News

Metz Expands User-Upgradable flashes with new Series Models

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Metz Expands User-Upgradable flashes with new Series Models. Metz has introduced the 50AF-1 Digital and 44AF-1 Digital shoe mount series flashes to compliment their award-winning 58AF-1 and 48AF-1 series of user-upgradeable full-featured flashes that can easily adapt to new camera modes via USB.

The 58AF-1 and 48AF-1 have now also been replaced by the 58AF-2 Digital and 50AF-1 Digital. Both flashes are loaded with even more features than their predecessors, including a metal foot, a quick lock rotation system to attach the flash easily and quickly to the shoe of the camera, and a more robust flash tube. It is also worth noting too that in addition to the USB capability of the 58AF-2, 50AF-1, and 44AF-1, is the 15MS-1 Digital Macro Flash.

50AF-1 Digital Series:
The 50AF-1 Digital is available in five different versions: Canon, Nikon, Olympus/Panasonic/Leica (Four-Thirds TTL System), Pentax and Sony. The 50AF-1 Digital has many of the technological features found in its more-powerful brother, and with savings over $150, make it ideal for the casual shooter!

The 50AF-1 has a high performance level (guide number 50), and can also be commanded as a wireless slave flash by the 58AF-2 or 58AF-1, or flashes from camera makers that feature master/commander modes. In addition, numerous manual fine tuning options extend your creative photographic freedom, and virtually limitless possibilities are opened up for creative lighting thanks to a fully swiveling reflector system which also contains a flip-out reflector card and a 12mm wide-angle diffuser.

50AF-1 Digital Series Features:

Digital Compatibility - Compatible with the most current digital metering systems from top camera manufacturers, including E-TTL I & ll from Canon, and I-TTL from Nikon
Wireless TTL - Can be used as a wireless slave within the Canon & Nikon wireless digital TTL systems
USB Connection - Firmware updates can be made by users to keep flashes current with the latest camera metering systems
AF Flash Measurement - Auto focus assist beam integrated in the flash unit makes automatic focus adjustment with AF-SLR cameras possible.
Tilt/Swivel Reflector - Can be adjusted vertically from -7 to 90 degrees allowing for indirect (bounce) flash lighting.
HSS – High Speed Synchronization
1st and 2nd shutter curtain synchronization
Manual Flash Mode with 8 Partial Lighting Levels
Power Zoom – 24mm-105mm. Automatic adjustment of the flash reflector to the corresponding lens focal length.
Modeling Light - To judge the illumination prior to exposure.
LC Display - Easy to read, backlit display

44AF-1 Digital Series:
With its slim-line design and new quick lock system for the unit base, the 44AF-1 Digital is the perfect solution for price-conscious amateur photographers. The clear control panel on the back of the unit impresses with its simple operation; offering a high level of functional reliability.

The high performance design affords reserve power in any photo situation (max. guide number 44 for ISO 100/21° and 105 mm). Depending on the camera, the 44AF-1 has the appropriate application possibilities for any lighting conditions in TTL mode. The photographer can manually set up to 4 partial light levels enabling manipulation of lighting effects. With the appropriate camera model, the 44AF-1 Digital can also be synchronized to the first or second shutter curtain enabling variable options for creative lighting. Depending on the camera, the Metz 44AF-1 also offers a slave mode, making wireless TTL flash child’s play – and opening up new dimensions in flash photography.

Its motor zoom function (24 -105 mm), the fully swiveling reflector with flip-out reflector card, USB port for firmware updates, and the integrated wide-angle diffuser (12 mm) afford the photographer additional creative scope. The 44AF-1 Digital is also available in five different versions: Canon, Nikon, Olympus/Panasonic/Leica (Four-Thirds TTL System), Pentax and Sony.

44AF-1 Digital Series Features:

TTL flash mode
Manual Flash Mode with 4 Partial Lighting Levels
Slave Mode: remote mode in camera-specific mode, exposure via built-in mastering camera flash or an additional external flash unit (master mode)
USB Port for firmware updates
Vertical (+90°) and horizontal (300°) swivel reflector
Simple operating concept
Motor zoom for 24mm-105mm illumination
Integrated wide-angle diffuser for 12 mm illumination
Flip-out reflector card
Integrated auto focus flash metering
Flash readiness indicator and correct exposure display on the unit and camera (subject to camera) Automatic unit shut-off
First and second shutter curtain synchronization (subject to camera)
Manual flash exposure correction for TTL flash mode (subject to camera)
Automatic fill-in flash

Metz Flash Firmware Updates Available

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0700

Click here to get the current firmware for flash units with USB socket including, but not limited to:

mecablitz 15 MS-1 digital
mecablitz 44 AF-1 digital
mecablitz 48 AF-1 digital
mecablitz 50 AF-1 digital
mecablitz 58 AF-1 digital
mecablitz 58 AF-2 digital

Updated Metz Compatibility Chart 2011

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Metz provides just the right amount of light for whatever your needs. One of the features that makes a Metz flash so versatile is the highly-developed SCA adapter system. This system allows your Metz flash the flexibility to work with a number of different cameras such as Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Samsung, Sony Alpha, and Leica.

To check out the latest list of flash compatibility with these camera, download the chart here.

Innovative Mecablitz 15 MS-1 Digital Macro Flash Unit Receives Plus X Award

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The innovative Metz Mecablitz 15 MS-1 digital has won the prestigious 2009 Plus X Award. At the official awards ceremony on May 21st in Cologne, this unique wireless macro flash unit, which can be used for multiple cameras, received awards in the categories of Design and High Quality.

The unit’s ring-form macro-flash ensures balanced and precise lighting and also maximizes the scope for customizing light arrays in the macro area. With its individually variable reflectors (0°-20°) and the highly sensitive light distribution, there are no limits to personal creativity. It is easy to set light accents that are appropriate for each theme. All of these features are compromised with maximum user-friendliness, because the Metz Mecablitz 15 MS-1 digitally regulates light through the automatic wireless TTL. The two awards for the high quality standard and the design are testimony to this all-round successful product innovation.

The Plus X Award
Since 2004, the Plus X Award has been honoring manufacturers for having the best quality in their products. Awards are presented in the categories of Innovation, Design, User Convenience, High Quality, Ergonomics and Eco Friendliness. Each year, a panel of renowned judges made up of expert journalists decides which products are to receive an award.

Metz Flash: More Models, More Solutions, More Cameras, More Awards

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Whether you need a powerful handle-mount flash like those favored by wedding and event pros, a compact slave designed to improve your point & shoot’s images, or anything in-between Metz has the perfect solution. And it doesn’t matter if you shoot Nikon, Canon, Pentax, Sony or Minolta, Samsung, Olympus, Leica, Mamiya, Hasselblad or virtually any camera that offers auto flash control- Metz has models that meet the challenge.

But Metz engineers didn’t stop at just meeting the existing challenges, they have given the 48 AF-1 Digital and 58 AF-1 Digital built-in capabilities to adapt to virtually anything that the camera designers can think of by allowing the user to change the flash’s internal programming with a simple download and a USB connection. The recently introduced 2nd upgradeable model, the Metz 58 AF-1 Digital has already won the prestigious EISA award, several European innovation awards, and the Professional Photographer Magazine's Hot-1 Award (U.S.A.).

Metz flashes offer more power and flexibility than most units from the camera brands. Yet Metz has managed to maintain full compatibility with those flashes that offer wireless control and can even be mixed with camera-brand flashes in these systems.