Trailing Sync Flashes Twice on K10d

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me. I am trying to get my K10d to work with Trailing Sync flash, at present with the built in flash.

I thought that trailing sync was meant to be rear curtain flash, i.e. i get an ambient exposure as long as my settings dictate, and just before the shutter closes the flash goes off. However, despite many hours poring over the manual and through settings on the camera it persists with flashing when i press the shutter and then again just before the shutter closes, which seems to miss the point a bit in my opinion.

Am i missing something?

Many thanks

Gawain

I believe the trailing flash on K10D is only available with an external flash like the 360 or 540, and probably the Sigma's etc...

Not sure why it would be flashing twice (other than metering PTTL type flashes) unless you have the timer set.

Aaah I didn't know that, it does explain it. Bit annoying however as i only built in and an old Vivitar 3600 which is fine for everything else, but I do want to use Trailing Sync. Looks like I might have to buy a new flash...

Even with trailing curtain sync on an external flash there is still the Preflash of the P-TTL

It goes like this:
* Press button
* Camera fires low level flash for metering
* Mirror goes up
* Shutter opens
* Just before shutter closes the flash fires for real
* Shutter closes

Using trailing curtain mode doesn't enforce ambient lighting though... you have to do that yourself!

Personally, I get best results with the camera in "M" and the flash in "P-TTL". I setup the ISO & aperture I need, then adjust the shutter speed until the viewfinder meter shows between -1 and -2 stops Ev (ie underexposure). When I hit the button the flash fills in the rest. Beautiful results when used in bounce mode

Matt

Thanks Mattmatic, that makes a lot of sense. I imagine that this is what I am experiencing with the built in flash.

Still a shame i can't use my old faithful vivitar, but that's progress i suppose!

I will purchase a new flash in due course and try your settings - thanks!

No reason why you can't It's just I'm not sure whether you can get trailing curtain sync when using "A" mode on the flash.

(It should work as a regular flash though - use the camera in "M" and the flash in "A". Don't forget to check the ISO on the camera and match your aperture to the flash's suggested aperture)

Matt