Metz 50 AF-1 MZ 50311C Digital Flash for Canon Cameras

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Price: $299.99   

Product Feature

• High guide number of 50 with ISO 100/21
• Metal foot with fast lock
• Firmware update via integrated USB port
• HSS- high speed synchronization
• Illuminated LCD display

Product Description

The 50 AF-1 digital has all the right technological features, including numerous application possibilities and even higher performance levels (guide number 50). Equipped with a USB interface for online firmware updates, its innovative and future-proof credentials are proven. Fully automatic flash modes permit precise light output tailored to each individual subject. Numerous manual fine tuning options extend your creative photographic freedom. 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 diffuser. The slave function allows the 50 AF-1 digital to be used "without constraints� �. In the wireless TTL mode it can even be used as a slave device. With built-in camera flash, A superb flash unit for committed amateur photographers. Technical specifications: GN of 50 for ISO 100/21degree and 105 mm; vertical (-7/+90degree) and horizontal (300degree) swivel reflector; illuminated LCD display; motor zoom for 24 - 105 mm illumination; integrated wide-angle diffuser for 12 mm illumination; extendible reflector card for soft flash illumination; modeling light (permanent light for checking the photo); integrated autofocus measuring flash; flash readiness indicator and correct exposure display on unit and camera (subject to camera); flash range indicator in the LCD display; automatic unit switch-off and manual key lock; TTL flash mode; manual flash mode with 8 partial lighting levels; HSS - high speed synchronization; 1st and 2nd shutter curtain synchronization; manual flash exposure correction for TTL flash mode; automatic fill-in flash; flash bracketing; E-TTL- / E-TTL-II flash mode; E-TTL remote mode (Slave and servo mode); 4 x AA alkaline-magnesium or lithium batteries; 4 x AA NC or NiMH rechargeable batteries. This unit is designed for Canon camera systems.

Metz 50 AF-1 MZ 50311C Digital Flash for Canon Cameras Review

I bought this flash for my Canon T2i DSLR camera and it works very well with the camera. So far, I am very happy overall. The flash is powerful and it has all the features that I was looking for:

1. E-TTL (for automatic flash photography) and full menu access for on-camera flash photography (settings/controls work both ways, camera-to-flash and flash-to-camera)
2. High Speed Sync (for outdoor fill flash at larger aperture and shooting action at higher shutter speed)
3. Rear-curtain sync (for slower shutter speed shots at night)
4. Faster Recycle Time
5. Both Auto and Manual Zoom
6. Both Swivel and Tilt Head
7. Optical Slave Mode (for use with my compact camera. It also works with my DSLR.)
8. Manual Variable Power on the flash body (useful when using with off-camera Radio Trigger, such as Yongnuo RF-603).
9. Back LCD and metal flash foot
10. Customizable standby time (10mins, 1mins, off)

What I liked:

1. Powerful flash output and very good E-TTL performance (in both viewfinder and live view shooting)
2. Works well with Yongnuo RF-603 trigger (Sync at 1/200 sec) for manual/non-TTL off-camera flash photography
3. Efficient AF Assist Beam (does not work in live view mode) in view finder shooting mode
4. Moderately fast recycle time (around 3.5 sec using full charge Sanyo Eneloop Battery at full flash power)
5. High speed sync (HSS) in both E-TTL and Manual Modes
6. Upgradable firmware (useful for future generation camera). I updated once without any problem.
7. Flash coverage distance scale for on-camera photography (when you half-press shutter, LCD shows maximum flash coverage for the settings, ISO, Av and Lens Zoom)
8. -7 degree tilt for close-up/macro photography
9. Extended zoom (for wider flash coverage) and sensor size detection zoom features
10. -3 EV to +3 EV flash exposure compensation (FEC)

What I did not like:

1. Boxy and quite bulky design and bigger than its competitors. Built quality is inferior than Canon 430EX II.
2. Manual power only have full stops, no finer increment (such as, 1/2EV or 1/3EV. Even cheaper flashes from Yongnuo, Meike, etc have finer power increment.)
3. Full power flash duration is 1/125sec, quite larger (approx. 3-4 times) than competitors
4. No stroboscopic modes
5. No distance calculator for off-camera photography
6. Old style hot-shoe locking mechanism, not very convenient to lock or unlock, but ok.
7. Manufacturer does not include any accessories, like flash stand, case, diffuser, etc in the package (only flash body and printed manual are included).
8. Zoom motor little noisy
9. Two buttons need to press to select a particular settings (changing zoom, etc)
10. Built-in reflector is small

The flash also has modeling light, FEB and wireless E-TTL slave (useful if you have T3i/T4i and 60D cameras. Not sure about menu access when the camera is not on hot-shoe in off-camera flash photography) modes that you may find useful, but I did not use those.

Other flashes that I researched are (and excluded for the following reasons):

1. Canon 270EX II (Liked its size, but it lags swivel head and on-flash variable manual power modes)
2. Canon 320EX (Liked for its video light, but there is no on-flash variable manual power modes)
3. Canon 430EX II (Perfect, but expensive)
4. Nissin Di466 (Very good size, but it lags HSS, swivel head, manual zoom)
5. Nissin Di622 (Same as Di466 except swivel head)
6. Vivitar DF-383 (Slow recycle, reliability issue, and lack of HSS, digital slave, limited variable manual power)
7. Sunpak PZ42X (Liked for it's compact body and flash power, but No HSS and Slave Modes)
8. Yongnuo 468EX II (Actual flash power is much lower than the claimed specification)
9. Meike MK 431 (Liked it 430EX style design, but no online reviews and it lacks HSS mode. Nobody replies to my query from the company.)
10. Canon 580EXII, Metz 58 AF-2, Nissin Di866, Yongnuo 565EX, Meike MK 951, and some other Chinese brands (Oloong, Triopo, etc) are all too big (first three are expensive as well and others are cheap, but do not have HSS)

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