I agree with the remarks of Mark: robustness of Metz flashes is less
than their products 30-40 years ago (the hammer type that could be used
as a hammer!)
But, lets be fair, presents types are relatively cheaper and have more
options.
I had a AF-1 and a AF-2 both failed after a few years due to jammed zoom
mechanisme.
I opened one and was shocked by the fragile construction.
Then I decided that I have little advantage from P-TTL and go on with
some old flashes: automatic with their own sensor, no automatic zooming,
robust and reliable.
Greetz, Jos
On 7/29/2018 7:08 PM, Mark C wrote:
I don't have the model you are looking at but have a Metz mecablitz 58
AF-2 and have experienced mixed results with it.
The good: Lots of options and features. The user interface is a little
fiddly but once you get used to its not a problem. It needed a
firmware update to work with the K1 but has a usb port and can be
easily updated. With the update it works fine on the K1.
The not good: The LCD panel stopped illuminating a few months after I
bought the first flash. I assumed it was just switched off (the menus
still appeared on the panel but without back lighting). Metz said it
was defective and offered to repair it under warranty. After several
weeks of waiting for parts they ultimately replaced the flash with a
new one. The new unit developed the same failure within a few months,
and by then the warranty had expired. I can still use the unit I have,
but can't read the menus in the dark.
Given that I had two flashes fail in the same manner I'm skeptical of
Metz's quality. But the flash is feature rich, well designed and
affordably priced.
Mark
On 7/27/2018 12:40 PM, luiz felipe wrote:
looking at the pc screen, the Metz mecablitz 44 AF-2 Digital Flash
for Pentax Cameras looks interesting due to low price, advertised
P-TTL compatibility and "adjustable four level video light". the
cash, as always, is rather short so no option more expensive than the
AF360FGZ II is coming home - but IF this or another Metz is adequate,
more $$ can be diverted to lenses and cameras.
from my previous experience with Pentax flashes (280t and 330ftz)
they tend to eat batteries faster than ideal, but had endured a lot
of abuse. the 360 FGZ II is weather resistant, but that's not to be
an issue - I don't intend to take flash photography under the rain.
flash photos are not so frequent, for me, to the point a Vivitar
285hv has been enough until now.
any toughts? any hands-on experience with the "video light" of those
two flashes? FWIW, I do carry a flashlight in the bag all times, and
have used it on occasion to light my subjects under very low light -
the feature is welcome indeed.
thanks in advance!
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