Wanted: flash

Hi,
I have a K-X.
Looking for a flash (preferablly with P-TTL mode)and swivel (up and down) head.
I'd like something simple to use
My budget is low (under £80)
Mainly for indoor shots of my kids but I guess I'd use it in other situations too.
Cheers,
Pa.

Hi Patrick

Just a thought, for another £20 you could get the Pentax 360 from Currys.

EXAKTA DPZ 38AF. Costs about £80. P-TTL, swivel and remote mode.

Description: =53&cHash=2a9bb1c188]link

e-bay: link

thanks, but they're out of stock. I would have jumped on it otherwise. When I originally saw some people posting about it I hadn't started looking for a flash yet...

Thanks I'll check it out.
It's Auto TTL Control and not P-TTL.
Is it possible to get one with P-TTL mode for my price?

You probably won't get P-TTL for the price you're asking for

TBH, it depends what you intend to use the flash for. You can get a lot of mileage from a really cheap £20-£50 flash that has just 'A' mode and 'M' (preferably with power increments, at least 1/4, and 1/16). A flash in 'A' mode, with the camera in 'Av' or 'M' will give you surprisingly good results.

Some of the early Pentax guns work well. The older Metz guns work a treat (I have a hulking great Metz 50MZ5 with Pentax dedicated module that works a treat - massive amounts of clean light and stupidly cheap because they don't have digital modes and won't work on a lot of other brand dSLRs )

There are times when full P-TTL can be helpful... but less often than you're led to believe

Matt

Hi,
These are the suggestions I've had so far. I'll have a look at them all and just pick one.
I suppose my deciding factors are:
1. which is best (main factor)
2. price (not that important but might rule out the $169 one unless it's GREAT)
3. which is easiest to use
4. size (not a deal breaker but preferablly not a massive one)

It's mainly for indoor shots of my kids but I suppose I'd like a 'general all-rounder' (Xmas markets, low light, indoor sports or any other situations where a flash would be good).
1. Bower SFD926 for $100 at Overstock.com
2. Sigma 530 Super for $169 on amazon- above price but might consider
3. Pentax AF-280T
4. Promaster 7000M with Pentax module (PTTL) for $99
5. 5050DX allows PTTL
6. Metz 36
7. EXAKTA DPZ 38AF. Costs about £80. P-TTL, swivel and remote mode

Anyone able advice me?
Thanks,
Pa.

Have you tried PC World and Dixons? All part of the same group with the same offer.

I too am somewhat desperate for a decent Flash Gun. I first was set on one of the Samsung ones as II got a Samsung GX-10 (very much the same as the Pentax K10D) but as I am also have used Metz Flash Guns in my pre-Digital SLR and was more then happy with them, I now wait for the Metz 48 AF1 to drop in price or others to get the new Metz 50 and selling their Metz 48 AF1 on.
I am actually have build now a Mobile Studio Flash system around the Metz 45 CT1 with flash triggers that get triggered by my old but trusted Metz 32 CT7 with the manual Flash adapter. One day I may even find a Pentax adapter for this flash to use the TTL function but this is not a must as I am happy to use it manual. It is good enough for the triggering of the Mobile System over 30meters, but I bite my time to wait for the 48 to come up either second hand or fall in price.
You got a lot of options up there and I have to say that even I be tempted by the EXAKTA DPZ 38AF and I will have a look at it closer when I visit family in Germany next month.
One thing I noticed is that, in particular second hand Pentax equipment, but any photo equipment is quite a bit cheaper in Germany then in the UK and with Train tickets from London to Cologne from the German Train Operator for only £49 return (has to be reserved for a minimum of 3 month in advance) it is even good enough for a longer weekend break and some shopping on top.
In my opinion, get the Metz 48 AF1 when it has dropped in price as this is the best option if you are on a limited budget as I am as well on one.
The EXAKTA is good but difficult to get hold of in the UK and the postage from Germany is relatively high plus you can not be sure that the warranty will be valid in the UK and you would have to check that one first with any equipment bought from abroad.

TTL flash only works with the *ist-D and *ist-DS. All other bodies only support P-TTL - which is only available on the most recent Metz guns.
What you do get is quite a nice dedicated link with the modules - the Metz tracks the aperture you set on the camera and the ISO (as long as you don't try and use Auto ISO on the body!). But you'll still only be able to use M, and A modes on the flash

Matt

I just went and bought the Pentax AF-280T from the classified section. I know it's more basic than some of the others but I can always upgrade if I need/want to.

Nice tip, thank you.