K10D and Pentax Flash Gun AF220T

I use the above flash with my Z1, does ayone one know will it be compatiible with the K10D :
Its functions with the Z1 are TTL Auto.

You'll be able to use it in manual mode only. TTL is not supported on the K10D, only P-TTL capable guns (AF360FGZ & AF540FGZ) will give full compatibility.

I believe that the new firmware will allow TTL flash. I'm not farmiliar with TTL flash (I still use the original Vivitar 285) but I'm interested in the new flash with tilt and swivel capabilities.

Version 1.10 of the K10D firmware does not change the cameras inability to support TTL. It still can't do it.

Mannesty
'scuse me for being a bit thick - but, you say cd use it on manual mode but the flash does not seem to have that option - its either on or off. does that mean its not useable with K10D?
Lilly

Lilly,

It looks like the AF220T is a TTL only flash. It will therefore not work properly with the K10D.

It'll probably discharge 100% with no control from the camera. Armed with that information, you can still use it and get good results but you'd have to calculate the correct aperture setting from the flash to subject distance. That asssumes that I am correct in thinking it'll discharge fully each time.

I would recommend you look for a flashgun which has some manual control over flash output/duration or best of all, look for a AF360FGZ or AF540FGZ flash. These are the only flashes which are supported fully by the K10D and are IMHO the only guns that will give you consistant results. It seems that anything less than a P-TTL capable gun is going to be a pain to use if you are not familiar with manual guns, flash meters, etc.

The AF360FGZ is a fine gun, surpassed only by the AF540FGZ which does bounce & swivel and has a higher output power. The AF360FGZ does bounce only.

I use a manual flash with my istD, and haven't got a proper pentax one as I don't use flash enough to justify the cost. My Centon has a swivel and bounce head, which I like, and as Peter said, it just pumps out all it's power in one go.

I really only use it often when taking macro shots, and I know then that f/11 will give me a good exposure. If I'm taking people, then a couple of test shots will get it right, and shooting RAW gives a little leeway.

Recycle time is 2 seconds too.

Lilly, if you use flash a lot, then I'd say it's definitely worth going for the AF360 at least. If it's only an occasional thing for you, I'd say have a play with your 220 and see how you get on - you may find out that for what you need it for, it's perfectly capable.

Of course, if you've got £150 rattling around in your purse, then go for it!

Dan

Oh Dear : Just read this about the K10D flash compatiblity. I have many flash guns (some bought, mostly given ) including a Metz 45CL3 for which I have the little box that goes on the hot-shoe and will give TTL flash metering with my LX. Does it NOT work then with the K10D in TTL mode? I also have Multiblitz and Bowens Monolite studio flashes; if I do connect them with a hot-shoe adapter is the voltage SAFE to use with the K10D? It all seems so much simpler to use my FILM cameras that work with everything !!! ME Super, MX, LX, P30, Spotmatic, SV -------NO TROUBLE !!

Everything has a downside, but that's progress! The K10D will be compatible with all modern studio flash and you can make it compatible with anything by using an Infra Red trigger. This avoids the issue of trigger voltage altogether.

If you have a suitable meter you can measure the trigger voltage across the hotshoe contacts on the flashgun. We were measuring some the other day at ADAPS and apparently identical guns gave readings of less than 10V and more than 220V, so outward appearances are not reliable.

Be cautious....

For goodness sake, Peter, stop moaning all the time. It's very tiring.

Do you hang around record shops, objecting that your 78s won't fit into a modern CD player?

Do you complain because you can't get hay for your horse at the BP station?

Do you whinge about having to have an anaesthetic when you have your appendix removed?

All this is called CHANGE. It's an inescapable fact of life, and if it weren't, we'd all still be in caves.

Flash has moved on in the last thirty years, and you can't expect everything you buy today to be fully compatible with everything you bought in 1965 or 1975 or even 1995.

As it happens, I have a Bowens Monolight. It has always worked when connected directly to all my Pentax cameras up to and including the *ist D. An American Pentax engineeer once said that Pentax cameras could handle flash voltages up to 400v.

But I prefer to use a little IR flash trigger. No danger, and no cables.

G