Triggers for Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2 (Canon version)

My flash equipment is a raging sea of incompatibility. Please help before I drown.
I thought the AF-2 was compatible with PocketWizard Flex TT5 but that apparently is true only of the AF-1.
I also have a Phottix Mitros (not the Mitros +) and was hoping that I would be able to use these two flashes together as a two light ETTL system. I think I have established that the YongNuo (YN-622C) triggers and receivers are compatible with both. I was also looking at the Phoenix Odin or Odin II trigger. No retailer seems sure that this is compatible with the Mecablitz. Does anybody know?

The problem is that Metz knows what is different about the AF-2, but...
... only the manufacturers of the triggers know if their triggers can deal with the differences (between AF-1 vs AF-2).

there is little chance the response will come from forum readers, as most have abandoned Canon and Metz for the cheapo flash units from China, so most users have no knowledge of the Canon/Metz flashes especially the newer ones! I wish you the best in your search.

Thank you Wilt. That was helpful. Discouraging but helpful. I did ask Metz about compatibility with the PocketWizard setup, but they referred me to PocketWizard. I've since established by trial and error that they don't work together. A request to Phoenix Odin has gone unanswered. One retailer in the States has offered to send the Odin with return rights for 15 days across the border (I live in Canada) but I'm not that adventurous. I'll try pestering Metz again. They should know what wireless triggers work with their products.
Thank you again
Paul S.

Paul Stimson wrote in post #19087175
Thank you Wilt. That was helpful. Discouraging but helpful. I did ask Metz about compatibility with the PocketWizard setup, but they referred me to PocketWizard. I've since established by trial and error that they don't work together. A request to Phoenix Odin has gone unanswered. One retailer in the States has offered to send the Odin with return rights for 15 days across the border (I live in Canada) but I'm not that adventurous. I'll try pestering Metz again. They should know what wireless triggers work with their products.
Thank you again
Paul S.

I do not understand why the burden is on the original device manufacturer (Canon or Metz) to 'know' the compatibility of every aftermarket device that claims to be compatible with their products. That make little sense to me.

Does Chevrolet know every 'go-faster' product on the market that can be compatibly outfitted with its engines?!
To me, the burden belongs on the accessory item manufacturer to ensure its products are tested BY THEIR ENGINEERING for compatibity, not vice versa. That is reflected by the fact that the burden is on Sigma for compatibility of its lenses for Canon bodies of different models.

Thank you, Wilt. That is an interesting analogy. However, Chevrolet do make recommendations about, for instance, what octane of fuel should be used in their engines, recognizing that gas is necessary to use their product to full efficacy. Similarly most photographers seem to recognize that flash units are used to their best advantage off camera.
However, my contact at Metz did respond promptly to my latest plea today and gave a suggestion for a compatible control unit, for which I am grateful. And to you for your thoughts.

So what did Metz suggest? (I have three Metz units myself.)

As for Chevrolet recommendation of gas, that is simply specific gasoline which will make the engine run as designed.
Different issue than telling you which models of smartphone are (and are not) compatible with the Bluetooth in 2020 models of Chevy.
And differerent from Canon knowing all the Sigma lenses that do work on the 5D4 vs thost that need updated firmware (which might not be offered by Sigma).

Yes, I was stretching for the gas example. But actually the Chevorlet is perhaps not really the same situation. Cars are for the most part complete and come with tires and spark plugs already installed. Flashes really do need other devices to make them reach their full potential. I thought the Sigma analogy was a better fit - you certainly need a camera to make them work. But you always know which camera lens mounts and cameras they are designed for - it will be written on the box if not inscribed on the lens barrel.

Oh wow! You have Metz flashes. May I ask what trigger you use? I really like it as an on-camera flash. I know some photographers like the second integrated flash and find it puts a sparkle in their subjects eyes while bouncing the main flash. But perhaps your flashes are AF-1s. Pocket Wizard do list these as compatible with their systems. That's what got me into trouble in the first place - thinking this would be true for the AF-2s.

Wolfgang at Metz said "However, there is a special wireless radio system in our product range : Metz Wireless Trigger System WT-1/Kit for Canon (Metz article number 009901007.) I haven't checked these out yet, and don't know if they would be compatible with my Phottix Mitros.

It's not surprising that they recommend their own product. Canon too seem more interested in protecting the sales of their own speedlites. Metz, I believe, had to reverse engineer their flashes to make them compatible with Canon. Wouldn't it be wonderful for the consumer if a common protocol was established - as was done for VCRs back in the day - or the JPG (Joint Photographic Group) protocol.

If you have ever watched Tony Northrup's Youtube videos, he talks of the Phottix Odin being able to work with a number of flashes and describes it as an "open system." I just am not sure what that means.

Stay well.

Paul

Older Sigma lenses designed to work with EOS film cameras often needed to be outfitted by Sigma with newer firmware to work with the Canon dSLR, for exampl. Now the newer designs can dock into a special lens dock and firmware downloaded by the user, rather than necessitating a trip back to Sigma...so folks did indeed run into compatability issues with Sigma lense sthat had the EF mount...physical mating did not guarantee it would work!

The trigger I use is not eTTL compatible Pocket Wizard III, as I prefer to manually set flash units when using multiples...I have little inherent trust in eTTL, as I have lost shots all too often simply because of failure of the contacts between flash and hotshoe, spontaneously losing good contact even with a tripod mounted camera unit and shutter triggered with a radio remote nevertheless causing the unit to go into TTL mode (which flashes full power every time).
I actually got my PocketWizards for reliable radio triggering the CAMERA from a distance, rather than as a flash trigger.
I still think Canon put some rookie engineers on the flash design team...why else does External moce (photosensor automation) on a Canon flash underexpose compared to every other photosensor flash in the world?!

I actually have five Metz...

• two 45CT4 which I used in my wedding coverage days with TTL medium format film (ETRSi) in a Main and Filler pair, and which also work with my Olympus OM4 TTL and my Canon dSLR (with flash in Auto) simply by fitting the appropriate Metz module.
  
• I have two Metz 54MZ4 with eTTL, It, too, has exchangeable control modules, although since I bought them for eTTL compatibility I have had no need yet for other control modules.
  
• and I acquired an almost new 58AF1 from another POTN member...it will get sold off if I ever depart from Canon system since it is permanently dedicated, unlike any of my other Metz units.]