K-5: P-TTL External FLASH overexposure

treebeard · 10-17-2012, 05:26 AM

I use a Metz 44 A-1 and I usually use Av mode or X mode on my K-5 and set the Metz to TTL or M mode. I still have not decided which method I prefer, I guess it depends on the lighting situation. Sometimes I get overexposure but it's not really that much and it happens usually when I have a drastic change in the lighting from one room to the next. I shoot in some places where I am amazed the camera can even focus. Most of the time I end up putting the Metz in M mode and it works great. I guess I would consider it a minor inconvenience?

gflauti · 10-17-2012, 07:09 AM

I agree, Manual MODE work well and displayed distance is coherent with flash Power!

It is strange, but if I change the Flash Power in Manual MODE, until the displayed distance is the same of the subject distance, the exposure is correct!

--> Flash is able to estimate the flash distance depending on Aperture, ISO and Focal length properly --> p-ttl correction is WRONG!

westmill · 10-17-2012, 07:38 AM

No matter what mode you use... exposures are all over the place. Try setting as I said.. it works, period lol. Do not miss the HSS bit !!!! Set the metz to PTTL HSS !
Turn off your auto correction... Bingo.... yer in buisness lol.

gflauti · 10-17-2012, 01:56 PM

Originally posted by westmill

No matter what mode you use... exposures are all over the place. Try setting as I said.. it works, period lol. Do not miss the HSS bit !!!! Set the metz to PTTL HSS !
Turn off your auto correction... Bingo.... yer in buisness lol.

I see the same results, with both PTTL HSS and PTTL... nothing changed!

westmill · 10-17-2012, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by gflauti

I see the same results, with both PTTL HSS and PTTL... nothing changed!

Ive been plauged with the same problem since the day I bought it. I now have it working almost faultlessly so Im not sure what you are not doing.
It still leaves the issue of it not focussing properly in artificial light. Bummer lol

Very odd though. I seriously put it through its paces and it passed with flying colours !
Dont know what else I can say to be honnest.

gutted its not working for you though.

gflauti · 10-17-2012, 02:28 PM

Don't worry!
As I said in my previous post I will try with a first guess exposure value = -1 in direct light to avoid burn lights and use raw file to compensate exposure in pp.

Migno · 10-26-2012, 07:33 AM

Interesting topic... I've got my brand new K5 about a week ago. And it was the first issue I've experienced so far.

I use a Metz 48 with the latest firmware and I usually shot with M setting on camera and P-TTL on the flash. In situations like urban streets at night, it ALWAYS blows people's faces until I set the camera to -4 EV or even -5 EV.
When I don't use it straight but, say, I'm using a nearby wall for some light bouncing, the exposure is correct intestead, and I can set it from 0 EV to -1.7 EV in order to have a good shot.

I'd like to buy a 58 AF-2 in order to make up for it, but it looks like it won't solve anything, judjing from your witnesses...

adwb · 10-26-2012, 08:37 AM - **1 Like**

since i never use my k5 and Metz 48 out side in the dark I can't comment but i will test tonight if i get a chance, but at weddings in any light level with the k5 in p or av or manual and the 48 in PTTL I have no problems.

ok so the odd shoot is out but think thats the nature of pttl flash, it is not 100% right all the time.

I only shoot raw only with no high light or shadow correction on.

gflauti · 10-26-2012, 01:34 PM

Originally posted by Migno

Interesting topic... I've got my brand new K5 about a week ago. And it was the first issue I've experienced so far.

I use a Metz 48 with the latest firmware and I usually shot with M setting on camera and P-TTL on the flash. In situations like urban streets at night, it ALWAYS blows people's faces until I set the camera to -4 EV or even -5 EV.
When I don't use it straight but, say, I'm using a nearby wall for some light bouncing, the exposure is correct intestead, and I can set it from 0 EV to -1.7 EV in order to have a good shot.

I'd like to buy a 58 AF-2 in order to make up for it, but it looks like it won't solve anything, judjing from your witnesses...

I think Pentx introduced with k-5 a sort of correction depending on estimated focus distance. Try to take a picture at the same subject changing manually the focus distance. Also if blurred, flash exposure changes with the distance itself.

Gianpaolo64 · 10-26-2012, 01:56 PM

My K5 with Metz 48 AF 1 doesn't overexpose so much as yours. With Pentax 17-70 sometimes it requires -0.7 but if subject is far (more than 2-3 meters) it works well with no correction. With Pentax 55-300 it has a tendency to underexpose and usually requires a +0.3/+0.7 to give optimal results.
I always use M setting on camera and flash set on P-TTL, highlight correction on.
As gflauti noticed the lens focus distance has a great influence on flash exposure so I am wondering whether these unreliable results with P-TTL flash can be due to inaccurate focus distance returned by lenses.

gflauti · 10-26-2012, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by Gianpaolo64

My K5 with Metz 48 AF 1 doesn't overexpose so much as yours. With Pentax 17-70 sometimes it requires -0.7 but if subject is far (more than 2-3 meters) it works well with no correction. With Pentax 55-300 it has a tendency to underexpose and usually requires a +0.3/+0.7 to give optimal results.
I always use M setting on camera and flash set on P-TTL, highlight correction on.
As gflauti noticed the lens focus distance has a great influence on flash exposure so I am wondering whether these unreliable results with P-TTL flash can be due to inaccurate focus distance returned by lenses.

I agree, 55-300 works much better in direct light than my 18-55 and tamron 17-50.
I guess due to an higher focus ring angle variation-->better distance estimation-->better flash exposure!

Migno · 10-26-2012, 05:14 PM

I've only tried it with the 16-50 'till now. I'd do that with other lenses.

Problem is, I use the flash in PTTL mode mostly while using the 16-50.

tabl10s · 10-26-2012, 10:50 PM

I tried it for the flash first time today in Av as fill-in and at ISO 80(Auto & "X")and got good exposure if the subject wasn't too close. Lens used was the '43.

timsshots · 10-29-2012, 05:46 PM

Has the much talked about flash overexposure in the K-5, (put down to firmware problems), been fixed in the K-5 II(s)?? If so will it be back-ported to the K-5?

Cheers

Tim

westmill · 10-30-2012, 04:05 AM

Originally posted by timsshots

Has the much talked about flash overexposure in the K-5, (put down to firmware problems), been fixed in the K-5 II(s)?? If so will it be back-ported to the K-5?

Cheers

Tim

this is somthing I have been asking. People are actually now taking delivery so i guess it will not be long before reports start to come in. Im hopefull lol

10-17-2012, 02:28 PM	#21
gflauti Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Naples (IT) Photos: Albums Posts: 44 Original Poster	Don't worry! As I said in my previous post I will try with a first guess exposure value = -1 in direct light to avoid burn lights and use raw file to compensate exposure in pp. Last edited by gflauti; 10-27-2012 at 08:14 AM.

10-26-2012, 01:34 PM	#24
gflauti Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Naples (IT) Photos: Albums Posts: 44 Original Poster	Originally posted by Migno Interesting topic... I've got my brand new K5 about a week ago. And it was the first issue I've experienced so far. I use a Metz 48 with the latest firmware and I usually shot with M setting on camera and P-TTL on the flash. In situations like urban streets at night, it ALWAYS blows people's faces until I set the camera to -4 EV or even -5 EV. When I don't use it straight but, say, I'm using a nearby wall for some light bouncing, the exposure is correct intestead, and I can set it from 0 EV to -1.7 EV in order to have a good shot. I'd like to buy a 58 AF-2 in order to make up for it, but it looks like it won't solve anything, judjing from your witnesses... I think Pentx introduced with k-5 a sort of correction depending on estimated focus distance. Try to take a picture at the same subject changing manually the focus distance. Also if blurred, flash exposure changes with the distance itself. Last edited by gflauti; 10-27-2012 at 08:14 AM.

10-26-2012, 02:18 PM	#26
gflauti Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Naples (IT) Photos: Albums Posts: 44 Original Poster	Originally posted by Gianpaolo64 My K5 with Metz 48 AF 1 doesn't overexpose so much as yours. With Pentax 17-70 sometimes it requires -0.7 but if subject is far (more than 2-3 meters) it works well with no correction. With Pentax 55-300 it has a tendency to underexpose and usually requires a +0.3/+0.7 to give optimal results. I always use M setting on camera and flash set on P-TTL, highlight correction on. As gflauti noticed the lens focus distance has a great influence on flash exposure so I am wondering whether these unreliable results with P-TTL flash can be due to inaccurate focus distance returned by lenses. I agree, 55-300 works much better in direct light than my 18-55 and tamron 17-50. I guess due to an higher focus ring angle variation-->better distance estimation-->better flash exposure! Last edited by gflauti; 10-26-2012 at 02:29 PM.

10-26-2012, 10:50 PM	#28
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424	What Is The Correct ISO For The K-5/Metz 58AF-2 Combo? I tried it for the flash first time today in Av as fill-in and at ISO 80(Auto & "X")and got good exposure if the subject wasn't too close. Lens used was the '43.

10-29-2012, 05:46 PM	#29
timsshots New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Melbourne .Australia Posts: 5	Flash over exposure fixed in K-5 II(s) Has the much talked about flash overexposure in the K-5, (put down to firmware problems), been fixed in the K-5 II(s)?? If so will it be back-ported to the K-5? Cheers Tim

10-17-2012, 05:26 AM	#16
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	I use a Metz 44 A-1 and I usually use Av mode or X mode on my K-5 and set the Metz to TTL or M mode. I still have not decided which method I prefer, I guess it depends on the lighting situation. Sometimes I get overexposure but it's not really that much and it happens usually when I have a drastic change in the lighting from one room to the next. I shoot in some places where I am amazed the camera can even focus. Most of the time I end up putting the Metz in M mode and it works great. I guess I would consider it a minor inconvenience?

10-17-2012, 07:09 AM	#17
gflauti Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Naples (IT) Photos: Albums Posts: 44 Original Poster	I agree, Manual MODE work well and displayed distance is coherent with flash Power! It is strange, but if I change the Flash Power in Manual MODE, *until the displayed distance is the same of the subject distance*, the exposure is correct! --> Flash is able to estimate the flash distance depending on Aperture, ISO and Focal length properly --> p-ttl correction is WRONG!

10-17-2012, 07:38 AM	#18
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	No matter what mode you use... exposures are all over the place. Try setting as I said.. it works, period lol. Do not miss the HSS bit !!!! Set the metz to PTTL HSS ! Turn off your auto correction... Bingo.... yer in buisness lol.

10-17-2012, 01:56 PM	#19
gflauti Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Naples (IT) Photos: Albums Posts: 44 Original Poster	Originally posted by westmill No matter what mode you use... exposures are all over the place. Try setting as I said.. it works, period lol. Do not miss the HSS bit !!!! Set the metz to PTTL HSS ! Turn off your auto correction... Bingo.... yer in buisness lol. I see the same results, with both PTTL HSS and PTTL... nothing changed!

10-17-2012, 02:22 PM	#20
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	Originally posted by gflauti I see the same results, with both PTTL HSS and PTTL... nothing changed! Ive been plauged with the same problem since the day I bought it. I now have it working almost faultlessly so Im not sure what you are not doing. It still leaves the issue of it not focussing properly in artificial light. Bummer lol Very odd though. I seriously put it through its paces and it passed with flying colours ! Dont know what else I can say to be honnest. gutted its not working for you though.

10-26-2012, 07:33 AM	#22
Migno Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Naples Photos: Gallery Posts: 127	Interesting topic... I've got my brand new K5 about a week ago. And it was the first issue I've experienced so far. I use a Metz 48 with the latest firmware and I usually shot with M setting on camera and P-TTL on the flash. In situations like urban streets at night, it ALWAYS blows people's faces until I set the camera to -4 EV or even -5 EV. When I don't use it straight but, say, I'm using a nearby wall for some light bouncing, the exposure is correct intestead, and I can set it from 0 EV to -1.7 EV in order to have a good shot. I'd like to buy a 58 AF-2 in order to make up for it, but it looks like it won't solve anything, judjing from your witnesses...

10-26-2012, 08:37 AM - 1 Like	#23
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636	since i never use my k5 and Metz 48 out side in the dark I can't comment but i will test tonight if i get a chance, but at weddings in any light level with the k5 in p or av or manual and the 48 in PTTL I have no problems. ok so the odd shoot is out but think thats the nature of pttl flash, it is not 100% right all the time. I only shoot raw only with no high light or shadow correction on.

10-26-2012, 01:56 PM	#25
Gianpaolo64 New Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Turin, Italy Posts: 3	My K5 with Metz 48 AF 1 doesn't overexpose so much as yours. With Pentax 17-70 sometimes it requires -0.7 but if subject is far (more than 2-3 meters) it works well with no correction. With Pentax 55-300 it has a tendency to underexpose and usually requires a +0.3/+0.7 to give optimal results. I always use M setting on camera and flash set on P-TTL, highlight correction on. As gflauti noticed the lens focus distance has a great influence on flash exposure so I am wondering whether these unreliable results with P-TTL flash can be due to inaccurate focus distance returned by lenses.

10-26-2012, 05:14 PM	#27
Migno Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Naples Photos: Gallery Posts: 127	I've only tried it with the 16-50 'till now. I'd do that with other lenses. Problem is, I use the flash in PTTL mode mostly while using the 16-50.

10-30-2012, 04:05 AM	#30
westmill Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Stoke on Trent Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,146	Originally posted by timsshots Has the much talked about flash overexposure in the K-5, (put down to firmware problems), been fixed in the K-5 II(s)?? If so will it be back-ported to the K-5? Cheers Tim this is somthing I have been asking. People are actually now taking delivery so i guess it will not be long before reports start to come in. Im hopefull lol

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Aokatec AK-TTL Radio Wireless TTL Flash Trigger for Nikon Canon Pentax Sony	callmeraymon	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	28	08-25-2012 01:24 PM
How do I use external TTL flash on the *ist D?	ducdao	Pentax DSLR Discussion	11	09-01-2011 04:33 PM
Flash overexposure with new K5	dh87	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	36	08-05-2011 04:12 PM
P-TTL overexposure, no more negative flash compensation	Eruditass	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	11	10-09-2010 05:35 PM