Visit MPB Visit MPB Visit MPB

Macro Flash

GaryMoffat
Posted 13/02/2008 - 13:25 Link
I would very much like to be able to use a ring flash with my K10D but at present there is not suitable options?

Could I use two flash guns in place of a ring flash, i.e side by side and how to make the connections?

Any advice appreciated.

P.S. I am still a beginner.
Clarky
Posted 13/02/2008 - 13:50 Link
I am looking for a macro ring flash also and you are right there is nothing on the market which is P-TTL compliant with the Pentax.
So i was just going to get one these cheap E-bay flashes and see how it goes.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=290205430662&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=019

The idea you have with the 2 flashes side by side sounds a little cumbersome and i think you would end up with too much flash power
Camera:|K-7|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
beakynet
Posted 13/02/2008 - 14:49 Link
I have seen adaptors in the past, such as this one:

http://www.flaghead.co.uk/pages/ringflash-intro.html

I can't vouch for them, all you would need to do is get it to fit your flash gun!

This is what AP said about it: "Cumbersome it may be, but the large ring and the fact that it fits over your existing flash makes this a great buy."
Bodies: K5IIs, K7, MZ5n, LX, MV
Lenses: DA*16-50, DA18-55WR, DA18-135, DAL35, M50 F2, A50 f1.4, FA50 f1.4, DA*50-135, DA55-300, Tamron 70-300, DFA 100 WR Macro, M135 f3.5, Sigma 120-400 APO DG HSM, Tokina 500 f8.0
Flash: Metz 58, Metz 48
Accessories: BG4, Pentax right angle finder, Pentax mirror adaptor lens, O-ME53 Viewfinder Loupe
Auto 110 System: Auto 110, Winder, 18mm, 24mm, 50mm, 70mm, 20-40mm, AF100P, 1.7x telecon
Clarky
Posted 13/02/2008 - 15:06 Link
beakynet wrote:
I have seen adaptors in the past, such as this one:

http://www.flaghead.co.uk/pages/ringflash-intro.html

I can't vouch for them, all you would need to do is get it to fit your flash gun!

This is what AP said about it: "Cumbersome it may be, but the large ring and the fact that it fits over your existing flash makes this a great buy."

OMG i look like an idiot already when i'm in the bush with my macro, can you imagine what i would look like wandering around with that
It looks like a robots arm
Camera:|K-7|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
beakynet
Posted 13/02/2008 - 15:56 Link
Clarky wrote:
OMG i look like an idiot already when i'm in the bush with my macro, can you imagine what i would look like wandering around with that

Put it this way, if it is the only option that can give you p-TTL, would you really mind?

Anyway, big camera, big flash - people always assume you are a pro!
Bodies: K5IIs, K7, MZ5n, LX, MV
Lenses: DA*16-50, DA18-55WR, DA18-135, DAL35, M50 F2, A50 f1.4, FA50 f1.4, DA*50-135, DA55-300, Tamron 70-300, DFA 100 WR Macro, M135 f3.5, Sigma 120-400 APO DG HSM, Tokina 500 f8.0
Flash: Metz 58, Metz 48
Accessories: BG4, Pentax right angle finder, Pentax mirror adaptor lens, O-ME53 Viewfinder Loupe
Auto 110 System: Auto 110, Winder, 18mm, 24mm, 50mm, 70mm, 20-40mm, AF100P, 1.7x telecon
Classvino
Posted 13/02/2008 - 15:59 Link
looks kind neat (maybe not for the bush...)

But covering up the front of the flash that way... Does the sensor on the flash body not get used at all during P-TTL operation?

Just wonderin'
--------------
MZ-6,K10D,K20D,Grip,DA*Zooms,DA 18-55-200 Kit,FA50,1.7TC,AFZ360
For Saleentax FA28-90,FA100-300,Sigma EX28-80,DC18-200,
Makinon 500mm Mirror
GaryMoffat
Posted 13/02/2008 - 16:11 Link
Looks like a big gap in the market for a ring flash for Pentax K Models.

Market opening for someone or even Pentax... to fill.
MattMatic
Posted 13/02/2008 - 16:44 Link
Quote:
Does the sensor on the flash body not get used at all during P-TTL operation?

Jamie, P-TTL stands for Preflash Through The Lens metering
The sensor on the flash is used for A mode and remote slave.

I've been trying to find out dimensions of the SB800 and 580EX to see which would fit the AF540 or AF360... might have to measure a friend's 580EX
Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)
Clarky
Posted 13/02/2008 - 17:34 Link
MattMatic wrote:
Quote:
Does the sensor on the flash body not get used at all during P-TTL operation?

Jamie, P-TTL stands for Preflash Through The Lens metering
The sensor on the flash is used for A mode and remote slave.

I've been trying to find out dimensions of the SB800 and 580EX to see which would fit the AF540 or AF360... might have to measure a friend's 580EX
Matt

here is a list of the flash heads the adapter fits
Note: the adapter wont fit the 580ex MK II as it is 2mm wider than the
MK I.
Canon 580EX
Metz 58 Series
Minolta 5600 HS
Konica/Minolta 5600 HS (D)
Sony FLV-56AM
Camera:|K-7|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
Unlocker
Posted 13/02/2008 - 17:54 Link
Well, it does fit the Metz 58, which is available in Pentax fit, and I have one! Tempting, tempting!
Mannesty
Posted 14/02/2008 - 11:04 Link
A good alternative to a ring flash, which can produce somewhat harsh lighting, is a camera mounted or handheld wireless/wired flash equipped with a Lumiquest Softbox or Mini-softbox. Best of all, they are cheap to buy.

A while ago I started to make a dual flash system for macro work using 2 x AF240FT flashes. It got very cumbersome and I abandoned the project. Also, it was a TTL or manual only solution, not PTTL and would only work properly with my *istD, not the K10D.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Daniel Bridge
Posted 14/02/2008 - 22:49 Link
Mannesty wrote:
A good alternative to a ring flash, which can produce somewhat harsh lighting, is a camera mounted or handheld wireless/wired flash equipped with a Lumiquest Softbox or Mini-softbox. Best of all, they are cheap to buy.

I swear by this combination - gives nice, soft, but slightly directional light. I think a ringflash's lack of shadowsmakes the subject look too flat.

I use a manual flash, f/11 @ISO200 gives a correct exposure at 1:1 reproduction with my 105mm lens.

Dan
K-3, a macro lens and a DA*300mm...
GaryMoffat
Posted 14/02/2008 - 23:18 Link
Could you post a pic of your setup please Daniel.

Thanks in advance.
Daniel Bridge
Posted 15/02/2008 - 11:11 Link
Of course!

Here it is on my K10D, Sigma 105mm f/2.8, and Centon flash. I like the Centon because it has a 2 second recycle time, so there's no too much time hanging around between exposures. Also got a tilt and swivel head.

Comment Image


Comment Image


And a couple showing the results. The Shield Bug is cropped very slightly, the Hoverfly was down to about 1/3 of the frame. Note the shadows, nice and soft, but giving a better 3D appearance than a ringflash in my opinion (each to their own of course ).

Comment Image

K10D, 105mm, ISO200, f/9.5, 1/30s.

Comment Image

K10D, 105mm, ISO200, f/9.5, 1/30s.

Dan
K-3, a macro lens and a DA*300mm...
Daniel Bridge
Posted 15/02/2008 - 11:21 Link
K-3, a macro lens and a DA*300mm...

Add Comment

To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.