Metz, the German manufacturer of photo electronics, has released a successor to the flagship flash gun, Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-1, which is being replaced by Metz Mecablitz 58 AF-2. While the power rating stays the same, the new model features a number of improvements. One of the most significant changes is the new servo sensor that allows the flash to be triggered remotely without a master unit. Also, the slave sensor is moved from its old location under the head to the front of the body for better performance. Another noticeable change is the replacement of the plastic base with a metal one, which can be quickly attached to a flash with the new locking system. The new built-in diffuser for frame coverage up to 12mm and the improvements of the internals of the flash are also very welcome changes.
Please find the the official press release below.
Press release:
The top model in the Metz compact flash unit range has been further improved with numerous optical and functional features. The successor to the mecablitz 58 AF-1 which won the EISA Award for "best flash unit in Europe 2007/2008" has been equipped with a new stable metal base which can be attached to the camera flash shoe quickly and easily with one single movement thanks to the optimised lock system. Refinements such as the revised motor zoom mode and an improved high performance flash tube further increase the longevity of the product. Its multi-functionality has been extended with additional features. Thus the mecablitz 58 AF-2 digital offers servo flash release functionality via the integrated camera flash which is also perfectly compatible with cameras without master function. The slave/servo sensor has been integrated into the front of the flash unit to increase the transmission quality of wireless flashes. The wide-angle diffuser has also been adapted for illumination of wide-angle focal widths from 12 mm (135 format). Like all mecablitz system flash units, the new flash unit is available in different versions, perfectly tailored to digital cameras made by the leading manufacturers.
The mecablitz 58 AF-2 digital offers the perfect solution for every flash situation. The innovative secondary reflector provides perfect image illumination for portraits. Numerous manual fine tuning options afford the mecablitz 58 AF-2 digital exceptional creative photographic freedom. Virtually limitless possibilities are opened up for individualised lighting thanks to a fully swivelling reflector system which also contains a flip-out reflector card and a diffuser. The slave function and the new servo function allow the new top model in the Metz compact flash unit range to be used without constraints in various operating modes, depending on the camera model. With the servo flash release, no camera master function is required to use the flash as an additional creative light source in the room. The camera-specific wireless TTL remote mode of the respective model comes into play with the slave function. In addition, automatic mode provides the possibility of achieving a perfect picture even in situations where the camera-specific TTL control is impaired.
Thanks to the Metz mecablitz 58 AF-2 digital USB interface, updates can be easily installed via the Internet. Due to its very high guide number 58 for ISO 100/21� and 105 mm focal length, the 58 AF-2 digital is not just high performance but also lends itself perfectly to being used as an indirect flash. The real highlight � a flip-out reflector card which is integrated into the both vertically and horizontally tilting and swivelling reflector.
It goes without saying that the respective camera manufacturer�s refined flash lighting technology can also be employed with the corresponding version of the mecablitz 58 AF-2 digital, in addition to numerous special functions, such as high speed synchronisation. Thus the 58 AF-2 digital offers E-TTL and E-TTL II flash mode for Canon � iTTL/D-TTL/3D flash mode for Nikon/Fujifilm � P-TTL for Pentax and four thirds TTL mode for Olympus/Panasonic/Leica.
Metz flash units represent high performance technology and reliable quality. We have been manufacturing exclusively in Germany for over 50 years. As such we hold a unique position � Metz is the only manufacturer of flash devices to develop and manufacture products in Europe.