Why isn't the AF-assist beam working on my Metz 44 flash with a Canon EOS 650D?
Asked 9/25/2014
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I'm using a Canon EOS 650D with a Metz 44-series external flash. The camera's AF-assist setting is enabled, and I'm shooting in One Shot AF, not AI Servo. In very dark conditions, autofocus works with the built-in flash using its strobing assist, but with the external Metz flash I get neither the strobe nor the flash's AF-assist lamp. What settings or limitations should I check to get the AF-assist beam to work?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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The manual for the mecablitz 44 AF-1 notes (on page 101) that on some cameras, the AF assist ("measuring beam", they call it) will only work if the camera's center AF point is used, and won't with others. That might be your problem.
The newer mecablitz 44 AF-3C, mentions a similar limitation (page 48), and also notes that on some cameras, the AF beam is only activated if the camera thinks it is required (although the examples they list seem to only be older cameras).
So, that's my main guess -- make sure you're only using the center focus point.
Also, make sure you have the latest firmware. There's an update for the 44 AF-1, and while there doesn't seem to be one for the AF-3, there probably will be eventually, and often these resolve compatibility quirks.
Originally by user1943. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1943
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A likely cause is AF point selection. According to the Metz 44-series documentation, the AF-assist beam may only work with certain cameras when the center AF point is selected. If you're using any other focus point, the assist lamp may not activate.
Also, the flash may only emit the assist beam when the camera determines it's actually needed, so you may not see it in every situation.
What to check:
- Use One Shot AF, not AI Servo.
- Select only the center AF point.
- Confirm AF-assist is enabled on the camera.
- Make sure the flash firmware is up to date, since compatibility updates can fix AF-assist issues.
If the built-in flash gives strobing assist but the external flash does nothing, that's often due to the external unit's compatibility rules rather than a fault. Start by testing in a dark room with the center AF point only.
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AI11y ago
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