Flash question

[KRIS]

Dear Friends,

The local Pentax dealer does not have dedicated Pentax flashes.

I purchased a SIGMA AF 500, but am not able to get P TTL and Wireless flash even though Sigma says they are available in this product. Very Sad but true, the brochure which accompanied the flash was down right not understandable.

I read that some METZ FLashes have P TTL mode and also WIRELESS P TTL mode. Can you please suggest a model.

Here in the Middle East Pentax is not a famous model at all, and a few people made the mistake of purchasing a Pentax are stuck with it. No accessories, no support. I am not sure why such a good camera does not have a proper marketing here. Hope Pentax guys read this mail and take some action.

In the meanwhile please send me your suggestions about the flash.

Thanks,
Kris

[GEli]

In this case you got lucky, as new Pentax flashes are terrible little units. I've heard nothing but good things about the Metz 58 AF-1 P/S (the P/S is very important, as it indicates it's P-TTL compatible). Though it may be a bit pricey, it's well worth the cost. [Note: Metz gives their guide numbers in m, so don't be scared off by that seemingly low guide number. It's actually exceptionally high.]

[KRIS]

Originally Posted by GEli

In this case you got lucky, as new Pentax flashes are terrible little units. I've heard nothing but good things about the Metz 58 AF-1 P/S (the P/S is very important, as it indicates it's P-TTL compatible). Though it may be a bit pricey, it's well worth the cost. [Note: Metz gives their guide numbers in m, so don't be scared off by that seemingly low guide number. It's actually exceptionally high.]

Thanks Geli, one more question please, Have tyou tried the wireless mode. Please let me know how this works with the built in flash as controller. How do I set the Built in flash or the Off camera flash as either controller or slave,

Thanks,
Kris

[mattdm]

The Sigma flash should work with P-TTL, but you may need to send it in to Sigma for a firmware upgrade. For wireless, I think you'll need another flash as the controller -- the K10D can use the built in flash as a controller but I'm not sure if any of the *ist models can. (Not sure on that, though.) It doesn't work with the K100D or K200D.

Also look at the Metz 48 AF-1 -- considerably cheaper than the Metz 58 AF-1. I have one and it works great with P-TTL, both on-camera and controlled as a wireless slave.

[KRIS]

Originally Posted by mattdm

The Sigma flash should work with P-TTL, but you may need to send it in to Sigma for a firmware upgrade. For wireless, I think you'll need another flash as the controller -- the K10D can use the built in flash as a controller but I'm not sure if any of the *ist models can. (Not sure on that, though.) It doesn't work with the K100D or K200D.

Also look at the Metz 48 AF-1 -- considerably cheaper than the Metz 58 AF-1. I have one and it works great with P-TTL, both on-camera and controlled as a wireless slave.

Thank you very much.

The SIGMA seems to have a mind on its own, yesterday it worked on wireless P TTL mode on the K10D.

Metz 48 AF-1 is not available here, but 58 AF-1 is available. But this does not have the P/S Suffix meaning this may not work with Pentax cameras. The dealer claimed that this will work with the Pentax K10D, but the Metz website clearly says that only the Metz 58 AF-I P / S will work with K10D.

Thanks for your reply while I am trying to get the 48 AF-1 or the 58 AF-1 P/S.

Best Regards,
Kris

[mattdm]

Originally Posted by KRIS

Metz 48 AF-1 is not available here, but 58 AF-1 is available. But this does not have the P/S Suffix meaning this may not work with Pentax cameras. The dealer claimed that this will work with the Pentax K10D, but the Metz website clearly says that only the Metz 58 AF-I P / S will work with K10D.

Yeah, the web site is right, of course.

Any option of another dealer? The Metz 48 AF-1 is new, and the one you're talking to sounds a bit clueless, so I bet you really can get it from someone.

[KRIS]

Originally Posted by mattdm

Yeah, the web site is right, of course.

Any option of another dealer? The Metz 48 AF-1 is new, and the one you're talking to sounds a bit clueless, so I bet you really can get it from someone.

Thanks for your reply.
I have asked a friend of mine to check the availability in Thailand and Malaysia. Hope to get a reply tomorrow.
Thanks once again.
Kris