Metz 32Z-2

Review Date
November 29, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by
davoonroe , Expert

Price Paid
$100.00 at J and R

Photography Experience
21+ years , Other

Summary
When I purchased digitl camera, a Fuji s602, I had a chance to purchase this flash. Instead I purchased the Metz 34 CS-2. I was told by the salesman that the 34 cs2 was a better flash for digital. I should have stuck to my instincts and gone with the 32z2. I missed having bounce and the raw power. I had not seen the 32z2 since the day I turned one down until I walked into J and R recently. I was surprised to see new flashes behind the counter. I was amazed when the salesman got a price check from his manager and came back with $99.99. We both knew this flash was much higher only 2 years ago, and I couldn't pass it up. I'm glad I got a 2nd chance at this flash. I'm waiting for Bronica to reply to a compatability question. If I can use the SCA 386 module with my Bronica RF 645, I'll be even happier.

Strengths
Power!!
Size and style - I always thought that the low profile of the 32's was cool.
Bounce capability
Durability. This is much more solid than the 34cs2.

Weaknesses
None for me. Others may wish for an LCD readout and auto zooming.

Similar Products Used
Metz 34cs2; canon,pentax and olympus flashes

Customer Service
None yet.

Review Date
June 13, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Reviewed by
Hermann Graf , Expert , from Mutterstadt / Germany

Price Paid
$120.00 at Retailer, Germany

Photography Experience
21+ years , Outdoor

Summary
For me the ideal flash for manual SLR cameras. Manual, automatic, TTL, and winder mode; three possible apertures in automatic mode. Flash can be zoomed (28, 35, 50, and 85 mm) manually. Battery control button, prefire button, automatic off, ready light, full energy flash warning. It can be mounted on almost every camera by the appropriate SCA adapter. Flash can be rotated and tilted. A lot of accessories is available; recommendable: diffusor cap, white recflective screen, and power grip plus bracket for bigger batteries. Very good ergonomically, light-weighted, guide number 32 meters for 50mm / 100 ISO. Needs four AA batteries or lithium block battery. For me with my Nikons F3 and FM2n, much better than Nikon's SB 16A/B in terms of weight, ergonomics, handling, light balancing, and energy consumption. SCA adapter for the F3 is pretty expensive, and a bracket is needed, but TTL, ready light, and automatic set to 1/80s is enabled, and film speed can bet set/corrected with the adapter on

Strengths
Very good handling,?xD;?xA;small size,?xD;?xA;light weighted,?xD;?xA;lot of useful features and accessories,?xD;?xA;moderate energy consumption,?xD;?xA;good price/perfomance relationship.

Weaknesses
SCA adapters a little wobbly on the flash,?xD;?xA;flash not as rugged as Nikon's, but much less expensive,?xD;?xA;no second fill-in flashlight included,?xD;?xA;recovery time between flashes a bit long,?xD;?xA;SCA adapters can be expensive.

Similar Products Used
Nikon SB 16A/B

Customer Service
Not needed in five years.

Review Date
July 11, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 5 votes

Reviewed by
JOSE GRAU , Intermediate , from BARCELONA

Price Paid
$166.00

Photography Experience
11-20 years , Other

Summary
It looks like a good deal, sa you can use it in different camera brands. Exposures are good with my canons. Balances ok above cameras. As it wirks with a-ttl via sca adapter you can pre-try esposures .

Strengths
Compact, can use alkaline / cr125 batteries, manual, ttl and auto settings, special head position for macro shooting at -5 and - 15 degrees tilt. Compensation and first and second curtain control.
battery testesr. Low recycle time.
SCA

Weaknesses
zoom reflector is manual

Similar Products Used
Cobra, nikon and fuji flashes

Customer Service
no needed