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04-10-2011, 05:19 PM   #1
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I thought having an off board flash

would allow me to use higher shutter speeds on my K-x, but this Sigma TTL EF500 ST won't let me do that. Can I or do I need a dedicated P-TTL flash for that?

04-10-2011, 05:24 PM   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by photolady Quote
would allow me to use higher shutter speeds on my K-x, but this Sigma TTL EF500 ST won't let me do that. Can I or do I need a dedicated P-TTL flash for that?
You need a flash that is capable of High speed sync. HSS is a sub feature of pTTL (ie you can't have a flash with HSS but without pTTL). Many of the MEtz (48, 50, 58) and Pentax flashes have HSS, as well as the Sigma "super" flash models.
04-10-2011, 05:28 PM   #3
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That makes no sense. Unless it's the K-x problem. My AF280T that I had for a short time allowed me to use higher shutter speeds on my K100D.
04-10-2011, 05:31 PM   #4
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I use my Metz 48 in HSS mode on my K-x a lot, so it's not a problem of the body. You can go all the way to 1/6000 if you want (although the flash range is tiny by then).

04-10-2011, 05:40 PM   #5
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Well, I guess my next buy will be a Metz.
04-11-2011, 05:05 AM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by photolady Quote
My AF280T that I had for a short time allowed me to use higher shutter speeds on my K100D
The AF280T is limited to 1/160 seconds.
04-11-2011, 09:14 AM   #7
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QuoteOriginally posted by bdery Quote
The AF280T is limited to 1/160 seconds.
More like 1/180. If you are on 1/3 stops, you can't get to 1/180 unless your camera has an X setting.

In any case, it's not a flash limitation, it's a camera limitation. Pentax dSLRs do not trigger the flash above 1/180 unless you are using PTTL and HSS.

04-11-2011, 09:28 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by alohadave Quote
More like 1/180. If you are on 1/3 stops, you can't get to 1/180 unless your camera has an X setting.

In any case, it's not a flash limitation, it's a camera limitation. Pentax dSLRs do not trigger the flash above 1/180 unless you are using PTTL and HSS.
+1. Just put your camera on half ev stops and one can use 1/180 sec. shutter.

Cool thing about the Metz is that they allow one to go down to 1/128th power in Manual. Thats less power than older Pentaxes, allows rapid recharges because it doesn't use all the stored energy, and allows one to really finesse some scenes.

Yes, HSS works fine on Metz 48 on camera or cable i suppose.
04-11-2011, 10:08 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by alohadave Quote
In any case, it's not a flash limitation, it's a camera limitation. Pentax dSLRs do not trigger the flash above 1/180 unless you are using PTTL and HSS.
It's actually a mix of both. The limitation is dictated by the shortest time that will allow the sensor to be exposed, without being partially blocked by part of the shutter. In this view it's a camera limitation.

However, if the flash was able to shoot light for the whole exposure time, it would not matter if the sensor was partially obscured or not. so it's also a flash limitation.
04-11-2011, 12:14 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by bdery Quote
It's actually a mix of both. The limitation is dictated by the shortest time that will allow the sensor to be exposed, without being partially blocked by part of the shutter. In this view it's a camera limitation.

However, if the flash was able to shoot light for the whole exposure time, it would not matter if the sensor was partially obscured or not. so it's also a flash limitation.
No, it's completely a camera limitation.

Cameras with leaf shutters can sync at any speed because there is no focal plane shutter to deal with.

HSS is a workaround to get flash to work at higher shutter speeds with focal plane shutters.

My earlier point though, was that the camera will not trigger the flash above 1/180, even if you are willing to live with the shadow.
04-11-2011, 12:26 PM   #11
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I'm going to return the Sigma and seee if I can find a P-TTL flash for a reasonable price.
04-12-2011, 04:29 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by photolady Quote
I'm going to return the Sigma and seee if I can find a P-TTL flash for a reasonable price.
i just purchased a Metz 50 from BH photo for $270. total shipped to Canada (a lot cheaper if you live in the US)... the HSS is what sold it for me...
04-12-2011, 06:07 PM   #13
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wannabefishing, even $200 is out of my price range.
04-12-2011, 06:24 PM   #14
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I don't know what flash has pTTL HSS for under $200, you will have to do a bit of research
04-12-2011, 07:56 PM   #15
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I don't know either. I'm still looking for one and probably won't get another flash until later in the year.
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