Pentax flash system

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mogh baba - 26 Nov 2006 00:27 GMT

Hi,
I have gathered that Nikon has the best flash system available. I come
from old manual lens system and consider to move to digital and plan
to buy Pentax K10D. I am only a hobbyist but I do some seriuos jobs
for a shop complex were I work myself. I just want to point that I do
not have a complicated usage for flash photography.
How does Pentax flash system compares with Nikon's. For general
purpose photography and some product photography and interiour shots
do I loose something by choosing Pentax?
I plan to get the latest Pentax flash Af 540. My next plan after
camera+lens+flash is to get some sort of studio lighting for more
serious shots.

Thanks for your attention

Mogh

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Pete D - 26 Nov 2006 04:52 GMT

> Hi,
> I have gathered that Nikon has the best flash system available. I come
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Mogh

The Pentax system is very good, you will not be disappointed. Also look at
the Sigma DG 500 Super, very nice, powerful flash and somewhat cheaper.

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Marc Sabatella - 27 Nov 2006 01:05 GMT

> The Pentax system is very good, you will not be disappointed.

Some of the biggest complaints people have had with the K10D, though,
regards the flash support. As I recall, the specifc complaints include
no built-in wireless flash support (except via the built-in flash
itself?), no PC sync socket, and apparently limited TTL (as opposed to
pTTL) support.

---------------
Marc Sabatella
marc@outsideshore.com

Music, art, & educational materials
Featuring "A Jazz Improvisation Primer"
http://www.outsideshore.com/

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Pete D - 27 Nov 2006 05:49 GMT

>> The Pentax system is very good, you will not be disappointed.
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> no PC sync socket, and apparently limited TTL (as opposed to pTTL)
> support.

Looks like it may be a problem for some but Sigma will fix them apparently,
I will test with my DG 500 Super when I get my K10D this week. Apparently it
only affects units above a certain serial number, I have one of the lower
numbered units that works fine on my DS.

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Marc Sabatella - 27 Nov 2006 18:19 GMT

>> Some of the biggest complaints people have had with the K10D, though,
>> regards the flash support. As I recall, the specifc complaints
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> week. Apparently it only affects units above a certain serial number,
> I have one of the lower numbered units that works fine on my DS.

I'm not sure which problem you are referring to here, but the issues I
mentioned are inherent in the specs of the K10D, and the followup by
John Francis clarifies this - actually no built-in wireless or TTL at
all (and presumably, I was not mis-remembering about the lack of PC
sync).

So for *some* people, these will be serious limitations. On the other
hand, if you don't need these features, the pTTL flash system does
actually work very well from what I understand, including use in
wireless mode with an external commander. Which is to say, if you
construct your system appropriately and don't expect to be able to
connect things in ways that are not supported, there is no reason you
shouldn't get results as good as with Nikon. I have no idea, BTW, if
Nikon has similar issues with any of its cameras. In particular, I was
under the impression that most manufacturers were phasing out TTL.

---------------
Marc Sabatella
marc@outsideshore.com

Music, art, & educational materials
Featuring "A Jazz Improvisation Primer"
http://www.outsideshore.com/

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Pete D - 27 Nov 2006 19:42 GMT

>>> Some of the biggest complaints people have had with the K10D, though,
>>> regards the flash support. As I recall, the specifc complaints include
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> Francis clarifies this - actually no built-in wireless or TTL at all (and
> presumably, I was not mis-remembering about the lack of PC sync).

Issue I believe was that the flash was not syncing correctly resulting in
underexposed shots, only in P-TTL mode, manual was fine.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/768-sigma-ef-500dg-sup
er-flash-owners-k10-you-need-read.html

> So for *some* people, these will be serious limitations. On the other
> hand, if you don't need these features, the pTTL flash system does
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Featuring "A Jazz Improvisation Primer"
> http://www.outsideshore.com/

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John Francis - 27 Nov 2006 07:09 GMT

>> The Pentax system is very good, you will not be disappointed.
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>itself?), no PC sync socket, and apparently limited TTL (as opposed to
>pTTL) support.

Make that no TTL support - only P-TTL.
As far as the wireless side goes wireless flash is only supported with
external flashes (such as the 540FTZ) - unlike the *ist-D the built-in
flash can not be used as a wireless controller. Apparently there was
some kind of interference between it and the shake reduction system.

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Pete D - 27 Nov 2006 07:53 GMT

>>> The Pentax system is very good, you will not be disappointed.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> flash can not be used as a wireless controller. Apparently there was
> some kind of interference between it and the shake reduction system.

I wonder if a future firmware update might re-enable this feature or was it
removed altogether?? I am thinking I might buy a 360FGZ to control my Sigma
DG 500 Super.

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Steve - 27 Nov 2006 17:19 GMT

>>>> The Pentax system is very good, you will not be disappointed.
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> it removed altogether?? I am thinking I might buy a 360FGZ to control my
> Sigma DG 500 Super.

I have two 360's and they work together great wirelessly, it's just that one
has to be on the camera. I suspect a firmware upgrade won't work unless the
transmitting hardware is still in the camera. I could swear a month or so
ago I read a review that said the built-in would trigger the remotes so I'm
really sad that it won't. But not so sad as to give up the K10D.

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Pete D - 27 Nov 2006 19:37 GMT

>>>>> The Pentax system is very good, you will not be disappointed.
>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> remotes so I'm really sad that it won't. But not so sad as to give up the
> K10D.

I think the specs still lead you to think that the wireless commander is
built in, it saddens me too but it is not something I have been particularly
fussed about in the past but was thinking that it might be a nice feature to
"play" with. Will make no difference to me either, from the photos starting
to be posted this is a seriously good camera that some are trying to find
fault with because they have already invested in another brand. From what I
can find out so far mine could be here in the next day or so, w00t!!

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Pete D - 26 Nov 2006 05:05 GMT

> Hi,
> I have gathered that Nikon has the best flash system available. I come
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Mogh

Also recomend you have a look over at for lots of good info.

http://www.pentaxforums.com/

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