"additional" contact on MZ-5n and MZ-3 bodies

Can anybody advise what the additional contact on the the above bodies is for ie, looking from the view-finder there are the two contacts at the rear of the contact plate, then the large central contact and to the right-front from the central contact is the "additional" contact to which I refer.

Many Thanks

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Lurach

Lurach,

The extra contact provides digital information between camera and flash. For instance, if you put an AF360FGZ on the MZ5 and you change the lens zoom, the flash follows.

Check out: http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/index.html - it's an excellent site for all things technical and Pentax

If you haven't already got one - get one I muddled along for years with "compatible" flashes as I was never that happy with the Pentax build or style of the flash guns. When the AF360FGZ came along, and I had upgraded to a Z1 (still have and use my MZ5 and the wife has an MZ10 too), I bought it from the spec alone. It has a great diffuser built in with a catch light too (for highlighting the eyes), and always, always produces superb results. The quality is just amazing - portraits, closeups, fill in, telephoto - all produce lighting that is very natural indeed.

I've just received some more Provia back with some fill in macros... I'll have them scanned and on the web by the middle of next week (check in at my PBase site).

Hope that helps

Matt

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

Lurach,

I've posted a few images using the flash gun.
http://www.pbase.com/image/17369597 http://www.pbase.com/image/17369598 http://www.pbase.com/image/17369599

There's another roll being developed that should have some more interesting shots. The three above I took to test out my new Tokina AF242, 24-200mm brute of a lens along with some 72mm Kood closeup filters. (So far, I'm pretty pleased with the results. )

Let me know your comments (good or bad ), everyone!
Thanks
Matt

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