Digital Cameras Ratings: Metz MZ 58311C 58 AF-1C Flash for Canon Cameras Review

Average Reviews:
3.5 out of 5 stars

(More customer reviews)I purchased this flash unit to replace a troublesome canon 580EX flash unit.Metz has been building flash units since at least the 50's and has generally always been considered a name that means quality photographic lighting. At some point in the past Bogen (known for their tripods) swallowed up Metz, these days their reputation is not quite what it was and after this experience I know why.

Canon, like other manufacturers does not release hardware protocal specifics for use in other products and therefore any third party flash unit or other item must be reverse engineered to work properly on a canon camera body. The strength of this flash is the built-in mini usb socket that allows firmware updates to be performed at home (i.e. no more sending the flash into service to reflash the firmware onboard) this is an attractive feature because canon likes to change things on occasion to frustrate third party product users.

I use this flash with my canon 20D, so far it has been able to handle anything I've thrown at it.When I bought this flash I also purchased a P76 power pack, however, due to Bogen's poor planning the power cable for the P76 (that connects the flash to the power package) will not be available for at least another month, thus making half my purchase unuseable and the whole purchase not useable for the primary purpose I bought it for....shooting fast sports where I need the flash recharge speeds only available with the external battery package.

The flash integrates perfectly, at least with all the functions I tend to use, with my 20D and I've read reviews that the wireless functions work fine too, even if mixed with canon units and controled by the canon infrared camera mounted wireless unit (ST-E2). Most third party flash units that even offer the wireless mode are not reported to work well or at all if mixed in with Canon flash units.The controls are fairly simple on this unit, simpler than the 580EX.The back of the flash has an on/off switch and three buttons, the LCD menu controls the flash using combinations of those three buttons.One of the buttons also functions as the test and lights up to indicate flash ready.The only annoying feature I've run into is that the flash has a continuous tone when the capacitor is charged and ready that also acts as an audible exposure confirmation....I wish they'd put an option in the menus to shut that off, I for one find it annoying.

The book that comes with the flash is Metz usual top notch--no obvious japanese translation here.I was also kind of surprised to see that the flash is still made in Germany.The flash unit, using AA batteries is fine but I'm really upset with Bogen that they didn't do a better job of making sure that the power cable for it was available at the same time the flash unit was made available. Most professionals are going to want to use this with a battery pack, it just seems completely dumb to release a professional flash unit for a 5 fps camera like the canons and not also make sure the flash can be powered with an external pack.Metz apparently used to sell everything together as a kit, now it's all separate and optional.When looking for a cable the V58-50 in the book (also seen as metz 5850) is the correct cable and not the 5376 listed incorrectly on some internet sites.Also be aware that at least as of this writing Amazon does not have the cable available (I complained to Amazon about that, why sell two of the three pieces needed to make something work, just stupid).

I wish there was a way to update reviews on amazon but there isn't, I would like to comment here on how well it keeps up with my 20D in full out 5 fps mode but I can't because I can't get a stupid cable to connect the 400.00 battery pack I also bought at the same time I bought this. Last thing that needs mentioning is that unlike the 580 EX canon unit I've got, this unit needs no batteries installed when it is connected to external power, which if you ask me makes it superior to the 580 right there, you've got no idea how much the extra weight of four batteries will affect the weight of the camera in a long shooting session.

Overal this is a great product other than Bogens stupid handling of the power cable issue.Personally I agree with reviews that say the exposure is better using TTL mode than canon's own 580.Canon is due to release the 580EX II in the next few months, it promises a tad more speed and a few other improvements but for now I agree that this unit is at least the equal of canon's current 580EX.

update: Finally got a power cable in july 6 months after I got the flash.It performs well for what I use it for but disappointingly after only a bit of heavy use the flash seems to have a problem.Seeing over/underexposed shots and the display says "zoom err" no matter which lens I put on it.I have read on the internet that others are experiencing the same, getting ready to send it back under warranty service.Version two firmware is out but they don't have it online you have to write and ask for it and they send it to you, very easy to update the firmware, plug in the usb cable (which also powers it no batteries required) and let it run a few minutes, worked fine.Love the flash but there are apparently some reliability issues they need to correct.

update: Now the flash is well out of warranty, same stuck zoom head issue has occured again, now it will be something like a hundred bucks to fix it.That will make 500 dollars I'll have it this flash if I fix it again, more if I just buy a new one.Canon's 580EX II is out but they still don't have a high capacity high voltage power pack (just a AA powered pack that goes for a few hundred flashes but not really any more speed).Pretty disappointing, been looking for plans to try to fix it myself but not finding any.I've seen a number of posts...mostly all old about this...I'm half hoping it was just the early units having this.Have tried to write to Bogen/Metz get no answers to emails sent on their website.Very aggravating, don't want to shell out for a new one but don't want to lose my investment in the battery pack either.

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Product Description:
Metz 58 AF-1 CANON (USB Upgradeable, e-TTL I & II, wireless e-TTL Master or Slave for e-TTL) [Replaces MZ 54251C, MZ 54241C]