You're not trying to claim to be a 'normal' photographer are you ? Mind you, these days the printed manuals are often so small .... but that's a whole different topic that's been done to death, so that's definitely off topic here!

Actually I'm the same .... I'm one of the strange ones around here who actually likes to read the manuals BEFORE using something!

Peter, I saw your post on Bills thread, and its an interesting alternative. I was thinking along those lines, showing a wider context, and I agree that these here don't induce the 'claustrophobic' response. Perhaps Bills set could be augmented with some wider views like these, showing the mini scenes in their environment.

The patterns and highlight contrast are good with yours here ... I wonder if you could catch it again with more favourable light? It looks like a dull day, but I imagine a clear day at the golden hour would provide even more for the eyes in terms of colour and depth of shadow .

One extra point, for clarity ..... the Metz (and any other dedicated P-TTL type flash) become Manual only flashes when used with the Cactus trigger system. You will control the power remotely from the Tx unit on the camera. This is the situation for now ..... this will change when the new firmware is released and will mean that automatic HSS will become available, off camera, via radio control. You'll have the choice which mode to use, so very flexible and handy. The RF60x flash will also become 'P-TTL enabled' once this firmware is released.

The key issue is that the camera will not generate a flash trigger signal beyond the max sync time without sensing an HSS capable flash set and primed on the hotshoe. So the Pentax flashes, and other similar dedicated system flashes like your Metz provide this capability .... they also offer optical wireless HSS also.

The Cactus V6II trigger is special because it simulates the presence of an HSS flash on the hotshoe .... basic triggers do not do this. With a basic trigger you cannot fire any flash beyond the max sync speed.

With a Cactus V6II the camera WILL generate a trigger signal beyond max sync time and the Cactus system sends this signal to the receiver units to fire the flashes.

Don't worry too much about the mechanical aspects of how the shutter actually controls the amount of light passing through .... what matters is the actual 'shutter speed' set. That setting determines the exposure time.

The flash doesn't need to 'know' the exposure time because it always fires its continuous HSS burst for the full 1/180th sec,. regardless of the actual shutter speed set (eg 1/2000th). With a manual HSS flash then you will be directly controlling the power output, and will adjust that as needed. With your Metz, the flash output is automatic, and will respond automatically to all of your settings inputs (aperture, ISO, shutter speed, distance, flash head zoom) , and you can adjust its effect with the flash compensation setting.

I think the Metz 58 AF1 and 2 models are both supported by the V6II system .... a search or enquiry at PentaxForums or the Cacrtus community forum should confirm this.

The 58 AF 2 supports P-TTL HSS (the same as the Pentax flashes) .... so the flash exposure control is automatic, with adjustments made with the flash compensation settings. For the general principles of HSS operation then look at the HSS section in my Guide (section 10, pages 55 - 60). For the specifics of activating the HSS mode on your flash, then use the Flash Manual.

The exposure time ('shutter speed') is set on the camera, not the flash. With automatic P-TTL the metering system 'knows' the exposure time for HSS operation and factors that in to its exposure calculations.

HSS exposures still take the full max sync time to complete .... eg even if you set 1/18000th sec it still takes 1/180th sec to complete the full frame exposure. That's because it always takes that long for the moving shutter blades to complete their movement across the image frame. The very short exposure occurs because the 'moving slit' of the two blades is extremely narrow at 1/8000th, so light only reaches the sensor through this narrow gap. It still takes the full 1/180th sec for the slit to move completely across the frame.

So, the flash does not need to know the exposure time .... an HSS burst is continuous for the whole exposure time of 1/180th sec, regardless of whether 1/200th is set, or 1/500th. 1/2000th etc etc. What has to change is the power output for each change in shutter speed .... more power for each shorter exposure. This is automatic with a P-TTL flash, but must be controlled manually with a manual HSS flash (eg Cactus RF60).

For manual HSS the flashes don't need to know anything from the camera ..... the HSS continuous (pulsing) burst of light lasts for the entire time the frame takes to expose (which is the max sync time, eg 180th sec). The flashes simply output their set power level for that period of time. They just receive a 'go' signal from the trigger system. The Cactus V6II is unique in that it enables HSS on Pentax cameras without the usual requirement for the full TTL protocol to be supported (as it is with other DSLR brands and flash systems).

This is all set to change though with the updated Cactus system in future, offering full TTL support for Pentax. There is one other trigger system, the Acon R930, that supports both automatic & manual HSS. The product is not as well supported in the English speaking world in terms of documentation, instructions, and clarity of operations as the Cactus system, in my opinion (and many others opinions as well!). You would be seeking advice at PentaxForums really to lead you into that. Whereas now there is a distinction between the Acon and Cactus triggers with the P-TTL aspect, this will be levelled out with the upcoming Cactus update.

What flashes do you already have? Most recent Metz P-TTL flashes are compatible with the V6II, but I'd check specifically on the forums mentioned earlier to be sure. Bear in mind that the power demands are high when balancing HSS flash with sunshine outdoors, so powerful models are a plus. The Cactus RF60 is a GN58 model (on the same scale as the Pentax AF-540 is a GN54 model).

Firstly, I think a 70-200mm F2.8 lens (any of them really!) would be a superb choice for HSS portraits .... great versatility with focal length, they're sharp, even at wide apertures, and render backgrounds nicely OOF. If I had the money that's exactly what I'd have for outdoor dynamic portraits, combined with a P-TTL on-camera HSS flash.....Manual exposure mode, knock the ambient down about a stop, punch some nice gelled HSS flash straight at the face to create a portrait with pop and lovely controlled, balanced light.

For now I manage with the D FA28-105 .... it offers all the above qualities, just not to such an extent. You might find it perfectly good too? Light and manageable, great DC focussing, quick shift, WR ....at 80mm plus and at F6.7 it shows lovely OOF bokeh, and of course it covers many other needs going all the way back to 28mm.

Going back to your questions ....the requirement for autofocus is a compatibility issue related to using P-TTL flash metering . So flashes that require P-TTL mode in order to activate HSS (such as the Pentax ones) have thus restriction. Really, for on camera work I don't think the finger twisting juggling act involved in manual focus, manual exposure plus manual HSS flash control would be for the faint hearted!! I know my impatient little models would have long run off and got bored while I was still trying to get things right.

So autofocus plus P-TTL is a good thing for dynamic on camera style portraits. P-TTL will automatically adjust the flash power for every change you make to aperture, ISO, shutter 'speed' and distance .....that saves you a lit of extra settings work.

However, if you are not using a P-TTL flash on the camera, and not relying on one to generate the trigger signal beyond the max-sync speed (e.g say you used Cactus V6II triggers) then you are not restricted from using manual focus lenses ..... this is because the trigger itself enables the trigger signal (that normally requires an HSS flash in the hotshot) plus you're using manual flash exposure with the triggers, so no need for the extra lens information from an autofocus lens.

You will need Manual exposure mode with the Cactus triggers (at least for now ....there's more developments coming) , but this system with manually controlled flashes and a manual focus lens will work fine.

The Cactus V6IIs are 'transceivers' ....combined transmitters (Tx) and receivers (Rx). The one on the camera is put into Tx mode, and the ones on the flashes are out into Rx mode. You need a receiver unit for each P-TTL flash you need to control. In your case I would consider looking at their own RF60x flashes now ..... the advantage is that these have a built in V6II transceiver, so no need for extra V6II units. It's much cheaper, assuming of course you actually need the flashes as well.

You get remote manual power and flash head zoom control, with 4 individual groups that can be switched on/off and their power controlled independently. This all applies to HSS mode working as well. HSS is up to 1/8000 sec.

The really interesting thing here is that the V6II are getting a free firmware update in future that enables TTL automatic exposure control, plus other TTL subset functions ....here's a link to some info about that .... link

Here's a link to the main Cactus website.... link. Their community forum is a good source of help, or otherwise post in the PentaxForums flash forum where there are other Cactus users active as well.

Glad to help, but it's good to carry on on the forum, so everyone can see and benefit. Cactus is a very relevant and important product for flash with Pentax cameras.

The interior shots all all very clean and pristine in look.....I love the pure white, chrome and blue of the old washing machine! You've managed a very good quality look to these indoor shots, nice work!

Outdoors the contrast challenges were far higher, and there are some creative angles but I feel the excess of deep shadows is an issue.