Metz mecablitz 50 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Sony DSLR
The Metz mecablitz 50 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Sony DSLR is a Metz shoe mount flash designed to be compatible with all digital Sony SLR 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. A high quality metal base allows quick and easy attachment to the camera.
The 50 AF-1 is designed to fully support a Sony digital SLR camera's TTL system. ADI-flash mode is possible. It can be operated as a TTL slave unit that can be controlled by the camera's own built-in commander mode or as a manufacturer's flash with master capabilities.
The flash also features an auto zoom head from 24-105mm that can be set to match the camera's sensor, a full bounce and swivel head (with a fully swiveling reflector system which also contains a flip-out reflector card and a diffuser), a built-in wide angle diffuser for 12mm coverage, and in addition, full manual control with 12 variable power output levels.
Note! All features are dependent on camera's functionality
- Fully compatible with current and future digital Sony cameras, updatable via USB port
- High-speed flash synchronization allows flash to be used with any shutter speed (only with appropriate camera bodies)
- Wireless full TTL triggering via a camera or flash with commander/master mode
- Autozooming head can cover from 24 to 105mm, and 18mm when used with the included wide-angle diffuser
| Mount | Shoe |
| Guide No. | 50' (15.24 m) ISO100 at 105 mm position |
| Angle of Coverage |
84° - 23° Wide-Angle Adapter: 100° |
| Vari-Power | 1/1 - 1/128 |
| TTL Dedication | Yes |
| Bounce Head | Yes |
| Swivel Head | Yes |
| Zoom Head | Full frame: 24 mm - 105 mm |
| Off Camera Terminal | None |
| Recycle Time | Approximately 5 seconds - 6 |
| Power Source | 4x AA Alkaline, Lithium, NiCad, Rechargeable Ni-MH Batteries |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 2.8 x 5.8 x 3.9" / 7.11 x 14.73 x 9.91 cm |
| Weight | 11.99 oz / 340 g |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 5 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
80%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- General purpose (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Photo enthusiast (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (5)
Reviewed by 5 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-5
Pros
- Consistent Output
- Easy To Use
- Powerful Output
Cons
Best Uses
- Fill Flash
- General Use
- Photojournalism
- Portraits
Comments about Metz mecablitz 50 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Sony DSLR:
Bought this flash a few weeks ago from B & H for my Sony a65, and have been very satisfied with its performance both on the camera and off camera via the Sony wireless implementation.
One caution: You need to go to the Metz site and download the firmware update (3 I think) and install it for more consistent performance.
Worth the money and then some!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- General Use
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Night Time
- Outdoors
- Special Events
Comments about Metz mecablitz 50 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Sony DSLR:
This was the second flash I purchased for my A580 Sony. The first was pretty bad so I decided to purchase this flash. I madr the right choice because this flash is a winner. This flash has made flash photography fun.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Metz mecablitz 50 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Sony DSLR:
Works well. Very quiet. My only complaint is that it lacks a battery meter.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
- Indoors
- Low Light
- Night Time
- Special Events
Comments about Metz mecablitz 50 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Sony DSLR:
The Metz 50 AF-1 for Sony has a very nice feature set for its price: LCD display, TTL off-camera flash, high speed sync, modeling light, auto zoom keyed to sensor size, etc. The only premium features I find missing are strobe flash, and control of multiple flash groups. For these reasons, I would really like to keep it, but cannot do so because pictures taken with it are poorly exposed and poorly color balanced.
I compared the pictures taken with this flash with two reference flashes, both of which produced pleasing exposures. The reference units were the camera's pop-up flash, and a Minolta 3600HS(D), Minolta/Sony's first ADI flash.
Using the TTL mode, I find I have to dial in about 2/3 stop underexposure on the flash exposure compensation on the camera. Without doing so, the pix are too hot (overexposed) and highlights appear on surfaces, where none do with the reference flashes.
Many flash units might require a tweaking of the TTL exposure to taste, but this Metz cannot even perform a manual exposure properly. I measured the distance from camera to subject with a tape measure, then adjusted the Metz's power ratio and the lens aperture so the Metz distance readout read as measured. This manual mode produced even more overexposure: 2 stops. A flash unit that fails to get a proper exposure calculated using its guide number, as this procedure effectively does, is just not acceptable.
Not only does this unit produce over-exposed pictures, the color temp of the pictures are too blue (cool). Beiges and skin tones appear almost white. To get a proper color cast, I had to override both automatic white balance and the preset flash color balance on the camera, and dial in a custom white balance of 6500K. This flash unit acts like those of the early days of electronic flash, when the native color temperature of the flash tube produced too blue a picture, and manufacturers had not yet developed measures to correct for this.
Another annoyance is that there is an empty place in the packaging where an external flash shoe should go. This unit's off-camera flash feature is therefore rendered useless by the omission of a stand. One cannot even order the stand as an accessory because I find no retailer that stocks it.
It is unacceptable to have to use both a flash meter and a color temperature meter to override the default camera presets in order to get a proper picture from this unit. It should give a pleasing picture out the box, like the reference flash units do. It is also unacceptable to have to scrounge to locate an essential accessory. How this flash unit was ever judged worthy or receiving awards, as it box proudly pronounces, is beyond my understanding.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Versatile
Cons
- none
Best Uses
- General Use
- Night Photography
- Portraits
Comments about Metz mecablitz 50 AF-1 TTL Shoe Mount Flash for Sony DSLR:
Just purchesed it, but I like what I see. Use
with a Sony alpha. After looking a lot of flashes,
including Sony. And finding out it was replacing
the 48AF-1. Decided to purchase it.
Would be nice if it came with a USB cable.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-5
Batteries & Power
Required item:
- Price: $1.23
-
- Original: $13.99
- Save: $1.40
- Price: $12.59
Flash Diffusers
-
- Original: $9.95
- Save: $2.30
- Price: $7.65
Reflectors
- Price: $39.95
Sync Cords & Flash Remotes
- Price: $45.95
-
- Original: $16.95
- Save: $1.69
- Price: $15.26
What's in the Box
- 1-Year Warranty
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