Flash for Pentax K-30?

[Massao]

Hi,

I'm new to Pentax DSLR system, and just got a mint condition K-30 for pennies, so though of asking the experienced Pentax users here about the compatible flashes available for K-30? I'm only interested in those that work with TTL.

Thanks

Massao

 

[KPM2]

Hello Massao

There are lot's of used old Pentax 360 FGZ, Pentax 540 FGZ, Metz 58 AF-1 avaible on E-Bay.

You will get for sure good recommendations here, but I personally will mention an other point.

For me, flash pictures are so nice to make with the cameras we have now, and I am sure you will like your K-30 also for this.

But there is a point, a lot flash users do not count in: a flash is a lightsource like the sun. You call it it's colour temperature. Now with your K-30 you can do wonderful indoorpictures, where you use the natural illumination mood of the room (like from a lamp) and add only a little flashlight to it, or where you only add in some areas of the room the flash light. And than the trouble is there: the room looks yellow, where it was illuminatet by the lamp and ok where the flash did illuminated it, or the room looks ok but the area where the flash do illuminated it, looks with a blue caste. To avoid that you match your flash to the existing colour temperature of the existing light sources via a colour foil. Such foils are nowaday so cheep and easy to get....for the case, you do not already have and use such foils, get one of such foil sets for your flash and you will enjoy, that flash pictures can have such a nice mood for situation above.

I wish you much fun with your K-30

best regards. KPM2

 

[ddharriman]

Hello

My advice: Yongnuo YN585EX.

It’s cheap and good.

Best regards,

 

[Oiche]

Hi,

I'm new to Pentax DSLR system, and just got a mint condition K-30 for pennies, so though of asking the experienced Pentax users here about the compatible flashes available for K-30? I'm only interested in those that work with TTL.

Thanks

Massao

I bought a Metz 50 AF-1 for my K-30, works great, especially useful as the K-30 has the wireless flash controller.

Upgraded to K-70 which doesn't have the wireless controller but the flash works perfectly otherwise.

Metz are excellent flashes.

 

[Massao]

Hi,

Many thanks. Ok, I will search for flashes. I was just a bit confused because it seems some non OEM flashes don't work with some Pantax cameras (all functions including P-TTL) .

Here, in Norway, I found these flashes for sale:

Sigma EF-610 DG Super

Sigma EF 530 DG Super

Metz 44 AF-1

So, not sure about which of these (if any) will work on my K-30?

Regarding foild, you are absolutely correct My primary use is taking pictures of my child. So, a big setup isn't suitable. Just one powerful flash bounced off ceiling, and a 50mm 1.4 or 1.8 AF lens is pretty much all I use For videos, I use my Samsung NX camera with 18-200 lens because it has negligible focusing sound, and has optical stabilization.

Thanks for your input

Massao

 

[Massao]

Thanks Does it work with P-TTL on K-30?

 

[Massao]

Thanks. Ok, I'll look out for Metz 50 AF-1

 

[Massao]

Here, in Norway, I found these flashes for sale:

Sigma EF-610 DG Super

Sigma EF 530 DG Super

Metz 44 AF-1

I’ve been reading on internet about the issues with Sigma flashes. It seems I should avoid Sigma because they cannot be updated by users, so If I buy a better Pentax DSLR in future, it is possible that Sigma flash wouldn’t work.

On the other hand, Metz can be updated by users, so no matter how old the flash unit is (released with P-TTL for DSLRS), it can be updated for future Pentax cameras.

Please correct if I am wrong

 

[KPM2]

Hello Massao

Here, in Norway, I found these flashes for sale:

Sigma EF-610 DG Super

Sigma EF 530 DG Super

Metz 44 AF-1

I’ve been reading on internet about the issues with Sigma flashes. It seems I should avoid Sigma because they cannot be updated by users, so If I buy a better Pentax DSLR in future, it is possible that Sigma flash wouldn’t work.

On the other hand, Metz can be updated by users, so no matter how old the flash unit is (released with P-TTL for DSLRS), it can be updated for future Pentax cameras.

Please correct if I am wrong

I did never had a Sigma flash, but I know that you can send in your flash to Sigma and you get on this way your flash up to date, if possible.

With a Metz flash you can do that for yourself, when:

- the flash has a USB interface ( new Metz flash have it, but always check that)

- Metz do publish a software update for your (than) elder flash.

- Pentax do not change too much in the flash protocol, so that an elder flash can get via a software update up to date to this new generation cameras.

Some flash (also some Metz flashes) do not fully support all the flash functions, a Pentax camera can has.

The restrictions are often find in the wireless use of the flash:

- some flash do not have a wireless P-TTL HSS mode ( or even have no HSS mode in generally)

-some flash can only act as a slave in the wireless mode, but not as a master or controller (on the hot shoe)

BTW: I love to use a flash when I take pictures of my children at home .... and use a foil when needed :-D

When I bounce the flash, it can happens that under the eyes, you get some shadows, so maybe look at a flash, which has a built in bounce card. Via this little built in bounce card you send a little direct light to the face and that soften and illuminate a little the shadow lines, you get via the bounced main flash. My Metz 58 AF-1 has a second flash tube, so that I can do send this direct light via this second flash tube, meanwhile the main flash is bounced, but not straight...and maybe a little to the side, so that the use of a bounce card is not possible, because it looked not direct to the face than.



Ok, I did also played with a bleach bypass in PP here.

best regards KPM2

 

[Massao]

Hello Massao

Here, in Norway, I found these flashes for sale:

Sigma EF-610 DG Super

Sigma EF 530 DG Super

Metz 44 AF-1

I’ve been reading on internet about the issues with Sigma flashes. It seems I should avoid Sigma because they cannot be updated by users, so If I buy a better Pentax DSLR in future, it is possible that Sigma flash wouldn’t work.

On the other hand, Metz can be updated by users, so no matter how old the flash unit is (released with P-TTL for DSLRS), it can be updated for future Pentax cameras.

Please correct if I am wrong

I did never had a Sigma flash, but I know that you can send in your flash to Sigma and you get on this way your flash up to date, if possible.

With a Metz flash you can do that for yourself, when:

- the flash has a USB interface ( new Metz flash have it, but always check that)

- Metz do publish a software update for your (than) elder flash.

- Pentax do not change too much in the flash protocol, so that an elder flash can get via a software update up to date to this new generation cameras.

Some flash (also some Metz flashes) do not fully support all the flash functions, a Pentax camera can has.

The restrictions are often find in the wireless use of the flash:

- some flash do not have a wireless P-TTL HSS mode ( or even have no HSS mode in generally)

-some flash can only act as a slave in the wireless mode, but not as a master or controller (on the hot shoe)

BTW: I love to use a flash when I take pictures of my children at home .... and use a foil when needed :-D

When I bounce the flash, it can happens that under the eyes, you get some shadows, so maybe look at a flash, which has a built in bounce card. Via this little built in bounce card you send a little direct light to the face and that soften and illuminate a little the shadow lines, you get via the bounced main flash. My Metz 58 AF-1 has a second flash tube, so that I can do send this direct light via this second flash tube, meanwhile the main flash is bounced, but not straight...and maybe a little to the side, so that the use of a bounce card is not possible, because it looked not direct to the face than.

Ok, I did also played with a bleach bypass in PP here.

best regards KPM2

Many thanks for the detailed explanation; this is very helpful and beautiful image of your child.

Kind regards,

Massao

 

[Massao]

Hello Massao

Here, in Norway, I found these flashes for sale:

Sigma EF-610 DG Super

Sigma EF 530 DG Super

Metz 44 AF-1

With a Metz flash you can do that for yourself, when:

- the flash has a USB interface ( new Metz flash have it, but always check that)

I just bought the Metz 44 AF-1 (for Pentax) then. It has a USB interface (I have the same on my Samsung, so I checked

I will update after I receive and try it on my K-30. Many thanks to everyone for their inputs.

Kind regards,

Massao

 

[ddharriman]

Yes.

You can get more info about here, per example, here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums...91-yongnuo-yn585ex-wireless-camera-flash.html

 

[KPM2]

Hello ddharriman

Yes.

You can get more info about here, per example, here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums...91-yongnuo-yn585ex-wireless-camera-flash.html

I saw that you do post there. About the K1: I had a talk with a Metz service man, and he told me that the K1 do have a kind of two flash protocols, one in the FF mode and one in the crop mode, which use a protocol like for example a K3. He sad, try your flash in the K1 crop mode, than it can do works. In my case, I asked about the Metz 45 CL-4 digital, which do not work in the FF mode of the K1. Maybe, (when it is not already solved) the yongnuo-yn585ex would also work in the crop mode of the K1.

In prinzipal, the diffent in this protocols is the info about FF or not. You have to set the zoom position in an other way when you use a FF mode. Elder flash (or flashes for the APS-C generation) do not expect this additional info and the protocol comunication do crash. For example the Metz SCA-system flashes would need a new hardware of the SCA-untit for that changes, but Metz will not develop a new hardware for the elder SCA-system.

best regards. KPM2

 

[ddharriman]

Hello KPM2

Thank you for the info relating to the K1 and the Metz flash(s).

Several discussions in the “other website” have been posted relating the K1 and the Metz problems.

I do not have a K1, so no problems with Yongnuo YN585EX at all.

Still, if one reads the next posts in the “discussion” I posted, one can see that the zoom problem in the K1 (full frame mode) was resolved but upgrading the firmware of the flash.

Best regards,

 

[KPM2]

Hello again ddharriman

Hello KPM2

Thank you for the info relating to the K1 and the Metz flash(s).

Several discussions in the “other website” have been posted relating the K1 and the Metz problems.

I do not have a K1, so no problems with Yongnuo YN585EX at all.

Still, if one reads the next posts in the “discussion” I posted, one can see that the zoom problem in the K1 (full frame mode) was resolved but upgrading the firmware of the flash.

Best regards,

For to be not missleading: I wrote about the old SCA-System Metz flashes. My in the meantime also old brand system Metz flash, the 58 AF-1 got a software updat simple via the USB interface and works of cause also now with my K1 in all modes.

best regards KPM2

 

[ddharriman]

Thank you for the clarification.

Best regards,

 

[puttin]

Hello

My advice: Yongnuo YN585EX.

It’s cheap and good.

Best regards,

Agreed, that is what I use.

 

[Oiche]

Thanks. Ok, I'll look out for Metz 50 AF-1

There are newer versions too, what is great about the Metz is that you can plug them into a computer via USB to update the firmware. The 50 AF-1 is maybe 10 years old but Metz updated the firmware so it even works on the K-1.

It depends what strength of flash you need, 50 is pretty powerful, a 44 is strong too.

The 50 AF-1 always gave me great exposures on the K-30 and the fact I could place the flash elsewhere made it a great system. I'll need to buy remote triggers to use the remote function with the K-70, yes Pentax took out the wireless trigger, don't know why????

You need to buy a Pentax specific Metz and they are made in Germany if that helps.

 

[Massao]

Thanks. Ok, I'll look out for Metz 50 AF-1

There are newer versions too, what is great about the Metz is that you can plug them into a computer via USB to update the firmware. The 50 AF-1 is maybe 10 years old but Metz updated the firmware so it even works on the K-1.

It depends what strength of flash you need, 50 is pretty powerful, a 44 is strong too.

The 50 AF-1 always gave me great exposures on the K-30 and the fact I could place the flash elsewhere made it a great system. I'll need to buy remote triggers to use the remote function with the K-70, yes Pentax took out the wireless trigger, don't know why????

You need to buy a Pentax specific Metz and they are made in Germany if that helps.

Many thanks. Indeed, the ability to update a Metz flash is really helpful, and it also means you never lose all the money on the flash if you plan to plan to sell it later for a stronger flash

 

[Richard the picture man]

Vivitar 285 can still be found second hand, it is nearly as old as the hills, is powerful, reliable and very controllable. BUT. make sure you get one with low trigger voltage otherwise you will fry your camera electronics.