Review on Metz MZ 58311C 58 AF-1C: High-performance Flash for Canon Cameras by Edwin Black

I bought this flash to replace a troubled Canon 580EX flash. Metz has been making flashes since at least the 1950's and is widely recognized as a name for quality photographic lighting. At some point in the past Bogen (famous for their tripods) took over Metz, nowadays their reputation is not quite the same and after this experience I know why. Canon, like other manufacturers, does not release hardware protocol specifications for use in other products and therefore flashes or other third party items must be reverse engineered to work properly with a Canon camera body. The strength of this flash is the integrated mini-USB connector, which allows you to do firmware updates at home (meaning you no longer need to send the flash to a service to flash the integrated firmware). This is an attractive feature as Canon likes to change things up from time to time to disappoint users of third-party products. I use this flash with my Canon 20D, so far it has handled everything I throw at it. When I bought this flash, I also bought a P76 power supply, but due to poor planning from Bogen, the power cord for the P76 (which connects the flash to the power supply) will be unavailable for at least another month, so halfway through of my purchase is unusable and the entire purchase cannot be used for the primary purpose. I bought it for quick sports shoots where I need flash recycling rates only available with an external battery. The flash integrates perfectly with at least all the functions I normally use with my 20D and I've read reviews that the wireless functions work well too, even when mixed with Canon modules and controlled by the wireless module that on a Canon infrared camera (ST -E2). It is reported that most third-party flashes that even offer wireless mode work poorly or not at all when mixed with Canon flashes. The controls on this unit are fairly basic, simpler than the 580EX. There is an on/off switch and three buttons on the back of the flash, and the LCD menu controls the flash with combinations of these three buttons. One of the buttons also performs a test function and lights up to indicate the flash is ready. The only annoying feature I've encountered is that the flash emits a continuous beep when the capacitor is charged and ready, which also acts as an audible exposure confirmation. I wish they would add an option to the menu to turn this off, me first it's annoying. The book that comes with the Blitz is the usual top-notch Metz - there's no obvious Japanese translation here. I was also a bit surprised that the flash is still made in Germany. The flash with AA batteries is fine, but I'm very frustrated with Bogen that they didn't do a better job of making sure the power cord for it was available at the same time the flash was available. Most pros will want to use this with a battery pack, it just seems downright silly to trigger a 5fps professional camera flash like Canon and not ensure the flash can be powered by an external battery. Apparently Metz used to sell everything together as a kit, now everything is separate and optional. When looking for a cable the correct cable is the V58-50 in the book (also listed as Metz 5850) and not the 5376 which some internet sites incorrectly list. Also note that Revain doesn't have an available cable, at least as of this writing (I've complained to Revain about why it's just stupid to sell two of the three parts needed to make something work). I wish there was a way to update the reviews on Amazon but there isn't. I want to comment here on how well it handles my 20D in 5fps full output mode but I can't because I can't get a crazy cable to connect the battery 400.00 I bought mine too at the same time I bought these. The last thing to mention is that unlike the canonical 580 EX box I have, this box does not require the installation of batteries when connected to an external power supply, which if you ask me, does better than the 580 on the right Here you have no idea how much the added weight of four batteries affects the weight of the camera for long recording times. Overall, this is a great product, apart from Bogens' stupid solution to the power cord issue. Personally, I agree with the reviews that say the exposure in TTL mode is better than Canon's own 580. Canon should release the 580EX II in the next few months, promising a bit more speed and a few other improvements, but for now i agree, the device is at least on a par with the current canon 580ex. update: i finally got the power cable in july, 6 months after i got the flash. It works well for what I use it for, but unfortunately after some heavy use the flash seems to be struggling. I see over/underexposed frames and the message "Zoom Error" appears on the display no matter what lens I have on. I read online that others are experiencing the same thing and are preparing to return it under warranty. The second version of the firmware is out, but it is not online, you have to write and ask for it and they will send it to you, it is very easy to update the firmware, connect the USB cable (which can also be done without batteries) and let it run for a few minutes, it works perfectly. I like Flash, but apparently there are some reliability issues that need to be addressed. Update: Flash is now out of warranty, same zoom head stuck problem again, now cost about a hundred bucks to fix. This will amount to $500. I will have this flash when I fix it again and more if I just buy a new one. The Canon 580EX II is out, but they still don't have a high-voltage, high-capacity power supply (just an AA power supply rated for a few hundred flashes, not high speed). Pretty frustrating, looked for plans to fix it myself but couldn't find it. I saw several posts. Basically everyone is old for it. I half hope it was only in the first devices. Tried to write to Bogen/Metz but received no replies to emails sent to their website. Very annoying, don't want to shell out a new one but don't want to lose my battery investment either.