Canon or Metz?

I still prefer Canon since the price is not that much different. If price is a problem I would buy used.

(B&H prices)

$229 Nissin Di622 II
$230 Metz 50
$280 Canon 430EX II

$329 Nissin Di866
$400 Metz 58
$419 Canon 580EX II

I do not know the features of these particular models, but I have used mostly Metz units since about 1970 with no problems and still do, so would endorse them for being reliable.

I couldn't decide, Canon, Metz, Sigma or even Nissin.

I'd pretty much ruled out the Metz 58 AF-2 and Canon 580 based on price.

However, a brand new never used Metz 58 AF2 came on ebay and it was only slightly more expensive than the Canon 430EX I, £100 less than typical UK prices. Absolute bargain, can't wait to get it.

I skip the sig,they have had issues with compatibility in the past.

I love my Metz 48!

Sorry to open up the old thread but I'm looking at the same question at the moment.

Ross_Curits (or any one else), I'm looking for first hand reports on the 58 AF-2. I am really leaning towards it right now with the alternative being the 580EXII. The specs look good on both really with a slight advantage for the Metz as far as I'm concerned (battery life indicator, flash-ready beep, one additional step for manual control at 1/256, screw-down lock). I could actually get it for about $100 less than the Canon which is another bonus.

Biggest question, however, is which one is (or seems) more sturdy and reliable and if there are ANY compatibility issues with the Metz other than no FEB control via the 5DII menu.

Unfortunately, none of the local dealers has the Metz in stock so I never had a chance to actually try it out. One dealer would custom order it for me at a good price but then I'd have to buy it of course.

So, any comments or additional comparisons would be very welcome. I've read most of the tests and various posts already so I'm just looking to get some more insight from people who are using the Metz and perhaps know the 580 as well.

The metz is very well built and solid like most german built items. I really like the metz interface over the 580exII, it is simpler to access with just couple of buttons, and easier to used then the canon. So if you are worried about build, not an issues with metz. I really like my 58 AF-2, might get a second one so I can go to 3 channels.

I like the lock on the Canon flash better than the screw type on the Metz.

The new metz have a quick turn screw, allot faster to lock and unlock. The old one required more turns to lock and unlock.

The OP mentions the Metz 50...while the Metz 58 has Auto (photosensor) mode which is much more accurate than the Canon 580EXII external (photosensor) mode, the Metz 50 lacks the Auto (photosensor) mode and only operates in ETTL or in Manual power modes.

apersson850 wrote in post #12097608
I like the lock on the Canon flash better than the screw type on the Metz.

The locking mechanism is actually one of the things that concerns me a little. There are quite a few reports of bad connections on the 580EXII. I'm still not clear though how often this actually occurs. The complaints about this are pretty numerous but then again Canon sold probably a lot of these.

msowsun wrote in post #11623374
I still prefer Canon since the price is not that much different. If price is a problem I would buy used.

(B&H prices)

$229 Nissin Di622 II
$230 Metz 50
$280 Canon 430EX II

$329 Nissin Di866
$400 Metz 58
$419 Canon 580EX II

If Canon 580 EX II was available for $419, I would have bought it in an instant. Currently it is for $474 and has been at that for some time now. So Nissin Di866 looks like a bargain comparatively.

I've been using the Metz 50 AF-1 for a couple of weeks now. Can say that it is been better than the canon 430 EXII which i had own before except maybe the slight noise from the zoom head.

And oh, yes it supports wireless slave function.