Metz 58 AF-1 A Mode

Hi,

as we all know now, all the k series (except the k-30, not sure about K-r and K-x) do not work very well with the Metz (or the other way around). We all know that the exposure is not reliable in P-ttl and sometime who is lucky gets a constant overexposure. I read in many place that the A mode should solve this issue, therefore I wonder, why if I put in A mode is even worse for me? The A mode always results in a huge overexposure for me.

I have noticed an interesting behaviour. In using the flash in-door, the camera, with standard settings, tends to use high ISO when the flash is on, probably to balance the flash light with the indoor light. However in doing so, the working range of the flash results in hundreds of meters, while the subject is just one meter away, resulting in an over exposure.

Doesn't the camera compute the distance of the subject in focus and adapt it to the power flash before to decide the ISO? At least if it decided to use a High ISO should compensate the flash power.

I also have to understsand why the camera decided to use f14/iso2000 in mode shallow dof

In A mode, the flash determines correct exposure, not the camera (check the manual of the flash). To do so, the flash needs to know the aperture and the iso that the camera is using.

I'm not familiar with your flash, but checked my K5 plus AF540. In A-mode, there does not seem to be communication between camera and flash. This means that the camera will not tell the flash which aperture is set and which iso is set; so I have to set those manually so camera and flash use the same settings. Maybe the same applies to your combo (although the Metz manual does not mention this).

And some tips for flash:
Use Av or M so you are in control. Also stay far away from auto-iso.

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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)

Thanks, the high iso / small aperture behaviour happens also in p-ttl mode and priority dof programme line. I am more than happy to stay away from auto mode, but then why do we invest in such technology? Surely not to have unreliable behaviours

The behaviour that you describe sounds more like a program line for deep DOF. In combination with 'balancing for available light', that would make sense.

Also, auto-iso is useful, but definitely not in combination with flash. I used it recently with TAv (no flash) for my first indoor sports attempt. Although the results were a bit disappointing (AF performance), I did not have to worry too much about 'correct' exposure and from that perspective the images came out right.

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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)

yeah I know, but I checked twice, it was DOF priority.