Problem with Metz 58 AF-1

Epithet Man · 2008-03-13T12:41:50+0000

Yesterday I received my eagerly awaited Metz 58 AF-1 flashgun (Pentax fit). I attached it to my K10D and found various problems: 1) The flash didn't seem to synch with the shutter (all of my images were dark, as if the flash hadn't fired). 2) The unit beeped at me almost continually. 3) When I put the flash into manual mode, it just sat there firing every few seconds, even if I didn't touch the camera. A couple of things appeared to work - the flash unit did at least pick up that it should be in P-TTL mode, and it picked up changes in the focal length on the camera. I also tried refitting the flash several times, and played with the order in which I turned the flash/camera on, but got the same effect each time. My K10D works fine with an old flashgun that I have (single firing pin, A/M modes), but I've never used it with a P-TTL flash before. Is this something wrong with my camera or the flash? The flash is going back to the seller as soon as I can get to the post office. EM

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beakynet beakynet

829 posts
18 years
South East London

Posted 13/03/2008 - 16:16 Link

I have the 58 AF 1 and have not experienced any such problem. Try pushing the mode button for 5 seconds (reset). Test the flash off camera and see if it appear to work.

Also, when you change the zoom on your lens, is the flash head responding? What more is your camera set to and are you using a DA lens? Also, is you K10D on firware 1.3 - I don't know but this might make a difference.

Have you checked the base module of the flash to confirm it is a Pentax one?

Just some suggestions...

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

beakynet beakynet

829 posts
18 years
South East London

Posted 05/04/2008 - 21:55 Link

Quote:
Yesterday I received a replacement flash unit, and I'm pleased (and relieved) to report that it works a treat. Now to get to grips with P-TTL!

Enjoy the flash, it is great and I like the bounce flash effect.

p-TTL is very straightforward, all settings work from the camera, It only becomes complex when using flash to trigger a slave and then the pre-flash triggers the slave and it does not show in the picture.

I have been playing with the strobe setting!