PentaxLife Topic: Pentax Flash...

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?

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....

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.

Illuminae on "Pentax Flash..."

Illuminae — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:26:56 +0000

Sorry - I missed the 1/800 :-( I did read it as 1/8 - so i tested on mine, and read the manual. But there is a big diff between 1/8 and 1/800..

Tracnac on "Pentax Flash..."

Tracnac — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 06:18:12 +0000

Hi,

You missed in my previous post that I'm in Aperture mode, 1/800 and F8... ;)

Thanks for your reply, I will wait the new firmware before asking Pentax France about that.

Illuminae on "Pentax Flash..."

Illuminae — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 06:03:47 +0000

Hi. The flash symbol will blink when flash is recommended. Try a slower shutter speed/wider aperture/increasing the iso.

Vitali on "Pentax Flash..."

Vitali — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 13:50:49 +0000

Nope.

Try to wait a bit for version 1.30, install it and check if this issue will appear again. If yes, report it to your local service.

I guess it's not a big trouble after all.

Tracnac on "Pentax Flash..."

Tracnac — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 08:17:42 +0000

Yes it's the built-in flash, it's just the symbol in both LCD and viewfinder. The flash doesn't fire.
The firmware is 1.2

Do you notice that ?

Thanks for your reply.

Vitali on "Pentax Flash..."

Vitali — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 06:33:21 +0000

Do you mean built-in flash? May be firmware glitch? What version is installed on your camera?

Tracnac on "Pentax Flash..."

Tracnac — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 05:39:38 +0000

Hi,

Someone could explain the logic (or the fuzzy logic) of the flash !?
Why the flash symbol sometime blink when I'm in Aperture mode 1/800 F8 ?

Regards.