Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
06-18-2011, 04:34 AM   #1
Senior Member




Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: france
Photos: Albums
Posts: 163
Metz - Mecablitz 58 AF = JUNK

This is a warning to all those souls out there who are after TTL flash.
Like the naive me )) I have two YN560 flashes which work great but I wanted to try out the Metz.

Do NOT buy the stinking
Metz - Mecablitz 58 AF

not sure how good the Pentax AF540 is but it CANNOT be worse. The Metz underexposes and overexposes in wireless is it wants to. Bounced flash underexposes and overexposes just as it wishes. Has no manual control or it is so tedious you will not even find it. Has weird interface - are you going to take pictures or torture yourself with it?

But wait... what is not all... the worst of all ....

it does have an AWFUL light color. So bad that makes me vomit when I look at my pictures. There is this BLUE tint to the light I wonder how to correct this s**t maaaan what a crap!!! Holy YONGNUO 560 I love you ))

Beleive it or not the build of the Chineese YN560 for 50USD is surerior to the 550 USD Metz!!! I use the YN560 with Phottix Aster remote from Amazon and with PC sync cable (2USD) from eBay.

Lucky me AMAZON is where I purchased the Metz too and they will spare me more troubles in this case - this little junk goes back on Monday.

Also, I have 2x YN560 flashes and I am happy to work with them. Go get one - it has very good neutral color light, it is powerful and easy to use, a little bulky but for a good reason.

Also I discovered that there are some light artifacts when testing it. Wow how is it possible that it gets prised at the "best flash in the world" ??? Dont know... just wanted to let you know what I found and I am really surprised to be honest.

The Mecablitz 58 AF-1 won the EISA Award for “best flash unit in Europe 2007/2008″.

Review: Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2 Digital - IT Enquirer on Photography and Video

06-18-2011, 05:04 AM   #2
Veteran Member
filorp's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Aberdeen Scotland
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 398
yongnuo are manual flashes metz is pTTL there is lots of threads about how unreliable is pTTL especially on k5. I had similar problem with some of sigma flash - it had faulty converter. Maybe the unit you have received was just broken? Never had any problem with Metz 48AF
06-18-2011, 05:41 AM   #3
Veteran Member
mtansley's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,139
Never had a problem with my two Metz 58s (Pentax & Nikon). Work perfectly reliably for me and don't miss a trick. P-TTL flash can be problematic but that's down to the camera since the camera tells the flash the power to set (if I understand it properly).

If you're shooting off camera using wireless then set the power manually on the flash.

Didn't have any problems with my Pentax AF540 either until it fell off a light stand although that wasn't it's fault!!
06-18-2011, 05:41 AM   #4
Veteran Member
bobmaxja's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Laval, Quebec Canada
Posts: 2,171
Why in K-5 forum, seem a trash dumb now

06-18-2011, 05:48 AM   #5
New Member




Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Texas
Photos: Albums
Posts: 21
QuoteOriginally posted by dreamfoto Quote
This is a warning to all those souls out there who are after TTL flash.
Like the naive me )) I have two YN560 flashes which work great but I wanted to try out the Metz.

Do NOT buy the stinking
Metz - Mecablitz 58 AF

not sure how good the Pentax AF540 is but it CANNOT be worse. The Metz underexposes and overexposes in wireless is it wants to. Bounced flash underexposes and overexposes just as it wishes. Has no manual control or it is so tedious you will not even find it. Has weird interface - are you going to take pictures or torture yourself with it?

But wait... what is not all... the worst of all ....

it does have an AWFUL light color. So bad that makes me vomit when I look at my pictures. There is this BLUE tint to the light I wonder how to correct this s**t maaaan what a crap!!! Holy YONGNUO 560 I love you ))

Beleive it or not the build of the Chineese YN560 for 50USD is surerior to the 550 USD Metz!!! I use the YN560 with Phottix Aster remote from Amazon and with PC sync cable (2USD) from eBay.

Lucky me AMAZON is where I purchased the Metz too and they will spare me more troubles in this case - this little junk goes back on Monday.

Also, I have 2x YN560 flashes and I am happy to work with them. Go get one - it has very good neutral color light, it is powerful and easy to use, a little bulky but for a good reason.

Also I discovered that there are some light artifacts when testing it. Wow how is it possible that it gets prised at the "best flash in the world" ??? Dont know... just wanted to let you know what I found and I am really surprised to be honest.

The Mecablitz 58 AF-1 won the EISA Award for “best flash unit in Europe 2007/2008″.

Review: Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2 Digital - IT Enquirer on Photography and Video
Have you tried the "A" mode a on the Metz it has a more consistent exposure than the PTTL. Of course your opinion on the build is a bit harsh. As far as flash exposure I have found if I try to bounce in PTTL the exposure is inconsistent but in A mode much much better. If you search this site it has been discussed in depth.
06-18-2011, 05:49 AM   #6
Veteran Member
mtansley's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,139
QuoteOriginally posted by bobmaxja Quote
Why in K-5 forum, seem a trash dumb now
Agreed, unless it's a K-5 specific flash problem.

However, I aways figured that all TTL (Nikon, Pentax, Canon & others) was a bit hit and miss since you never really know what the camera is thinking when it sets the exposure. When I set the flash manually I know how it's going to light the photo, not how the camera sees it.

My K20 isn't perfect. I find that I'm always adjusting the flash compensation or using the flash in automatic mode.
06-18-2011, 06:15 AM   #7
Veteran Member
kent's Avatar

Join Date: May 2009
Location: Lithuania
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 344
Stop bullshiting. If you can't find M mode, that's not a Metz problem - that's your personal problem. I have good old 48 AF1 - everything is just fine with flash, and ussualy I get properly exposed pic

06-18-2011, 06:23 AM   #8
Senior Member




Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: france
Photos: Albums
Posts: 163
Original Poster
Thanks everyone!

Looks like the K-5 doesn't give consistent results with PTTL. Nevermind, I am used to manual already. Well, instead of changing the compensation 3 times I prefer to set the flash manually anyway.

texbaz, thanks for the tip, I'll check the A mode, not sure if I have already done that test. Too much randomness in too short of a time Hope this will work better...

Its true I am overly-emotional in expressing my opinion, but the important is the facts still hold... BTW Has anyone noticed blue-ish color to the flash or is it the tint of the aura of my anger Nobody mentioned that so ... it must be the aura
06-18-2011, 06:29 AM   #9
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter




Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Gladys, Virginia
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 27,602
Metz is not a bad flash. I actually have no trouble with TTL, although I don't use it wireless at all. Most often I use it for a little bit of fill flash when it is needed. I use it nearly completely in TTL mode. If off camera, though, I use Cactus V5s and manual mode. This is a photo with the Metz 58, on camera (photo of my son); however, shot with the K7 (I get similar results with the K5).

06-18-2011, 06:35 AM   #10
Banned




Join Date: Jan 2009
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 9,675
For good working with K-5 the Metz flashes do need a firmware upgrade wich you can get on their site.
06-18-2011, 07:14 AM - 1 Like   #11
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Melbourne
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,386
QuoteOriginally posted by dreamfoto Quote
This is a warning to all those souls out there who are after TTL flash.
Like the naive me )) I have two YN560 flashes which work great but I wanted to try out the Metz.

Do NOT buy the stinking
Metz - Mecablitz 58 AF

not sure how good the Pentax AF540 is but it CANNOT be worse. The Metz underexposes and overexposes in wireless is it wants to. Bounced flash underexposes and overexposes just as it wishes. Has no manual control or it is so tedious you will not even find it. Has weird interface - are you going to take pictures or torture yourself with it?

But wait... what is not all... the worst of all ....

it does have an AWFUL light color. So bad that makes me vomit when I look at my pictures. There is this BLUE tint to the light I wonder how to correct this s**t maaaan what a crap!!! Holy YONGNUO 560 I love you ))

Beleive it or not the build of the Chineese YN560 for 50USD is surerior to the 550 USD Metz!!! I use the YN560 with Phottix Aster remote from Amazon and with PC sync cable (2USD) from eBay.

Lucky me AMAZON is where I purchased the Metz too and they will spare me more troubles in this case - this little junk goes back on Monday.

Also, I have 2x YN560 flashes and I am happy to work with them. Go get one - it has very good neutral color light, it is powerful and easy to use, a little bulky but for a good reason.

Also I discovered that there are some light artifacts when testing it. Wow how is it possible that it gets prised at the "best flash in the world" ??? Dont know... just wanted to let you know what I found and I am really surprised to be honest.

The Mecablitz 58 AF-1 won the EISA Award for “best flash unit in Europe 2007/2008″.

Review: Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2 Digital - IT Enquirer on Photography and Video
Oh dear, you let it all hang out in your anger. Before you write all these hateful remarks and possibly find out later that you have made a fool of yourself just have a little lie down, breathe in and out slowly relax and start to analyze your problems anew. There, there...

Is it possible you have used PTTL when really you should have used manual or A setting? Is it possible your flash gun needs updating to the latest FW version? Is it possible the gun has developed a fault? (think of Airbus A380 and RR Engine) Is it possible you may have made a mistake? (we all make them you know), have you set the camera incorrectly?...

I have the Metz 58 AF-1 and after the FW update to Ver.3.0 (that is the beauty of the Metz that one can actually do that when a new model camera requires it) the unit runs perfectly with my K-5. That is not to say I don't have to make a few adjustments here and there but that's photography. (And perhaps even the fun of it)

So before you give up on this little baby, have another look at it. Also please consider Metz is one of the oldest continuously operating flash gun manufacturer in the world and I find it hart to believe that they can get it so wrong.

Greetings
06-18-2011, 09:20 AM   #12
Veteran Member
mtansley's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 1,139
QuoteOriginally posted by Rondec Quote
This is a photo with the Metz 58, on camera (photo of my son); however, shot with the K7 (I get similar results with the K5).
Your photo of your son reminds me of one Metz uses from a very early brochure. (1960s?)

Into the future with tradition: Metz
06-18-2011, 01:32 PM   #13
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
fs999's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Luxembourg
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 8,587
QuoteOriginally posted by dreamfoto Quote
This is a warning to all those souls out there who are after TTL flash.
Like the naive me )) I have two YN560 flashes which work great but I wanted to try out the Metz.

Do NOT buy the stinking
Metz - Mecablitz 58 AF

not sure how good the Pentax AF540 is but it CANNOT be worse. The Metz underexposes and overexposes in wireless is it wants to. Bounced flash underexposes and overexposes just as it wishes. Has no manual control or it is so tedious you will not even find it. Has weird interface - are you going to take pictures or torture yourself with it?

But wait... what is not all... the worst of all ....

it does have an AWFUL light color. So bad that makes me vomit when I look at my pictures. There is this BLUE tint to the light I wonder how to correct this s**t maaaan what a crap!!! Holy YONGNUO 560 I love you ))

Beleive it or not the build of the Chineese YN560 for 50USD is surerior to the 550 USD Metz!!! I use the YN560 with Phottix Aster remote from Amazon and with PC sync cable (2USD) from eBay.

Lucky me AMAZON is where I purchased the Metz too and they will spare me more troubles in this case - this little junk goes back on Monday.

Also, I have 2x YN560 flashes and I am happy to work with them. Go get one - it has very good neutral color light, it is powerful and easy to use, a little bulky but for a good reason.

Also I discovered that there are some light artifacts when testing it. Wow how is it possible that it gets prised at the "best flash in the world" ??? Dont know... just wanted to let you know what I found and I am really surprised to be honest.

The Mecablitz 58 AF-1 won the EISA Award for “best flash unit in Europe 2007/2008″.

Review: Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2 Digital - IT Enquirer on Photography and Video
Surprised ? You could have searched this forum before posting your surprise...
06-18-2011, 01:49 PM   #14
Veteran Member
yeatzee's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Temecula
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,675
User error/not knowing how to use a peice of equipment does not make it junk.


Besides M mode ftw!
06-18-2011, 03:51 PM   #15
Veteran Member
frank's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Singapore
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,202
1st time heard someone saying that Metz 58 flash is a junk. I've been using one for a year plus, really like it. Had the Pentax 540 flash for over 4 years before, it's definitely not as well made as the Metz
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
amazon, camera, color, dslr, flash, k-5, k-5 ii, k-5 iis, k5, light, mecablitz, metz, pentax k-5
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Metz mecablitz 58 AF-2 lamented bovine Pentax DSLR Discussion 24 12-02-2011 09:10 PM
Kx and metz mecablitz 15 ms-1 macro mikknu Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 11 01-01-2011 09:35 AM
Metz Mecablitz Af-1 48: A n00b question? PeteyJ Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 14 04-07-2010 12:53 AM
For Sale - Sold: Metz mecablitz 48 AF-1 bigben91682 Sold Items 7 07-06-2009 05:44 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:44 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top