query on K70 and external flash

Hi folks,

just a query, is it possible to control an off-camera external flash (eg 540FGZ) in a wireless manner as per k3/k5 (wireless control mode, setting the 540 to slave mode IIRC) ?

thanks

I seem to remember that is not possible optically with the K70. You would need radio triggers for that

According to the Ricoh website the flash includes wireless synch; I recall my K50 had this feature using the flashlight coordination so I would have been surprised if the K70 didn’t.

Hi RobL, thanks,
any chance you could point me to where in the site you found it please ?

https://www.ricoh-imaging.eu/uk_en/mwdownloads/download/link/id/517/
lists wireless sync under 'external flash' but doesn't list 'wireless' as a flash mode for the built in flash if I understand correctly?

TBH I often doubt perfect accuracy of websites and user manuals so like to double check where poss!

cheers

thanks pschlute

You are correct, I misled you I am afraid. Optical wireless sync is possible with two external flashes (one on the hotshoe), but not via the built in flash.

I suggest radio triggers would give you more flexibility however

I am sorry I have misinterpreted the K70 specification, the defining document is the excellent Pentax flash guide by member McGregNi in which he includes the K70 as one of the bodies that does not support wireless from its internal flash.

I agree with pschlute that a wireless trigger is probably better in that it doesn’t need a line of sight to work although of course it is more kit and batteries to cope with.

As a very occasional flash user I got some chip-as-chips Chinese triggers which work fine but tend not to last. The first set I got some years ago just stopped working, dunno why. If you use flash a lot I'd buy something more reputable!

As a flash user. The triggers required depend on what mode you want to fire your off camera flash in ? 95% of the time. A Manual only mode system will be sufficient. So only an as described "Cheap as Chips" trigger is required. Yongnuo RF603c. Or Yongnuo Yn560-TX would be my recommendation. If you want to use HSS. Then you need a more capable trigger. Something like a Godox XPro.

Hi RobL, pschlute, thanks for you inputs, there are so many options on these cameras and flashguns it seems nearly impossible to nail things down with certainty, hence the original query

I have used the optical trigger (wireless) from pop-up flash quite a bit indoors with an AF540FGZ. As others have pointed out it does need to be aligned suitably with the optical receiver on the flash, for which imho a tilt and twist flashgun is essential. I've found it to be pretty reliable.

I also have a cactus v4 radio trigger which has worked quite well, .. until it didn't for no fathomable reason ! Sadly cactus no longer feel like the 'cheap option', at £90 for a v6 from wex. And replacement or new receivers are not to be found it seems, the store link does not open from https://www.cactus-image.com/products.html, nor can I find items on ebay or amazon. I have not investigated alternative 'cheap' options for radio triggers recently.

So the pop up flash is a handy function for me.

Photography is an expensive hobby, yes, but I personally find it irritating that the K3iii has dropped the capability when it's at an all bells and whistles price (okay bit unfair maybe as K3ii doesn't have it either)

Still, it narrows it down I suppose. Used K3

Thanks for the suggestion stub, I'll look into godox options.

Unfortunately Cactus are no longer making kit. A shame as I use V6II triggers with RF60X flash units (as well as Pentax flashes). I will continue to use them for as long as they work.

That last bit should read :-

Still, it narrows it down I suppose.
a) Used K3 Mark1 (£400-450)
b) new K70 (£600 currently) + radio trigger for off-camera flash (£ ???) or maybe a used k70
c) wait for KP new price to come back down to £600-700 or wait for a used one

food for thought, 'spending' time instead of £££ for now !

groan ! Thanks for the info pschlute.

grrrr !