Name: Metz MZ58324N 58 AF-2 Digital Flash for Nikon
Brand: Metz
SKU: MZ58324N
Price: 399.99 USD
Availability: Discontinued
Rating: 3.4 (10 reviews)

Metz MZ58324N 58 AF-2 Digital Flash for Nikon

Metz 58AF2

Metz

Adorama

Photography

Lighting & Studio

Flashes & On-Camera Lighting

On Camera Flashes

Metz On Camera Flashes

Metz 58AF2 

Buy: Metz MZ58324N 58 AF-2 Digital Flash for Nikon Buy now & save $45. Flash Type: Shoe Mount Flash

Key and fill flash remote fired and on camera

Full featured, flash for Sony Dslr  A580

The flash consistently over exposes in ETTL mode, but unfortunately not the same amount (if it did I could use -1EV or so). The good news is in A mode (thyrister mode) the exposure is pretty good, but I was looking for and off camera ETTL automatic mode flash. I contacted Metz to allow them to create some new firmware, however they chose not to.

I've attached some photos. each row is 2 shots of camera manual, 2 shots camera P mode, at ISO 400 & 1600 respectively.

The first row is a Canon Flash in ETTL mode.
The second row is the Metz 58AF2 in ETTL mode.
The third row is Metz 58AF2 in A mode.

The Canon flash is slightly under exposed but consistent. The Metz in ETTL is over exposed.
The Metz in A mode is actually pretty good for all but the last picture.

So since Metz woiuldn't work with me to update the firmware I returned the flash and bought another Canon flash, the 600ex-RT.

Not so good

This is a wonderful flash with great output.  The recycle time is slower than I am used to but overall I love this flash and will use it as my primary.

Love It

It out of the light, well apply to three-dimensional portrait of artistic creation.If you want a stable light, beautiful light, Metz MZ58324N 58 AF-2 Digital Flash, is your best choice.Yes, it is a bit slow.

Good light

Use once and broken down.  The US distributor did not follow up .  If you live abroad and not in US, do NOT purchase this as there's no repair service.

Used once and broken down

I have used this flash for portraits and some fill. I love it. Great product!It's everything I wanted it to be.

What a great flash unit!

We have 4 and always looking to buy more. Very long lasting. As I said before it is a little slow but the next item to add is the power pack

Yes I use and have 4 now

I needed an extra speedlight to complete a wireless 3 light system. I already own the 580EX II and the Metz 58 AF-1, so I am pretty familiar with the differences between both units. The 580EX is definately more rugged and of course it's a Canon !

In my opinion however, both units work about the same performance wise and are very compatible, but what sold me on the Metz AF-2 is the price about 100-200 dollars cheaper than the 580EX II(depending where you shop), and also some minor features which became very important to me as time went on. 

I am a wedding photographer so I like the option of using ETTL, or using the tried and true Thyristor metering system. Thyristor comes in handy when you are not concerned about trying to balance the ambient light with the flash. It is more reliable than ETTL in a variety of situations especially where the subject is very dark or very light. Such as when the groom is wearing a black tuxedo and the bride is wearing a glaring white gown. 

This is where ETTL II struggles sometimes. Now you must be saying to yourself "but the Canon offers automatic thyristor metering" and you are right. However, it is much easier and much more accurate on the Metz and again I own both units. With the Canon you have to go to a custom function menu, choose function f05, then choose 1 of the 3 options, then you have to manually plug in the ISO and Aperture from the camera at least I have to on my camera(the 1D3 does it automatically however) ? If you are at a busy wedding or shoot, it is very easy to forget which function does what ! 

The ISO and Aperture are automatically transferred from camera to flash with the Metz. The camera retains communication with the flash in Automatic mode no matter what "compatible" camera you are using. Choosing Automatic mode with the Metz is done by simply pressing the "Mode" button a couple of times. The LCD then displays a big "A" so there is no guessing. To make it worse the Canon underexposes by 2 stops in Automatic mode at least mine does ! 

Some other features I like about the Metz are the Battery Guage indicator, nothing like a flash suddenly and unexpectedly running out of juice during an important shoot. The indicator displays on the LCD and tells you when your batteries are running low. Another is the Flash Ready Beep which comes in handy when you are working wirelessly and your off-camera flash is situated where you can't easily see the ready light, believe me this happens. The secondary reflector on the Metz also comes in handy when bouncing flash, but I knew that already. It took me a while to figure out the other features I just mentioned were really important until it was too late. Another plus is that with the P50/P76 powerpack you get about 800+ flashes in ETTl or Automatic mode, plenty of juice to cover an entire wedding. 

So once again, I had to go with the Metz 58 AF-2 just as I did 4 years ago when I purchased the 58 AF-1. Don't get me wrong the Canon 580EX is a great flash and some would rather spend the extra bucks to get a bonafide Canon speedlight, but for what I plan to use the flash for, the Metz seems like the better decision.

For the price this is a great flash

Screen keeps flashing "power Pack". I have no power pack for the flash unit. I use only batteries. While the error flashes on the screen the flash is not functional. Much of the time it is not working because of this. Metz does not offer any support. [$] in the trash. I cannot recommend this product or the metz company.

Piece of junk

This is a powerful unit that works fine in on-camera applications, but it is NOT fully compatible with Nikon wireless CLS applications.

The light sensor for off-camera operation is badly located underneath the flash head, and requires absolute line-of-sight with the master flash. It will only work in Group A as part of a multi - group, multi-flash set-up. 

If I was still in NY I'd be returning it, because it doesn't do what the advertising claims.

Metz MZ58324N 58 AF-2 Digital Flash for Nikon

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