flash for ds

I was looking fot advice on which would be the best flash to buy for an ist ds

The AF360FGZ is probably your best choice.

(Do a search for AF360 on the forum)

Matt

http://www.sigma-photo.com/flashes/flashes_flashes_details.asp?id=3257

Not much more expensive from what I have seen and has a load more options then the to expensive Pentax flashguns.

Actually I've seen the Sigma at £200, while the AF360 is around £160.
And, contrary to your comment, the only extras it has is more power and a swivel head for bounce

I speak from experience. I've had a Vivitar flash, a Cobra AF flash, and things just got a lot better when I bought the AF360 I also had the hunking great Metz 50MZ5 which is great, but the AF360 still wins hands down for portability and flexibility.

If you want a cheaper external flash, then any of the older automatic Pentax flashes will work. The features you get vary with the model, but they will all work fine on the digital bodies

Matt

But the sigma is more of a match to the AF500FTZ with it's auto zoom functions.
Then it is cheaper.
I use my old and trusty AF220T flashgun which I bought together with my MZ-10.
Works ok, but tends to deliver overexposed pictures on the DS. So I'll probably have to fiddle with the exposure correction for flash photo's.

The AF360FGZ has this too and it can also do wireless with the digital bodies (best with the D, 2x needed with the rest), neither the AF500FTZ or the Sigma has this funtion.

Like Matt, I've had a plethora of Pentax, Metz and Cobra flashes, none of which come close to the AF360FGZ with regards to ease of use and portability with the D (as long as you have the 1.12 firmware on the D).

BTW, I got mine for £149 from http://www.microglobe.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1570, + free p&p, they are still listed at this price (best deal anywhere that I've seen), you can get 2 360's for the cost of a 500.

I didn't see that. The information on the Pentax website is somewhat limited. I was looking for a user manual, but I can't find it online.

Go here http://www.pentaximaging.com/files/manual/Web_AF360FGZ_REV2_120903.pdf.

A bit of correction needed to my last post, it does indeed appear that the Sigma can do wireless with the Pentax, but only in TTL not P-TTL mode (in fact it can't do P-TTL with Pentax bodies) and with the same restrictions as the AF360FGZ.

To be Very clear- the 360fgz can do P-ttl wirelesly, the 500ftz can do wireless but it is simply slave function in manual...the manuals and brochures are somewhat vague and won't be of much use to you on that point.

From what I have been reading the Sigma does work in P-TTL mode with Pentax bodies

ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-500 DG SUPER ( PA-PTTL Pentax)
TTL Auto, Manual Flash, Autozoom Head, AF Auxiliary Lamp, Designated Slave Flash, Normal Slave Flash, Rear-Curtain Synchro, Multi Flash functions can be used with all AF models. Red-Eye Reduction, High-Speed Synchro, Wireless Flash functions cannot be used with some camera models. For details please refer to compatibility table. Manual switching of the amount of light is 1/1 - 1/64; Auto Power Off function shuts off 180sec. after use. When P-TTL, High-Speed Synchro, Wireless Flash functions are used Automatic Flash Exposure OK will not be shown on the display.

From Sigma web page:
This statment is taken from the Sigma manual for Pentax
Think Sigma are being a bit misleading or vague in their descriptions of the EF500 Super regarding P-TTL with Pentax bodies, my reading is that it only does TTL with SOME SORT OF P-TTL compatability in certain modes ie. wireless. high speed sync and contrast control.

A vague and misleading manual? Now there's a new thing.

G

For what it's worth I use both 500FTZ and 360FGZ with my DS2. The 360FGZ has the PTTL advantage and as previously mentioned, elsewhere, better wirelesss capabilities which I have not tested.

I was concerned about my 500FTZ working with the DS2, I had purchased it with my MZ6, but other than the extras mentioned it is perfect. However, I am thrilled with the results I get using the 360FGZ. I also use a Stofen Diffuser and the bounce effect has been flawless. Also I have a thing, right or wrong, about using the manufacturer's accessories with their own product.

I have been using Pentax in various forms since 1970 and wouldn't change.

Mike

There you have a point. I once bought a 3rd party flashgun for my Pentax MZ-10 and according to the shop and the documentation it should work with the Pentax, but it just didn't work. I was kind of sad because it was a nice unit with a lot of options. I exchanged it for the Pentax AF220T which worked and works perfectly. Allthough tends to overexpose when used on the DS.

I have found that my AF280T and *ist D combination produces over-exposed results. My AF500FTZ on the other hand tends to produce under-exposed pics. My AF360FGZ works flawlwssly. I think the over-exposure problem from the older guns is due to their analogue command interface (the clever bit that enables camera and flash to 'talk' to each other). The later guns use a digital command interface.

Regards, Peter Smith.