soupcraze's Full Review: Metz TTL 58 AF-1 Shoe Mount Flash for Canon E-TTL ...
After using a borrowed Canon Speedlite 430EX time after time, I realized that it was time for me to get my own flash. I initially wanted Canon's flagship, the Canon Speedlite 580EX II flash. Even though people say the 430EX provides more than enough power for amateur users, I realized that the extra power would be beneficial for bounce flash photography. Bounce flash photography creates a more natural light setting, instead of having over-exposed looking photos from using head-on flash. Someone once told me to look at the cheap "ETTL"-capable flashes (Type that into the search bar on eBay) on eBay. My general consensus at the time was that many manufacturers created cheaper flashes than Canon's very own Speedlite models. I did not actually know at the time that there were third party manufacturers (Besides Sigma with the EF-530DG) that made expensive comparable flashes, as the ones on eBay were all sub-$100 models. Then I stumbled upon Metz, which specializes in photography lighting. After doing more and more research on Metz, I realized that their new shoemount flagship, the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 could actually benefit me more than the Canon Speedlite 580EX II in terms of bounce photography due to the fill flash. After reading more reviews on it, I felt that this was the right flash for me. I ordered it from B&H Photo Video and actually purchased a Canon Speedlite 580EX II when it shipped from a brick & mortar store to try them side-by-side. In the end, the Canon went back to the store and here I am enjoying my Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1.
-PRICE-
*At the time of purchasing the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1, it was slightly more expensive than the Canon Speedlite 580EX II with its $50 rebate. Otherwise, the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 can be purchased outright from a reputable retailer such as Adorama or B&H Photo Video for about $359.95. The Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 was not as widely available as the Canon Speedlite 580EX II online. Therefore, there are less retailers you can buy it from, though luckily the ones that offer it are amongst the best. My best guess is that if you are buying it from a local brick & mortar camera store, you will probably be paying $450 or more, which is my best guess.
Therefore, you can see that by no means is the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 a cheap flash. It is a top-of-the-line flash, representing a highly-respected company in the business. Metz has been creating flash photography tools for decades. Interestingly, this is the only non-Japanese built item on my camera, since the flash is built in Germany. Cool!
Is it worth such a high price tag? I would have to say so. The construction of the flash leaves some to be desired (Later in the review), but ultimately what happens in the pictures is what I care about most. For a third party flash, it works seamlessly on my camera and has actually produced more favorable results than the Canon flash. So ultimately, I feel it comes down to personal preference.
The Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 is also a dedicated flash, so unlike Metz's older Metz Mecablitz 54 MZ-4 flash, you can't buy an adapter to use it on a different camera. But, I would like to see how the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 stands up against flagship models from other makers, such as Nikon with the Nikon SB-800 flash. Though, with the results I have received so far, I feel that it would make a great addition to any SLR kit, and is well worth the money, especially if you are a fan of bounce flash photography.
-BUILD QUALITY-
*I feel that this is one area where there is something left to be desired. I was amazed with how well made the Canon Speedlite 580EX II was. I felt that since you are paying almost the same amount for the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1, that it should have incorporated some of the features that the Canon model has. For example, I wish that the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 would lock down to the camera's shoe with a clamp lock, like the 580EX II. I got used to using the wheel with the Canon Speedlite 430EX, but feel that the clamp ultimately makes the flash feel more secure. The Canon Speedlite 580EX II also features a metal shoe mount. This is one feature that I loved about the Canon since I am always weary of taking the flash on and off the shoe mount. The Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 unfortunately still has a plastic shoe. People argue though that if you accidentally hit your flash hard against something, that it is better to break the flash shoe instead of the top of the camera. I try to be as careful as I can though, so I would have simply preferred the greater durability of the metal shoe instead.
The Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 also is not weather resistant. The Canon Speedlite 580EX II is weather sealed, but for most users this might actually be pointless. Unless you are combining the Canon flash with the flagship Canon EOS 1Ds MkIII camera, your camera body will not be weather-sealed anyhow. Therefore, even if I used a Canon Speedlite 580EX II with my Canon EOS 400D in harsh weather, my body would have probably not survived, so I would not go into those conditions anyhow. Nonetheless, even though it would not benefit most users, I feel that Metz should have weather-sealed their flash anyhow for professionals that would be mounting it on top of an EOS 1Ds MkIII anyhow, since the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 does ultimately compete with Canon's own flagship flash.
Otherwise, I found the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 to be a nicely-built flash. I found the battery compartment to be more easily accessible than the Canon Speedlite 430EX. I also found everything else to be built quite nicely. Therefore, if you are not comparing this to the Canon Speedlite 580EX II, it is a very solid device. Though, for this much money, I wish they had modeled this after the Speedlite 580EX II.
-FEATURES-
*There is one main feature that made me keep this flash over the Canon. The Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 has a fill flash built into the front. So, what does this do? The fill flash is intended for bounce flash photography. This means that when you have the main head of the flash tilted up to bounce light on the ceiling, you can set the smaller fill flash to fire. It takes some of the power directed for the main head and therefore unleashes a smaller flash. The fill flash can either be turned off, at 100% power (1/1), at 50% power (1/2), or at 25% power (1/4). I have it set at "1/4" in order to prevent overexposure. With the fill flash, I received better results with bounce flash than with the Canon Speedlite 580EX II. The dark areas around the eyes, for example, become illuminated, and thus helps to create better more natural looking photographs. The flash head also swivels to the left and right, which allows you to effectively bounce the flash off of walls.
Aside from this, the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 performs very well as a third party flash. The Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 is Canon ETTL capable. This means that when you zoom your lens out, the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 is capable of calculating the distance, and therefore zooms the head in order to give proper exposure. I found the zoom of the head to be quite a bit louder than that of the Speedlite 430EX when I first ever heard something like this happen. The flash can be used in either automatic or manual modes. I prefer to use it in automatic mode with ETTL, and it works like a charm. I am able to view on the LCD the EXIF data received from the camera. The Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 has no problems relaying it from the camera, and then adjusting the flash as necessary. I am also able to view the f-stop and ISO settings on the LCD.
The Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 works seamlessly with my camera. I found it to work very well in the automatic mode where it gathers the EXIF data from the camera, and then zooms the head in and out according to the ETTL. So far, the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 has provided excellent looking photos and works very well as a third party device.
Since third party manufacturers do not know the exact specifications of a Canon camera, the device may stop working when a new camera body with new technology comes out. Metz was ahead of the curve when they decided to include a USB port in the flash! It uses a mini-USB connection, and allows you to update the firmware of the flash when something new comes out. While you can still send in older equipment to be "rechipped" to the manufacturer, here you can do this all by yourself and save money. Cool!
The Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 also runs on four AA-sized batteries. The batteries that I use are Duracell rechargeable NiMH. They work quite well. Aside from these, you can also use alkaline or one time use AA lithiums. The most cost-effective method is to simply use NiMH batteries.
Aside from the device itself, Metz provides a carrying puch. I feel that Canon provides a superior pouch. Even though the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 comes in a zipper pouch, it provides nearly no cushioning for the flash. Luckily, I carry it in my camera bag where it is secure. Otherwise, I would have considered purchasing the same pouch used for the Speedlite flashes.
-EASE OF USE-
*I have heard many complaints about setting the functions of the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1. Interestingly, I actually like the interface a lot. Compared to the Canon Speedlite 580EX II, the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 is very "clean" in the back It has one LCD screen with four buttons. You have to tap the buttons twice to access a menu, and then follow the icons on the bottom of the LCD screen to navigate effectively. This reminds me a lot of navigating the menus on either my Windows Mobile Smartphone edition phones, or better yet, Texas Instruments TI-89 calculator. I honestly don't see what all of the fuss is about. I was able to calibrate it to exactly what I wanted to in a matter of minutes. I even find the cleaner layout to be easier to use than the Canon Speedlite 580EX II. The menu does take a little bit to get used to (But then again, what doesn't?), but when you get used to it, it is very easy to use. From the beginning, I felt that it was well laid-out, and do not quite see where everyone else is coming from.
-IMAGE QUALITY-
*By using the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 in automatic mode with ETTL, I was provided with excellent looking photos. It is a very powerful flash with comparable power to the flagship Canon Speedlite 580EX II. The main advantage of the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 is with the fill flash. At 25% power, I was able to get better-lighted photographs with it. Therefore, for those who use mostly bounce flash, this flash would definitely benefit them more than the Canon Speedlite 580EX II. By pointing the flash forward, I received very similar results to the Canon. Combined with the relay of EXIF data, I was able to get comparable results to the Canon. I have not used the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 in full manual mode, but for amateurs that want high-power, this makes for a great device.
If you do not use bounce flash extensively, then by all means I would recommend getting the Canon Speedlite 580EX II instead due to its better build quality. Otherwise, the fill flash alone helped improve the results from my favorite type of flash photography.
-THE VERDICT-
*Metz has created a real winner with the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1. They have created a very powerful flash that works seamlessly with my Canon EOS camera. I have so far received amazing quality results. While the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 leaves a bit to be desired in terms of build quality compared to the Canon Speedlite 580EX II, I feel that it offers a better option for bounce flash with its fill flash. This was the ultimate selling point for the flash, despite the build disparity between the Metz and Canon flashes. Thinking about upgrading bodies in the near future? It's okay, Metz has got you covered! This is the first flash to introduce a USB port so you can upgrade the firmware by yourself. Therefore, your flash should not grow obsolete. Without any doubt, this flash would make a beautiful crown on almost any camera, whether it is Canon, Nikon, or others. Metz has created a real winner with the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1, where Metz comes to show, it is always first class.
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