Pentax flash grip with *ist-D and AF360FGZ

I thought this might be interesting to some of you Pentax users here...

Just bought a second hand Pentax flash grip that has the 4P cable (ie three connectors on the flash hotshoe). What is interesting is that putting the AF360FGZ on it prevents it from being recognised as an AF flash, which allows a little more flexibility in setting the modes.

The modes that become available are P-TTL, A, M, and SB (oddly). I have had some exposure issues with P-TTL mode, but that may be down to an intermittent connection problem or an incompatibility.

I have already asked that the *ist-D be given an extra custom setting to allow the choice of TTL mode (rather than P-TTL) so that studio units can slave correctly... hopefully it may become possible, otherwise I'll have to invest in an older Pentax flash

I have also bought an Interfit eFlash which is an interesting piece of kit, albeit fully manual with no exposure adjustment at all. It just fires and that's it! However, I've had a go with the AF360 in A mode, with the eFlash slaving and I got some very nice results indeed... makes me curious of the cyberFlash studio units. If you check my ePhotozine submission for today (user MattMatic), you will see a shot taken with just the eFlash.

No doubt I'll add to this post as I experiment with these options...
Matt

Hi Matt

I experimented with this set up too. With the *istD I consistantly got under exposed shots ( as much as 3+ stops) in P-TTL mode with the flash attached to either the camera or the grip. The 360 gave good results in TTL mode while attached to the camera but I was never happy with P-TTL results in either set up.
I sold both the grip and the 360 and bought two Metz guns, a 50 MZ-5 and a 40 MZ-1i with SCA 3701 (approx £150 the lot on ebay) and soon to have SCA 3702 M adaptors. I havn't had (what I would call) a bad shot yet with either of these guns. As a bonus you get a big guide No, secondary reflector with variable output (50 MZ-5) modelling light, strobe mode, left, right, up and down swivel and a few other handy options. Alltogether I feel much more comfortable using the Metz than I ever did with the 360.
Just my two cents worth, feel free to discuss or disagree.

Brian,
That's interesting... I was evaluating the 50MZ-5 and wondering if it was worth while
Just one question though - with your adapter, does it work in P-TTL mode with the Metz? I have found the AF360 more reliable when on the grip in A mode (as I mentioned, especially when sync-ing to the eFlash).
Additionally (ok, so that's more than one question ) - can you select the other modes with the Metz, or are you stuck with just P-TTL as on the AF360?

Having said that, I do like the build and size of the AF360, plus the wireless flash. But, yes, I would say that there appears to be a few issues/bugs in the way the *ist-D deals with the AF360. My Z1 that I had worked wonderfully in TTL mode with the AF360 and I had consistently lovely results. Shame it fell apart in the P-TTL mode

Matt

Hi Matt

I did a good bit of research before I plumbed for a Metz flash system. The SCA 3701 adaptor I'm using has been replaced with the SCA 3702M adaptor, and until I take delivery of that I really don't know what the differnce is, neither support P-TTL although Metz are rumoured to be be working on one that does supports P-TTL.
With the 3000 series adaptors you get Auto, TTL. Easy TTL, Maunual, Metz TTL (cordless remote control), Metz automatic cordless remote mode and Stroboscopic mode.
At the moment I'm evaluating the cordless modes, MZ-1i on the camera fires the MZ-5 with no additional adaptors, but if you have the MZ-5 attached to the camera you need a SCA 3083 remote adaptor for the MZ-1i. The MZ-1i or any 40 MZ* will work in remote mode with the MZ-5.
The 40 MZ's are realy nice, not much bigger than the 360 but as I said before you get left/right swivel and a handy 15° down for close work. I've also just got my hands on a 40 MZ-2 (£31 from Germany, what would we do without ebay?), this one has a secondary reflector which the MZ-1i is missing.
All this has only cost me in real cash around £20 as I sold the 360 for £95 and the grip went to Holland for £43. I think the Metz guns offer a lot more flexability and creative oppertunities while delivering consistent results.
You can download the Metz manuals from www.metz.de/en/photo_electronics/.

Hope this helps.

Thanks McBrian
That's very helpful, and confirms what I thought all along - that P-TTL is somewhat sketchy. Perhaps if the 360 could do plain'ol TTL things might be a whole lot better (as they were on my Z1 with the 360).
To be honest I've not used flash for a long time because of the inconsistent results (it's taught me a lot more about shooting in available light though ).
I'll probably keep a lookout for a decent priced 50MZ5. In the meantime, I'll try and experiment a little more with what I've got to see if I can make sense of it all in anything other than fully manual mode
Thanks again
Matt

Brian,
Can you let us know what the difference in features between the two Pentax SCA feet is?
The SCA3701 is more readily available, and the SCA3702M more expensive. I have found it tricky to work out what the differences are from Metz's literature!
Thanks
Matt

Matt

Still waiting on delivery of the SCA 3702 M from Jessops (upto six weeks ). In the mean time I have managed to get a hold of a couple of SCA 3701 M2 adaptors for (€19.80+postage), these are the updated version of the 3701, I'll see what the difference is here too.
I've been searching and asking about the differences, but to date nobody really knows except that it was some minor updates to do with digital. If I have to guess I would say its probably the zoom function taking into account the 1.5x factor but that is purely a logical guess on my part.
I'll keep all you posted.
P.S. missed another 50 MZ-5 from Germany for £73.00 (3875884393), there is bargains out there.

Thanks Brian,
Do let me know what you find
(By the way, Brian, I've sent you a private message too.)
Matt

Brian,
Have been scouring the newsgroups. It seems the 3702 is compatible with the newer flashes (70, 54 etc), whereas the 3701 is not.
Worth mentioning is this link:
http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?q=sca+3702+3701&hl=en&lr=&selm=9n0...

Seems you have to remove a small piece of plastic to fit the 3702 in the 50MZ-5...?

Matt

Hi Matt

Yes, a pesky little thing to keep isn't it, will have to lock it away for safe keeping them forget where I put it. Still waiting on Jessops to deliver my 3702 but doing OK with the 3701's.

PS, my ephotozine name is the same as here.

Brian,
Yes, it's pesky
Have my 3702, and the Metz 50-23 (LumiQuest) bounce card. Hmmm, very nice
Some minor things I have noticed that are different to the AF360:

• o No High Speed sync (HS)
  o No exposure compensation (but then there's always full manual)
  o Exposure is usually spot on
  o The power reduction feature allows mind blowing macro lighting!
  o The wireless features are incompatible (as far as I can work out)
  

May add to this list, and when I get a chance I will do a full test with all flashes and modes (I'd like to chivvy Pentax along to get the exposure issues resolved )

Matt

Matt

I was playing around tonight with the MZ 50 and the two MZ40's I have, I found when using the remote assitant, exposure compensation with flash is available from the PC program, and it works.

BTW: The MZ 40's (1i & 2) are just as good as the MZ 50 and if you attach one to an SCA 3083 module you get a wireless setup with either the MZ 50 or a MZ 40 attached to the camera.