[Qwntm]

I figured out how to get much more reliable exposures from my K-5 and K-5iis and my Metz 58 AF 2 flash units. I set the Metz to the "A" mode and it works great. Exposures are spot on for the most part and no more random +4 EV blow outs. I don't care that it's not TTL, I only care that it works reliable and well! I mostly shoot flash stuff in Av mode so it makes it work particularly well.

[steve1307]

And "A" mode uses the light meter incorporated in the flash unit instead of the meter in the camera as in P-TTL mode

It's easy to fool the P-TTL meter if there's something reflective like a window pane or even a mirror in the background of the shot. Can you still get accurate metering in A mode in this situation?
BTW: I have a Metz 50 which does not have the A mode, only P-TTL and Manual

[c.a.m]

Thanks for reporting your experience. I also get consistent exposures with the K-5 in Av, the Metz 58 AF-2 in 'A' mode and mounted on the camera. Direct flash and bouncing both seem to work well. The Metz is a capable unit.

[Pheo]

I shall try this on my K30 and 58 AF1! Thanks!

[sebas77]

according my experience k5 and metz do not like each other in p-ttl mode, however k30 exposure works great! It is like using another (working) camera! I actually hoped that k5 II was using the same algorithm that k30 uses.

[fs999]

according to my experience there is no problem between K5 and Metz...

[tabl10s]

according to my experience there is no problem between K5 and Metz...

In which mode?

[tabl10s]

I figured out how to get much more reliable exposures from my K-5 and K-5iis and my Metz 58 AF 2 flash units. I set the Metz to the "A" mode and it works great. Exposures are spot on for the most part and no more random +4 EV blow outs. I don't care that it's not TTL, I only care that it works reliable and well! I mostly shoot flash stuff in Av mode so it makes it work particularly well.

Have you tried regular TTL?

[fs999]

P-TTL, HSS and M

[steve1307]

P-TTL, HSS and M

I suspect knowing exactly what you are doing, and using it properly might have something to do with this in your case.

I haven't had many problems with the Metz 50 with K-7 or K-5 in P-TTL but I'm the one that makes the mistakes. Eg reflecting off glass or accidentally using it for fill-in in too bright conditions using 1/180sec in EV15 is not so good. . thats what gives +5 EV blowouts

[Qwntm]

I suspect knowing exactly what you are doing, and using it properly might have something to do with this in your case.

I haven't had many problems with the Metz 50 with K-7 or K-5 in P-TTL but I'm the one that makes the mistakes. Eg reflecting off glass or accidentally using it for fill-in in too bright conditions using 1/180sec in EV15 is not so good. . thats what gives +5 EV blowouts

Yea, but I've noticed that in P mode and P-ttl, AND auto iso, the camera sometimes goes for some really crazy iso's, like 3200 in bright sunlight! There is a gremlin in there somewhere, but using the Metz set to A and using the sensor in the flash is much better than getting the odd and for no discernible reason +5 blow out. (Though it's probably some reflective thing or such.)

[steve1307]

Yea, but I've noticed that in P mode and P-ttl, AND auto iso, the camera sometimes goes for some really crazy iso's, like 3200 in bright sunlight! There is a gremlin in there somewhere, but using the Metz set to A and using the sensor in the flash is much better than getting the odd and for no discernible reason +5 blow out. (Though it's probably some reflective thing or such.)

My first rule of using flash is AutoISO OFF. Actually i leave AutoISO off all of the time.

I agree, I've found the A-mode on my Pentax AF540 it works well (the iso is fixed to what you set) my Metz 50 though doesn't do A-mode like the 58
i just did a basic lighting/flash course in my local area and tended to use M-mode in the flash, however that might be because many of the group bought or borrowed Yongnou.

[sebas77]

I have a metz 50 (If I remember corretly :P), I can use the auto mode. At first it seemed to work great for me, than I realized that was not the best solution in many situations. In P-ttl mode though the results are often not balanced, while the k30 manages the flash way better in most of the situations.

[PentaxLCM01]

Hi, All,

Greetings!

This is my first posting, so please be kind with me

I encountered the same problem using my k-5iis - sometimes it was ok, other times it was under-exposed, other times it was over-exposed and I kept on switching to A mode in order to make the 58AF-2 work

However, I read somewhere, someone (with the same issues as mine) tried to upgrade his firmware to latest version and was finally able to resolve his issue, despite the fact that the Metz website never mentions this issue as 1 of those that would be resolved.

I did the same (my Metz firmware was v2.0 before upgrade) and upgraded to v4.1. This resolved my issue with my k5-iis (firmware version 1.0) using the Metz 58AF-2. Even when I upgraded my k5-iis firmware to v1.04, the p-ttl of the Metz 58AF-2 still works well.

Now the new combo - K-5iis (firmware v1.04) and Metz 58AF-2 (firmware v4.1) works very well in P-TTL as well as in the other modes, including A mode.

Hope this helps!!!