Flash on *Ist D

I want to buy an external flash for my *ist D. I've already tested a friend's 500-Flash, but it seemed to have trouble with changing the ISO-Value from 200 up to other values (400, 800, 1600). The higher the value, the lighter was the picture.
Have you seen similar problems?

Pentax recommends to combine *ist D with the 360-Flash. Could my problem disappear with taht one?

What were youre experiences with combining *ist D with external flashes?

Many people have problems with flash on the *ist D, and also on digital cameras of other brands.

Pentax is said to have tested the flash system at 400 ISO, and it is meant to work better on that setting.

Some people say that flash works best with newer Pentax lenses, but I personally still have problems with my FA and FAJ lenses.

I have now given up on TTL, and use older program or auto flash units, or full manual.

George

The 360 flash works a treat with the ist d. But you do have to beaware of reflected highlights that will cause the image to be grossly underexposed.

Jayson

I too have the AF360FGZ. It's a fine flashgun indeed
With the *ist-D, yes, there are some issues which occur sometimes. I have tried long and hard to discover what the source of the issues is, but cannot quite pin it down.
However, as Jayson rightly says, reflected highlights will cause an image to be underexposed (because it will meter for these highlights). It's the body, not the flash that has the problem.

That said, in general I use the AF360 in P-TTL mode, and it works wonderfully. Really, really useful is the wireless flash mode I would heartily recommend the AF360 - it gives you the best compatibility with the *ist-D.

Matt

I have jsut purchased a 2nd hand AF400FTZ flash gun for £40.00 a bargain! and it works just great with the istD in TTL mode both at 200iso and 400iso both indoors and as fill out doors.