Flash Beyond repair

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Archive 2009 · Flash Beyond repair

vigna
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p.1 #1 · Flash Beyond repair

While I was shooting my beloved flash Metz 58 AF1 for Canon suddenly stopped working. Flash wasn't responding and I heard tingling noices from from some broken parts and could smell smoke. This was middle of an engagement party. Luckily I had another Metz 54 flash to complete shooting.
Does anyone recall similar situation with your flash guns and Metz 58 AF-1 in particular?
I send this unit for repair and waited for four weeks to learn that it is unrepairable (repair cost exceeds the price of a new unit). Supplier is keen to sell a new unit and I wasn't certain about the reliability of this flash anymore. This unit is only 18 months old and I used it for 10-12 events in total (usually manual mode 1/16 - 1/32 strengths).
Any such previous experience are welcome.
Thanks

Nov 18, 2009 at 11:43 PM

jefferies1
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p.1 #2 · Flash Beyond repair

I have never used the Metz but with my Canon 580's I burn one out about every 6-9 months. I have 3 total. They cost $130.00 to fix as a flat fee. A lot less than the cost of a new unit. When they go you hear l loud pop and sometimes a little smoke for effect!
I do shoot quite a few events but would expect the units to last longer being they are so expensive.
If all I got wasa 12 events per flash I would be looking for something else easier to repair. If it was run over by a truck I could see them saying the cost to repair was too high but not for burned out internal parts.

Nov 19, 2009 at 09:32 PM

vigna
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p.1 #3 · Flash Beyond repair

Thanks Jefferies. I thought generally flash units can stand for several years. Metz flashes are in general very good however I was unlucky with this unit. I was planning to get more of these units to complement each other (master slave combination) and I was bit worried it could happen again. This unit cost is around 688 AUD in Australia.

Nov 20, 2009 at 04:34 AM

cgardner
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p.1 #4 · Flash Beyond repair

Older flashes have no thermal protection and can be driven to the point of failure, especially if using external power supplies. Damage due to overheating is apparently more of a problem now than in the past due to reformulation of solder to remove the lead. But even with the older 580ex Canon recommends no more than 20 consecutive full-power flashes, with 10 min. cooling off period.

Newer flashes such as the 580exII have a "thermal nanny" which give the flash a time-out when it gets to hot. When the 580exII was new someone tested and found it took about 40 full-power or 70 half-power flashes for the protection to kick in.

All equipment has limits. If your shooting situation requires constant sustained shooting you might consider using a batter/inverter powered studio flash unit or a redundant set-up; either alternating flashes or identical camera / flash rigs.

Chuck

Nov 20, 2009 at 01:32 PM

vigna
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p.1 #5 · Flash Beyond repair

Update on my Metz-58 AF-1C. It look like this particular flash issue was one isolated incident since others did not experience similar issues. According to repairer it needs new flash tube,circuit board and capacitor which exceed the cost of a new (688 AUD) one. Resolution I sold my other Metz-58 AF1, keeping the Metz 54 and bought two Nissin Di866 (304 AUD each).

Nov 23, 2009 at 11:21 PM

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