Metz 58 vs. Canon 580 II

I was hellbent on picking up a 580 II this week until yesterday when I was doing a shoot and a guy said something to me about Metz flashes. He used to use a Canon 580 II and switched to Metz now and he likes it much more. They are comparably priced. I have never used one, just looking for real world opinions on the stuff. Thanks

The Metz has a more accurate Auto (photosensor in flash) mode; the Canon is attrocious in its External mode, as tested by a number of folks on POTN. The user interface seems to be preferred on the Canon. Metz is a long time (in the film days) very respected flash among pro shooters who could depend upon its reliability and consistency and accuracy of exposure.

Under ETTL, the two are going to be equivalent in accuracy since they would be under camera control.

I have both and my biggest gripe with the Metz 58 AF-1c is the user interface. The 580EX is a lot easier (and quicker) to work with. Otherwise, they're comparable. Each has its good points and bad points. It's just a matter of which points are more important to you in making the decision between the two.

PacAce wrote in post #10939395
I have both and my biggest gripe with the Metz 58 AF-1c is the user interface. The 580EX is a lot easier (and quicker) to work with. Otherwise, they're comparable. Each has its good points and bad points. It's just a matter of which points are more important to you in making the decision between the two.

Would you want a beautiful wife who does not know how to cook and is lazy, or would you want an ordinary looking wife who cooks fantastically and is industrious? Different strokes for different folks.

Wilt wrote in post #10939462
Would you want a beautiful wife who does not know how to cook and is lazy, or would you want an ordinary looking wife who cooks fantastically and is industrious? Different strokes for different folks.

I like this, made me laugh....and think a lot about the women Im with

Koshin wrote in post #10940265
I like this, made me laugh....and think a lot about the women Im with

It makes the point that what satisfies one person might well not satisfy someone else. Too many folks ask 'What would you buy' almost with the simplicity that what satisfies them must satisfy me, too, and without specifying any criteria of choice in what they want.

Very well put Sir. The reason I made the post was strictly due to the biggest differnces becasue I had never even considered the Metz until last night. I think Ill prolly roll with the 580 II becasue user friendly interface is important to me. And from the prior posts, reminds me more of my wonderful girlfriend lol

Thanks Gents

Koshin wrote in post #10938310
I was hellbent on picking up a 580 II this week until yesterday when I was doing a shoot and a guy said something to me about Metz flashes. He used to use a Canon 580 II and switched to Metz now and he likes it much more. They are comparably priced. I have never used one, just looking for real world opinions on the stuff. Thanks

You may give this comparison a read: Metz 58 AF-1 vs. Canon 580EX II

• Weather sealed
  
• Lever lock for mounting into the hot shoe
  
• The metal foot plate
  
• Flash head rotates full 360 degrees
  
• Very ergonomic select dial to change flash settings
  
• PC sync port to use with radio triggers
  
• Instant start up
  
• Slightly better carrying case that also makes it possible to carry the flash stand

• Secondary reflector to create fill light while bouncing off of walls
  
• Better exposure in the auto mode
  
• Beep function for acoustic feedback
  
• Low battery indicator
  
• No numeric values of custom functions to remember
  
• Extended zoom mode
  
• Slightly better sizing and shaping of the control buttons

thanks for posting that, that is a very useful writeup

Apparently the Canon 680 is around the corner.

digital paradise wrote in post #10945015
Apparently the Canon 680 is around the corner.

Please post rumors in the rumors section.

Wilt wrote in post #10939462
Would you want a beautiful wife who does not know how to cook and is lazy, or would you want an ordinary looking wife who cooks fantastically and is industrious? Different strokes for different folks.

I was married to the latter for five years and I've been married to the former for 23 and counting.

runninmann wrote in post #10945679
I was married to the latter for five years and I've been married to the former for 23 and counting.

So you're intimating that you weight has been under control for 23 years, and you work very hard!

Wilt wrote in post #10945951
So you're intimating that you weight has been under control for 23 years, and you work very hard!

I look like I'm anorexic. I would take a photo to show you, but I don't have time. It's 6:11 AM and I'm already at my office.

the menus of Metz are long, but logical. changing settings involves quite a lot of button pushing. build quality is good, exposure is accurate, especially the auto settings, additional 'master' channel, if you need one. it's quicket to change settings on 580ex, but the buttons are a bit on a small side. if you are in a hurry and change flash settings a lot - Canon is a better choice imho .
when I was shopping for a flash Metz was $100 cheaper than Canon, so it was a no brainer for me . if the price is similar, get 580ex. both are great and reliable.