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Others | Home » » » Metz MZ 58312OP 58 AF-1USB On Camera Flash for Olympus and Panasonic Four Thirds Cameras (Black) | | | | | | | Description: | | Sleek in appearance, this flash throws light in the areas where you need it! Created by on of the leading industry designers in Germany. Equipped with innovative developments, the Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 digital offers cutting edge secondary reflector technology, high-performance energy management, the latest generation of multi-zone AF measurement flash, a reflector system fully capable of swiveling, current special functions, USB interface for updating software via the Internet and much more. The new Metz top-of-the-line model is available as an ideal complement for Canon (58 AF-1 C digital) or for Nikon camera (58 AF-1 N digital). Due to its high GN of 191 (ft.) at ISO 100/21 and 105 mm focal length, the 58 AF-1 digital is not only especially powerful but also can be used for indirect flash lighting to great effect. For the first time Metz integrated a reflector card that can be flipped open into its vertically tilting and horizontally swiveling reflector. In addition the "Bounce diffuser 54-23" is available as an optional accessory. Using the integrated secondary reflector, additional brilliance can be achieved with this flash technology in close-up areas. The high-performance power pack P 76 (purchased separately) can also be used with the 58 AF-1 digital, for clearly increased flash output and reduced flash recycle time. This flash power is available for all types of use in connection with e V 58 cable. | | | Features: | |
• High Guide Number of 190
• Automatic zoom head covering 24mm to 105mm
• Tilt Swivel Display
• Easy to read LC Display
• USB socket for firmware updates
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Weight:
| 1.6 pounds | | Package Length:
| 8.8 inches | | Package Width:
| 6.1 inches | | Package Height:
| 3.8 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.6 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 6 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 6 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 found the following review helpful:
 An Excellent Accessory FlashSep 18, 2008
By Stephen L Squires
"SLSq"
This is an excellent accessory flash to the Olympus professional system.
By accessory I mean that it provides some signifcant additional features
that may be useful. But, there is no reason buy one of the Metz 58 or
the smaller Metz 48 in place of the Olympus FL-50R or FL-36R.
The reasons to consider the Metz 58 AF-1 for Olympus are because:
1. It provides somewhat greater power.
2. The secondary flash provides read eye reduction when the
primary flash is in either direct or bounce positions.
3. The modeling light function is useful with live view.
4. The strobe light function has specialized applications.
The build quality is comparable to the Olympus FL-50R.
The LCD is not as easy to read as the Olympus and the
menu and function system is not easy to use.
The lens focal length display is not as accurate as
with Olympus flashes and flash coverage needs to be
confirmed through system tests.
(And, yes the Metz is set to work in four-thirds mode.)
The Metz has the same number of groups (A, B, C) and
4 channels as Olympus. (Firmware Version 2.0)
I happen to be a serious user of the Olympus system and
the Remote Control flash system. The flash part of my system
currently includes the Olympus Ring and Twin flashes,
1 FL-50, 2 FL-36, 2 FL-20, 2 FL-50R, 3 FL-36R, for use
on my E-3 and E-520 along with some other Olympus cameras.
I use the Metz when one of its additional features are needed.
I still need to check the precision of the Metz exposure
relative to the Olympus flashes.
15 of 19 found the following review helpful:
 Not designed for four thirds sensorsDec 08, 2009
By Noirist
I've been shopping for an external flash for my GH1 and had narrowed it down to the Metz 58 (this one), the Metz 48, and the Olympus FL-50R. All had excellent reviews and quick recycle times. I was about to pull the trigger on the Metz 58 (this flash), when I learned that the Metz's are originally designed for a 3:2 format sensor (eg., full frame or aps-c). To obtain proper coverage on a 4:3 format sensor such as a Panasonic G1/GH1/GF1 or Olympus EP-1, they must use a lower focal length than the camera is set at, which reduces the power of the flash and also means that it uses more battery per flash and it can't cover an ultrawide lens when used for direct flash. As swordfish discovered on the dpreview forums, this Metz 58 AF really has a guide number of 46 when used with an Olympus or Panasonic camera, which is a lot lower than advertised. See [...] . For this reason, I choose the Olympus FL50R instead -- it's less expensive, more powerful for a 4:3rds sensor, and has a simpler user interface.
Update! I ended up getting the Metz 58 anyway because I almost always use bounce flash and thought that the Metz 58 bounce would be more powerful than the Olympus FL50R bounce. My first reaction was: this Metz sure is flimsy. The top and the bottom parts of the flash are weakly joined together and it feels like it would snap in half with only a little bit of pressure. When you rotate the top part to direct the flash, it doesn't lock into position like the Olympus FL50R and is easily dislodged. The bounce card is small, thin, and doesn't lock in position either. The Olympus FL50R is sturdier in every possible way including its case.
The Olympus FL50R is also better integrated into my GH1. When I turn the GH1 on/off, the attached FL50R turns itself on/off. The Metz doesn't. When I point the FL50R forwards (for direct flash usage), the flash will zoom in/out in sync with the lens, and the focal length shown by the flash display is exactly the same as the lens focal length. Now here's a nice thing -- when I point the Fl50R up for bounce, it stops zooming in/out with the lens, as it should. The Metz adjusts its focal length with the lens focal length, but it does so even when the flash is pointed up for the bounce (which is annoying and ineffective). And the focal length displayed on the Metz has no obvious relation to the focal length of the GH1 lens.
Initially I thought it would be nice to have a retractable bounce card like the Metz 58 and unlike the FL50R. However now that I've used both, I strongly prefer the FL50R bounce card. It's bigger, sturdier, stays in position, can be used on the back or on the side of the flash, and its easy to flip forward for bounce, or back out of the way. (See pictures.)
I'm not a professional, but it was easy for me to take good indoor photos with the FL50R and the slow GH1 kit lens. I tried the Metz 58 as well and the pictures certainly didn't look any better. If I practiced more, I might be able to take better pictures with the Metz. Or maybe not. Either way, using the Metz 58 helped me realize how good the FL50R really is. If you have a camera with a (micro) 4/3rds sensor, get the Olympus FL-50R Electronic Flash for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras instead of the Metz 58!
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 A Great Flash But...Oct 08, 2009
By I. Davis
This was the first flash I purchased for my first DSLR (Olympus E-520). I feel it achieves excellent results and I enjoy using its RC features. The ONLY issue I have with this flash unit is that the menu system is rather complicated, especially in comparison to my Olympus FL50R. If you can quickly learn the menu system of this flash and its features then I can recommend this as a first choice. If you want an excellent comparable (in my opinion) flash with an easier menu system, check out the Olympus FL50r. Otherwise, this flash serves as a great addition to your camera bag. I own one Metz 58 and one Olympus FL50R
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
A Great Flash UnitMay 02, 2010
By Jarrod Sams
Metz has long been known in the industry for producing great products for the strobist enthusiast and pro photographers. The 58 AF does not disappoint, with whole host of useful features; such as the secondary fill flash, built-in retractable wide angle and bounce cards, and USB connectivity to instal software updates when they're available. The flash is not perfect, more of which I'll mention in a bit, but anyone who needs a capable, powerful flash unit should seriously give this one consideration.
The flash features an exceptionally clean design and control layout, with a large LCD display, four control buttons, and a power switch. While this design is clean and simple, the ergonomics in controlling flash functions is a little less simple. As many have stated before, it requires a number of button presses to access and change many settings. It is something you get used to with use. I do not use the flash remotely or gotten into a lot of manual control, but anyone who does change settings a lot, will likely find the controls less efficient than other brands.
The flash is powerful! You just have to use it to believe it. And the flash refreshes very quickly on rechargeable batteries! And having the bounce card built in, as opposed to having it velcro attached like aftermarket or as supplied with some brand flashes now, is very convenient. Although, you do have to pull the wide-angle deflector out to get to the bounce card, but it doesn't bother me that much.
For the Four-Thirds cameras: the zoom on the flash display does not match the focal length on the lens. I have noticed no ill effects from it, but Metz could have done a better job at calibrating it for a better fit. It appears that they have left it set for an APS sized sensor. A minor note I think as the flash still performs exceptionally well.
One major flaw though, that I didn't realize until after purchase, is that Metz does not support Mac for it's software updates. This means that I can not update my flash, unless I use a friend's Windows PC. Seeing as how many photographers and graphic artists use Mac, this is a major omission in my opinion.
This is still a fantastic flash that would suit about anyone who wants a powerful, functional flash unit, but doesn't depend on flash photography all the time. Give it a try, and while it's not perfect, I think you'll find this unit provides an excellent bang-for-the-buck.
Very good flash - I updraded software and this is very good optionMay 29, 2010
By Robert Iniarski
Good build and solid construction. Very powerful and very "intelligent" I'm using it with Panasonic GH1 and I'm positively suprpized about look of the pictures.
It works well with second 58AF or 48AF (I have both and they communicate each other about needed flash power).
Value for money much better than Olympus or Panasonic flashes.
See all 6 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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