The Metz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash is Metz's shoe mount flash designed to be compatible with all digital cameras, both current and future models. To better facilitate compatibility with current and future cameras, this flash now features a built-in USB port that allows for future firmware updates via the internet.
Designed by one of the leading industrial designers for technical products in Germany, this flash is equipped with many innovative developments. State-of-the-art secondary reflector technology, high-performance power management, newest-generation multi-zone AF metering flash, and a full vertical tilt reflector system all mean that this flash is ideal choice for professional photographers.
| Type | Shoe mount |
| Guide Number |
138' (42 m) at 50mm 192' (58 m) at 105mm |
| Angle of Coverage |
84 to 23° (24-105mm lenses in 35mm format) 100° (18mm) with included wideangle diffuser |
| Auto Distance Range | Variable |
| Auto f/Stops | f/1, 1.4, 2, , 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32 & 45 |
| Variable Power | 25 Levels ranging from 1/1 to 1/256th |
| TTL Dedication | Yes (i-TTL) |
| Bounce Head | Yes |
| Swivel Head | Yes |
| Zoom Head | 24-105mm (Auto zoom, flash senses focal length & adjusts; Manual zoom) |
| Off Camera Terminal | No |
| Recycle Time |
5 Seconds (based on fresh alkaline batteries & full power) 2.5 Seconds with optional P76 Power Pack (at full power) |
| Power Source |
Four 1.5-Volt "AA" batteries (alkaline, NiCad, NiMH & Lithium) Optional Power Pack P76 |
| Dimensions | 3 x 5.8 x 3.9" (71 x 148 x 99mm) WxHxD |
| Weight | 12.5 oz (355 g) [w/o batteries] |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
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Most Liked Positive Review
I highly recomment this flash.
What can I say? It's a Metz. Used to use them as a pro, and they never let me down. Now just an avid hobbyist--works well with my D300 and S3. <...Read complete review
What can I say? It's a Metz. Used to use them as a pro, and they never let me down. Now just an avid hobbyist--works well with my D300 and S3.
Prefer it to my SB-800 as button/menu system seems more intuitive to me. I use the Metz as master and the SB-800 as slave. They work great together.
Don't like the nonsensical desk/light stand adapter for either of them, but what the heck, they seem to get the units on a pole, even if they look rather odd.
Will have to buy a new Gary Fong as the Nikon Fong won't fit the Metz (Metz head is bigger).
Exposures are all useable, if not right "on the money" with a minimum of fuss. Recycle time is good and NiMh batteries seem to last a decent amount of time before charging is needed.
And the little secondary flash is a nice touch when you don't have anything else available to open up the eyes during bouce flash.
Hey--I like it, and I'm hard to please!
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Good for older cameras
After intensive testing I can say that Flash is very good in expose when set to Auto and TTL but infrared beam is week and when use on camera bracket infrared focus beam is lost ...Read complete review
After intensive testing I can say that Flash is very good in expose when set to Auto and TTL but infrared beam is week and when use on camera bracket infrared focus beam is lost and camera can't find quickly and sharp focus.Flash is good for backup and for older cameras.Flash do not work with SC-29 Nikon TTL remote control cord so you can have infrared focusing beam on camera and Flash on bracket.Because I could not use with SC-29 and flash isn't powerful for jobs like weddings I return this flash.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 12 customers
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Nikon i-TTL:
Used it with Nikon d 300....lags on recycling time and missed shots do to flashes not at full power. The nikon sb800 is by far faster and stronger. Not easy to manuever.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Nikon i-TTL:
I use this primarily off a flash bracket for event shooting. Very powerful and cheaper than a SB-900. I used it initially with some AAs and it drained them rather quickly. It worked great with my Black Box, though.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Nikon i-TTL:
What can I say? It's a Metz. Used to use them as a pro, and they never let me down. Now just an avid hobbyist--works well with my D300 and S3.
Prefer it to my SB-800 as button/menu system seems more intuitive to me. I use the Metz as master and the SB-800 as slave. They work great together.
Don't like the nonsensical desk/light stand adapter for either of them, but what the heck, they seem to get the units on a pole, even if they look rather odd.
Will have to buy a new Gary Fong as the Nikon Fong won't fit the Metz (Metz head is bigger).
Exposures are all useable, if not right "on the money" with a minimum of fuss. Recycle time is good and NiMh batteries seem to last a decent amount of time before charging is needed.
And the little secondary flash is a nice touch when you don't have anything else available to open up the eyes during bouce flash.
Hey--I like it, and I'm hard to please!
Comments about Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Nikon i-TTL:
After intensive testing I can say that Flash is very good in expose when set to Auto and TTL but infrared beam is week and when use on camera bracket infrared focus beam is lost and camera can't find quickly and sharp focus.Flash is good for backup and for older cameras.Flash do not work with SC-29 Nikon TTL remote control cord so you can have infrared focusing beam on camera and Flash on bracket.Because I could not use with SC-29 and flash isn't powerful for jobs like weddings I return this flash.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Nikon i-TTL:
I would probably have given it more stars but I haven't really put it through rigorous testing at this time. That said, WOW, I love this flashgun. After using Nikon branded lights for many years I was a little reluctant to try a different make, but Metz has got it right. Plenty of bang is an understatement, guide no. of 190, beautiful exposures and pleasing color reproduction, the menus are different from what I am used to but easy to navigate. I usually use the bounce without the little fill-flash kicker in front but I enjoy the flexibility the "secondary reflector" offers. The integration of camera (Fuji S3 Pro) and flash is seamless and I think that would be the case with any Nikon body, digital or analog. When you add the USB port for updating, this is a flash I believe will be compatible for years to come.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Nikon i-TTL:
I used the first week I got it at a wedding. It was wonderful!!
Pros
Cons
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Comments about Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Nikon i-TTL:
Far better on my Fuji S5 than the SB-800 !!!
Takes a little while to get used to the operation menu.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Nikon i-TTL:
I have tried several different shoe mounted flashes with the Fuji S5 and the Metz 58 AF-1 is by far the very best available. It does need a Quantum battery as it eats up AA batteries.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Nikon i-TTL:
Used with a flash bracket for weddings and portraits. I like it better than my SB800.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Nikon i-TTL:
I purchased this unit for the secondary flash head - very helpful when bouncing. I'm getting great results in both portrait and group settings without additional flash diffusers.
I also bought the Quantum Turbo SC battery pack which greatly improves the recycle time for short bursts.
The Metz does a great job with CLS and iTTL, and successfully triggers my SB-800 which I now use as the remote.
Comments about Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Nikon i-TTL:
I had a very unusual problem after I have nearly taken 5000 photos.While I was taking wedding photos suddenly the flashlight BULB & a part called IGBT burst.This happend within 3 months of buying the flashlight.I am certain its a manufacturing defect
Expertise: WEDDING & AD PHOTOGRAPHER SINCE 1969
Comments about Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Nikon i-TTL:
The secondary fill-in flash of the Metz line makes them worth considering over others. Being able to tilt the main flash headtoward a white wall or ceiling and fill in the subject's eyes with a pleasing catch light(especially at drastic angles) offers the most flattering and effortless on-camera flash illumination possible. This unit also offers a USB port for future firmware upgrades as well as a powerful guide number for a shoe-mount flash. Completely compatible with the Fuji S5 Pro.
Problems Encountered: However, if the unit is mounted on the horizontal bar of a flash bracket with a Gary Fong Lightsphere attached, the headwill fall back to the 90 degree position if the flash/camera is jarred even slightly forward or downward because of the inadequate holding power of the angle locking notches with the weight of the Lightsphere. I had to return the flash for that reason.
Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Metz 54 MZ-4i
Items I Recommend: Metz P76 power pack; Stofen Omnibounce diffuser
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