918AF flash a dud, looking for alternatives

rrwilliams64 · 03-18-2011, 08:53 PM

read some reviews, looking for an inexpensive flash for my K-r, took the $60 shipped eBay plunge. No luck, no communication evidently between flash and camera. Over exposed, fully blown images irrespective of shooting mode, FL, whatever. Though maybe the hotshoe wasnt seated fully, as I've read that elsewhere. Not the case here. Just my .02 experience...some may have had luck, but I reaffirmed my thought ya get what ya pay for, ....

Suggestions? Looking for $150 under used. Just need TT-lL (P-TTL?), ability to work w/ my K-r, swivel and bouce, LCD not requirement... would be simply used, on camera only

thnx

RXrenesis8 · 03-18-2011, 11:44 PM

Don't rely on the camera to think for you, expose manually?

I'll take that "dud" flash off your hands

mattdm · 03-19-2011, 10:20 AM

That's a risk with the generic Chinese-make flashes. There's so many slightly-different versions of them that compatibility is a nightmare.

rrwilliams64 · 03-19-2011, 10:35 PM

Originally posted by mattdm

That's a risk with the generic Chinese-make flashes. There's so many slightly-different versions of them that compatibility is a nightmare.

..

as I found out!... I'm looking at the Vivitar DF-383 presently

mattdm · 03-20-2011, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by rrwilliams64

..

as I found out!... I'm looking at the Vivitar DF-383 presently

So..... Vivitar, the classic camera company went bankrupt. I think some of their designs went to Cactus. The name, however, went to Sakar.

And Digital Concepts is a brand name used by that same company. So, if you have problems with the Digital Concepts 918AF, well.... the Vivitar DF-383 is a newer version of the same. Since it's newer, compatibility will be different, but still not guaranteed for the future.

rrwilliams64 · 03-21-2011, 02:51 PM

I guess I'm in a game of Chinese Flash Roulette ;-D

I dont want to spend the $$ for a, say, Pentax AF 540FGZ or a Metz 48AF1, so if I can stumble across one of these import bare bones flashes that will actually work, communicate in P-TTL and expose properly, I'm a happy camper. I'll see how the Sakar---> Vivitar D383 turns out....

mattdm · 03-21-2011, 09:49 PM

Originally posted by rrwilliams64

I guess I'm in a game of Chinese Flash Roulette ;-D

I dont want to spend the $$ for a, say, Pentax AF 540FGZ or a Metz 48AF1, so if I can stumble across one of these import bare bones flashes that will actually work, communicate in P-TTL and expose properly, I'm a happy camper. I'll see how the Sakar---> Vivitar D383 turns out....

Doesn't take more than a few of these to add up to the price of one of those, though!

rrwilliams64 · 03-22-2011, 02:01 AM - **1 Like**

yep, Matt, I may end up there after all, I'm sure you've seen it happen countless times.

Old Chinese proverb:
在 th 手中的一梅斯值得二塊糞 Sakar 在灌木裡

""A Metz in the hand is worth two non-compatible Sakar's in the bush"

junkman1989 · 03-24-2011, 07:40 AM

I bought a Sunpak 26SR on ebay for $20 for fun. I use it in Auto Thyrister mode (no ttl) and it does a great job. Trigger voltage of 5.7 so it is safe with digital cameras.

Eventually I will get a real pttl flash, but for now this works great.

Ken

rrwilliams64 · 03-24-2011, 04:59 PM

Matt, you were so right. sigh...lesson learned. The Vivitar 383 does exactly the same as the 918AF. No communication w/ the camera, doesnt recognize zooming t different FL's (this version has an LCD), and no matter what mode I'm in camera wise (AV, M, AUTO, etc), the flash just "strobes" constantly then overexposes completely. I will now spend the $$ on a higher end/$$ unit.

One qstn, as I'm not overly knowledgeble (just enough to be dangerous)...is there instances where the camera has issue w/ P-TTL communication (perhaps the hotshoe, contacts, interal, etc) and its not the flash? My K-r is still under warranty.... my next thought is to take my camera to a brick and mortar store and try out a Metz flash right there and see if I have an issue with my camera, hotshoe, etc. Unlikely? Or is it not unrealistic to have two consecutive, defective flash units (esp when basically the same Chinese flash, just later iteration, as Matt stated)

thnx
ralph

**boriscleto** · 03-24-2011, 06:00 PM

Originally posted by rrwilliams64

One qstn, as I'm not overly knowledgeble (just enough to be dangerous)...is there instances where the camera has issue w/ P-TTL communication (perhaps the hotshoe, contacts, interal, etc) and its not the flash?

The camera does not have P-TTL problems. The flash does not support P-TTL.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-camera-field-accessories/65812-pen...83-review.html

Check out Matt's page for P-TTL options. The cheapest way to get a P-TTL is probably the Promaster 5050DXR module with the 5750 Flash. About $140 through Amazon.

rrwilliams64 · 03-24-2011, 07:24 PM

I believe the 383 does indeed support P-TTL....I've just read several posts to the same effect and ....the box states the same, plus there's a setting for PTTL

My question is, in P-TTL mode, as soon as I power on the K-r, the flash flickers/strobes continuosly, for lack of a better word. Nor does the flash recognize change in FL, which I believe it should? Perhaps simply a compatability issue between this flash and the K-r? (odd, as the AF918 and the 383 exhibited the exact same results). again, flash firmly seated in the hotshoe. bad contacts? ???

rrwilliams64 · 03-25-2011, 03:01 AM

Well, now I know
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-r-forum/137599-vivitar-flash-kr-overexposing.html

the 383 would work with the K-x, not the K-r

mattdm · 03-25-2011, 05:51 AM

What cameras does the box say it will work with?

GerryL · 03-30-2011, 07:25 AM

So, these newer Pentax cameras are not supported?

I wonder what changed on the newer models of Pentax?
I have used this Tumax re-branded (mine is Bower) flashes with great success.

03-18-2011, 08:53 PM	#1
rrwilliams64 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ohio Posts: 335	918AF flash a dud, looking for alternatives read some reviews, looking for an inexpensive flash for my K-r, took the $60 shipped eBay plunge. No luck, no communication evidently between flash and camera. Over exposed, fully blown images irrespective of shooting mode, FL, whatever. Though maybe the hotshoe wasnt seated fully, as I've read that elsewhere. Not the case here. Just my .02 experience...some may have had luck, but I reaffirmed my thought ya get what ya pay for, .... Suggestions? Looking for $150 under used. Just need TT-lL (P-TTL?), ability to work w/ my K-r, swivel and bouce, LCD not requirement... would be simply used, on camera only thnx

03-22-2011, 02:01 AM - 1 Like	#8
rrwilliams64 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ohio Posts: 335 Original Poster	may end up there yep, Matt, I may end up there after all, I'm sure you've seen it happen countless times. Old Chinese proverb: 在 th 手中的一梅斯值得二塊糞 Sakar 在灌木裡 ""A Metz in the hand is worth two non-compatible Sakar's in the bush"

03-24-2011, 04:59 PM	#10
rrwilliams64 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ohio Posts: 335 Original Poster	I am officially 0 for 2 and Matt is correct Matt, you were so right. sigh...lesson learned. The Vivitar 383 does exactly the same as the 918AF. No communication w/ the camera, doesnt recognize zooming t different FL's (this version has an LCD), and no matter what mode I'm in camera wise (AV, M, AUTO, etc), the flash just "strobes" constantly then overexposes completely. I will now spend the $$ on a higher end/$$ unit. One qstn, as I'm not overly knowledgeble (just enough to be dangerous)...is there instances where the camera has issue w/ P-TTL communication (perhaps the hotshoe, contacts, interal, etc) and its not the flash? My K-r is still under warranty.... my next thought is to take my camera to a brick and mortar store and try out a Metz flash right there and see if I have an issue with my camera, hotshoe, etc. Unlikely? Or is it not unrealistic to have two consecutive, defective flash units (esp when basically the same Chinese flash, just later iteration, as Matt stated) thnx ralph

03-24-2011, 07:24 PM	#12
rrwilliams64 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ohio Posts: 335 Original Poster	?? I believe the 383 does indeed support P-TTL....I've just read several posts to the same effect and ....the box states the same, plus there's a setting for PTTL My question is, in P-TTL mode, as soon as I power on the K-r, the flash flickers/strobes continuosly, for lack of a better word. Nor does the flash recognize change in FL, which I believe it should? Perhaps simply a compatability issue between this flash and the K-r? (odd, as the AF918 and the 383 exhibited the exact same results). again, flash firmly seated in the hotshoe. bad contacts? ???

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03-18-2011, 11:44 PM	#2
RXrenesis8 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Orlando, FL (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 523	Don't rely on the camera to think for you, expose manually? I'll take that "dud" flash off your hands

03-19-2011, 10:20 AM	#3
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	That's a risk with the generic Chinese-make flashes. There's so many slightly-different versions of them that compatibility is a nightmare.

03-19-2011, 10:35 PM	#4
rrwilliams64 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ohio Posts: 335 Original Poster	Originally posted by mattdm That's a risk with the generic Chinese-make flashes. There's so many slightly-different versions of them that compatibility is a nightmare. .. as I found out!... I'm looking at the Vivitar DF-383 presently

03-20-2011, 04:21 PM	#5
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by rrwilliams64 .. as I found out!... I'm looking at the Vivitar DF-383 presently So..... Vivitar, the classic camera company went bankrupt. I think some of their designs went to Cactus. The name, however, went to Sakar. And Digital Concepts is a brand name used by that same company. So, if you have problems with the Digital Concepts 918AF, well.... the Vivitar DF-383 is a newer version of the same. Since it's newer, compatibility will be different, but still not guaranteed for the future.

03-21-2011, 02:51 PM	#6
rrwilliams64 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ohio Posts: 335 Original Poster	I guess I'm in a game of Chinese Flash Roulette ;-D I dont want to spend the $$ for a, say, Pentax AF 540FGZ or a Metz 48AF1, so if I can stumble across one of these import bare bones flashes that will actually work, communicate in P-TTL and expose properly, I'm a happy camper. I'll see how the Sakar---> Vivitar D383 turns out....

03-21-2011, 09:49 PM	#7
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by rrwilliams64 I guess I'm in a game of Chinese Flash Roulette ;-D I dont want to spend the $$ for a, say, Pentax AF 540FGZ or a Metz 48AF1, so if I can stumble across one of these import bare bones flashes that will actually work, communicate in P-TTL and expose properly, I'm a happy camper. I'll see how the Sakar---> Vivitar D383 turns out.... Doesn't take more than a few of these to add up to the price of one of those, though!

03-24-2011, 07:40 AM	#9
junkman1989 New Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 4	I bought a Sunpak 26SR on ebay for $20 for fun. I use it in Auto Thyrister mode (no ttl) and it does a great job. Trigger voltage of 5.7 so it is safe with digital cameras. Eventually I will get a real pttl flash, but for now this works great. Ken

03-24-2011, 06:00 PM	#11
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by rrwilliams64 One qstn, as I'm not overly knowledgeble (just enough to be dangerous)...is there instances where the camera has issue w/ P-TTL communication (perhaps the hotshoe, contacts, interal, etc) and its not the flash? The camera does not have P-TTL problems. The flash does not support P-TTL. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-camera-field-accessories/65812-pen...83-review.html Check out Matt's page for P-TTL options. The cheapest way to get a P-TTL is probably the Promaster 5050DXR module with the 5750 Flash. About $140 through Amazon.

03-25-2011, 03:01 AM	#13
rrwilliams64 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: ohio Posts: 335 Original Poster	Well, now I know https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-r-forum/137599-vivitar-flash-kr-overexposing.html the 383 would work with the K-x, not the K-r

03-25-2011, 05:51 AM	#14
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	What cameras does the box say it will work with?

03-30-2011, 07:25 AM	#15
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	So, these newer Pentax cameras are not supported? I wonder what changed on the newer models of Pentax? I have used this Tumax re-branded (mine is Bower) flashes with great success.