METZ 58 AF-1 Digital - Olympus/Panasonic (58 AF-1 O/P)


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Like to check does the flash adjusts automatically when you zoom the lens ?

Other than the remote capability, what else do I lose out by going for the Metz instead RL-50R ? As I'm using the E-510, the remote capabilty is not supported in any case.

Thanks !



Bought it from Man Shing. Got it for HK$3380 ~S$638. It does not come with a USB cable. It has a standard mini-USB port. I'm using it with 4x GP 2700mAh, OK for my current usage. Might look for an external battery pack if I shoot more often with it. Definitely muchX3 better than my FL-36. As my LightSphere does not fit, I begin to appreciate the built-in deflector card and diffuser. I have not use a FL-50 before (and will not), I think this Metz is a better deal as it has a secondary fill-flash. Especially so as I can't use my E-500 built-in flash with a external flash, whereas you can do that on a E-300. We do not have many choices for a good Four-Thirds Flash. Metz is my answer.
 

Like to check does the flash adjusts automatically when you zoom the lens ?

Other than the remote capability, what else do I lose out by going for the Metz instead RL-50R ? As I'm using the E-510, the remote capabilty is not supported in any case.

Thanks !

Maybe this should be another thread. But IMHO, I think an FL50R on the E510 severely overbalances or overwhelms the camera. The E510 is more suited for the FL36. But function precedes form, so I guess if u need the power and the recycle speed, then FL50 is the way to go. The FL36 takes too long to recharge.

However, knowing what I know now, I would NOT buy the FL50. Instead, I would get the Metz for quite a number of preliminary reasons. Preliminary cos I have not tested images with the flash, but in terms of feature sets, the Metz58 beats the FL50 into a dang pulp.

Firstly, the Metz comes with a small built-in bounce card. Damn, and I actually had to make a bounce card for the FL50 so that I could shove it into the slit of the FL50.

Secondly, there is this secondary flash thing. Looks good, not sure if I can get it to make my pictures better. Not tried it yet.

Thirdly, there is this strobe function. If u are epilepsy prone, please dun stare at it when it is strobing. I din know what it was when I triggered it (cos I din RTFM), and I felt nauseous for hours after that. Apparently, u can control the number (up to 50) and freq of strobes. Now I understand when the paparazzi's use this strobe function as a weapon and how distressing it can cause to people.

And lastly, the dang Metz comes with a flash stand. OK, if I had known, I would not have bought Olympus flash stand for the FL50 which comes separate. So....there.
 

I guess that is why Olympus released the RC versions of their flash... this is one function that I cannot live without now... the freedom of shooting off camera flash! Lovely images that you can create with this! The flexibility of wireless... And the ease of setting multiple flash set ups... not to mention that the on board flash now becomes your fill in. Awesome design by Olympus.

Metz on the other hand, has always designed solid flash units and this is something that I loved since using them in the 80s. 45CT4 was the one that I have used most and abused it like nobody's business but shot after shot, it never failed me.
 

I guess that is why Olympus released the RC versions of their flash... this is one function that I cannot live without now... the freedom of shooting off camera flash! Lovely images that you can create with this! The flexibility of wireless... And the ease of setting multiple flash set ups... not to mention that the on board flash now becomes your fill in. Awesome design by Olympus.

Metz on the other hand, has always designed solid flash units and this is something that I loved since using them in the 80s. 45CT4 was the one that I have used most and abused it like nobody's business but shot after shot, it never failed me.

Yes....good point on the FL50R. I realized I missed talking about its wireless capability, something that the Metz does not have....at least not something that works immediately with the E3.

In any case, going to start testing both the Metz58 and FL50 side by side when I got the time to see if there is a difference in performance. I am starting to suspect that the flash images with the Oly flashes MAY be better than with a 3rd party flash without doing any tweaking. Just a small suspicion.
 

Yes....good point on the FL50R. I realized I missed talking about its wireless capability, something that the Metz does not have....at least not something that works immediately with the E3.

In any case, going to start testing both the Metz58 and FL50 side by side when I got the time to see if there is a difference in performance. I am starting to suspect that the flash images with the Oly flashes MAY be better than with a 3rd party flash without doing any tweaking. Just a small suspicion.

Metz and Olympus? Metz wins, hands down...
 

ok..so sorry to cut out of nowhere but is it confirmed now that there is a metz 58AF-1 tt is compatible with the four thirds system? btw i'm using the e-510.. any problems tt can be forseen? lol.. think i should really invest in this cuz my FL36 is really slow..

ps. is anyone gonna get it soon?
 

Yes it is compatible with 4/3 systems. TTL works fine and HSS is supposed to support FP TTL mode. But I have not tried FP previously, so I can't comment if it is works exactly the same in practice.

For me, I can't seem to get the use of the secondary flash right. Pictures seem to come out underexposed or the lighting does not seem very even. I have been putting off trying to figure it out and resorting to using the flip-it pro without the secondary flash for now.

Must go meditate behind closed doors to see if it can be used effectively....

Otherwise, I am very happy with the Metz. I have this impression that the recycle time is faster than the FL-50 but don't quote me on this.
 

The recycle time is faster. This is a fact.

Yes it is compatible with 4/3 systems. TTL works fine and HSS is supposed to support FP TTL mode. But I have not tried FP previously, so I can't comment if it is works exactly the same in practice.

For me, I can't seem to get the use of the secondary flash right. Pictures seem to come out underexposed or the lighting does not seem very even. I have been putting off trying to figure it out and resorting to using the flip-it pro without the secondary flash for now.

Must go meditate behind closed doors to see if it can be used effectively....

Otherwise, I am very happy with the Metz. I have this impression that the recycle time is faster than the FL-50 but don't quote me on this.
 

Ack... stop it people, I'm already getting hammerhead disease.

All this Metz talk is NOT helping one bit! :bsmilie:
 

I just did some test shots comparing the Metz 58 and FL50.

Metz was in TTL mode and FL50 was in Auto mode.

I found that the photos were slightly underexposed with the Metz and that the FL50 and the E3 camera flash, were more exposed.
 

I just did some test shots comparing the Metz 58 and FL50.

Metz was in TTL mode and FL50 was in Auto mode.

I found that the photos were slightly underexposed with the Metz and that the FL50 and the E3 camera flash, were more exposed.

Over an under might be a little subjective. Why don't you post some samples?
 

I'm in taipei now. There is a af1 for nikon. The sales person offered a sca 3202 adapter for olympus. Will i lose any functionality with this combo? Thanks.
 

I'm in taipei now. There is a af1 for nikon. The sales person offered a sca 3202 adapter for olympus. Will i lose any functionality with this combo? Thanks.

you will lose TTL capability.
 

OK, I found out why my Metz TTL dun look so good. It is because I was using using Aperture priority mode on my E3. When I switched to P mode, the flash was OK. I suppose, TTL can only use in Auto/P modes??
 

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