Do flashes significantly affect shutter speed at night?

elliott · 12-03-2013, 11:50 AM

Originally posted by Newtophotos

Thank you for all the great feedback. One other question, will these pentax flashes work on cameras from other manufacturers?

The AF540 and AF360 would be fairly easily usable on others, since they have auto mode with their own light sensors. The TTL mode won't work, of course, but the auto and manual mode will work fine on anything with a standard hotshoe. A few of the Metz flashes also have this auto mode feature as well.

jake14mw · 12-04-2013, 11:38 AM

Originally posted by elliott

The AF540 and AF360 would be fairly easily usable on others, since they have auto mode with their own light sensors. The TTL mode won't work, of course, but the auto and manual mode will work fine on anything with a standard hotshoe. A few of the Metz flashes also have this auto mode feature as well.

Just a quick note that the new updated versions of the flashes don't seem to have Auto Mode (or was it just the 540?), that's a definite disadvantage.

**Lowell Goudge** · 12-04-2013, 11:53 AM - **1 Like**

Flash is the bane of all photographers when they start using it. Especially with modern programmed modes.

Some words of caution about how pentax automatic modes work with flash.

First of all, in any automatic mode, the camera attempts to reach an exposure solution without flash first, and then adds flash to fill.

What does this mean. Let's assume you shoot Av mode, and add a flash.

The camera will move shutter speed down to 1/fl until there is nothing left, and then add flash.

If at the same time, you have auto ISO, once the shutter speed limit is reached it will boost ISO.

This can result in flash shots taken at ridiculous ISO settings, at slow enough shutter speeds that you get motion blurt and double images etc.....

So, the first thing you should do, is go to manual mode on the camera, set the shutter to something reasonably high, set the aperture where you want it, the ISO where you want it, and let the flash do the rest.

elliott · 12-04-2013, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by jake14mw

Just a quick note that the new updated versions of the flashes don't seem to have Auto Mode (or was it just the 540?), that's a definite disadvantage.

That is a real shame if they don't, it is a very useful mode to have, especially for people with full manual glass.

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12-03-2013, 11:50 AM	#16
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by Newtophotos Thank you for all the great feedback. One other question, will these pentax flashes work on cameras from other manufacturers? The AF540 and AF360 would be fairly easily usable on others, since they have auto mode with their own light sensors. The TTL mode won't work, of course, but the auto and manual mode will work fine on anything with a standard hotshoe. A few of the Metz flashes also have this auto mode feature as well.

12-04-2013, 11:38 AM	#17
jake14mw Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 977	Originally posted by elliott The AF540 and AF360 would be fairly easily usable on others, since they have auto mode with their own light sensors. The TTL mode won't work, of course, but the auto and manual mode will work fine on anything with a standard hotshoe. A few of the Metz flashes also have this auto mode feature as well. Just a quick note that the new updated versions of the flashes don't seem to have Auto Mode (or was it just the 540?), that's a definite disadvantage.

12-04-2013, 11:53 AM - 1 Like	#18
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	Flash is the bane of all photographers when they start using it. Especially with modern programmed modes. Some words of caution about how pentax automatic modes work with flash. First of all, in any automatic mode, the camera attempts to reach an exposure solution without flash first, and then adds flash to fill. What does this mean. Let's assume you shoot Av mode, and add a flash. The camera will move shutter speed down to 1/fl until there is nothing left, and then add flash. If at the same time, you have auto ISO, once the shutter speed limit is reached it will boost ISO. This can result in flash shots taken at ridiculous ISO settings, at slow enough shutter speeds that you get motion blurt and double images etc..... So, the first thing you should do, is go to manual mode on the camera, set the shutter to something reasonably high, set the aperture where you want it, the ISO where you want it, and let the flash do the rest.

12-04-2013, 12:20 PM	#19
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by jake14mw Just a quick note that the new updated versions of the flashes don't seem to have Auto Mode (or was it just the 540?), that's a definite disadvantage. That is a real shame if they don't, it is a very useful mode to have, especially for people with full manual glass.