Pentax ring flash options

**pentaxkev** · 03-14-2015, 05:29 AM

Hello All
Im hoping for some advice to help with a small problem I have with using the Pentax ring flash with a Pentax GPS unit.
As the GPS unit sits on the hot shoe the body of the ring flash has to be placed on a flash bracket.
The ring flash has no wireless connection as far as I can see so in order to trigger the flash I use a TTL cord with a double connection on the camera, so it sits on the hot shoe and has another hot shoe on top where the GPS can be attached.
I can also use a simple sync cord but this does not give TTL which is very convenient for macro work and I believe the usual flash trigger units (which I could operate from the camera wireless feature) also not not feature TTL.
The problem lies in the fact that the GPS, on this particular unit does not connect with the camera and so does not record the GPS co-ordinates in the meta data as usual which is essential for the type of images I take.
Does anyone have a suggestion to make that would allow me to use TTL and the GPS
Thanks in advance
Pentaxkev

Nass · 03-14-2015, 06:45 AM

Which TTL cord are you using - are you sure it gives out a double signal?

Not a Number · 03-14-2015, 05:21 PM

Since it sounds like the P-TTL functions work with the flash and the cable then perhaps the problem is in the pass-through connecter of the cable that sits in the hot-shoe of the camera. Clean the contacts with some contact cleaner and a cotton swab. If you have a mult-meter or continuity checker check each pin for continuity. Or try mounting the GPS on the remote end of the cable and the controller for the ring flash on the pass-through shoe.

If the flash function normally in this configuration then perhaps the signals to and from the flash interfere with the signals to and from the GPS unit. Does the GPS work when both the flash and the GPS are connect with the flash turned off?

**pentaxkev** · 03-14-2015, 07:07 PM

Originally posted by Nass

Which TTL cord are you using - are you sure it gives out a double signal?

Hi Nass
Thanks for the reply, Im not sure of the name it was a generic cheapie off the web.......the TTL works ok with the cord.....the only problem is the GPS......I have a feeling he contacts on he TTL cord are different from the camera.
I forgot to mention that the GPS works perfectly on the camera.

**pentaxkev** · 03-14-2015, 09:42 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Since it sounds like the P-TTL functions work with the flash and the cable then perhaps the problem is in the pass-through connecter of the cable that sits in the hot-shoe of the camera. Clean the contacts with some contact cleaner and a cotton swab. If you have a mult-meter or continuity checker check each pin for continuity. Or try mounting the GPS on the remote end of the cable and the controller for the ring flash on the pass-through shoe.

If the flash function normally in this configuration then perhaps the signals to and from the flash interfere with the signals to and from the GPS unit. Does the GPS work when both the flash and the GPS are connect with the flash turned off?

Thanks not a number...Ill try all those things although I suspect its a compatibility problem with the TTL cord hot shoe and the GPS....your suggestion would highlight that I think

---------- Post added 03-15-15 at 03:43 PM ----------

Originally posted by pentaxkev

Thanks not a number...Ill try all those things although I suspect its a compatibility problem with the TTL cord hot shoe and the GPS....your suggestion would highlight that I think

sorry forgot to the GPS works whether the flash is on or off...just not on the hot shoe of the TTL cord

Wired · 03-18-2015, 04:03 PM

I do not believe that a pass though will work with the gps.

Sync cable and loose the TTL is probably your only option. Unless you can get TTL through the flash sync port?

**pentaxkev** · 03-19-2015, 12:53 AM

Thanks for your comment Wired....I think your right. I have been trying to find a TTL unit for the sync cable but I doubt it will give me TTL so I might as well stick to the manual system and fiddle the exposure,its not too bad,,,because I do a lot of close up work once the exposure is ok for one image it is usually close for others. The other avenue I thought of was to find a t/l receiver unit that would trigger from the cameras wireless function....ill keep looking but I doubt Ill do better than what I have...
Thanks to all that have sent their comments.
Pentaxkev

03-14-2015, 05:29 AM	#1
pentaxkev Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lake Maquarie, NSW Posts: 23	Pentax ring flash options Hello All Im hoping for some advice to help with a small problem I have with using the Pentax ring flash with a Pentax GPS unit. As the GPS unit sits on the hot shoe the body of the ring flash has to be placed on a flash bracket. The ring flash has no wireless connection as far as I can see so in order to trigger the flash I use a TTL cord with a double connection on the camera, so it sits on the hot shoe and has another hot shoe on top where the GPS can be attached. I can also use a simple sync cord but this does not give TTL which is very convenient for macro work and I believe the usual flash trigger units (which I could operate from the camera wireless feature) also not not feature TTL. The problem lies in the fact that the GPS, on this particular unit does not connect with the camera and so does not record the GPS co-ordinates in the meta data as usual which is essential for the type of images I take. Does anyone have a suggestion to make that would allow me to use TTL and the GPS Thanks in advance Pentaxkev

03-19-2015, 12:53 AM	#7
pentaxkev Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lake Maquarie, NSW Posts: 23 Original Poster	Pentax ring flash options Thanks for your comment Wired....I think your right. I have been trying to find a TTL unit for the sync cable but I doubt it will give me TTL so I might as well stick to the manual system and fiddle the exposure,its not too bad,,,because I do a lot of close up work once the exposure is ok for one image it is usually close for others. The other avenue I thought of was to find a t/l receiver unit that would trigger from the cameras wireless function....ill keep looking but I doubt Ill do better than what I have... Thanks to all that have sent their comments. Pentaxkev

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03-14-2015, 06:45 AM	#2
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	Which TTL cord are you using - are you sure it gives out a double signal?

03-14-2015, 05:21 PM	#3
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Since it sounds like the P-TTL functions work with the flash and the cable then perhaps the problem is in the pass-through connecter of the cable that sits in the hot-shoe of the camera. Clean the contacts with some contact cleaner and a cotton swab. If you have a mult-meter or continuity checker check each pin for continuity. Or try mounting the GPS on the remote end of the cable and the controller for the ring flash on the pass-through shoe. If the flash function normally in this configuration then perhaps the signals to and from the flash interfere with the signals to and from the GPS unit. Does the GPS work when both the flash and the GPS are connect with the flash turned off?

03-14-2015, 07:07 PM	#4
pentaxkev Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lake Maquarie, NSW Posts: 23 Original Poster	Originally posted by Nass Which TTL cord are you using - are you sure it gives out a double signal? Hi Nass Thanks for the reply, Im not sure of the name it was a generic cheapie off the web.......the TTL works ok with the cord.....the only problem is the GPS......I have a feeling he contacts on he TTL cord are different from the camera. I forgot to mention that the GPS works perfectly on the camera.

03-14-2015, 09:42 PM	#5
pentaxkev Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Lake Maquarie, NSW Posts: 23 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number Since it sounds like the P-TTL functions work with the flash and the cable then perhaps the problem is in the pass-through connecter of the cable that sits in the hot-shoe of the camera. Clean the contacts with some contact cleaner and a cotton swab. If you have a mult-meter or continuity checker check each pin for continuity. Or try mounting the GPS on the remote end of the cable and the controller for the ring flash on the pass-through shoe. If the flash function normally in this configuration then perhaps the signals to and from the flash interfere with the signals to and from the GPS unit. Does the GPS work when both the flash and the GPS are connect with the flash turned off? Thanks not a number...Ill try all those things although I suspect its a compatibility problem with the TTL cord hot shoe and the GPS....your suggestion would highlight that I think ---------- Post added 03-15-15 at 03:43 PM ---------- Originally posted by pentaxkev Thanks not a number...Ill try all those things although I suspect its a compatibility problem with the TTL cord hot shoe and the GPS....your suggestion would highlight that I think sorry forgot to the GPS works whether the flash is on or off...just not on the hot shoe of the TTL cord

03-18-2015, 04:03 PM	#6
Wired Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Edmonton, AB Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,519	I do not believe that a pass though will work with the gps. Sync cable and loose the TTL is probably your only option. Unless you can get TTL through the flash sync port?