AF 280T with *ist DL2 compatibility

Does anyone know if the AF 280T flash is compatible with a *ist DL2, I don't do a lot of flash photography so won't be bothered if I would have to use in manual mode.

The AF280T will work fine in either of it's two 'auto' modes but the DL2 can't use the flashes TTL capabilities I believe. You might have to underexpose by one or two stops too.

even if you get TTL with an older flashgun (if you have a DS) then you have to under expose a stop or two. My AF220T needs it.
But it is about to get retired if my Samsung branded 360FGZ is coming in.

I have used my ageing AF280T with my *istDS and it seems fine. I've still got the off-camera bracket and lead I bought to use with my Super-A which is rarely pressed into use but nice to have around for those jobs where you don't want the flash coming straight back at you. I didn't realise how long it had been discontinued! One of the things I really enjoy about digital photography is messing with it afterwards, so I probably wouldn't bother about being just one stop "over-exposed", though I could see it being a problem with anything close enough to the camera to burn-out.

I often use the AF280T on auto with a K100D, & find I get good results with the aperture closed either a third or half a stop below the setting on the flash. Another plus with this flashgun is that it will do swivel as well as bounce flash.

Jonathan

The AF280T works well with my istDS except with shiny surfaces, which seem to fool the camera exposure. This set up also seems to do a good job of throttling back output for close up and macro shots.

A now a silly question from a K100D virgin. I have no problem using my AF280T on my trusty old P30n, but I can't for the life of me work out how to set up the camera & flash so it all works together

At the moment I have the built-in flash set to manual so it doesn't pop up whenever it feels like.
I tend to use the camera on P rather than Auto Pict, 'cos that's what I'm used to!
The AF280T requires you to set the ASA, but where do I set it for the K100D, and do I have to set the sensitivity on the camera as well to match.

It's all a bit too much technology for a bear of very little brain!

I think the K100D is not compatible for TTL flash with the AF280T but can be used in the 2 auto modes on the flash. You need to set the same asa/iso on the camera and flash and ensure that you are using the same aperture on the camera that the flash is showing, depending on distance, iso set etc.

I think the shutter speed is automatically set by the K100D. Even if not TTL compatible, it should recognise a flash in the hotshoe and not pop up the in-built flash.

To set iso on the istDS, press the fn button on the back. This will show 4 options on the screen. The one on the right is the iso, which you can toggle using the 4 way toggle switch above the fn button. Then set the iso as required. I think you need to disable the auto iso function to get the flash and camera working properly, otherwise you need to check iso every tiime you take a shot. The above should be the same for the K100D - could someone confirm?

So the answer is to set the camera to aperture priority [AV mode]?

The iso is set in the same way on the K100D as on the istDS.

Yes I think so. Good luck.

As SMC says, first of all make sure the ISO setting is the same on the camera & on the flash. Set one of the two auto settings on the front of the flash then set the corresponding aperture on the lens (I usually close the lens aperture about a third of a stop). I don't have the flash here with me, but I think you also need to ensure the switch on the back is not on TTL.

I usually use manual mode with a shutter speed of 1/160thsec, though you can use a slower speed to balance the flash exposure with the ambient light.

Hope this helps,

Jonathan

Thanks guys - in other words, carry on exactly as if I was still using my trusty old P30n.

I am hankering after a K10D but wonder if I have to buy a new flash unit. I don't really want to, particularly as I use one so rarely.
What say you, oh sages of the forum?

It all depends what you have at the moment. If it is an auto gun with its own sensor, it'll happily work with the K10D. Just set the camera to manual with the shutter at sync speed and the same F-number on both the flash and the camera.

If it's a TTL gun, then you'll have to use trial and error. The more manual settings it has, the better (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, etc.).

What you won't get is full automation, unless it is a modern P-TTL unit.

G

Thanks.