Perhaps they can't spell ist

I've found a similar issue with my *ist D since adding the battery grip. From what I can gather, the camera is supposed to draw power from the highest voltage source, be it camera or grip.

I have found that this 'decision' seems to be made at the time when the camera is turned on but it depends on whether the grip is turned on first. I have recently had the situation where the batteries in the camera died but the ones in the grip were ok.

Turning the camera on first displayed the flashing battery icon (dead) turning the grip on at that point made no difference ie, the camera did not then 'decide' to take power from the grip. Turning the grip on before the camera displayed a healthy battery icon even though the camera batteries were still dead (as you might expect).

I use 2350mah rechargeable NiMH batteries in my gear. I do think that it is important to use the same battery type in both camera and grip, but that's personal preference, I don't remember reading that it is mandatory.

Pete.

John,

The D has the same setting.

I'm rather hoping that when/if the *istD2 (or whatever they call it) is released, us D users might benefit from a firmware upgrade, much as the DS users did when the DS2 was released. I believe that the version 2 firmware for the DS essentially limits the difference between the 2 bodies to the rear screen size.

Pete.

I have once had a 'confused' situation with my istD where it would not turn off and I had to remove the batteries to turn it off. Power switch was off but the top plate display was still active. I didn't have the grip at that time so that wasn't the cause.

Pete.

I think I'm right in saying that the battery state indicator has only 3 variations.
1: Full battery indication means that the charge is within usable limits, not necesarily full.
2: Partial charge indication means charge is nearing the point where they need changing/charging.
3: Flashing indication means camera cannot operate because the voltage is too low.

Pete.

George,

Thanks for that. I do have the istD. Do you (or anybody else) happen to know if the MZ-S will operate the 2 X 360FGZ's in wireless mode in the same way that you say the istD can ? These are the only 2 cameras I am likely to use this rig with . . . if it ever gets produced that is . . .

Mounting one of the guns on the camera for close macro work with other Pentax DSLR's probably wouldn't work too well unless the light was bounced off a reflector I guess.

Pete.

I've studied the manual for this gun and the configuration I am considering is not listed.

I have mentioned in another thread my wish to make a dual flash macro rig and high powered guns seem to be recommended.

Can anybody tell me if 2 AF-360FGZ's can be used off-camera in wireless mode, using the camera's built-in flash as the commander.

The only method to use 2 off-camera flashes described in the manual requires loads of adapters and cords. I want to avoid having to use the cords if it is at all possible.

If it is possible to use 2 x 360FGZ's as I have described, the macro flash rig can be completely free-standing enabling the camera to be positioned further from the subject and/or be a lot less cumbersome. That might seem an odd requirement since 'macro' implies working close to the subject but, I have a Sigma 75-300mm macro (macro only at the 300mm end) which allows me to stand back a bit.

The kind of rig I'm thinking of will be a large'ish semi-circular'ish hoop with the guns mounted on miniature ball heads to facilitate any flash angle somewhere around the hoop with numerous optional positions. The 2 ends of the hoop could be fixed to miniature table top tripods or similar for ground or table-top working. Alternatively for high level working, the mini tripods can be exchanged for a joining bar having a mounting plate for a full height tripod.

Any thoughts ?

Thanks for all of your comments & suggestions. I have one of each lens now, together with my 'old faithfull' Takumar-A 70-210mm (non-SMC) . I'll be taking some shots today to makes ome comparisons between the three. The glass on my old Tak is spotless but I've not been so lucky with the other 2. I'm just hoping that the images are not compromised too much. I'll let you know what I decide.

PS: George, I noted your point about 'going digital' and the A setting on the Pentax lens, thanks. My test shots will be made with my *ist-D & MZ-S.

BTW: I paid £49.00 for it + carriage which I thought was reasonable. I haven't received it yet so condition is unknown but described as "lovely", whatever that means.

Pete.

Well I haven't decided which to keep yet but I already have the VS1 lens and now I've gone and bought a SMC Pentax-A 70-210mm 1:4 zoom.

I'll try them both out over the next few weeks whilst I'm on holiday and let you know my findings and hopefully post some results (if I can figure out how to do it). I'm also interested to see how these two compare with my 20 odd year old Takumar Zoom having the same range. I can't remember if it has SMC but I don't think it has.

Pete.