Pentax TR Power Pack III for AF-540 FGZ Flash

[Wethphotography]

Does anyone have any experience with this item? The promotional info says that, "The Pentax TR Power Pack III is an external power pack for the AF-540 FGZ flash. It runs on six "C" cell batteries, and will significantly increase the flash capacity and decrease the recycling time of the flash. "
Is the difference in performance substantial enough to justify the $150.00 price tag? When I photograph events, there are times I wish the AF 540 would recycle more quickly. The specs for the Power Pack claim a recycle time of 4.5 seconds vs. the 6 claimed for the 540 FGZ with fresh batteries. That doesn't seem like a big improvement, but then a second seems like an eternity when you are holding a group for a photo while you wait for the flash to recycle.
I also always carry extra AA batteries with me, which of course are smaller to carry than 6 "C". The Power Pack III claims 700 shots per set of batteries...does anyone know how many they get from the 540 with fresh AA batteries? I have never counted
Any light anyone can shed () on this accessory and how useful they have found, it would be appreciated. Again, I would be using it for event photography. And to date I have never had a problem with running out of battery power on the 540 (I bring extra batteries)...only hoping for faster recycle time. Does this item deliver for the price it costs? Many thanks in advance.

[Jun Park]

Originally Posted by Wethphotography

Does anyone have any experience with this item? The promotional info says that, "The Pentax TR Power Pack III is an external power pack for the AF-540 FGZ flash. It runs on six "C" cell batteries, and will significantly increase the flash capacity and decrease the recycling time of the flash. "
Is the difference in performance substantial enough to justify the $150.00 price tag? When I photograph events, there are times I wish the AF 540 would recycle more quickly. The specs for the Power Pack claim a recycle time of 4.5 seconds vs. the 6 claimed for the 540 FGZ with fresh batteries. That doesn't seem like a big improvement, but then a second seems like an eternity when you are holding a group for a photo while you wait for the flash to recycle.
I also always carry extra AA batteries with me, which of course are smaller to carry than 6 "C". The Power Pack III claims 700 shots per set of batteries...does anyone know how many they get from the 540 with fresh AA batteries? I have never counted
Any light anyone can shed () on this accessory and how useful they have found, it would be appreciated. Again, I would be using it for event photography. And to date I have never had a problem with running out of battery power on the 540 (I bring extra batteries)...only hoping for faster recycle time. Does this item deliver for the price it costs? Many thanks in advance.

Hi, Erl. I had a similar question a few months ago, before wedding season. I was considering taking the plunge and spending a big chunk of change on a Quantum or Metz handle mount setup but I ended up getting the 540 FGZ with the TR III battery pack. Now here's the disclaimer: my 540 is currently at Pentax USA because it is stuck on one of my K10D bodies so I can't do any tests for you at the moment. All of my comments are based on my (imperfect) memory so take them with a grain of salt... Now, with the legal disclaimers out of the way, I remember the 540 taking about 5-ish seconds to recycle from a full power pop using lithium or rechargeable AA's and the recycle time started to increase noticeably after 100-150 full power pops. With the TR III battery pack, the recycle time dropped to closer to 3-ish seconds and the recycle time started to increase after about 200 or so full power pops using alkaline C's. I just got 2 sets (a dozen total) rechargeable C's but I haven't had a chance to test the longevity of the NiMH C's versus alkaline C's. I have another event at the end of October so if I get the 540 back for that event, I'll keep an eye on the performance of the rechargeables compared to alkalines. And yes, I know Pentax does not recommend the use of rechargeables for the TR III pack but I'm willing to take the chance... ;-)

So, cutting through all the garbage I just said, I think the TR III pack does shorten the recycle time by a noticeable margin and provides a few more shots until it starts to weaken (using alkalines). I hope this helps.

[Wethphotography]

Originally Posted by Jun Park

So, cutting through all the garbage I just said, I think the TR III pack does shorten the recycle time by a noticeable margin and provides a few more shots until it starts to weaken (using alkalines). I hope this helps.

Jun,
Thanks for your response. It was helpful and I appreciate your taking the time to answer my question so thoroughly. It sounds like to find the TR III a useful accessory. Thanks again.

[barondla]

Have never seen the unit. It should recycle faster since 6 batteries have more voltage than 4. The only bummer is they don't make lithiums in c size (aa and aaa only) and the rechargeables may not be hybrids like the Sanyo Eneloops. So they will go down faster when just sitting.
thanks
barondla

[jfdavis58]

I have the PowerPack and my flash works just fine-not stuck or off for service. And I've commented or answered this at least once before on this forum.

The greater utility is almost exclusively in providing a much higher number of flashes (vs "AA" batteries). The increase in recycle speed is nearly insignificant (4.5 sec vs 6(ish) seconds). Overall it is similar in shape and capacity functionality to it's 500flash counterpart but not interchangeable; that unit does offer a quicker recycle!

The 540 (or the Pac) has a limiter circuit to prevent 'flash' charging, i.e. charging the main discharge capacitor in a short(er) time frame. "AA" batteries are still needed to power all the ancilliary flash functions--the powerpack only charges the main capacitor. This limiter circuit is vital to the health of the flash as most foolishly attempt to pop the flash as fast and as frequently as possible~severe overheating, possible fire.

The Power pack provides an 'AC' like 330-360(ish) output voltage; i.e. the Pac contains it's own charging oscillator circuit so it hums like a flash. This is, i.e. it's specs, proprietry hence the exclusivity. It also has a potential for severe electrical shock to experimenters.

Actual capacity increases are variable; the 540 (& the 500) are 'ttl' flashes: power output varies relative to sensed requirements. While shooting court sports (volleyball, basketball, tennis) 300-450 flashed frames per event-varying distance; the difference is something like one to two set(s) of AA's per game to one set of each "AA's" & "C's" per 8-10 games (YMMV).

Originally Posted by Wethphotography

Does anyone have any experience with this item? The promotional info says that, "The Pentax TR Power Pack III is an external power pack for the AF-540 FGZ flash. It runs on six "C" cell batteries, and will significantly increase the flash capacity and decrease the recycling time of the flash. "
Is the difference in performance substantial enough to justify the $150.00 price tag? When I photograph events, there are times I wish the AF 540 would recycle more quickly. The specs for the Power Pack claim a recycle time of 4.5 seconds vs. the 6 claimed for the 540 FGZ with fresh batteries. That doesn't seem like a big improvement, but then a second seems like an eternity when you are holding a group for a photo while you wait for the flash to recycle.
I also always carry extra AA batteries with me, which of course are smaller to carry than 6 "C". The Power Pack III claims 700 shots per set of batteries...does anyone know how many they get from the 540 with fresh AA batteries? I have never counted
Any light anyone can shed () on this accessory and how useful they have found, it would be appreciated. Again, I would be using it for event photography. And to date I have never had a problem with running out of battery power on the 540 (I bring extra batteries)...only hoping for faster recycle time. Does this item deliver for the price it costs? Many thanks in advance.

[Jun Park]

Originally Posted by jfdavis58

I have the PowerPack and my flash works just fine-not stuck or off for service. And I've commented or answered this at least once before on this forum.

The greater utility is almost exclusively in providing a much higher number of flashes (vs "AA" batteries). The increase in recycle speed is nearly insignificant (4.5 sec vs 6(ish) seconds). Overall it is similar in shape and capacity functionality to it's 500flash counterpart but not interchangeable; that unit does offer a quicker recycle!

The 540 (or the Pac) has a limiter circuit to prevent 'flash' charging, i.e. charging the main discharge capacitor in a short(er) time frame. "AA" batteries are still needed to power all the ancilliary flash functions--the powerpack only charges the main capacitor. This limiter circuit is vital to the health of the flash as most foolishly attempt to pop the flash as fast and as frequently as possible~severe overheating, possible fire.

The Power pack provides an 'AC' like 330-360(ish) output voltage; i.e. the Pac contains it's own charging oscillator circuit so it hums like a flash. This is, i.e. it's specs, proprietry hence the exclusivity. It also has a potential for severe electrical shock to experimenters.

Actual capacity increases are variable; the 540 (& the 500) are 'ttl' flashes: power output varies relative to sensed requirements. While shooting court sports (volleyball, basketball, tennis) 300-450 flashed frames per event-varying distance; the difference is something like one to two set(s) of AA's per game to one set of each "AA's" & "C's" per 8-10 games (YMMV).

Hi, John. It sounds like you're much more familiar with the internal workings of the 540 and TR III power pack so I'd like to hear your take on Pentax's warning against the use of rechargeable batteries in the TR III. Is there a true safety concern or is the concern more with product longevity? If there is a safety concern, I obviously won't use them despite my $40+ investment in NiMH C cells! But if it's a concern with the longevity of the 540 or TR III pack, I'm going to use the rechargeables because the flash and TR III just tools that are expendable. (And the only disagreement you'll get from me is that 2-ish seconds between recycles is significant, especially if you have several people holding a pose while you wait for the flash!)

Thanks for the additional information, John.

[jfdavis58]

The discharge characteristic of rechargebles is not compatible with the current requirements of the PowerPac. Outgassing of toxic fumes, leakage of chemcals and the possibility of fire or explosion exist. While the danger to the equipment is very real, the danger to the operator and bystanders is also significant!

[PC_pentax]

Originally Posted by Jun Park

So, cutting through all the garbage I just said, I think the TR III pack does shorten the recycle time by a noticeable margin and provides a few more shots until it starts to weaken (using alkalines). I hope this helps.

I'd have to agree here. I bought one this past summer for a celeb event I was hired to cover. I picked it up on a whim hoping it might help me survive the 300+ attendees as the only photog on site.

While toting around 6 extra C batteries on my waistline wasn't lightweight by any stretch, the recycle time I had was fast and I didn't miss a shot. IIRC, I changed out the batteries after 800 or so shots and finished the event without a hitch.

If you're going to do a lot of event shoots, I'd recommend it.

[jfdavis58]

Well, that's just jolly.

Before we get everyone here thinking the PowerPac is some sort of miracle, let's think things through.

The normal 540 recycle time, for fresh from the factory "AA"s is about 4.5 seconds. Pop the flash a half dozen times and it's very quickly down to/up to 6 seconds. It stays at about 6 seconds for quite some time (300+ flashes under the right conditions). Then as the batteries near depletion the recycle time jumps significantly--8, then 10, then 12 seconds and longer. I replace anytime I can count to 10 slowly and it still isn't good to go; call it 15 seconds, but I'm not very precise.

Long recycle times are hard on the equipment (heat); and at some point there just isn't enough juice to get-er-done. Moral: find your own happy medium; just don't try for every last erg.

But recycle time doesn't depend entirely on battery power remaining. In fact recycle time is much more heavily influenced by how big a POP the flash just delivered. The times above, those in the manual--they're all for a full POP, i.e. complete discharge of the flash capacitor, and a complete recharge.

If you are just using the flash to knock down mild shadows in otherwise decent light, if you're POPing for subjects close to the camera; or you're doing the contrast control thing or maybe you're in manual mode and using only a fractional POP, the flash isn't fully discharging. It may, in fact be nearly instantaneous if it's got fresh batteries and the previous POP was as much as 1/4 power.

But the circuit is size limited to 4.5-6 seconds for a full flash/full recycle and that's just physics. For a partial recharge the time may be one second or one-half, or three---the rate is still 4.5-6 seconds--just not as far to go!

There is ALSO a warning about speedy consecutive POP's (in the manual), it's good advice.

Originally Posted by PC_pentax

I'd have to agree here. I bought one this past summer for a celeb event I was hired to cover. I picked it up on a whim hoping it might help me survive the 300+ attendees as the only photog on site.

While toting around 6 extra C batteries on my waistline wasn't lightweight by any stretch, the recycle time I had was fast and I didn't miss a shot. IIRC, I changed out the batteries after 800 or so shots and finished the event without a hitch.

If you're going to do a lot of event shoots, I'd recommend it.

[anomaly]

How many shots do you get off of NiMH batteries? And what recycle time?

I see that BH suggests them?