[fs999]

Metz Mecatech: Insolvency proceedings have been ongoing since November 1st.

The corona pandemic claims a prominent victim: Metz Mecatech has filed for bankruptcy. The company, which emerged five years ago from the traditional computer manufacturer of flash units and television sets, has been struggling with dramatic sales losses since March. It is currently uncertain whether there is a future for the company or parts of it.

It was almost six years ago that the once proud Metz works file for bankruptcy for the first time had to. Now one of the successor companies is hit again – Lauri Jouhki, Managing Director of Metz Mecatech, had to go to the bankruptcy court at the end of August.

After the bankruptcy of the Metz group five years ago, all parts of the company ended up outside the TV division at Metz Mecatech. So plastic and switching technology, flash units but also the “Moover” electric scooter. The top-class vehicle was supposed to secure the company in the long term, but in view of the significantly cheaper competition from the Far East, it sold much worse than expected. Instead of the planned 10,000 units per year, the company only sold 600 Moover.

Now insolvency administrator Harald Schwartz is looking for an investor who could save Metz Mecatech. Not an easy task given the hodgepodge of products. It can be assumed that the flash unit will become the first victims of bankruptcy.

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Last edited by fs999; 12-07-2020 at 07:32 AM.

[D1N0]

High ISO performance has really killed the flash market.

[MikeyBugs95]

Also maybe cell phones kicking the legs out from under the camera market. Why do you need a camera and external flash when you have both in one that you carry in your pocket?

[brofkand]

Sad, I love my Metz flashes. I hope they are able to pull through. They've always been the brand I've recommended to people wanting to get into flash.

High ISO does not replace a flash!

[texandrews]

Not very good news!

[stevebrot]

This is sad news and it is hard to say what role the flash division played in the insolvency. There is stiff competition in that market in general; note the recent loss of Cactus as well.


Steve

[Mistral75]

Sad news indeed.

[BigMackCam]

What a shame. I liked their products.

I have a couple of Metz 52 AF-1 flashes, one for Pentax and the other for Sony. Quirky user interface, but very well built and highly capable. Much more solid than a lot of other-brand units available these days...

High ISO performance has really killed the flash market.

If that's the case, it shows how many folks misunderstand the use(s) of dedicated flash units

---------- Post added 07-12-20 at 20:40 ----------

High ISO does not replace a flash!

Well said. I've yet to see an imaging sensor that can bounce light off a wall or ceiling, or provide fill lighting for a strongly back-lit subject...

[MikeyBugs95]

.... note the recent loss of Cactus as well.


Steve

What happened to Cactus? Did they go out of business or just stopped making Pentax compatible flashes?

[stevebrot]

What happened to Cactus? Did they go out of business or just stopped making Pentax compatible flashes?

They are leaving the market.


Steve

[lesmore49]

What a shame. I liked their products.

I have a couple of Metz 52 AF-1 flashes, one for Pentax and the other for Sony. Quirky user interface, but very well built and highly capable. Much more solid than a lot of other-brand units available these days...



If that's the case, it shows how many folks misunderstand the use(s) of dedicated flash units

---------- Post added 07-12-20 at 20:40 ----------



.

I used to use my flash (Pentax 360 digital , Vivitar 285 HV-film cameras only) an awful lot and still use them for group photography, macro work, etc. But I have lessened my use of flash photography during the past almost 3 years since my grandchild was born. His parents didn't want me using the electronic flash if I could avoid it, so I've been using higher iso...3200, 6400, etc. in my K1, K5 GR ll....to capture his fast moving self in indoor available light. I've been pleased with the pictures and have generally used my 28-105, 100 Macro WR @ F 2.8 and 24-70 @ F 2.8.

But no doubt about it, there continues to be a place in my bag for my flash unit and I expect there will always will be. If the 360 eventually shrugs off this mortal coil, I plan to replace it with a Pentax 540.

[DWS1]

This doesn't look promising.

[Kunzite]

Too bad; they supported Pentax nicely (the ability to update the firmware in some of their flashes helped with that).

I still have an older 58-AF1; as a compact option for the GR III I chose Pentax instead.

[fs999]

I have bought today a M400 nearly new, we never know what will happen...

[barondla]

Such a shame. Hope they can find a way to survive and prosper. Fear there will be many others.

Thanks,
barondla