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Mx-1 flash question

Mannesty
Posted 21/05/2014 - 14:04 Link
Can it wirelessly trigger an off camera Pentax flash like the DSLR's?
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
MattMatic
Posted 21/05/2014 - 16:49 Link
Not as far as I can work out

I can't even get it to trigger in dumb slave mode - the preflash is so close to the main flash that even in "A" or "M" mode you don't get the flash in the shot.

(Though the shutter is a leaf type shutter AFAIK)

Can keep trying some other options sometime...

Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)
SteveLedger
Posted 21/05/2014 - 20:11 Link
I carry a Godox CF-18 in my bag as a slave for the MX-1. I spent some time figuring out the right settings then made a sheet to carry with me.
Here it is, it may help with others..

Comment Image
SteveLedger
Posted 22/05/2014 - 20:50 Link
You're welcome..
MattMatic
Posted 22/05/2014 - 22:06 Link
Steve,
Useful info
Is the switch choosing the pulse to trigger on?
Ie S1 is first, S2 is second etc
Thanks,
Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)
Gravelrash
Posted 22/05/2014 - 23:23 Link
That's cool. I guess your using the on-camera flash as trigger or am I missing something (again)
Steve

Sometimes I'm serious and sometimes not, but I consider sarcasm an artform. Which is it today?
SteveLedger
Posted 23/05/2014 - 00:37 Link
Yes, the GODOX is the 'slave' so triggers from the MX-1 flash [set as low power as you need]
Mannesty
Posted 23/05/2014 - 08:54 Link
Thanks for the info Steve, looks useful.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
MattMatic
Posted 23/05/2014 - 09:29 Link
One of these SYK-5 cubes might be interesting... allows ignoring the preflash.

(Probably equivalent to the Godox "S2" setting in the chart above)

Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)
Edited by MattMatic: 23/05/2014 - 09:30
SteveLedger
Posted 23/05/2014 - 11:26 Link
MattMatic wrote:
One of these SYK-5 cubes might be interesting... allows ignoring the preflash.

Not sure how that would work, slave flash units have their own sensor.
However, there is no pre-flash when using the GODOX flash set to S2 with the camera's flash settings as shown.
Edited by SteveLedger: 23/05/2014 - 11:27
Mannesty
Posted 23/05/2014 - 12:10 Link
It could work with a dumb flash that has no sensor.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
MattMatic
Posted 23/05/2014 - 12:57 Link
Quote:
Not sure how that would work, slave flash units have their own sensor.

It's no problem. You set the flash to "A" or "M" (not slaved) and use the cube to trigger it. The flash knows nothing - thinks it's being triggered from an old camera

Quote:
However, there is no pre-flash when using the GODOX flash set to S2 with the camera's flash settings as shown.

There is. It's just very quick.

(Just need to lay my hands on a photodiode and I'll rig it up to our storage scope...)

The AF540 & AF360 trigger off the first (pre) flash, so that the flash is off in the actual exposure. Unfortunately these only have dumb-mode "fire on first received flash" or the complex P-TTL (which isn't done by the MX-1).

The SYK-5 cube should just delay the firing of the main flash so the slave contributes to the shot (but of course won't be metered).

HTH,
Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)
Edited by MattMatic: 23/05/2014 - 12:57
Pentaxophile
Posted 23/05/2014 - 13:52 Link
You can go to 07.10 of this clip to see the MX-1 being used with off-camera flash:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZY3lYIBtZ4

It's quite a charming little review and I like the other feature he highlights... the optional shutter sounds
[link=https://500px.com/will_brealey/[/link]
Edited by Pentaxophile: 23/05/2014 - 13:58
MattMatic
Posted 23/05/2014 - 14:05 Link
Update: the preflash and main flash of the MX-1 are about 22ms apart
Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)
MattMatic
Posted 23/05/2014 - 14:25 Link
And a little bit more info...

If the AF360 is set to say, 1/16 and Slave 2 (ie dumb mode) then it will work with the MX-1 on Slow Trailing Curtain Sync at shutter speeds of 1/45 and slower.

It seems the AF360 needs just over 20ms to be ready for the next shot - so with this slower configuration you'll get double flash from the AF360 (so it should be ok up to around 1/4 power)

It's not ideal, but it does work.

Best approach would be to use an optical slave trigger that will trigger only on the second pulse of light that is between, say, 15 and 100ms apart from the first - that algorithm will ignore the optional red-eye automatically (if you get my meaning!)... I can feel a hacker-project coming on

Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)

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