'Wireless Flash' question again.

NLAlston · 12-27-2007, 07:05 PM

I had touched on the problem I am having with wireless flash operation (540 on the K10D), but I would like to, now, ask a little something different regarding something that I read in my K10D's user manual. I do not have the manual before me, at present, but I think that the information I am about to speak on is located on page 181. On that page, there were instructions laid out on how to travel the 'wireless flash operation' route. Now, I don't know if I misinterpreted wrongly, but those instructions made more than one mention about wireless operation with two external flash units. I wonder if my having just one external flash unit is the reason why I haven't been able to get my flash to fire 'off camera'. If that isn't to be the case, then there is something definitely wrong with my 540 - because I have done everything that the unit's (540) user guide had laid out, for wireless operation - but all to no avail.

RBellavance · 12-27-2007, 07:10 PM

Have you updated your K10D's firmware from its original v1.00 ? Wireless control via the built-in flash was only made functional with firmware 1.10 (and later).

NLAlston · 12-27-2007, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by RBellavance

Have you updated your K10D's firmware from its original v1.00 ? Wireless control via the built-in flash was only made functional with firmware 1.10 (and later).

Yes indeed. I don't know what the current firmware version might be, but I do know that I have (at least) version 1.10.

AVANT · 12-27-2007, 07:19 PM

Beat me to the answer. Are the units on the same channel? Can you verify that it's not firmware 1.00 for us?

OniFactor · 12-27-2007, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by NLAlston

Yes indeed. I don't know what the current firmware version might be, but I do know that I have (at least) version 1.10.

1.) are they same channel

2.) is the flash in the correct position for wireless?

3.) is the pop-up flash up?

some basics that can easily be overlooked..

*tranq78* · 12-27-2007, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by OniFactor

1.) are they same channel

2.) is the flash in the correct position for wireless?

3.) is the pop-up flash up?

some basics that can easily be overlooked..

Also take a close look at the on/off switch of your flash. The "off" position is to the left. The "on" position is to the right. But there is a middle position which is neither on or off. You need to set it to this middle position in order to activate the wireless functions of the flash.

egordon99 · 12-28-2007, 06:34 AM

Also make sure the flash mode on the K10D is set to WIRELESS (Function button, down arrow, scroll to the little lightning icon with the W, OK), then you need to pop-up the flash with the flash button.
Remember, you can set the pop-up to be either be just a signal for the external, or a signal AND fire during exposure (it's in the K10D's custom settings)

Good luck!

NLAlston · 12-29-2007, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by tranq78

Also take a close look at the on/off switch of your flash. The "off" position is to the left. The "on" position is to the right. But there is a middle position which is neither on or off. You need to set it to this middle position in order to activate the wireless functions of the flash.

I appreciate the input of everyone who came to my aid, in this matter. One thing that I had been doing wrong was choosing the "Slave" setting, on the 540's mid-position power switch setting - then moving the lever to the "On" position. Pushing it back to the mid-position setting is what cured me of those ills. I can indeed go wireless now

. Thanks again.

newguy · 01-02-2008, 07:04 AM

Any one have an idea why after upgrading my K10D to the latest firmware the 'W' for wireless in the Fn menu is grayed-out? There was no 'W' at all with the original firmware--now I have the option but it can not be selected.

Thanks!

egordon99 · 01-02-2008, 07:11 AM

hmmmmm, not sure. Are you in the "Green" mode? Perhaps you can't select that outside of the creative modes (P/M/Av/Tv/TAv/Sv). Is the flash popped up? Weird....Hope you can figure it out!

newguy · 01-02-2008, 09:03 AM

I've tried every mode. The option shows up in every mode except green. It is not
selectable in any of them though. The flash being up or down does not make any
difference. The firmware reports as version 1.3.

Thanks for the reply!

nosnoop · 01-02-2008, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by newguy

Any one have an idea why after upgrading my K10D to the latest firmware the 'W' for wireless in the Fn menu is grayed-out?

What lens are you using? It does not work with manual lens or without a lens.
Try dismounting and mounting the lens, and cleaning the contacts.

newguy · 01-02-2008, 11:12 AM

The lens is a DA. It is the 'kit' lens, Pentax 18 - 55. I did try cleaning the contacts but that did not help. Maybe I should down-grade to 1.1. Is any one using 1.3?

Thanks!

pentkon52 · 01-02-2008, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by newguy

The lens is a DA. It is the 'kit' lens, Pentax 18 - 55. I did try cleaning the contacts but that did not help. Maybe I should down-grade to 1.1. Is any one using 1.3?

Thanks!

I am and no problems with seeing the W settings in the Fn menu. Maybe redo the firmware version.

Dave

stewart_photo · 01-02-2008, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by newguy

(snip) Maybe I should down-grade to 1.1. Is any one using 1.3?

Because of the risks associated with installing firmware, updates (up or down) should never be considered a casual thing to try in a quest for solutions to minor problems. Instead, updates should only be done when there is a clear reason for doing so, which is not the case in your situation since version 1.3 includes everything in the version 1.1 update. As an alternative, I suggest resetting the camera to remove any menu changes made which could be preventing the wireless option. Also note firmware update v1.1 made significant changes to the way wireless works, one of those being the removal of high-speed sync as an option (see PDF included with that update).

stewart