E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Up here in Canada, the Metz distributer is still supplying the stores and the full line of speedlights and monolights are still in stock and being sold. I can speak for the U.S. supply sources.

Over the years, German-made electronic flash equipment has been popular among man professional photojournalists, weddg photographers and advanced amateurs. There was Braun, Multiblitz, Ultrablitz, Rolleilight and of course, Metz and a few others. Most of the Berman gear was well engineered and built, performed well, provided long-lasting service in continual use, and was repairable when required. It was also more costly than domestic, Japanese, and Chinese- made equipment. As far as I know, Mentz is the only remaining and active manufacturer still producing flash gear in Germany.

The market has changed. Perhaps more sophisticated flash usage is more in the domain of advanced amateur and professional photographers. Perhaps again, flash photography had garnered a bad rap among folks who really do not know how to use it to produce excellent lighting aesthetics. For casual or occasion flash users, many mid-range digital cameras have built-in pop-up flash features. The current high-end digital models do very nicely in natural and low-light conditions and even many advanced workers prefer natural and available light. So, high-end flash units and systems have become somewhat of a niche market.

For the flas users in the advanced amateur and pro markets, Profoto and several Chinese brands have taken over the bulk of the sales. Aside from the flash units themselves, the popular lines are offering a plethora of control accessories, sophisticated trigger devices and all kinds of tech all of which are extremely popular but in many cases unnecessary. Basic TTL compatibility with the camera model and/or understanding simple manual exposure technics are far more reliable and consistent. Just reading some of the complaints about malfunction issues with someof the command systems, misfires, and exposure and ratio inconsistencies will prove that theory. The Metz Speedlight is pretty straightforward, has good manual and TTL function and will probably appeal to the more advanced workers who want a bit more effective power, reliable service and consistent output.

Most of the domestic and German flags manufacturers are all gone as well. I use to joke that there were brands for every letter of the l alpapet, Ascor, Braun-Hobby, Calumet, Dormitzer, Elinchrom, FR. Graflex SR, Hershey, Hico-Lite, Honeywell-Hiland, Lumadyne (Still going), Mighty-Light, Norman (maybe still around), Quantum (alive and well), Stroboflash, Ultrablitz (the Matador 400 and the Reporter were immensely popular) and of cour Speedotron, Profoto, and a few other are still catering to the pro market.

I still have the "Old Gray Mare" in my closet, a Metz-402 with an up-to-date- sealed lead-acid battery. I've had it since 1968. I keep in the car on many industrial shoots, if I need an extra light or all else blow up, that old thing still works.

Quixdraw Loc: x

They are not only very good, they are very long lasting.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

So far the posts do not refer to "TTL" or wireless TTL---which pretty much means and needs a flash made for a particular camera. Only one flash works the TTL and wireless TTL for my Sigma SD1 Merrill--and, of course it is the Sigma Flash. It swivels---bends---and has the full range of output. And uses the same extension cords as Canon for off camera TTL and camera brackets allowing vertical or horizontal shooting. Isn't this what flash is all about "these days" automation and calculated light---less fiddling with guide numbers?----Eric P.S---Another company which made speedlights from German Braun. I have one of those also with a 4 "A" battery pack.

gmw12 Loc: Indianapolis & Windsor/UK & Montreux/Switzerl

It seems most of their products and spares are still widely available in Europe. List of vendors and models under:

https://geizhals.eu/?cat=acamblitz&xf=1537_Metz

(geizhals is a price comparator and product selector site for technical goods)

keywest305 Loc: Baltimore Md.

I have the Metz Mecablitz 64 along with 2 SB700 and a 2 SB400 a SB910 and a SB900 and i love the Metz. It never fails me

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

People often look for a high end product - flash, tripods, etc. that are above the bargain models and are an alternative to OEM products. Price is one consideration but the products must exhibit the same good build and performance as the OEM models they replace. I think Nissin fills that niche and has helped move Metz to a back burner. Even if Metz recovers as a viable company, I think their flash products will not.

richardsaccount

If I recall correctly, when Metz was making a lot of different models, some of them were made in Japan.
I have the 60CT. I tried last year to find a replacement battery for it. I went on line. A site came up in Canada
I can't remember their name. They claimed to have one left. They were asking $125,00 I believe. I saw one made in
China for $85.00. I'm sure that there is an AC power converter that can be modified to use it from household
current?. .

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metz_(company)

DAN Phillips Loc: Graysville, GA

I remember when Sunpack was a big player in the flash game. I had a 511 model which worked off 120v, 6v volt battery Pak and AA. It did a tremendous job especially with long lenses. Unfortunately I left 4 Duracell AA batteries in it and they ruined the unit; however, Duracell payed me for the cost of a unit to replace it. I only use Duracell batteries for that reason. I could not get another Sunpak, so I went with Bolt from B& H; it a very good unit.

RightOnPhotography Loc: Quebec,QC

This is really sad. I had Mecablitz 58-2 that I used on Pentax cameras, when I was with Pentax. It cost more than $400 and it was excellent, but when I switched to Nikon, I bought Godox 685TT for about $150. I guess cheap people like me contributed to the Metz demise. 😞

edrobinsonjr Loc: Boise, Idaho

I found this link to Metz of Canada and they are still in the photography business.

https://www.metzflash.ca/

I hav an old Metz "Potato Masher" flash. It still works but I guess you cant connect it to a modern camera without frying it (The Camera). Too bad. I has a guide number of 150 at ASA 100.

Ed

Dalbon

Yes I have the Metz 45-CT-5 Digital still with the original box that I purchased back in the 1980's. I haven't used it for a good while but it was and probably still is a great flash.
David

Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

Glad to see that Metz is still in business, at least from it's Canadian distributor. It's been difficult for all manufacturers of photo gear to survive. (Bell & Howell was always nothing more than a distributor during our lifetimes. They have moved on from photo to home privacy LED lights from China, sold on USA television ads. Far removed from the manufacture of movie cameras and projectors for homes and larger units for schools and businesses. Just a marketing name now.)

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

If your Metz unit is still operational, you can use it with any current digital camera by means of an adapted called a Safe-Synch. It reduced the trigger voltage to a safe level.

Before purchasing the adapter, make sure yo unit is in working order. After long periods of non-use, the capacitors can deform, sometimes beyond reforming. The reforming process is simple. Power the unit up but do not flash it for about an hour. The flash several times. If the read-light comes on and the recycling times are consistent, you are good to go.

Some of the Metz models do not have outrageously high trigger voltages, however, someof the early model are extremely high. Even some of the lower voltage may be well beyond the camera manufacturer's recommendations. It is easy enough to test to find out your unit's exact trigger voltage if you have a multimeter or a DC voltmeter in the range of up to 300 VDC.

Those older units are powerful and reliable. If you want to press it into serves the investing in a Safe-Synch adapter is justifiable.

edrobinsonjr Loc: Boise, Idaho

Thanks for the reply. I'll look into this adapter.

Ed