Metz 48 AF1 + k20d

[vphotographic]

Here's my situation.

I want to use my metz on a tripod with umbrella and i dont want the pre flash to go off.

So what do i need to buy ?

I am thinking a flash adaptor for tripod with a pc sync socket so to use the sync socket on the k20d ?? would this work ??

What cable do i use to connect hte camera and flash.

Thanks

[Big Dave]

Measure the trigger voltage with the flash fully charge in manual. Connect the digital volt meter between the center shoe contact and the ground contact on the side of the shoe. It must be less then 30 volts for Pentax DSLR. I wouldn't use over ten volts my self. Cycle it and measure a few time to insure a good reading.

Dave

Originally Posted by vphotographic

Here's my situation.

I want to use my metz on a tripod with umbrella and i dont want the pre flash to go off.

So what do i need to buy ?

I am thinking a flash adaptor for tripod with a pc sync socket so to use the sync socket on the k20d ?? would this work ??

What cable do i use to connect hte camera and flash.

Thanks

[cmv]

Wireless:
$$$: Pocket Wizards
$$: Elicard/Alien Bees/? remote triggers
$: eBay 16 channel triggers from magic_trigger or gadgetinfinity (gadget_infinity?)

Wired:
PC-sync cable, hotshoe flash adapter (w/ pc-sync socket)

The $ wireless option will be close to the wired option but likely will not be as reliable. But it may be more convenient depending on how you work.

edit: I think Big Dave was pointing out how to test if there is a voltage issue with your flash and modern bodies but I believe the Metz 48 AF1 is relatively new and should not have any issue.

[phenri]

The Metz 48 AF-1 is indeed a modern flash, offering all P-TTL bells and whistles.

I have it, and its sibling the Metz 58 AF-1 and use them off camera, with an umbrella set on a camera tripod, mostly for family snaps. Some examples :

101051733 photo - phenri photos at pbase.com
101051730 photo - phenri photos at pbase.com
87601438 photo - phenri photos at pbase.com
87285686 photo - phenri photos at pbase.com

This is all with Cactus V2 triggers, which have been consistently reliable for my usage. Naturally, you have to use the flash in manual settings. As there is no connection between camera and flash, any flash offering manual settings can do, you do not need P-TTL units. However P-TTL off-camera is a nice thing to have too, I've used often when in vacation, for example here with the 58 :

96802371 photo - phenri photos at pbase.com

I also on some rare occasions have used the Metz 58 in P-TTL wireless mode with an umbrella, where the controller was the onboard flash. However in my experience there were too many misfires, as there must be a direct line between the onboard flash and the slave unit, and I found using the Cactus V2 wireless triggers much more reliable.

[vphotographic]

hi

can i ask where you got your cactus v2 as i have seen some from gadgetinfinity on ebay (cactus v2s) for a very good price.

Thanks

Paul

[phenri]

Hi, yes I bought it from Gadget Infinity, this is the one I got: item 350078556321

Nice thing is that it now comes with a free flash stand.

[vphotographic]

Thanks

they look good to me hope there is no import duty as i live in the uk.

Ill have to look at some cheap flashes too and stands and umbrellas. Any advice would be great.

Ill use my metz for now though.

paul

[phenri]

There wont be an import duty into the UK (or EC, which the UK is part of), as the total price is below 50 €.

You should be able to find umbrellas for as cheap as 25 €. A camera tripod will make a good umbrella stand, I use my Velbon that way without its head, and for travelling I just fold the umbrella with the Velbon in the bag that came with the tripod. It all makes a nice portable studio.

You will need an adapter though, such as this Manfrotto, which I have:
Flitsen Accessoires>Manfrotto>0>Manfrotto 026 Lite Tite Swivel + Umbrella Adapter

... or a cheaper ebay plastic version such as this one, again at Gadget Infinity :

Umbrella swivel for studio photography on eBay

[cupic]

With the Metz AF1 I take it would suit the K10D?


anyone


cheers

[phenri]

Originally Posted by cupic

With the Metz AF1 I take it would suit the K10D?

I have the Metz AF-1 48 & 58 for Pentax and they both work well with our K10Ds, if that was your question.

[cupic]

Thanks for that as I thought buying the 58 would have been overkill


cheers

[phenri]

You can see the Metz AF-1 58 as an equivalent of the Sigma 530 Super or the Pentax 540. If you just want to do wireless à la strobist, then you just need one of the newly issued Vivistar 285, it's much cheaper but it's manual mode only.