Interesting subject and well executed shot.

Which software was it that couldn't handle the stacking? I've used CombineZM (now CombineZP) on the few I've done and it worked well, even with images coming from a network drive which they don't recommend.

So far I think the Seculine Twinlink TD2 is favourite. The dual IR + radio triggering appeals to me and it has a simple (dumb) hot shoe with only a centre contact so no dedication issues.

I'm not too sure that I am 100% comfortable with electronic items that have no on/off switch though.

The mounting issues noted by dougf8 are easily overcome with these. The seller has other variations as well.

Too expensive for my needs and not very robust apparantly.

Hi Brian, I just came across those and they look very good. In fact I saw a pair of these in an electronics store in Murcia only this morning on my way back from an airport run. €149.95 in Media Markt, but they don't have any additional receivers.

I like the belt 'n braces idea of them using both IR and radio.

Rcvr only is £75.00 at Bristol Cameras.

I am looking for some replacements for my now defunct PT-04TM gear. I have 3 receivers, 2 have a wireless range of less than 2 cms, the other has a reasonable range but refuses to trigger a flash.

So in my quest for replacements, I came across this which I thought others might find useful. I found the tables at the end very useful.

I'm almost decided on finding a reasonably priced set working in the 2.4GHz band as the range is superior and triggering seems to be more reliable.

Has any member used the Yongnuo RF-602 with Pentax kit? The yseem to be only dedicated to Canon and Nikon kit.

A couple more things to check on the flash.

1: Have you changed the mode to something other than P-TTL? If so, change it back. It should default to P-TTL on power up.
2: For this initial troubleshooting test make sure the Synch. switch is set to the extreme left, the 'green' position.

If you can make a properly exposed image with the camera set to Controller, you should not need to change anything on the flash. All that is required is to change the setting in the custom menu from controller to master.

If, when the onboard flash is set as a controller, the image is not properly exposed there is something wrong.

If the flash does not fire with the onboard flash set to master, there is something wrong.

As a final test, try setting the flash to each of the four wireless channels. It's possible one or more of them might work. Don't forget to synch camera and flash channels each time by mounting the flash on the camera as preiously described.

If it still doesn't work, my advice is to take the camera and flash to a Pentax Pro dealer (not Jessops, Curry's, Dixons, et al) and have them check it for you, then take any appropriate action to have it fixed.

Alternatively there might be other members in your area willing to help by trying another flash on your camera or your camera with another flash. One or the other should isolate the faulty item.

I don't think I can help much more.

Glad to hear you've had some success, but the slave flash should also fire when the on board flash is set to Master so that's still a bit of a mystery to me.

With regard to wireless channel selection, once set, they should not normally need changing. The reason there are 4 channels is to facilitate up to 4 Pentax camera/flash combinations being used at the same time in the same environment. If any two are set to the same wireless channel, they will interfere with each other rather like the problem with radio controlled models. If two rc models are being controlled on the same frequency, havoc generally ensues.

Again, Pentax flashes don't use radio to communicate with the camera, it's done with pulses of light. It's still technically wireless but often leads to confusion.

Your K-x, even though new, will probably have firmware version 1.00 installed. To check it, power off the camera, press and hold the menu button, power on the camera and check the version number on the rear screen.

The latest version 1.01 can be downloaded from here.

Whilst the improvements listed for this version do not specifically mention any changes to wireless flash operation, it's not unheard of for camera manufacturers, including Pentax, to slip in other modifications and bug fixes without telling us. Follow the instructions included in the download to load it into your camera. Always perform firmware updates with freshly charged batteries in the camera.

I'm sure you can probably pick up an older 28-80 lens for peanuts.

True prime macro lenses come in varying sizes from approx. 35 - 200 mm. Each will produce macro images at 1:1 magnification, but at varying subject to lens distances. The smaller the focal length the closer you will need to be. Using a 35mm lens for grasshoppers for instance is almost a non-starter. AT the other extreme, a 200mm lens keeps you a useful distance away from wary or dangerous subjects to give you a better chance of snapping them.

Zoom lenses having a macro setting don't give 1:1 magnification and are no where near as versatile as a proper macro setup, either with bellos or extension tubes, or a dedicated macro lens.

You may not be aware that you can reverse mount lenses on your camera if you have a sutable adapter and smaller focal length lenses used in this way give the greatest magnification at the expense of DOF.

You can also stack lenses one in front of the other. EG: A 200mm lens with a 50mm lens reverse mounted to the front of it produces approx. 4:1 magnification.

Chances are you will probably have to use flash to get reasonably fast shutter speeds for fast moving subjects too.

Above all else, beware. Macro-photography is incurably addictive.

If you have a zoom lens covering the range you are looking at, stick it on and try some test shots to see what suits you best. Then buy a prime of the required focal length.

The lens is held in very high regard, producing very sharp images with little or no chromatic aberrations. It was developed for the russian armed forces and used for surveillance from very long distances. It can also function as a telescope.

It is however, enormous.

This might help.