Scott,
I tried the *ist-D and the PC socket syncs only when the shutter speed is <= 1/125s.

So, you can leave the pop-up down, set manual mode, 1/125s and the PC socket will sync

Matt

First, check your sync lead and studio flash settings - maybe your studio lights are triggering off the popup's light and not the sync lead.

You can short the pin to the outer case of the flash lead (ie unplug from the *ist-D and short with a ballpoint pen or something similar). The studio lighting should trigger.

You may also need to set the shutter speed to 1/180s or lower to get synchronisation. I haven't tried it, but I thought it worked in all modes - I can try tomorrow...

Hope that helps!
Matt

John,
I checked the *ist-DS manual (page 159) and contrast control flash is possible with the built in flash.

However, as illustrated on page 157 - you need the Fg and F adapters plus the extension cable. I mentioned this in a previous thread Obviously you can't pop-up the built in flash gun while there's a whopping great AF360 sitting on top

And yes, when tethered to an AF360 and using the pop-up the P-TTL mode is used. (From the flash compatibility table you'll see that TTL only mode is possible with just the AF360 when using certain lenses and the non "A" setting of the lens aperture.)

To be honest, the AF360 will give you the best compatibility with your camera... but you may need to purchase additional bits and pieces if you want to use other features.

(Did you notice my comment on the previous post to tell us what you want to do with the flash? https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2867)

Matt

Funny how things come around...
http://pdatpo.blog45.fc2.com/blog-entry-3805.html
http://www.estiasis.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=630

The K1D was the full frame that never saw the light of production-day.
The recent article I saw only suggested that there would be others... when and what they would be was not discussed.

Matt

If you can afford it, the Manfrotto MN444 carbon fibre tripod and MN460 magnesium head are sublime! Got mine at a snip from the mail order return section of Warehouse Express (or ephotozineshop.com )

Super light, unbelievably rock solid and a sheer joy to use.

Matt

You are correct. The *ist-series fire a preflash that will "fool" the slave into discharging completely.

There are three options you have open:

1. Use a dumb flash on the hotshoe and dumb slaves. The dumb flash will fire once, and the slaves will trigger correctly. This is what you'll get when using studio type flash equipment.

2. Use the pop up flash, and get a newer slave that can be programmed (or is already set) to ignore the preflash of digital cameras.

3. Use the AF360/540 in the correct slave mode. They have a choice of either "dumb" slave triggering (as in 1), or digital slave.

To be honest, it depends on how controlled your conditions are. If you want to do portraiture, then option 1 is a fine way to go - with Elinchroms or Bowens flash units. Hard to beat even with the dedicated guns. But in that situation there's not much variability. Studio lighting will give you tons of light, lots of manual control to get things just right.
On the other hand, if you're doing weddings, or snaps, then your requirements will be different again (maybe)!

Hope that helps!
Matt

They don't affect the RAW storage at all, just the preview image. (Each RAW file has an embedded JPG that is used for viewing on the camera and on some portable storage devices like the Flashtrax and Epson P2000)
Matt

A valid point Reuben0, and one that I'm aware of.
However, in practise, though, I've rarely had an issue. Probably just the type of shot I take, and where the recomposition requires only a reframe (thus minimising the error).
Matt

Personally I always use centre focus only. But you have to train yourself to use it well... and I turn off the "focus-on-half-press".

That way, especially in low light, I:
* point the very centre of the viewfinder at something with contrast (eye balls for portraits)
* press the "AF" button (*ist-D) or "OK" button (*ist-DS) to focus
* reframe, and press the shutton

Can't live without it now and even though the *ist-DS is slower at focussing than the *ist-D (the motor seems to have less torque), even the *ist-DS with that method kept up and let me accurately focus in low light with a 50mm/f1.4 lens shooting at f2

My wife, on the other hand, prefers to have focus-on-half-press and multi point focus because she couldn't get on with the above method.

Matt

No, there's no remote adjustment of flash. All adjustments are performed on each flash device. Personally I don't find that a big problem - but I can imagine there are situations where it would be more convenient.

When it comes to versatility, I've found no problems whatsoever.
One key thing, which I'm not sure about the competition because I haven't checked, is the high speed sync - so you can forget the usual 1/180s sync speed and use all the way up to 1/4000 Superb for daylight fill-in, even with remote flashes

Matt