[Howdy]

UPDATE: Firmware version 5.1 for Metz 58 AF-1 SOLVES THE PROBLEM. If you have v.5.0 installed, consider updating to v. 5.1 . The update is available on the Metz website.

For Metz 58 AF-2 the v.4.1 firmware that most probably solves it as well, is available here. If you have v.4.0 firmware installed, tou may want to consider updating v.4.1 due to the bug outlined below.

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The following information is for version v.5.0 and v.4.0. The newest firmware (v.5.1 and v.4.1) solves those problems.

The newest firmware (v 5.0) for Metz 58 AF-1 released on 18.06.2013 has a very serious bug. The flash WILL NOT FIRE on A and M modes! PTTL and PTTL-HSS works as always.

This issue MAY ALSO APPLY to the newest Metz 58 AF-2! It was confirmed on Taiwanese pentaxfans forum.

PROBLEM CONFIRMED by Nfrw on DPReview K5 II, firmware V 5.0 on Metz 58 AF-1 is affected by this.

K-30 using 70mm Limited WORKS as confirmed by Zafar Iqbal
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I have upgraded the firmware to v 5.0 on Metz 58 AF-1. The flash will make a preflash on A and M modes but will not fire the main flash thus rendering A and M mode useless. PTTL and PTTL-HSS work flawlessly. I confirmed this issue using Pentax 18-55 AL WR kit lens on Pentax K-7.

Can anyone confirm this bug?

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Last edited by Howdy; 06-26-2013 at 10:46 AM. Reason: Added lens, camera information, tests and SOLUTION!

[Zafar Iqbal]

My 58 AF-2 has so far worked perfectly fine under PTTL, PTTL HSS, A and M modes.

I haven't noticed any issues.

[Howdy]

My 58 AF-2 has so far worked perfectly fine under PTTL, PTTL HSS, A and M modes.

I haven't noticed any issues.

Zafar, could you post the camera model and lenses you've tested this on?

[Zafar Iqbal]

K-30 using 70mm Limited.

[Howdy]

I just tested this on manual Adaptall-2 Tamron SP 70-210 f/3.5, on X-mode, using Pentax K-7 and problem still persists. PTTL works, A or M does not...

[MSL]

Metz.de hasn't released V5.0 for the 58-2 yet, just the 58-1, although it does seem that 4.0 for the 58-2 has the same sort of update as 5.0 for the 58-1.

[Howdy]

Metz.de hasn't released V5.0 for the 58-2 yet, just the 58-1, although it does seem that 4.0 for the 58-2 has the same sort of update as 5.0 for the 58-1.

You are absolutely right. The issue seems to be for Metz 58 AF-1 v 5.0 or (possibly) Metz 58 AF-2 v. 4.0.

This is the error you get when writing as fast as possible .

[awaldram]

I just tested this on manual Adaptall-2 Tamron SP 70-210 f/3.5, on X-mode, using Pentax K-7 and problem still persists. PTTL works, A or M does not...

How does p-ttl work with a manual lens ??
without matrix metering you cannot have p-ttl

come to think of it what do you mean by A and M do you mean Auto and Manual on the flash or Av and Manual on the camera.?

[Howdy]

How does p-ttl work with a manual lens ??
without matrix metering you cannot have p-ttl

Yup - you're right... I re-tested it and it does not work. This proves that I need to go back and reevaluate everyting.

come to think of it what do you mean by A and M do you mean Auto and Manual on the flash or Av and Manual on the camera.?

It seems I am more tired than I thought... Maybe I did something wrong?

Here is everything I did:

Camera used: Pentax K-7, firmware 1.11
Camera settings: "X"-mode on the wheel, manual-only (MF) focus, 70mm as focal length, ISO 800, "F---" (obviously), Time: 1/180 (again, obvious in "X"-mode), "fast serial" drive mode [sorry, I am using a Polish version so the translation may not be accurate], Auto white balance, RAW+JPEG mode (with raws in DNG format), center-only exposure metering mode.

Lens: Tamron SP 70-210 (19AH) Adaptall-2, set to manual f/3.5,

Flash mounted on hot shoe: Metz 58 AF-1 digital for Pentax (58AF-1 PEN V5.0)
Firmware version: v. 5.0
Possible flash settings: PTTL (!), PTTL-HSS (!), A, M, multi-flash ('three thunders' symbol), SB. No TTL mode possible
Flash setting selected: "M"anual mode (P1/1), 24m, F/4.0 [20m] with main flash pointing up, "TILT 28"

Result: Result: front flash fired before taking the picture ("shutter down, front flash on the Metz flashes, pause of about 0.5sec, a picture is taken"). no firing of the main flash and severe underexposure of a shot.
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Same camera, same camera settings (except for aperture, now at f/4.5).

Lens: SMC Pentax-DA 18-55 AL WR (the kit for Pentax K-7)
Lens settings: f/3.5, 18mm focal length

a) Flash settings - same ("M" mode, flash displays "24m")
Result: front flash fired before taking the picture ("shutter down, front flash on the Metz flashes, pause of about 0.5sec, a picture is taken"). no firing of the main flash and severe underexposure of a shot.

b) Flash settings - same, except for ("A" mode, flash displays "24m")
Result: front flash fired before taking the picture ("shutter down, front flash on the Metz flashes, pause of about 0.5sec, a picture is taken"). no firing of the main flash and severe underexposure of a shot.

c) Flash settings: PTTL mode
Result - front flash fired before taking the picture ("shutter down, front flash on the Metz flashes, pause of about 0.5sec, main gun flashes while a picture is taken"). Picture is exposed and lit correctly.

d) Flash settings: PTTL-HSS mode
Result - front flash fired before taking the picture ("shutter down, front flash on the Metz flashes, pause of about 0.5sec, main gun flashes while a picture is taken"). Picture is exposed and lit correctly.

e) Flash settings: Multiflash (3 thunders), M15, f15Hz, 4.3m, P1/32
Result: front flash fired before taking the picture ("shutter down, front flash on the Metz flashes, pause of about 0.5sec, a picture is taken"). no firing of the main flash and severe underexposure of a shot.

If there is any information missing / something is unclear or I did a mistake again, please do let me know.

If there is anyone with Metz 58 AF-1 (v. 5.0 firmware) or AF-2 (v. 4.0 firmware) with Pentax K-7 and its kit 18-55 lens - please help to confirm or deny the problem!

[Zafar Iqbal]

I received confirmation from Metz Germany that the V4.0 updated rendered the "A" and "M" modes useless. They are working on an update. The good news: It is possible to revert to the old V3.0 firmware. The service at Metz is exemplary. Very friendly and knowledgeable people. While it will never be possible for the 58 AF-2 to be an HSS-master, they have improved its HSS slave performance (for the K-5 and enabled it for the K-30).

Hm, can you tell what the exact symptoms are? Mine works as it should

[Class A]

I've contacted Metz Germany and they have confirmed that the V4.0 update for the 58-2 rendes the "A" and "M" modes useless. They are working on an update.

The good news:

• It is possible to revert to the old V3.0 firmware.
• The service at Metz is exemplary. Very friendly and knowledgeable people.
• While it will never be possible for the 58 AF-2 to be an HSS-master, they have improved its HSS slave performance (for the K-5 and enabled it for the K-30).

[Class A]

Hm, can you tell what the exact symptoms are? Mine works as it should

I've only been told "usage not possible anymore".

I haven't tried that firmware myself, because my current V3.0 is working fine and I didn't want to disable any modes that are currently working.

You'll find many posts by other users confirming that the "A" and "M" modes aren't working anymore. Whether this is camera-specific (K-30 vs K-5), I don't know.

When you switch on your flash, do you see the "V4.0" (or "V5.0") in the display?

[Howdy]

Yes, the flash confirms the installation of v5.0 firmware by displaying this version number after powering up.

[Zafar Iqbal]

I'm on v4 which also was released a week ago.

I tried using my Pentax 18-55 and 18-135 lenses in A and M modes, with the flash head pointing forwards and straight up. It just works.

[vanyagor]

I have the same issue with K-5 and Metz 58-AF2 firmware 4.0 which I have installed 2 days ago. Flash does not fire in A or M mode (on the flash). Lens Pentax DA40 Limited and Tamron 17-50 f2.8. Latest firmware on K-5. Should I report this to Metz?