| Make: Metz Web site: Mecablitz 58 AF-1 Digital Manual: PDF Latest Firmware: 4.0 (Jul. 27, 2012) Relative Power @ 50mm1: 2.0× Key Features: tilt/swivel/zoom reflector, secondary flash, wireless P-TTL, HSS, rear-curtain sync, auto and manual modes. Reasons to Buy: Best feature set, including forward-facing fill flash and excellent manual control. The most telephoto power of any flash described here. Solid build and nice interface. Notable Drawbacks: Expensive in the US. |
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You can buy a more powerful flash from Metz, but this is the highest model which still is meant to mount on the hot shoe — beyond this, it's designs meant for a flash bracket. The 58 AF-1 has a more-focused zoom reflector than the Pentax models, allowing it to beat out the AF540FGZ in power at dSLR focal lengths greater than 70mm. And it meets or exceeds every other flash in this guide when it comes to features, not just on the high-level checklist but also when you compare the details. For example, power can be manually set all the way down to ¹⁄₂₅₆ in third-stop increments. The downside is that the US price is almost 25% greater than that of the top-of-the-line Pentax.
More about the Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1 Digital can be found on these pages:
Features
- Field Upgradeable via USB
- Illuminiation Patterns
- Camera Format Conversion
- Beep Function
- Auto-Focus Assist / Spot Beam
- Automatic Flash Bracketing
- Stroboscopic Mode
- Modeling Light Option
- Contrast Control Sync
- Customizable Auto-Off
- Other Flash Modes
- Manual Power Control
- Flash Output Compensation in P-TTL Mode
- Rear-Curtain Sync
- High-Speed Sync
- Wireless
- Zoom Reflector
- Secondary Reflector
- Bounce Cards
- Wide-Angle Diffuser
- Tilt / Swivel Flash Head
Flash Power
More
Including an Amazon link on this page is the easiest way to display the current prices, without having to keep track of it manually or write a more-complicated tracking script. And as a bonus, there's a picture of the flash. Obviously, the ad is also an affiliate link. As with all advertising on this site, I hope it's not too obnoxious.
