Metz 58 AF-2 MZ 58324N Digital Flash for Nikon Cameras

I am reviewing this flash when it has two reviews before me and 3 stars. Someone gave it one star because they either couldn't read a manual or figure out how to update firmware. I will not go into technical details here. There is plenty of discussions and technical reviews if you google Metz 58 AF-2 . I am here to tell you this is a very bright and good piece of equipment from what i know, and help quash that crappy review for no good reason. I was looking for another flash as I have a wedding to shoot and I am getting into more professional photography. I currently have a Nikon SB-700 I use with a Nikon D700. I have a Nikon D90 backup. I am using Nikon and Tamron lenses. But back to this review ...The light seems right on for my tests around the house with it set to TTL riding on top of my D700. I have tried it straight on but usually always bounce using many products but mostly the Demb Flash Diffuser Pro Articulating Panel 5 X 5 Inches Plus Tiltable Front Diffuser or the Rogue FlashBenders ROGUEFLAG Bounce Card / Flag. Even when bounced the output and color is fantastic. I also tried it on my umbrella stand shooting through a Creative Light 100863 105 cm/41-Inch Umbrella (Translucent) and it works great in TTL and Manual (I set it at 1/8 power whew!) and with Nikon's CLS wireless system. I used my D700 flash as commander and it fired everytime (granted I was within 20 feet max distance). I do not yet own nor have tried it with any radio poppers, etc.I did not notice any long recycle time, and I tried many pictures in succession indoors (like one every second or half second for 5 frames or so). I imagine YMMV depending how you use it. I doubt for normal use I will be firing it at full power, mostly using it as a freeze action with capturing ambient kind of fill. I purchased a load of Sanyo NEW 1500 eneloop 8 Pack AA Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries and Sanyo XX Battery Powered by eneloop, 2500mAh typical / 2400 mAh minimum High Capacity, 4 Pack AA Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries to use with it. Time will tell how many batteries I blow through.I read reviews at other places that said the menu was hard to use. I don't think it could be easier. Four buttons. Push ANY button and the LCD lights up. Select Mode or PARA (parameters like EV) and set with the arrow key buttons as designated on the LCD. It really is a piece of cake. I find it so much easier and refreshing than the SB-700 controls and wheel. It will also beep to tell you when the flash is ready, if you have correct exposure, etc. but I turned that off. I haven't tried high-speed (FP) flash, although the Metz supports it. I don't know if I'll ever have a use for it so it isn't that important to me.The Metz (also called mecablitz) 58 also has a neat secondary flash on the front for eye enhancing catchalls. I thought this was innovative, and haven't tried that yet (I have it off). The build quality also is ok, it is plastic but with a metal shoe mount. It is neither horrible nor great. I've seen worse build qualities and I've seen better. The Nikon is definitely better in build.I will update once I do a major event or wedding coming up soon. I will update this review as needed. So far I am extremely happy and think this will equal SB-900 in terms of power or close to it. If you are looking for a good second, third, (or even first) etc. flash and don't want to break the bank on a $550 Nikon, save yourself over $200 and consider this flash. I figure WTH, I can test it and if it fails or doesn't live up to it's features I will return it to Amazon, considering their awesome customer service.

The menus are kinda slow and you have to press twice for any change on the settings.

I purchased this flash as an alternative to the Canon 600EX-RT, which suffers from thermal shutdowns under heavy use (with a Gary Fong and powered by a Turbo battery). While the Metz 58 AF-2 seems better in that respect, the E-TTL exposures are inconsistent to a fault. I'll probably use this flash when heavy use is expected, but wish the exposures were more consistent.

Bought this for the pre-ordered Nikon D800. A friend got his D800 so I borrowed the camera to try this Metz 58 flash out. The flash did not recognize TTL, worked only on manual mode. Tried on the D5100 and D3S, same problem. Called Adorama, they said this it probably a defective one. Sent it back for over one week, have not heard anything from Adorama yet. A defective Metz? It is hard to believe.

I'm an old Metz customer, I have a CT32 for my Yashica FX3 Super2000, now both lying in a drawer. I remember I could take very beautiful pictures with such an equipment. So, for my Nikon D90 I wanted to consider both Nikon and Metz brands. After reading many reviews about top level products of the two brands I decided for this wonderful product. It is very powerful and easy to use, all funcions do work perfectly. I took already very many pictures with it and all are very good. I read all reviews before buying and I must agree with them, really a superb product. I enjoed a lot using it as servo, placed somewhere in a room, triggered by D90's on board flash: really beautiful pictures! Read the other reviews and don't trust 1 star reviews, this is really a top level flash.

I am happy with this purchase. it is doing what i expected from this. I have just started using it. So i can update after use for few weeks.

This is the second 58 AF-2 I've purchased. For me compatibility with older Nikon film cameras was important, and the Metz fully supports them -- it supports Nikon film TTL, d-TTL and iTTL (CLS). The flash is powerful, I like the second flash head, and it works well as an optical slave or triggered via the CLS/iTTL system.Using the menu system for parameter settings isn't great - the flash offers a lot of functionality and there's a lot of button pushing to get at it. However, it's no worse than any other high-end flash I've used. The most used things - switching between flash modes and adjusting parameters in a mode - are easy to get at.Construction is pretty solid and the shoe foot is metal. It comes with a well-made nylon pouch. The battery door seems flimsy and I'm careful when changing batteries.

This Metz configured for Nikon functions well with my Nikon D600 It is robust and easy to use, a superb piece of equipment.