Ensuring that any flash unit is fully compatible with the latest DSLR TTL control systems has always been problematic. To overcome this the new Metz 58 AF-1 incorporates a USB socket that will potentially enable photographers to simply download and upgrade the flash’s firmware should you upgrade to a DSLR using a different TTL system in the future.



For the time being, the Metz 58 AF-1 is compatible with the current TTL systems for Nikon and Canon (with a Pentax / Samsung version imminent) and the flash itself already has a lot to brag about. A guide number of 58 (58m@ISO100) means there’s an abundance of power, with the tilt and swivel head offering plenty of creative lighting opportunities and a fixed secondary flash proving useful for fill-in purposes. Covering focal lengths from 18-105mm, the 58 AF-1 can be set from full to 1/256 power in precise 1/3 stop increments, though it’s fair to say that navigating the flash takes a bit of getting used to due to an unintuitive digital interface.