Metz in insolvency

AgX · May 31, 2016

At the moment Metz is seeking personnel. Out of the technical range two engineers are especially sought for designing flashes.

baachitraka · May 31, 2016

Cool and it is a very good news.

miha · May 31, 2016

Great. Thanks for the update AgX.

craigclu · May 31, 2016

In recent months, some long out-of stock items have been replenished at B&H and shipped. Seems like a good sign.

benjiboy · May 31, 2016

AgX said:
Meanwhile a new company has ben installed : Metz Mecatech

Basically this company will go on with flash manufacture as did Metz before.
Though any attempts of the past to transfer production abroad will be cancelled and all activities centered at the mother plant.

Furthermore Metz Mecatech will do toll-design and -manufacture in the fields of flashes , SMD-assembly and plastic-moulding.

In my commercial experience the first principal of bankrupt management if all else fails is to change the name of the organisation

AgX · May 31, 2016

As I referred to above the company was split and sold to two different parties: the TV-set manufacture on one hand and the flash-manufacture and plastic/SMD toll-manufacture on the other hand.

That necessitated the new name for the latter.

The fact of some upgrades on existing flashes and those job offerings indicate that indeed the company wants to keep to the flash business (aside of toll-manufacture).

That the market situation for flashes is different now from the heydays of the Metz flashes, when they were world-market leader, should be obvious.

AgX · Sep 8, 2020

Metz Mecatech is in insolvency

In 2015, after the insolvency of Metz, parts of the plant which mainly was a tv manufacturer, namely the flash manufacture, SMD board production and plastic injection moulding, were bought by a manufacturer of stationary bikes and electro-motors for e-bikes out of the same city and lived on under the name Metz Mecatech.

This take-over seemed strange, but the idea seemingly was to keep on flash manufacture as before, and to use the other parts as well for own projects as well for toll-production.

If you look at the current websites of both firms, you see strange things: At Metz Mecatech you are greeted by an ad for an E-roller and a planned E-bike, however both products do not show up otherwise, as Mecatech only hints at their flashes, plastic moulding and SMD-board production.
Similar at the mother firm: here one finds only stationary bikes. The link to their e-motors offers a rather nonsense text only.

Reason for the insolvency is said to be bad sale of the electro roller, which by magnitude is under the expectations.
The trustee further said that there are already interested parties for the single departments, though he left open whether this aplies also for the flash department.

Anyway, Metz flashes over the years have lost their former market positions. Metz once was world marketleader for hammerhead flashes. Their time has gone. As the time for the SCA standard on which especially smaller flashes were offered to be dedicated by adapter to the very camera model. Now camera-specific models are offered, even without transmitter, on a market with strong chinese competition.

Do you see still new flashes at your camera dealer, of whatever make? I don't.

Bikerider · Sep 8, 2020

The Metz 45 series of flashguns were supreme when other makers flash equipment were about the same as a candle. I used one at work - the original 45 with 6 stop auto or was it 5? I can't really remember (sounds like a Dirty Harry film) In 6 years before we replaced it there was never a fault. - Superb instrument.

AgX · Sep 8, 2020

The last model from the Metz 45-series had already been cancelled in 2013, thus still in the good-old Metz days.

ic-racer · Sep 8, 2020

I saw this Metz thread as I'm on the lookout for a Metz flash. Just got the Hy6 Rollei and, after years of using non-TTL metering with all my SCA Rolleiflex equipment, I finally decided to get some SCA adapters and a Metz flash. Too bad the Merz SCA flashes are not sold new anymore

After some research it appears, for Rolleiflex use, the Metz 54MZ4, 54MZ4i and 54MZ3 would function the same, though I would like to be corrected by anyone that is using these with Rolleiflex SCA adapters.

halfaman · Sep 8, 2020

I am a happy user of 58 AF series flash units (AF-1 and later AF-2). Even I have them for Canon, they can be used in any camera using Auto o Manual mode. The secondary flash to fill when bouncing the main flash is also a very nice addition. Never had an issue and always pleased with the light quality.

wiltw · Sep 8, 2020

I have two 45CTn (a -CT3 and a -CT4) which I have used with Olympus OM, Bronica ETRS, and Canon dSLR
I have two 54MZ which I have used with Canon dSLR
I have one 64MZ1 which is dedicated to Canon (no SCA adapter)

The problem with SCA is there can readily be newer generation SCA needed to work with newer generation cameras.
The best way to know compatibility and which functions are supported is to consult a Metz flash compatability reference sheet; otherwise unless someone does have personal experience with the specific model camera and adapter, it is somewhat subject to luck. Consulting a past chart that I have, the Canon G1 - G5 were supported by SCA 3102 M2, but if you had a Canon G6, it needed the SCA 3102 M3. IIRC, I changed from 3012 M2 to 3102 M3 somewhere along the evolution and upgrade path of the Canon nnD series
You might be well served to try to communicate with Metz directly.

AgX · Sep 8, 2020

wiltw said:
The problem with SCA is there can readily be newer generation SCA needed to work with newer generation cameras.

But from all manufacturers once making SCA flashes only Metz Mecatech survived as flash manufacturer so far, and even they stopped years ago the development of the SCA system, even no longer list the adapters.

(And quite some cables of the SCA system have already deteriorated still originally packed unused...no problem though with the adapters without cables.)

wiltw · Sep 8, 2020

AgX said:
But from all manufacturers once making SCA flashes only Metz Mecatech survived as flash manufacturer so far, and even they stopped years ago the development of the SCA system, even no longer list the adapters.

Interesting to learn that although they still make flash units, the SCA adapters are no more...I guess what is available is merely old stock?
And as to the current question of compatability with new Rollie, it sounds as if inquiring to Metz would be met with 'we do not know'.

AgX · Sep 8, 2020

Their current flashes are proprietory flashes dedicated to certain camera makes.They have given up making generic flashes and add to them adapters.

wiltw · Sep 8, 2020

This description just found on the Rollei USA web site:

"Rollei SCA-3562 Flash Adapter

"The Rollei SCA-3562 Flash Adapter converts the Rolleiflex 6008 AF and Hy6 cameras for dedicated flash photography with any compact or handle-mount flash unit of the SCA-3000 System. The corresponding flash units are connected to the adapter simply by slipping them on or with the aid of a cable."

BTW, IC-racer, I could easily be convinced to sell one 54MZ4 (without the module included) ...I do not need three compatible with Canon dSLR!

AgX · Sep 8, 2020

My listing for the more modern SCA-3000 system even does not list any Rollei adapter.
The problem seems to be that there is no listing (online) that represents the latest stand on SCA adapters.

wiltw · Sep 8, 2020

See my post #41, AgX.

Sad that flash users today are not bothered about lower quality units sold by Chinese manufactures, with zero post-warranty support for service or parts, so continued existence by Metz is made even more difficult. The decline from being one of the most respected flash names, depended upon by so very many professionals, being undermined by what I consider to be 'second rate' support companies. The buying public has done this to itself, buying for price vs. features, and not for quality, reliability, and service.

AgX · Sep 8, 2020

You refer to information from a camera manufacturer, and there for sure is someone who has still the manual that came with his SCA-3000 adapter providing camera information..
What I refer to is a listing by Metz of all SCA-3000 adapters made. Thus the latest listing. (Likely such never was published.)

AgX · Sep 8, 2020

AgX said:
Do you see still new flashes at your camera dealer, of whatever make? I don't.

I see 4 models of small on-camera flashes listed in their webshop, but do not remember having seen the last years new on-camera flashes in the store.

Any comment?

wiltw · Sep 8, 2020

Bikerider said:
The Metz 45 series of flashguns were supreme when other makers flash equipment were about the same as a candle. I used one at work - the original 45 with 6 stop auto or was it 5? I can't really remember (sounds like a Dirty Harry film) In 6 years before we replaced it there was never a fault. - Superb instrument.

The Metz 45 series -CT3 and -CT4 both had choice of 6 f/stops for Auto mode photosensor controlled AE flash. I still have two, fully operational even after almost 30 years. I make sure I form the capacitors every 6 months.

AgX just reminded me that some model of 45 series had only five aperture selection for AE. I still have my old -CT1 user manual, and I confirmed that the -CT1 only had FIVE apertures to select from. Your memory was not so rusty, Bikerider!

wiltw · Sep 8, 2020

AgX said:
You refer to information from a camera manufacturer, and there for sure is someone who has still the manual that came with his SCA-3000 adapter providing camera information..
What I refer to is a listing by Metz of all SCA-3000 adapters made. Thus the latest listing.

My point was the the camera manufacturer knew the SCA adapter Rollei SCA-3562 Flash Adapter converts the Rolleiflex 6008 AF and Hy6 cameras
That was one of the unknows that I had raised, when I had mentioned the Canon 3102 M2 vs. M3 for different cameras in the Canon G series. I was able to resolve the doubt that I had caused!

Are you simply looking for the newest chart listing all SCA adapters available at one time from Metz (or from the camera manufacturer)? (Mine is about 15 yr old.) Mine has an SCA 3000 adapter for Rollei on the list, but does not list the Hy6...the 6008 is listed.

benjiboy · Sep 9, 2020

I have a Metz 45CT5 I bought it second hand for a song it's given me faultless service for almost twenty years, there will unfortunately never be electronic flashguns of that quality and usefulness again if it ever "gives up the ghost" I would buy another without hesitation.

AgX · Jul 22, 2022

Metz Mecatech was dissolved in 2021

The rather new E-scooter branch survived, but the flash branch went under.

(This went even unnoticed by german photo press... which is telling.)

halfaman · Jul 22, 2022

It is a real pity, I have three Metz flashes (BC-6, M400 and 58 AF-1) and had some more in the past. Metz has been always my brand of choice for speedlight flashes. I suppose that chinese competition was too much.

Metz in insolvency

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