It's a bit late to tell you now... but the *ist-D has two wheels - one thumb and one finger. That way there's no issue whatsoever.

In fact, even with the *ist-DS you have full information inside the viewfinder so you can achieve the same result by adjusting the shutter speed but checking the aperture.

More to the point, if you use an aperture ring you will have to manually meter. The cameras cannot read the aperture from the ring so you have to stop down to meter.

So, as John says, it takes a bit of practice, and then it becomes natural

Matt

Please don't cross post.

This has been answered here:
https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1548

(I'll remove this in a day or two)

(No offence taken )
You can buy the extension cable (the "5P" adaptors), but they do work out rather expensive. They all come as separate parts - hot shoe adaptor, cable, and flash adaptor. It doesn't give you much length (unless you buy the very long cable), and even second hand they end up costing between £60 - £100 for the set.
You do get full functions from the cable extensions.

IMHO, you're better off buying another AF360 and using full wireless - it's much more flexible

Matt

I stand corrected

You will be able to trigger the AF360 using "dumb" slave mode "2". The AF360 can be set to "A" mode so it will regulate the amount of light - but you only really have half power available because you need power for the two flashes (the preflash and the real). You can, of course, set the AF360 to manual mode, and set the output power to something less than 1/2.
This approach works with any camera - as I mentioned I used it with a pocket Canon S30 for some time - with great results!

Hope that makes sense.
Matt

No, I don't have any experience with the *ist-DS.
But the manual states on page 153 that the AF360FGZ provides "Wireless flash" and "High Speed Sync".

Page 155, 156 has the section "Using in Wireless Mode".

BUT, I can't find any mention about not having the pop-up flash fire in wireless mode... however, page 146 describes pop-up flash exposure compensation. I'd suggest setting that to "-2" and leave the AF360 as the main source of light. (Incidentally the *ist-D cannot do flash compensation with the internal flash... shame.)

(Just some other points while I think of it - if you use an "A" series lens, or set the aperture ring on an FA/F series to anything other than automatic, then P-TTL is not available, and the flash fully discharges.)

Matt

Whoops! My mistake!

Page 37 of the AF360 manual says you must have "Slave 1" for properly wireless for the MZ-S (and hence the *ist-D too).

Page 49 describes how to set the "Slave Mode Setting" (this is different to the wireless channel setting). It's a bit confusing when reading the manual, so here's a summary:

Slave 1 - proper wireless, controlled flash with MZ-S/*ist-D/*ist-DS when in wireless mode. Make sure the wireless channels also agree. Will not fire with any other flash or bright light - this is a digital wireless communication.

Slave 2 - "dumb" slave. The AF360 will trigger off any sudden light. Because of its design, if you are not expending more than half of the flash power, it will function correctly in this mode with all modern pocket digital cameras

Oh yes, and just double check the body's flash setting. I've been caught out more than once when I put it into red-eye reduction wireless flash by mistake and wondered why there was a significant delay between the preflash and the real flash! Now I make it a point to double check the top LCD of the *ist-D and the flash mode

Matt

Brian,
LOL! Well, I did actually keep my AF360, and I was using the 50MZ5 more... until I upgraded to 1.12. Odd that every problem disappeared! Even my SMC-F 50mm/f1.7 that was consistently half stop over exposed is now the same exposure as every other lens I have. So, sorry to say, but now the AF360 gets more use!!
Of course, the AF360 can do flash exposure compensation. Even my latest Metz foot can't do that... or high speed sync...
...and I'm trying to collate all this information and get it written up properly... (sorry for the delays Pete!!! Need a 48hr day!! )
Matt

Works a treat

There's a custom setting "Flash in Wireless Mode" that controls whether the pop-up flash is used. The default is "On" - which means it will fill in for you. Set it to "Off" and the pop up is used merely to trigger the AF360.

You can set the exposure compensation on the AF360, but not on the pop-up. However, when I've used it the results are just great! (Though I would say, upgrade your *ist-D to firmware 1.12 if you've not yet done so. Although it doesn't say on the update release notes, all the problems that I did experience with the AF360 have disappeared now. It just works )

One other thing you must do is set the right slave channel on the AF360. The AF360 supports both "dumb" and intelligent slaving. On the dumb mode it will just fire (and this is superb for use with pocket digicams ). Can't remember exactly, but I think you have to set "Slave 2" on the AF360 to get proper wireless P-TTL flash. I'll correct myself later when I get back to my manual...

Matt

Cristophe,

You can use them all on the *ist-D and *ist-DS
(Pentax has one of the best designs in compatibility).

The "M" series lenses are manual focus, manual aperture. Tricky to use on the *ist-D/DS, but perfectly possible.
The "A" series are manual focus but can do auto aperture. Easy to use, and very cheap second hand
The "F" series are auto focus, the first series.
The "FA" series are auto focus and are the more modern.
The "FAJ" series do not have an aperture ring on the lens. You can use them on older bodies, but only in auto modes.
The "DA" are digital-only lenses. They have an APS-C size field of view. They will function perfectly well on film bodies, but with some vignetting on the edges (I've used the SMC-DA 16-45 on an MZ10 with great results!)

The page for info on lenses is here: http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/index.html
Hope that helps!!
Matt

Actually, it's only the Canon that has full size 35mm frame. And it's a lot of money

I have done a little diagram to show what's going on: http://www.photon.me.uk/matt/cameras/pentax/istd_focal.htm
It's effectively a crop of a 35mm frame.

When using telephoto lenses, it helps, because a 300mm lens gives you the same view as when using a 450mm on a film camera. When dealing with wide angle you may have to invest in a super wide digital lens (e.g. SMC-FA 16-45mm, or the new-yet-to-be-released SMC-FA 12-24mm)

Hope that helps!
Matt