Metz Launches New USB Upgradeable Wireless Flash
New Metz Mecablitz 48 AF-1 digital follows in footsteps of award-winning 58 AF-1
Ramsey, NJ (October 18, 2007) – Metz has done it again! Hot off the heels of its award winning Mecablitz 58 AF-1 digital, the world leading manufacturer of high performance flash technology is proud to launch its second USB upgradeable wireless flash – the Mecablitz 48 AF-1 digital. Packed with many of the same, impressive features as its big brother, the 48 AF 1 will be showcased at this year’s 2007 PhotoPlus Expo and sets the bar even higher for innovation and quality among the competition. Also launching at PhotoPlus 2007 are the 58 AF-1OP for Olympus/Panasonic and the 58 AF-1PS for Pentax/Samsung, which extend the range for the 58 AF-1 family.
State-of-the-art, the 48 AF-1 allows photographers to stay current and effortlessly make firmware updates via the Internet. Previously, flash units needed to be packaged and sent away for servicing in order to be updated with the latest software from camera manufacturers. With the Metz USB interface, shooters can now make such updates from their own PCs, ensuring that they will have the most up to date and highest performing flash for each shot and that they will never have to be without a flash.
The 48 AF-1 is fully compatible with TTL digital remote systems and can also be operated as a TTL slave unit that can be controlled by the camera’s built-in commander mode, a manufacturer’s flash with master capabilities, or from a Metz 58 AF-1. The 48 AF-1 also features an auto zoom head from 24-105mm that can be set to match the camera’s sensor, a full bounce and swivel reflector head, a built-in wide angle diffuser for 18mm coverage, and of course, full manual control with 12 partial light output levels.
The flash features a powerful guide number of 158 and for added versatility, is powered by four, readily available AA batteries. The 48 AF-1 is currently available for Canon (48 AF-1 C) and Nikon (48 AF-1 N). The 48 AF-1 C is designed to support Canon’s E-TTL and E-TTL II technology and the 48 AF-1 N supports Nikon’s i-TTL and D-TTL technology.
48 AF-1 N digital
Street Price: $200
48 AF-1 C
Street Price: $220
For additional information regarding the Metz Mecablitz 48 AF-1 digital, visit www.bogenimaging.com
Metz flash products are distributed in the US exclusively by Bogen Imaging.
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About Bogen Imaging:
Bogen Imaging Inc is a leading distributor of key accessories brands for the photographic, video, cine and lighting production markets. Bogen is an international company within the Imaging Division of the Vitec Group, which owns the following leading, international brands: Manfrotto, Gitzo, Kata, National Geographic bags and Tripods, Avenger, and I.F.F. As the exclusive US distributor of Metz, Gossen, Elinchrom, Lastolite, Reflecmedia and Formatt Filters, Bogen offers the most complete range of exceptional camera and lighting accessories in the business. The Bogen Imaging international network covers the USA, Germany, France, Italy, UK and Japan.
The Metz 48 AF-1 flash is very well built. It has swivel and tilt head, reflector card and wide-angle capability. It is loaded with many features you expect from a modern flashgun: wireless communication, second curtain and high speed synchronization, etc. The unit is fully TTL compatible and allows doing things manually as well. It is going to ease your future firmware upgrades with the USB port connection. The only flaw is the tilting lock, which may not be suitable for some applications.
Personally I didn’t like this flash that much. It seemed no matter how I set it up all the photos was over exp.
I tried it on a D70 as well as a D1 with less then satisfactory results. I also didn’t like the fact that the head didn’t lock
unless it was at the normal position.. what’s the point of having a lock button for that? It also felt a bit on the cheap side.. I have a Sunpak pf30x that I use for basically a fill flash outdoors and to have something around that’s small and a bit better then the D70 popup.. The build quality seems to be about the same
On a side note: I ordered the Metz from Tristate Camera and the one I got back looked like it was used or a demo.
Tristate did have a lower price then most other stores but you get what you pay for sometimes.. I got it on the 4/7 sent it back on the 7th it’s now the 20th and it’s been a nightmare getting my money back.
Hi, it seems your experiences are unfluenced by Trstane shop. My Metz works perfectly together with my Nikon D40. And … if yoy think you get overexposed pictures, just redure the flash to get teh right result. But that is all personal.
Regards.