Metz Power Pack P76 to 58 AF-1 and AF-2 58 (Canon)

I use 2 pieces, depending on Metz mecablitz 58 AF-1 and AF-2.
First things first: The recycling times are very good (Canon 5D Mark 2 with 3.9 frames / sec), no comparison to lithium batteries. One can safely trigger quick succession, the flash is always there, even at (very) high output levels.

And now, in order:

The Power Pack P76 is a closed, 808g heavy equipment with the dimensions 175 x 100 x 45 mm. He has on the sides each small, fold-out metal hook as a connection for the included slightly padded in the middle at about 8 cm strap. The P76 has 5 green indicators for power (20, 40, 60, 80, 100%), a red flash readiness, an orange, which lights up when the battery from heat reasons, listless, and two triangular lights that different things Show (loading, unloading, refresh mode, ...). All lights are LEDs.
The ON-OFF switch is not the ergonomischte, but he is very robust - and something different than pure sliding or pressure mechanisms.
The back of the Power Pack is a receptacle for the also supplied belt clip. With more or less great effort can divert these belt clip easily by it takes away a bit of plastic, can the clip upside down hanging on the Power Pack and therefore has a basis for a solid tripod connection. But only at the margins.

Furthermore, a power supply unit for charging / refreshing of are included in addition to a detailed user guide included. On this power supply can replace the socket receptacle, a total of 4 different plugs are in (eg for British sockets, etc.)

To operate the P76 with the 58er lightning hits needed not cheap connecting cable V58-50. This has (needed so for different flashes different cable) internally built-in electronics especially for the Lightning. What may seem cumbersome when buying, but at least has the advantage that the Power Pack is universally suitable for Metz devices. Thus, it is possible to operate Speedlights and handle mount flashes with the same power pack.

If you put it all together, you realize that the plugs go in pretty deep into the respective housing - for safety reasons due to high voltage. All connections are made properly. For very severe conditions (flash on tripod transported in a hurry, come to cable, ...) perhaps slipped into my year and a half 5 times the cable from the power pack. That is until the first shock, the flash does not work anymore :), not bad - just switch to Off, tuck cables and turn on again.

When operating with the P76 of the ON-OFF switch of the flash unit remains OFF, the flash is switched on with the switch of the power pack! (Does not work when both switches are set to ON, then the flash is just out). And there may also be no batteries in the flash unit are (weight advantage!), Also the backlight gets its energy from the Power Pack.

If one makes the 58er with the P76 to on, the flash needs perceived to 5 seconds (may also be that there are 4 or 6) to be ready to flash. According to the manual you can then:

13 fire flashes at full power with a recycling time of 2.5 seconds,
then 2 full flashes with a subsequent period of 5 seconds
After that, the flash turns to avoid overheating to a subsequent period of 15 seconds.

This information is practical - at maximum flash output!
Even at slightly lower levels of lightning is much faster, I said above. For medium power can confidently longer trigger quick succession, with follow-times below 1 second.
First general fatigue (ie overheating) signs you do not feel about from half an hour (maximum performance) or to 1.5 hours (average power) Quasi-continuous flashes (continuous shooting, but flashes of all 1-5 seconds with breaks of 30 seconds ...) Then you do either as usual or involved the Model 7 minutes a conversation or change the subject. This is more a matter of taste whether one has few ungeblitzte images with this or would rather wait briefly.
After about 3-4 hours of medium power (described above in operation) or 1.5-2 hours with more maximum power then required by the flash a longer breather. Here he do at maximum power for about 20 minutes well.

Short digress: With flashes of Metz Series 76 MZ ... (currently 76 MZ-5) indicates Metz recycling times with the P76 of 22 maximum flashes every 3 seconds, and then 9 maximum lightning all 6.5 seconds, then recycling time of 12 seconds at maximum flash output. Although this is again better than the flashes of the '58 Series. But should not forget also that the 76 MZ-5 1126g weighs, the 58 AF-2 only 368g, which plays a role especially in the use of multiple flash units (I find it very pleasant if possible all flashes on the same performance feature that makes it easier to adjust the flash output, you have a better comparison - I take pictures to 95% with an external flash that I set manually).

So, now is photographed and flashed. And then the wind comes and throws lightning together softbox, tripod and PowerPack to - the power pack flew out of about 1 meter onto hard stone floor - and acted as if nothing had happened. Unfortunately my two Powerpacks are in a hurry often more fucked than I actually liked. Nevertheless, no damage, despite increased mechanical stresses (shocks) - really very tough and durable!
But really you should not indeed use the P76 as a Frisbee, but to take pictures. How long does it work? This question is almost superfluous. I recently had an 8-hour session (1250 (flash) Pictures, 32GB) with half maximal and half medium capacity (flash output, not about my personal use!). On both Powerpacks still lit up the 40% LED, which means that the power pack has more than 40% of energy.

This naturally requires a 100% charging of the batteries, which brings us to the next point. Metz is a nominal charge time of 140 minutes, but writes that to really full charge the Power Packs should be 12 hours on the net. I've always done and thus got long battery life, where even the 100% indicator lights up in the first 30 minutes of the shootings.

The Ni-MH batteries can be charged (60% for example) without damage again even if not fully discharged, which I confirmed to me personally even from Metz customer service and experienced it in practice so - no performance degradation.

Note you should but zweiwas:
1. The battery has a decent self-discharge (more than camera batteries!). Metz is 1-3% of the rated capacity loss per day. For me it is more 3 than 1 percent. In other words, always beautiful at night vor'm Shooting charge (12 hours let the network;)).

2. To keep the battery for a long time retains its efficiency, Metz prescribes a so-called refresh, which you should perform all 10 battery charges. Here, the battery is first fully charged and discharged thereafter. At 100%, the battery charge lasts Refreshing according to instruction up to 32 hours! And that is indeed so: As with my two Power Packs the 20% LED appeared (ie more than 20%, less than 40% power), I wanted to do a refresh. The battery still was not empty after 8 hours. So I broke the Refreshing from and Reloaded the battery (ladete Liet song :)???) - Is the problem. For thus always bit more time to plan! Info from Metz customer service: Refresh all 10 charges, at shorter intervals no harm, but is not necessary.

Conclusion:
I give the P76 5 stars - not because I'm sooo excited, but because I can not find any (serious) errors. Although one could argue about the ergonomics of the ON-OFF switch, also on the monochrome design or the fact that the power supply is going to turn a bit in the socket (not bad, it does not fall out) and the spring, the plug the the charger in the Power Pack ensures a mu is too tight, but otherwise - the power pack is to be understood as a power transmitter, not as stylish necklace (especially a belt clip is available). And the job makes it without any problems very well with high performance.
To be honest, I have to say that I do not have a comparison to Canon or Nikon-battery packs, but then no one looks for indeed his lightning system for the battery pack out, but by the flashes. Thus Metz is a truly reliable and cheaper alternative (eg priced compared to Canon 600EX + Accessories).

Last of all: The expected aaahs and oohs the astonished customers towards this great performance part remained far from alas! It's just too unassuming :)

I hope I could help you a bit with this assessment ...