Metz 50 Af-1

Flash manufacturing specialists like Metz and Nissin are turning out some brilliant pieces of equipment..

They both have a very long history of manufacture..

TweakMDS wrote in post #11232718
On their website it lists slave and servo mode - among others. Can anyone fill me in on their terminology? If it has an optical slave that'd make it a pretty neat package and certainly give it a big "strobist" advantage to the Canon 430 - especially with my very diverse kit of flashes (bunch of nikon SB-2x and 80DX mostly).

From Metz:
"
Servo mode (light controlled):
With the mecablitz 28 CS-2 digital, you have a pure slave flash unit at your disposal that only flashes when you want it to – with any camera. This is made possible by its learning function, which recognizes the pre-flash of your camera and only responds to its main flash. With this model, the picture results can be controlled very easily via the plus/minus buttons.

Metz slave mode (wireless Metz remote system):
This clever Metz system facilitates targeted light control for two Metz flash units. Here, one is attached directly to the camera as a so-called master flash. In contrast, the other slave flash unit can be positioned anywhere in the room. For this type of slave mode, a current Metz SCA flash unit is equipped with an SCA slave adapter (SCA-3083) instead of the SCA camera adapter, which is used for a conventional flash. This slave adapter makes additional slave qualities possible. By using a mecalux 11 as a server flash trigger, a flash unit can also be activated. However, all settings must be made on the flash unit itself here."

And from DPReview:
"The slave function and the new servo function allow the new top model in the Metz compact flash unit range to be used without constraints in various operating modes, depending on the camera model. With the servo flash release, no camera master function is required to use the flash as an additional creative light source in the room. The camera-specific wireless TTL remote mode of the respective model comes into play with the slave function."

i have two 58s. very nice flashes
never heard of 50 but its the best brend for electronic flashes (before nikon )

What makes the Metz better than the 580EX II? More power, faster recycle, 3.5mm sync? Only $20 cheaper, so what gives?

it's not better, it's different . Secondary reflector, very accurate auto aperture mode, additional remote 'master' channel, flash ready 'beep', low battery indicator, USB port for updating firmware. Metz 58 AF2 now has a metal foot with quick release, but still no PC sync port and no weather sealing. The biggest attraction for me was the price. When I bought 58 AF1 it was $100 cheaper than 580exII .

algold wrote in post #11240151
it's not better, it's different . Secondary reflector, very accurate auto aperture mode, additional remote 'master' channel, flash ready 'beep', low battery indicator, USB port for updating firmware. Metz 58 AF2 now has a metal foot with quick release, but still no PC sync port and no weather sealing. The biggest attraction for me was the price. When I bought 58 AF1 it was $100 cheaper than 580exII .

I highlighted the most significant difference in red. The Canon flash External mode (photosensor) underexposes, as tested by POTN owners. The Metz Auto mode (photosensor) is accurate.

I've always found the Metz Auto sensor extremely accurate going back to the 45CT1 and 60CT1..

If I'd use flash a whole lot more, I wouldn't look past Metz..

Benz vs Toyota..

Lots of great comments guys. Really looking forward to this flash now!

Wilt wrote in post #11240646
I highlighted the most significant difference in red. The Canon flash External mode (photosensor) underexposes, as tested by POTN owners. The Metz Auto mode (photosensor) is accurate.

I guess the term "accurate" would be a subject one. One person's "accurate" exposure could be another person's "a tad too hot" exposure, as I've found my Metz 58 AF-1 to be.

But I do agree that the 580EX photo sensor under exposes too much.