Metz 36AF4 with M lenses

7 posts
14 years

Posted 17/09/2011 - 19:17 Link

I'm using the above flash which I bought off SRS ebay shop recently. A very nice flash till you're using an A or F lens. For some reason the flash completely refuses to fire when using a non A manual lens (in this case a Helios 44K). Any advice on how to make this work with a Helios 44K?
Thanks

Jonathan-Mac Jonathan-Mac

2398 posts
15 years
Madrid / Edinburgh

Posted 18/09/2011 - 18:50 Link

As the flash & lenses are all manual, you will need to put the camera into M mode & set the shutter speed to 1/160 (if camera set to 1/3 stops) or 1/180 (if set to 1/2 stops). That´s the sync speed for Pentax flashes. Below that speed I´m not sure what the results will be like, it may work, but above that speed the flash simply won´t fire.

Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses

sterretje sterretje

435 posts
15 years
Roodepoort,
South Africa

Posted 23/09/2011 - 18:24 Link

The effect of a slower speed will be that more of the available light will be included in the image.

Pentax K10D + Vivitar 55/2.8 macro + Super Takumar 55/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 85/1.8 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 135/3.5 + SuperMultiCoated Takumar 200/4 + Super Takumar 300/4
Pentax K100D + DA18-55ALII + DA55-300
Pentax K5 + FA31Ltd + M50/1.7 + DFA100WR + M120/2.8 (+ DA18-55WR at occasion)

kris713 kris713

7 posts
14 years

Posted 25/09/2011 - 18:03 Link

Apparently 36AF4 does not work with non A manual lenses. It does not fire when using a non A manual lens, whatever the shutter speed.