Help! Need K-5 flash recommendation ASAP!

zoltan1983snapper · 12-02-2010, 11:47 AM

Hey all--

Through a strange series of events, I find myself with a paid (probably not much) gig photographing a friend for a fashion magazine. This Sunday. I have never used a flash in my life, and this will be an indoor shoot, using the K-5 and most likely the 77mm Limited and Pentax-A 50/1.4. I will bring along my 31 as well but may not use it.

I will need an inexpensive bounce flash that a total amateur could semi-master in a weekend, which I could also order next day from Amazon, ideally. It doesn't need to be powerful, this will just be for fill in an apartment. But some kind of simple auto mode would be nice. I will probably diffuse with a paper cup or coffee filter or something if necessary.

I considered going for the simple AF200FG and sticking a note card in front of it with a rubber band. Would this suffice? I will mostly be using natural light.

Thanks
John

Adam · 12-02-2010, 12:01 PM

The only issues with the 200 is that the head doesn't tilt. That's why I'd recommend the 360:
recommended gear- Pentax News & Rumors - PentaxForums.com

It's got a little more power; keep in mind that the 200 is barely more powerful than the built-in flash.

zoltan1983snapper · 12-02-2010, 12:10 PM

A mite pricey though...what about the Metz 36 AF-4? It has a tilt head, and is quite inexpensive.

Jasvox · 12-02-2010, 12:19 PM

Sounds like you never use a flash, otherwise you'd not be asking this question and would likely already have one to suit...can you rent one someplace?

Jason

zoltan1983snapper · 12-02-2010, 12:20 PM

Not in this town, no...no photo shops of any kind. it's true, I never use flash. But I can't say no to this fun little gig...

Urkeldaedalus · 12-02-2010, 12:29 PM

You could rent a flash from these guys:

CameraLensRentals.com - Pentax Bodies & Flashes Lens Rentals

zoltan1983snapper · 12-02-2010, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by Urkeldaedalus

You could rent a flash from these guys:

CameraLensRentals.com - Pentax Bodies & Flashes Lens Rentals

Hmm, I might, thanks for that...seems a shame to pay so much for next-day only to have to ship it back though...might be nice to own & mess around with a flash...I could get addicted.

nanok · 12-02-2010, 12:54 PM

you will need a lot more than a few hours of playing with a flash to do something useful with it. if you haven't used a flash before, and you're in a hurry, ditch the flash idea for now, use continuous light instead if you can (even window light will be easier to master than full flash lighting, you can use the onboard for minor fill flash purposes). auto mode is not what will help you here, understanding light is what you will need first. (so, i guess, my point is: the answer to your question is "no."

). if you do buy a flash, take your time chosing it, play a lot with it, read a lot (you can start with the strobist website), and have fun, but don't expect nice results on auto at first encounter.

(notice how i don't even go into a discussion about diffusers and so on. i didn't miss the question...

)

hope this helps

adamfogerty · 12-02-2010, 01:30 PM

I thought the super-high ISO & low-noise "1-2 combo" of the K-5 meant that flash was redundant now?

Even then, if your pics come out completely underexposed it's been shown on here that you can just push them 54309875430 billion stops in post and still get a decent picture.

Flashguns....sooooooooo last year

Adam

zoltan1983snapper · 12-02-2010, 03:47 PM

Well, I had to go out unexpectedly and missed the deadline for next day air. So natural light it is. nanok, thanks a lot...I do think I will make do without this weekend, then eventually invest in a good flash when I have time to learn to use it properly.

I'm bringing my M8 too, so let's see which rig delivers the goods.

freeload · 12-02-2010, 04:03 PM

Since you don't need it ASAP anymore, check eBay or other stores for a cheap,manual flash like YN-460 II or similar. Should be yours for $40-50 inc shipping. It's quite powerful, but manual - so you're in charge the whole time. and it's easy to use.

12-02-2010, 11:47 AM	#1
zoltan1983snapper Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 240	Help! Need K-5 flash recommendation ASAP! Hey all-- Through a strange series of events, I find myself with a paid (probably not much) gig photographing a friend for a fashion magazine. This Sunday. I have never used a flash in my life, and this will be an indoor shoot, using the K-5 and most likely the 77mm Limited and Pentax-A 50/1.4. I will bring along my 31 as well but may not use it. I will need an inexpensive bounce flash that a total amateur could semi-master in a weekend, which I could also order next day from Amazon, ideally. It doesn't need to be powerful, this will just be for fill in an apartment. But some kind of simple auto mode would be nice. I will probably diffuse with a paper cup or coffee filter or something if necessary. I considered going for the simple AF200FG and sticking a note card in front of it with a rubber band. Would this suffice? I will mostly be using natural light. Thanks John

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12-02-2010, 12:01 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	The only issues with the 200 is that the head doesn't tilt. That's why I'd recommend the 360: recommended gear- Pentax News & Rumors - PentaxForums.com It's got a little more power; keep in mind that the 200 is barely more powerful than the built-in flash.

12-02-2010, 12:10 PM	#3
zoltan1983snapper Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 240 Original Poster	A mite pricey though...what about the Metz 36 AF-4? It has a tilt head, and is quite inexpensive.

12-02-2010, 12:19 PM	#4
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	Sounds like you never use a flash, otherwise you'd not be asking this question and would likely already have one to suit...can you rent one someplace? Jason

12-02-2010, 12:20 PM	#5
zoltan1983snapper Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 240 Original Poster	Not in this town, no...no photo shops of any kind. it's true, I never use flash. But I can't say no to this fun little gig...

12-02-2010, 12:29 PM	#6
Urkeldaedalus Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Iowa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369	You could rent a flash from these guys: CameraLensRentals.com - Pentax Bodies & Flashes Lens Rentals

12-02-2010, 12:31 PM	#7
zoltan1983snapper Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 240 Original Poster	Originally posted by Urkeldaedalus You could rent a flash from these guys: CameraLensRentals.com - Pentax Bodies & Flashes Lens Rentals Hmm, I might, thanks for that...seems a shame to pay so much for next-day only to have to ship it back though...might be nice to own & mess around with a flash...I could get addicted.

12-02-2010, 12:54 PM	#8
nanok Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 969	you will need a lot more than a few hours of playing with a flash to do something useful with it. if you haven't used a flash before, and you're in a hurry, ditch the flash idea for now, use continuous light instead if you can (even window light will be easier to master than full flash lighting, you can use the onboard for minor fill flash purposes). auto mode is not what will help you here, understanding light is what you will need first. (so, i guess, my point is: the answer to your question is "no." ). if you do buy a flash, take your time chosing it, play a lot with it, read a lot (you can start with the strobist website), and have fun, but don't expect nice results on auto at first encounter. (notice how i don't even go into a discussion about diffusers and so on. i didn't miss the question... ) hope this helps

12-02-2010, 01:30 PM	#9
adamfogerty Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 47	I thought the super-high ISO & low-noise "1-2 combo" of the K-5 meant that flash was redundant now? Even then, if your pics come out completely underexposed it's been shown on here that you can just push them 54309875430 billion stops in post and still get a decent picture. Flashguns....sooooooooo last year Adam

12-02-2010, 03:47 PM	#10
zoltan1983snapper Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 240 Original Poster	Well, I had to go out unexpectedly and missed the deadline for next day air. So natural light it is. nanok, thanks a lot...I do think I will make do without this weekend, then eventually invest in a good flash when I have time to learn to use it properly. I'm bringing my M8 too, so let's see which rig delivers the goods.

12-02-2010, 04:03 PM	#11
freeload Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Norway Posts: 96	Since you don't need it ASAP anymore, check eBay or other stores for a cheap,manual flash like YN-460 II or similar. Should be yours for $40-50 inc shipping. It's quite powerful, but manual - so you're in charge the whole time. and it's easy to use.