Is the k200d compatible with TTL flashes?

ChomickiP · 12-27-2008, 11:46 PM

My k200d will be arriving in the mail shortly, and just recently, I've found my dad's old Vivitar 730 AF, which is a TTL flash that he used on his Pentax XZ-7. My question is, is it safe/ will it work on the k200d? if so, are there any limitations or features that I'll be missing out on?

Mike Cash · 12-28-2008, 12:50 AM

The flash trigger voltage looks alright so it should be safe to use. The K200D uses P-TTL.....which is not TTL. Two different things entirely. If the flash has an auto mode or allows for manual power settings you should be able to use it that way. But forget about TTL.

ChomickiP · 12-28-2008, 11:14 AM

heres a picture of the rear of the flash, if it will help determine what functionality ill get from it.
on the front on the flash, all there is, is an IR sensor.

mattdm · 12-28-2008, 11:52 AM

Looks like there's no manual control, so it will either a) only fire at full power or b) not fire at all.

Erik · 12-28-2008, 11:55 AM

The last Pentax SLR that supported TTL flash was the *ist D.

ChomickiP · 12-28-2008, 12:06 PM

thanks guys, this is a pretty awesome forum filled with really helpful people.
looks like the metz 48 or pentax 360 is gunna be on my list of things to buy soon

Andreas · 12-28-2008, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Erik

The last Pentax SLR that supported TTL flash was the *ist D.

And how about the Ds?

Erik · 12-28-2008, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Andreas

And how about the Ds?

Okay, sorry. The DS and DS2 as well, apparently!

ChomickiP · 12-31-2008, 02:41 PM

the flash shoots at full power, no matter what. but i've been trying it out with my camera in manual mode, adapting the shutter speed and aperture to the flash.. things have been turning out pretty good

*séamuis* · 12-31-2008, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by ChomickiP

the flash shoots at full power, no matter what. but i've been trying it out with my camera in manual mode, adapting the shutter speed and aperture to the flash.. things have been turning out pretty good

you should be able to adjust the aperture and shutter speed to get proper exposure. I believe the flash sync speed is 180th sec? if you use that speed and a small aperture like f16/22 you should get decent results. of course this is extremely limiting in what you can do with the flash. in essence you'd have far more options with the pop-up flash. I would suggest the AF360/540 or the metz. I would also suggest one of the older Pentax flashes where you can manually adjust them. I have an AF280T though I rarely use it.

ChomickiP · 12-31-2008, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by séamuis

you should be able to adjust the aperture and shutter speed to get proper exposure. I believe the flash sync speed is 180th sec? if you use that speed and a small aperture like f16/22 you should get decent results. of course this is extremely limiting in what you can do with the flash. in essence you'd have far more options with the pop-up flash. I would suggest the AF360/540 or the metz. I would also suggest one of the older Pentax flashes where you can manually adjust them. I have an AF280T though I rarely use it.

i realize that i'm limited now in terms of what i can do, but i'm also limited in terms of financial assets. this thing works really well as a fill flash, and it bounces, which the pop-up flash can't really do.

*séamuis* · 12-31-2008, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by ChomickiP

i realize that i'm limited now in terms of what i can do, but i'm also limited in terms of financial assets. this thing works really well as a fill flash, and it bounces, which the pop-up flash can't really do.

I hadnt thought about the bounce swivel. that's more than enough reason to use it I suppose, but if funds are an issue I would suggest an older pentax flash over the 360/540. though the 360 can be had relatively cheap nowadays.

*graphicgr8s* · 12-31-2008, 10:35 PM

What about the low/high switch? That should give you a little more leeway. And what is that right above the "meter" scale? Is it a slider?
And even though the camera can synch at 1/180 aren't the old flashes designed for 1/60? I know with my Pentax AF400t it is more consistent at 1/60.

Post a shot of the other side.