*ist DS and AF220 Flash compatibility

Being a recent convert to the ist DS, can anyone advise on the compatibility with the pentax AF220 flash gun?

This is a TTL unit, and I believe it SHOULD work fine with the DS. However, many people (though not all) have experienced problems with TTL flash and Pentax DSLRs.

If you haven't yet bought the unit, and don't want to shell out quite a lot of money, then you might find that a non-digital gun such as the AF280T or the AF240Z will give reasonable results for not too much money.

G

My own experience of Pentax flashguns is that my old faithful 20+ year old AF280T works a lot better with my *ist DS than the AF360FGZ which, in my opinion is either under-powered or my *ist DS isn't using it properly. I also have an AF400FTZ which works well with my *ist DS. The AF360FGZ/ist DS combo tends towards under exposure. + 1/2 or a full stop usually is needed to compensate.

OT: I have just acquired an MZ-6 and an MZ-7 and it'll be interesting to see the results from those in combination with the AF360FGZ. I'm sure my other 2 will work fine.

The TTL mode is fine on the *ist-D (with an older gun, a Metz etc).

It's the P-TTL that has the problem and tends towards underexposure. (I have successfully 'tricked' my AF360FGZ into using TTL only mode and it's much better.)

I still keep trying to suss out what the *ist-D thinks it's doing, but can't quite work it out

Matt

Can I ask how you 'tricked' the AF360FGZ into TTL mode. I'd like to try it.

Sure, you need an older 4P cable (I just bought a Pentax flash grip that has the 4P cable built in). That disables the autofocus mechanism too ()

Then you have to put the AF360FGZ on an older body - I put it on my wife's MZ10 and P-TTL disappeared and it reverted to TTL only. Then, when you place the AF360FGZ on the flash grip it stays in TTL mode. Convoluted, but it seemed to work.

I've only done preliminary testing, so I'll keep you posted it I find out anything else!

Matt