Claimed to deliver ‘more power than any other TTL hotshoe flash’, the Metz 64 AF-1 has a guide number of 64m @ ISO 100 (at 200mm) and a 24-200mm zoom head.

Priced £375, the Metz 64 AF-1 is initially available in Canon and Nikon fits, with Sony, Pentax and Olympus/Panasonic versions expected to follow shortly.

A new Rapid mode aims to provide ‘very fast’ flash recycling times, when needed.

A second flash tube has been built into the body, with variable output settings, to add direct lighting to portraits, for example.

Future updates will be available via the USB connection.