PentaxLife Tag: flash

mattdm on "Pentax P-TTL options: a comparative overview"

mattdm — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:40:59 +0000

I've put some more work into this, and moved from the google knol to a much-expanded site on its own domain. Please see the new Pentax Flash Guide at http://pttl.mattdm.org instead of the above link.

mattdm on "Pentax P-TTL options: a comparative overview"

mattdm — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:00:55 +0000

I've created a Google Knol page about the various Pentax and third-party options for P-TTL flashes. Please visit:

http://knol.google.com/k/matthew-miller/-/3jwk7bitq8i8/1#

This is a work in progress. More description of features is planned (and more in-depth discussion of which flashes have which features). And I welcome your comments and contributions!

silas on "K10D lcd preview"

silas — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:39:46 +0000

This might be a dumb question... Just recently bought a Metz 48 flashgun. Used it as bounce flash off ceilings etc.. The previews I was getting on the K10D lcd screen looked a little darker than final result viewed on a laptop. Overall the pics came out great. Although some shots were overexposed. Is there a way of getting more accurate previews while shooting?

rvannatta on "P-TTL"

rvannatta — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:33:00 +0000

what I have been hoping that someone--anyone would come up with a solution for getting a ringlite or other solution for macro photography.

We seem to have retrogressed 30 years in macro work. I'm back using my Pentax ringlite in manual mode on my K10 like I did with the K2 eons again.

photomad2007 on "P-TTL"

photomad2007 — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 17:38:49 +0000

Hi Ratcatcher,

Pentax flashes are AF 360 and AF 540 FGZ.
I just purchased a Sigma EF500 DG Super with P TTL, and the other ones I know of are Sigma EF 530 DG SUPER, METZ MEABLITZ 48 AF-1, METZ MECABLITZ 58 AF-1 DIGITAL P/S.

I am currently researching the compatibility of the METZ MECABLITZ 58 AF-1 DIGITAL, (WITHOUT SUFFIX P/S WHICH ACTUALLY MEANS PENTAX / SAMSUNG) as the MECABLITZ 58 AF-1 DIGITAL P/S is not availabe in the market in Dubai. Hope some Pentaxian will clarify my doubt.

Hope this was helpful.
KRIS

ratcatcher on "P-TTL"

ratcatcher — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:58:18 +0000

Is it possible for someone do a list of Pentax (or third party) flash units that are P-TTL.
_________________

NitroFan on "Pentax Flash..."

NitroFan — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:28:20 +0000

Sigma UK have just advised me that they will not have the Pentax fit units in the UK until December 07 or January 08 at the earliest. I thought it was odd I couldnt buy one anywhere!!

elhocid on "Pentax Flash..."

elhocid — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 10:52:34 +0000

It is Mecablitz 40MZ2 attached to SCA3701M3 TTL shoe. If the flash is switched into AUTO mode, it communicates aperture, zoom and ISO with the camera, but does not rely on TTL. Flash does exposure metering itself, with own sensor.
This way the auto exposure is very reliable in usual situations, especially when I bounce the flash. However it is not usable for macro (there I have to go manual)

Vitali on "Pentax Flash..."

Vitali — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 02:44:45 +0000

elhocid, yes. You are right - it's all about metering. But I wonder how you have managed to make old Metz work on K10D or K100D in auto mode. Old TTL flashes are firing at 100% power all the time on the new PTTL bodies.

NitroFan on "Pentax Flash..."

NitroFan — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:08:35 +0000

Hi Vitali,
Thanks once again these Sigma units seem to be exactly what I am looking for.
Thanks
Good Shooting

elhocid on "Pentax Flash..."

elhocid — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:03:37 +0000

Vitali, that is not correct. I have an old Metz flash, not supporting P-TTL and working in auto mode correcty.
Don´t mistake TTL for auto. These are very different flash exposure metering systems.

Vitali on "Pentax Flash..."

Vitali — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:01:05 +0000

Generally speaking, PTTL is the Pentax flash protocol. If the given flash doesn't support PTTL it won't be working on the latest Pentax DSLRs in auto mode.

If you are looking for cheaper flash take a look at Sigma 530 series - their Pentax versions promised to be fully compatible with PTTL.
http://pentaxlife.com/two-new-sigma-flashes

Also Soligor has one: http://pentaxlife.com/forum/topic/27

NitroFan on "Pentax Flash..."

NitroFan — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 11:23:35 +0000

Hi can anyone explain what PTTL is all about please?
I have a limited requirement for flash, but when I do I need a big one! and £300 plus for a Pentax guns seems a high price to pay for an item that will sit in my bag most of the year.
What are the alternatives available to me?

Pentaxdc on "Using fill-in-flash w/ K10D"

Pentaxdc — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:17:49 +0000

Hey Elhocid!
Thanks for the reply.
Well, I have been browsing through the owner's manual -again- and played with a few buttons, as you suggested, on the K10D; I think I may have something to work with now. Of course, a better portrait-inside lens would help, as well as a good flash unit ... any recommendations as long as I get a good price-quality deal!
Cheers and thanks again.

elhocid on "Using fill-in-flash w/ K10D"

elhocid — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:13:38 +0000

If the face is very close it can be a real problem with flash as simple as the built in one. You can try:
1) Lock the exposure metering to focus point in custom options.
2) Set flash exposure compensation to -1 or so.
3) Make sure the ISO value is low and aperture is high enough (closed).
Getting a more advanced flash is another possibility.

Pentaxdc on "Using fill-in-flash w/ K10D"

Pentaxdc — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:50:10 +0000

Does anyone have suggestions on how to properly use the built-in flash on the K10D, assuring that the photo will not be rendered with an overpowering light-flood on the subject's face?
I read, in the owner's manual, that the flash option in the white balance setting should be chosen.
Is this that simply the correct way or am I missing something(s)?
Thank you to all for any feedback.

rvannatta on "Pentax Flash..."

rvannatta — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 01:31:10 +0000

Exactly: Pentax has made a couple ring flashes.

I have the older one an AF 080C. It does have a manual mode, but if the whole object of moving to Pttl is to get more accurate exposure, moving from TTL to manual is not a step in the right direction.

Back when Pentax supported a whole family of macro accessories including bellows, a bellows lens,
a reverse adapter, (for turning the lens around ) as well as extension tubes.

The production of the 1:1 macro lens took a lot
of the need for these accessories away because most macro stuff is done at 1:1 or less.

Somewhere, though rarely used, I even have a T mount microscope adapter designed to allow you to direct couple your SLR to a microscope.

Vitali on "Pentax Flash..."

Vitali — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:17:13 +0000

Mitchel, that old Pentax ring flash is not P-TTL.

Mitchel109 on "Pentax Flash..."

Mitchel109 — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:04:05 +0000

ring flash

rvannatta on "Pentax Flash..."

rvannatta — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:25:12 +0000

Well, OK. apparently only 10% of photos are macro images---where at least now it doesn't work at all.

it there a way to make a PTTL flash system for Macro
photography....?

Fantocci on "Pentax Flash..."

Fantocci — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:30:12 +0000

Digital cameras are far more demanding and sensitive for flash then film ones. PTTL works better with digital, at least in 90% of cases.

rvannatta on "Pentax Flash..."

rvannatta — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:52:41 +0000

to me the flash instructions in the manual leave much to be desired.

I'm still waiting for someone to explain how the P-ttl is a better deal than the flash system that Pentax has used for 20 years previous....

Vitali on "Soligor DG-420Z P-TTL flash for Pentax K10D, K100D/K110D"

Vitali — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:53:57 +0000

Thank you for information, Sunbird.

>>Praktica DPZ 38AF / Exacta DPZ 38AF seems to be the same

Usually, flashguns manufacturers using guide number (biggest) in the model name. Soligor DG-420Z GN = 42. And this Praktica / Exacta seems to be GN = 38

sunbird on "Soligor DG-420Z P-TTL flash for Pentax K10D, K100D/K110D"

sunbird — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 05:59:03 +0000

Seems like this flash is produced bij pentacon-dresden. They used to make the Exacta camera's and nowdays produce the digital cameras for Praktica.

Their flash unit :Praktica DPZ 38AF / Exacta DPZ 38AF seems to be the same (cheapest price in germany = 89 euro's against 139 euro's for the Soligor)
I tried to read about te pentax version on the german dslr-forum. And most users seem very content. The red Af-assist light has been praised for not blinding like pantax' internal flash.

"Was mir am besten gefällt, ist das rote AF Hilfslicht, nun kann ich wieder ruhigen Gewissens mit Blitz arbeiten, ohne das ich gleich verflucht werde wie beim internen Blitz der Pentax."

BragaSP on "Flash AF540FGZ"

BragaSP — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:31:19 +0000

Please, anybody help me?

Where I find the Manual User in portuguese to Pentax Flash AF-540FGZ?

I'm yet learning English. So, I have difficult in this language. I'm live in Brazil.

Thanks.

BragaSP on "Pentax Flash..."

BragaSP — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:20:48 +0000

I don't have sure if this is the problem. But, on the p.173 from the operating manual I can see this information.
- "Any desired shutter speed 1/180s or slower can be set for taking a flash photograph."
- "The shutter speed is locked at 1/180s when lens other than DA, D FA, FA J, F or A is used."

In portuguese: Esse meu inglês tá uma porcaria, eu sei disso, mas a boa vontade é maior. Espero que considerem isso em primeiro lugar.

Vitali on "K10d + Sigma 500 super vs Pentax 360 / 540 experience"

Vitali — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 09:36:49 +0000

And the 360 does swivel e.g. as wireless you can bounce it wherever yuou like, can´t yu?

Yes. Vertically. Up to 90º upwards and 10º downwards. It can't be turned left or right.

vasfotograf on "K10d + Sigma 500 super vs Pentax 360 / 540 experience"

vasfotograf — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 09:28:48 +0000

Hi Vitali. Thanks for your thoughts .... Its pitty, you don§t have the k10d instead. Iheard that e.g. wireless doesn¨t work with Sigma ... And the 360 does swivel e.g. as wireless you can bounce it wherever yuou like, can´t yu?

Vitali on "K10d + Sigma 500 super vs Pentax 360 / 540 experience"

Vitali — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 09:14:06 +0000

SIGMA EF 500 DG SUPER PA PTTL works pretty good with K100D. And should be with K10D. But people says that Sigma flashguns are less reliable than Pentax. Also this new P-TTL Sigma usually costs a little more than Pentax AF-360FGZ. But Sigma's head can be swiveled in horizontal axis.

AF-540FGZ is the best choice but it's expensive.

vasfotograf on "K10d + Sigma 500 super vs Pentax 360 / 540 experience"

vasfotograf — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 08:51:59 +0000

PLEASE, any suggestions and information how these are compared in real life ??