wireless flash?

Thanks again , so I'm guessing that there is a hotshot attachment that goes on the bottom of the flash, making the flash think it is on the camera. So in fact with a P-TTL flashgun then we would be getting full P-TTL functioning .... very useful!

As I was saying over on the other thread recently, I do find the proprietary Pentax 'light-based' wireless system very good, but I suppose for those tricky outdoor situations when the bright light gets in the way then this radio system is a good option .... controlling the flash output from the camera sounds very handy as well.

Matt, you wrote "The burst mode in the Cactus allows for multiple firings, but not the HSS type. The Cactus V6 will be limited to 1/180s sync speed of the dSLR"

Can I ask how I could use the V6 to shoot at 1/1000 sec with a Pentax K3? Like i said its not HSS, but it is very close, yes you lose power, but if you fire two or three flashes in this mode it works very well and can provide enough light in relation to ones needs.

There is no info about the V6 working with sony A6000 or A7, but I tried it and it works. Part of the joy of the V6 triggers is experimenting with them and learning what you can do with them.

I might be wrong but, combining two flashes and shooting at lower power not only increases your recycle time but the duration speed of of the flash can be increased? Like i say, I might be wrong, but I am sure i read about this some time ago.

since switching to sony i have learned a few tricks with flash, increasing the sync time buy turning the camera upside down so the dark band ends up at the bottom and other stuff like that. I just like experimenting.

Nigel,
The flash thinks it's P-TTL, but to the camera it is "dumb" manual. So, no, it's not P-TTL exposure from the camera's point of view.

Gareth, that's really odd that it works at all. 1/180s is the fastest speed at which the sensor is completely exposed in one go. At higher speeds the two shutter curtains travel as a slit across the frame. Consequently I would expect only part of the frame to be exposed by flash - the part where the slit is when the flash fires. However, usually the flash trigger on the camera hotshoe stops firing above 1/180s. But, alas, I don't have a K3 to verify this Am happy to try if out if someone wants to lend me one

i'm not saying it doesn't work for you Gareth, just am puzzled (knowing how both shutter and flash work!)

Matt

It's only because we are all so bloody old that we think wireless means radio!

And (in UK) 'Hoover' means vacuum rather than a company brand name.

Yes, but I'm fairly sure that if you set the wireless trigger to channel 4, HSS mode and held the shutter with a continuous burst while holding your ear against the hotshoe, you will just be able to make out The Archers

Hi Folks, I guess i owe some of you an apology. Let me explain why, to mimic HSS you need the Cactus RF60 Flashes and the V6 triggers and this is the only way to shoot above 1/180th using Cactus V6 triggers off camera. I had a play this morning with the K3 and although some of the Metz flashes can do HSS on the hot shoe, thats the only way to increases the sync speed. But the Cactus triggers can mimic HSS off camera with RF60 flashes although you do lose light, but pairing them can help address this.


The only other system I know of that can do wireless flash above 1/180th is made by Aokatec link http://www.aokatec.com/AK-TTL.html I have never used them, but it sounds like they work in the same way as the Radiopopper's do, which I don't think support Pentax?

I hope this provides more clarity

Matt, I agree totally about the shutter on Pentax Cameras, but using a Metz Flash with HSS on the hot shoes does enable you to shoot way above 1/180th. I have shot at 1/1000 and above many times. I knows HSS a little electrical trickery as the flash is firing pulses across the shutter, but it can be done and that how the Aokatec works, its just able to transmit P-TTL in some way wirelessly.

On a final note, as I have now fully switched systems to Sony, I will be listing my last K3, DA*300, Pentax HD 1x4 TC, Sigma 18mm-35mm Art lens over the weekend. I had intended to keep the above kit, but its just not getting used anymore so its being wasted.

I started out with Pentax about six years ago and have learned a great deal in relation to photography, I will certainly miss PU, the posts and banter and that currently one thing sony does not have.

Regards

Fletcher8

Since starting this thread I have actually read the flashgun operating manual, so I have finally twigged the answer to my original question (I think). Like all kids with new toys I got it out the box and set the flash up with a rudimentary scan of the instructions; I am on a steep learning curve with digital SLR so all you wizened semi-pros out there please stifle your sniggers! It turns out that although both the off-camera flashgun and the built-in flash appear to go off simultaneously it doesn't happen at the same time, and something very clever is happening: in a series of flashes by each unit they are communicating to each other all the information to enable TTL metering. Once done the shutter is released at the same time as the final flash from the off-camera unit; the built-in flash doesn't flash at that point unless contrast control is activated. I gasp in admiration at the clever bods at Pentax who came up with this and made it work.

I did consider a smart cable link which might still be an option in the situation McGregNi describes but not at Pentax prices! Cable £69, hotshoe mounts £32 each totals around £133 whereas I have seen all-in-one connectors for less than £20.00 allegedly doing the same thing.

PS re. Fletcher8's last comment, I was searching for a tripod mount for flash when I discovered that whilst the flash shoe is a standard fit across all manufacturers (apart from the contacts configuration), Sony is an exception with it's own size.

RobL, Yep Sony used to use the old Minolta flash shoe, but all of the newer cameras use a multi shoe which is great, I can fire any brand of flash but only in manual mode.

Hey there i know the posts are a bit old, but i want to know if i buy a cactus v6 can i use my AF540GZ without using the pop up flash and if i bought a Cactus RF60 can i use both flashes without using the pop-up flash. I can't seem to find any info on the net.

Thanks for the help.

My camera is a k 50

Cheers

Roof