That's all correct Peter. The on camera flash can work automatically with P-TTL mixed in with manual output from the radio triggered flashes. I do this sometimes, it works fine, although equally it may be more intuitive to go manual on all flashes. We might expect the on-camera flash to underexpose in P-TTL with your system however, because the camera will detect the pre-flashes from your off-camera flashes as well, fooling it into thinking there is more power than there really is.

The TTL passthrough is a V6II mode that allows normal flash to camera communication to 'passthrough' the transmitter. The flash and camera will behave as if there was no V6II and the flash was directly on the hotshoe. You can operate the flash in any way just as if it was .... So you can choose P-TTL, Manual, HSS, 2nd curtain etc.

You are probably not being firm enough .... The locking lever on the Cactus goes around a long way and probably needs more tightening. I would suggest that un-diffused bounced flash, with a high angle and reflecting fill light back from a wall, would be preferable to a Fong diffuser, which will throw too much light all over the place.

Yes, the Cactus triggers use some technical electronic component of the P-TTL protocol in order to gain remote control over the power levels .... This cannot be achieved with the flashes in manual.

This pre-flash situation is also a new thing with the V6II .... The previous original V6 model does not cause this, as it is a single pin model with no communication of any P-TTL electronic information. Although P-TTL is still required for the mode on the receiving slave flashes, this does not cause a pre-flash. So in my case, with a single V6 and RF60 flash, I can use both of my Pentax flashes in SL2 mode, triggered optically by the RF60.

Another option Peter, at least to get use out of your third flash, is to use it on top of the V6II transmitter, in 'TTL Passthrough' mode .... An on camera flash used like this can be very useful, mainly as a bounced fill light, aiming it at a wall or corner to your side or even behind. It will automatically sync with your radio transmitter in either P-TTL it M modes.

Regarding the extra expense ... Think positive! Soon, once the firmware update comes, you'll have 3 radio controlled P-TTL flashes, with automatic metering, HSS, 2nd Curtain etc .... You'll be one of a very select bunch!

Hi Peter, I believe the V6IIs use aspects of the P-TTL protocol, and as such they cause a pre-flash to be generated from the AF-540s. This means that the 360 slave flash cannot sync with them... It is firing before the exposure occurs.

There is no functional purpose at present to the pre-flash. Eventually it will be utilized for metering purposes once the V6IIs get their 'TTL without boundaries' upgrade.

But the incompatibility with Pentax's SL2 mode will remain.

An interesting set that gives a strong flavour of the area, and you've made the most of some optical effects from the lens as well. 1, 4 , 5 & 6 are the ones for me .... the DOF effects with the tower are excellent! the first has a very misty atmospheric tone, but I'd give it some 'warm up' in colour terms to reflect the sunlight aspect more.... a Photoshop 81 filter for example should give a little warmth to the fog and foliage.

Nice and close, and those smooth backgrounds are really nice .... they allow the subject to stand out beautifully. I think you've got the exposure too high, perhaps about 0.7 or 1.0 stop lower would be better.

I like the way you have got the strong sloping nature of the hillsides to come through, and yes this sort of environment is often difficult to 'make much of' .... but you have brought out lots of detail and depth, with plenty of angles and lines to follow. I'm less keen on those that show up the distortion rather extremely (4 & 6). The best for me are 1, 8 & 9.

You caught the gardens at a beautiful time with all the bluebells out!

Yes, very colourful and you've popped the birds out from their backgrounds very nicely!

Let's hope so Jules. I think many Pentax photographers would welcome some nice new updated *zooms with HD coatings and DC focusing!

Yes, that camera menu option could be the key ..... Presumably that EXIF field is read by the Website software to change the display orientation. I always leave the 'save orientation' option on.

I presume it generates the orientation data based on the LCD orientation at the time of capture, and that must use some kind of sensor inside the camera .....?

And actually, isn't the LCD orientation itself a further custom menu choice....?