Customer Reviews

Metz 48 AF-1 Shoe Mount Flash for Nikon i-TTL Digital Cameras, Guide Number 157-158'

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I use this flash on my Nikon D90 and have no problems with it at all. Exposure is pretty much always spot on, and the wireless functionality works flawlessly with Nikon's commander mode. The auto zoom head, and flash power are great for my needs. I think it is very comparable to the SB600, especially seeing as it is about twenty five dollars cheaper just now. It is German, so well made, and has a USB input for firmware updates is a useful and welcome addition. My only complaints are minor. The batter cover is a little stiff to open and close, and the menu buttons are not the best, but it overall, it functions very well.

I purchased this flash few days ago when I figured out that SB 900 and similar are insanely overpriced. I have Nikon D300, but I currently use my company's old Nikon D200 with 18-50 f2.8 EX Sigma lens. As I work on a cruise ship as a photogrpaher, I have plenty chances to test this baby and first one presented itself tonight, when I was taking photos of guests with the captain.

Flash proved itself quite good, suprisingly good considering it's price. $225 gives you excellent exposure, overall strength of the light from photo to photo was good thaks to proper measurements and excellent communication with the camera itself.

Pros are many:
* ballanced strength of light in consecutive shots
* excellent work with camera and lens
* commander mode works perfectly
* decent recharge time
* CHEAP! :) Simple calculation 1 SB-900 = $450 | 1 METZ 48=$450/2=$225!
* Easy settings. I love On/Off switch comparing to SB-800 with that dreadfull button... :)


Cons are few, but they're there:
* color (temperature) of the light - photos look slightly bluish, which can be easily fixed with moderate warming filter, or simply using photo editing software.
* as mentioned many times before, locking mechanism for flash head isn't quite state of the art, but it works.
* packaging is poorest I've seen in AGES. You don't get ANYTHING except manual and flash. Nada. Zip.

Bottom line: This flash is worth your money, but don't expect SB-900 quality of it. Play little with settings and you can get perfect tool for your photos...

This flash is sturdy, and has most features anyone would need. Im really happy with the performance and features.
Pros: Good price, nice quality, many features (works with CLS as remote slave, for example).
Cons: old style twist lock - plastic shoe housing. Menu not very easy to use.

Personally I didn't like this flash that much. It seemed no matter how I set it up all the photos was over exp. (seemed to do best in manual mode)
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.