K10d Flash Units

After initially putting this query to an individual amongst the regular users of PentaxUsers, it has been suggested that I put it forward to all of you for input.

I was wondering if you could let me know, from your experience, how much better the AF-540 FGZ is over generic name flashes. I currently have a generic flash (Sunpak) from years ago and find it slow and without much functionality.

I use the current flash unit for team photos and staged shows (for the school I work for) and also the ocassional private function for friends which might contain portraits and group shots.

The main camera I would be using my new flash unit with is a K10d, but also have an ist* ds.

I hope you can put some 'light' on the topic for me.

Thanks in advance.

Comsport11

Hi again,

my reply to your PM could usefully be expanded upon.

The K10D does not support older TTL flash modes. Older guns can still be used with the K10D but only in manual mode or the flashes auto modes. This requires either trial and error or some calculation on your part to achieve a correct exposure.

The K10D, and all other Pentax digital bodies, support P-TTL. That is, preflash-TTL.

For that reason, my flashgun of choice for use with the K10D has to be the AF540FGZ mainly for it's power. If you don't need the head to rotate, then the AF360FGZ is also a good choice. The 360's head does tilt to provide bounced flash, but it doesn't rotate whereas the 540's head does both.

These are the only two Pentax flash units that are fully supported when attached to a K10D. Apparantly there are third party flashes that also work, but I have no experience of them.

If you're prepared to live with manual flash control, then the AF500FTZ is also a powerful flash which has both tilt and swivel functions.

It depends what you are doing...

For small portrait/still life work then you can use any flash really. I would always suggest using fully manual mode (both camera and flash) as it's by far the most predictable.

However, that said, here's my list of plus points (apply to both AF360FGZ and AF540FGZ unless otherwise stated):

* High speed sync. (Synchronisation beyond 1/180s) Excellent for fill in flash outdoors.

* Wireless control. With the K10D and *ist-D you can trigger the guns from the popup flash unit on the camera. Brilliant and amazingly useful (which is why "no swivel" on the AF360 is not such a let down when you have this!)

* Tether option for AF540. With the appropriate (fairly expensive) cable and adapter you can mount the AF540 on a bracket and have full control. The AF540 has a Pentax 5P connector in the side.

* Built in catch light panel (even better when used in high speed sync mode outdoors for fill in)

* Auto zoom (when on camera or tethered)

Apart from that, the flash guns are very nicely built and have a good range of features.

I've had various guns in the past, but now have the AF540 and AF360 and can heartily recommend them

Matt

And if you could switch off preflash on the K10D, you could do this with any old gun on a three quid slave adaptor

Chris,
Not quite

The Pentax guns support wireless P-TTL, High Speed Sync (with the *ist-D or two guns, but not the K10D popup alas). Wireless P-TTL works a treat.

But, yes, for studio work in fully manual mode, the preflash is a pain.

Matt

Well yes, I wasn't thinking you could do all that with 20 year old bits

Do you suppose they might put "switch off preflash" (and any consequences of that) in a firmware update?

lose the preflash and you lose flash metering, but it would be nice to have it as an option for full manual control.

edit: inability to spell, thanks Chris

Especially if you could still reduce the intensity of the built in unit, effectively using (almost) exclusively the slave units.

There's always hope
I have suggested this - before the wireless option came in the K10D. Whether they'll see it as an advantage now I don't know
Matt

Much as I appreciate how sophisticated the latest Pentax guns are, for the work you describe, I dont really think that it is the way to go. IMHO a manual studio head (or two) with brollies would be far more controlable than a piddly wee gun that is primarily intended to fit on a hot shoe. For show stuff you dont really, I think, want to wash out whatever lighting effects are in place. Given the usual relatively low light levels and high contrast ratios in these situations it is always tricky but you should set the WB to tungsten and the ISO as high as you can. An effective solution I have used is (and this is entirely dependent on a spare lighting circuit on the dimmer board and a number of unused lanterns as well as goodwill from the theatre spark) is to purchase a number of those little flash heads with an ES fitting and a built in slave and fit them into the 'spare' lanterns effectively replicating the theatre lighting. That circuit on the dimmer needs to be up full and you will, of course need a radio trigger. Dont forget to set the WB to flash and dont worry about the tungsten lamps remaining!

Ken

I nearly missed this

Ken is absolutely right. A portable flash is going to be a bit pathetic in such an occasion. For stage shots you are always better using available light - I use a monopod when I can, and a fast lens (50mm/1.4 or 100mm/2.

Using a hot-shoe mounted gun will lose all the atmosphere of the show and look like you just punched the light out - complete with harsh shadows and red-eye. Yuck

Studio kits have come down a lot in price, and something like the Elinchrom DLite-2 kit is a rather tempting option....

Matt

Thank you to everyone who has replied to my initial post last night. As is usual, your posts have probably raised as many questions as they have answered (a definite positive, not negative). I hadn't really thought about the umbrella setup, but this is probably a good idea, as is the purchase of a faster lens. I will have to forgo the holiday this year by the looks of it! I have looked at all of your available galleries and know that your ideas are coming from experienced and committed Pentax users. Thanks again.