possible could be remaining from the original problem it worked flawlessly. I left my wireless setup at the studio and did not test the wireless functions.
A good performance from Bogen. Communication was the only issue. They are very difficult to get a hold of.

[rudy_216]

I received the flash on Friday, the 19th. I tested almost every function on Saturday and other then a scary burning smell that possible could be remaining from the original problem it worked flawlessly.
They have a special spray that is used to give it that burnt smell. Eventually it will dissipate. This is meant to be a reminder to the user that you can easily damage your electronic equipment (flash in this case). Generally only applied when outside the warranty period. The spray is organic so don't worry about any long term health effects. :wink:

[zagiace]

The spray is organic so don't worry about any long term health effects. :wink:
Good, because I was walking around letting everyone smell it. lol
I was getting desensitized.
Adding an organic burn smell is hilarious. I can see it happening, I heard many cel phone companies add paper insert to see if there has been water damage. Smart...

[ronxp2000]

Glad it works working good, thanks for the report.

Hopefully mine will stay working good as it has been.