540 FGZ Flash unit.

polur101 · 06-13-2008, 08:42 AM

I use K200D, Pentax AF lens 18-250 with 540 FGZ.
Without compensation this flash severely underexposes. I have to set flash comp to +1 and EV to +0.3. Then I get good results as judged by the histograms. But the trouble is, there is no room to adjust when I use bounce or a diffuser.

I am not a pro, but not a novice either. I have used Pentax 35 mm SFX (Europe) with 500 FTZ flash for nearly 20 years! with excellent results. That is the reason I stuck with Pentax for transitioning into digital. I am very disappointed. Please advise if I am doing something wrong.

The camera is fine for outdoor, without using flash. Even the built in flash seems to be fine. The manual says, the readings in the view finder will blink upon right flash discharge. This seems to be the case with built-in flash, not so with the shoe mount. Help. Thanks.

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-13-2008, 08:47 AM

A picture is worth 1000 words, and about 50 posts addressing irrelevat stuff.

can you post an example?

I use the 540FGZ on my K10D and do not suffer the same problem

polur101 · 06-13-2008, 02:39 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

A picture is worth 1000 words, and about 50 posts addressing irrelevat stuff.

can you post an example?

I use the 540FGZ on my K10D and do not suffer the same problem

I have attached some pictures. The file name tells the scenario.

I don't know if I did the uploading right.

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-16-2008, 06:22 PM

I guess the real thing, and I can't tell from the posts is the camera settings.

Auto, manual, shutter and apature etc.

When I shoot, I always set it to full manual and use 1/180 shutter, and a relitively low ISO, to insure I am in control.

SOmetimes, and I can't read the EXIF data, if you are on auto ISO, and use flash, things get all screwed up.

Best I can do with out exposure

**Ash** · 06-16-2008, 06:35 PM

My 540+K10D also underexposes in P-TTL mode, but consistently.
I'm not too disappointed since as long as I have FEC set at +0.7, I get well exposed results, even bounced.

Setting EV at +0.3 won't do much in low light - it's the FEC that counts.

06-13-2008, 08:42 AM	#1
polur101 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 58	540 FGZ Flash unit. I use K200D, Pentax AF lens 18-250 with 540 FGZ. Without compensation this flash severely underexposes. I have to set flash comp to +1 and EV to +0.3. Then I get good results as judged by the histograms. But the trouble is, there is no room to adjust when I use bounce or a diffuser. I am not a pro, but not a novice either. I have used Pentax 35 mm SFX (Europe) with 500 FTZ flash for nearly 20 years! with excellent results. That is the reason I stuck with Pentax for transitioning into digital. I am very disappointed. Please advise if I am doing something wrong. The camera is fine for outdoor, without using flash. Even the built in flash seems to be fine. The manual says, the readings in the view finder will blink upon right flash discharge. This seems to be the case with built-in flash, not so with the shoe mount. Help. Thanks.

06-13-2008, 02:39 PM	#3
polur101 Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 58 Original Poster	Follow up Originally posted by Lowell Goudge A picture is worth 1000 words, and about 50 posts addressing irrelevat stuff. can you post an example? I use the 540FGZ on my K10D and do not suffer the same problem I have attached some pictures. The file name tells the scenario. I don't know if I did the uploading right. Attached Images

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06-13-2008, 08:47 AM	#2
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	A picture is worth 1000 words, and about 50 posts addressing irrelevat stuff. can you post an example? I use the 540FGZ on my K10D and do not suffer the same problem

06-16-2008, 06:22 PM	#4
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886	I guess the real thing, and I can't tell from the posts is the camera settings. Auto, manual, shutter and apature etc. When I shoot, I always set it to full manual and use 1/180 shutter, and a relitively low ISO, to insure I am in control. SOmetimes, and I can't read the EXIF data, if you are on auto ISO, and use flash, things get all screwed up. Best I can do with out exposure

06-16-2008, 06:35 PM	#5
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	My 540+K10D also underexposes in P-TTL mode, but consistently. I'm not too disappointed since as long as I have FEC set at +0.7, I get well exposed results, even bounced. Setting EV at +0.3 won't do much in low light - it's the FEC that counts.

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