I have 2 years of experience with the Metz Mecablitz 48 AF-1 for Nikon, I want to share.
Overview of the Metz Mecablitz 48 AF-1 for Nikon
When working with a flash, you immediately understand that everything here is aimed at functionality and additional features - simply not there. Nothing superfluous, a modest display, 4 buttons, AF illumination, a reflective card and a diffuser plate, a receiver for remote control, a USB output - that's all you can see on this flash.
This photo was taken with the Metz Mecablitz 48 AF-1 for Nikon.
Third Party Flash always causes distrust, because non-native manufacturers of photographic equipment are usually wary of it. For example, there are rumors that the exchange of information between the camera and the native flash (SB-900, SB-700, SB-800, SB-600, SB-910) there are additional encrypted signals that only native flash units and cameras can work with and that this increases the quality of images compared to working with third-party flash units. I do not believe in this, and in practice, with skillful hands, this German flash is not inferior to anything SB-900 when working both with the camera and in SLAVE mode.
The head stroke is 24-105 mm, which is enough for domestic needs, for example, for my universal Nikkor 18-105 an excellent flash.
Photos at Metz 48
And so, closer to this miracle.
Working with her, found her strengths:
1. Ease - strong side, you do not need to set a million values, 3 shooting modes are available (I have an option for Nikon cameras), i-TTL, Manual, SL.
2. Built-in reflection card - a nice bonus, for example in a native flash SB-600 there is no such card, and all amateurs know that ordinary gum and a business card replace such a card, but the question still remains in convenience.
3. SL modePretty nice thing. It works no worse than on native flashes. My Nikon D90 communicates quite normally with the flash in this mode. SL is the Slave Mode equivalent for Nikon's native flash units.
4. A large head travel, horizontally the head goes 270 degrees, in general this figure can cause misunderstanding. It’s just that the head goes 120 degrees in one direction and 180 degrees in the other direction. In practice, it differs from the full 360 in very, very little functionality.
Photo on Metz 48
5. Normal autofocus highlight. The front of the flash has a special area that gives special infrared illumination with autofocus.
6. It charges quickly (depending of course on the batteries) and quietly, but you can still hear noises when idle and charging, it feels like it's alive.
7. Test operation button and readiness indication
8. Advanced shooting mode, allows you to automatically make the shooting angle a little wider, to get a softer backlight.
9. Quick sync mode HSS (analogue FP mode), will only work on cameras that support this mode. I successfully work at shutter speeds of up to 1 \ 4000. The flash supports fast synchronization up to 1 \ 8000. Some of the photos in this review were taken in remote control mode and quick synchronization.
Photo on Metz 48
Disadvantages
1. Sound alert does not turn on in SL mode (it simply doesn’t exist) is a rather uncomfortable thing, because you don’t know whether the flash is charged or not, and you can’t always tell by the green indicator, especially if the flash is about 10 meters away from you. In this mode, the red indicator blinks in front, as in native flashes.
2. Twist latch, I’m interested in the reviews that don’t write about it. This means that the flash will have to be twisted on the camera, and this takes time after the native flashes, which are on the latch, sharply casts a shadow of negative on the flash design. Personally, when I use several cameras and flashes and need to change combinations, twist and wind the locking ring bothers. And if you also forget to turn in which direction, then in general you can spoil your mood.
3. Bad battery compartment, powerful and slightly thick batteries simply do not want to cram there. A very serious minus.
4. There is no additional connector for external power, an indispensable thing for the studio.
5. There is no fixture for filters, there is no fixture for a diffuser, there is no shoe in the kit (a small flash stand).
6. No one needs an unnecessary USB output for flashing, it would be better to add a more useful thing instead.
Photography with Metz 48
Of course, you can also write that there is no way to control other outbreaks (Master of control), but this is a flash of a different price level, so I do not consider this a drawback.
On my copy, when I tried to stick the batteries at 2700 milliamps (which are heavy and slightly large), at first they did not stick in and did not stick, then when I took the others that came in, but pulling them back turned out to be a difficult task. Now I use this flash either with ordinary batteries or with batteries, which are included without any problems. Also, when I played with all this business, I have the battery cover locks off, that is, it is completely removed now, but latches just as well.
Impressions from the flash are very goodall the same it Germany, not China. The ergonomics are pleasant, it is enough to learn the menu once to perform quick settings: an amendment exposure, zoom, auto off time, etc. The menu is small, but informative, nothing more, it’s just not a fact that the instruction will be in Russian, so I’ll say right away that the + and - button can be pressed at the same time and used to configure. The button for fixing the rotation of the head is very easy to press, the head walks easily and setting the desired angle is quite simple.
Thank you for attention. Arkady Shapoval
Thank! Useful review. And it’s hard to find something sensible about them.
Advise which is better for the D90 - Metz 48 AF-1 or SB-600?
I advise SB-600, on my Metz 48 AF-1 a month ago the lamp in the 24mm position stuck, the zoom is now unavailable and when it is pulsed, smoke now comes out of it, I use it as a follower with the master SB-900
Arkady, why don’t you try to fix it? And then, maybe the guarantee has not ended yet. I have a Metz 44.
Repair costs before the flash.
Is Nikon flash repair more expedient?
Thank you!
Germany was once. Now China Kitaevich and the warranty is only 3 months. I had 3 metz from 42 to 58, worse and worse in reliability. Especially upset 58
Having bought the Metz 50 AF-1 N, all the nibi can be finished off, surrounded by one phenomenon: the hard back focus is turned on. I don’t know how to work .. Nareshti this year’s SB600 for a trial, because everything is good for her and I’ll buy a 700 one ...
It would be great to see a review of yet another best-selling Nissin Speedlite Di622 MarkII for Nikon. In online stores, they scatter like hotcakes, but there is simply no sensible test, especially on younger DSLRs - the main target audience. In particular, in the reviews, people complain about the impossibility of working with Soviet optics through an adapter.
If I come across, I will definitely write.
I am the owner of this only for canon, lacking only high-speed synchronization, and so a good option for such a price.
Privit Arkadiy! In the METZ 44 AF-1
Akumi VARTA 2500
I passed the photo session in the community of me. There were about 80 photos of Akumas. why so?
Fotkav in TTL mode, darker, stele, not longer than the side
ІСО 100, diaphragm trying to
Is there a problem with the charger? Charge "Elektronika" zu-01m "
Crazy!
On the iSO, and even from the ceiling, the flash almost always gives the maximum impulse, therefore, the batteries are enough for fewer photos than under other conditions. In general, batteries are often buggy, and it is very difficult to accurately calculate the number of pulses.
And with some clear minds, upload pictures to more?
For example, when shooting with a flash “in the forehead” or at ISO high, or with a wider aperture.
Arkadiy I want to power the Metz 48 AF-1 bedroom, I bought it earlier for the E500 Olympus, but now can you go to the D7000? You write Metz 48 AF-1 for the bedroom, nothing was said about it.
I am looking for an additional flash for Samsung NX 10, Metz has a 44 AF-1 for it. I wanted to know if Metz has problems like Samsung's flash, that when one set of batteries runs out, it refuses to work with the next set? My Samsung flash does just that ... I only get to flash it again the next day.
I have a Nissan 622i mark II (D90), great flash. And iTTL supports and there is a slide and autofocus and reflector lights and a diffuser. Everything is working.
Nissin or Nissan?
But there is no high-speed synchronization, as I wrote above
In the version for Nikon, which is presented in this review, the high-speed sync mode works fine.
Nissin. Auto-correction worked, I looked at the apology.
Hello Arkady! Help advice! What external flash to choose for a beginner? Canon EOS 450D, a flash is needed for shooting DR and other holidays, i.e. for reportage and portraiture. The budget is limited, and I do not want to immediately something expensive, because I understand that the outbreak has its own resource and it is not very advisable to spend it on training. Considering the options of the Metz 44 AF-1 C dig / Canon or Nissin Speedlite Di622 Mark II Canon. Or is it better to take a simple version of the Nissin Speedlite Di466 Canon? What do you think? Thanks in advance!!!
Nice review of the Nissin Speedlite Di622 Mark II - http://fotomag.com.ua/tg/topic/obzor-novoy-nissin-speedlite-di622-mark-ii-dlya-nikon-i-canon-142088.html
Thank you.
Tell me how to control the Mets44 flash for Nikon by removing it from the shoe of the camera?
No way, just using a synchronizer.
I forgot to clarify the D5100 camera. Is it possible to “set fire” with the built-in flash. Or do you need a remote synchronizer?
Thanks. It seems they (synchronizers) are not cheap ..
Hello Arkady! I would like to know your opinion about the Metz mecablitz 44 AF-1 for Nikon flash, does it work with Soviet optics?
44 did not use, if there is a manual mode, it means it works.
Thanks for the quick answer. Maybe she will get to your test, I would really like to know its capabilities and, moreover, hear your opinion about this outbreak.
Good afternoon, Arkady! I choose the first flash and everything fluctuates between Metz 48 (or 50) and Nikon SB 700. A lot of good things in the 700-ke, but a lot of pluses in the Metz. I'm interested in the question regarding the leading number, because such a difference (28 and 50). How much are the differences visible? or does each manufacturer have its own scale? A familiar pro recommends taking a native Nikon, although Metz has never tried it. I have a Nikon D90. Thanks in advance for the answer :)
Native flash will be better, leading numbers are mostly wound.
Thank you!
As for the ergonomics of the Germans, I came across their bicycles, so they met parts more suitable for cars. So they weren’t very frolic on the flash.
Good day. Be a weasel tell you more beautiful brothers - nikon sb600 (second-hand) noviy metz 48. Dyakuyu for the argument)))
Please help configure the Nikon 5200 for an external Mertz 44 AF-1 flash. The flash is simple by itself. Clearly, the TTL mode is automatic, M-manual. When I shoot the flash from the camera, it fires from a distance with the internal flash open. Things are good. As soon as I screw it in place, only the red-eye indicator fires, the flash itself does not flash. Maybe I did not twist in the settings. The internal flash itself is on the fill flash
Advise a flash at me Nikon D3100. I am an amateur.
SB-700, details here https://radojuva.com.ua/2013/02/nikon-sb-flash-buy/
Arkady hello, where can you download the settings and a full description of the Metz mecablitz 52 AF-1 digital for Nikon flash, otherwise I bought it not long ago, but I don’t know how to use it… please help….
Thanks for the great reviews, I'd love to hear about the Metz mecablitz 52 AF-1 digital for Nikon.
Send not a review - hear :)
Good day . Help synchronize Nikon d7000 with metz 50 on the back (second) curtain. With the d7000, everything is clear, but on the flash I can not find the icons in the menu. Thanks .