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05-30-2016, 11:40 AM   #1
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No IR AF assist with the new strobes???

I noticed the 540FGZ II doesn't have an IR AF assist lamp. Is this true? If so what on earth would make them remove this feature???

05-30-2016, 12:18 PM   #2
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There should be a forward facing light led that can be used to help with af and also as a catch light.

See page 52 of the manual.

QuoteQuote:
AF Spot Beam with LED
This flash unit features a built-in white spot beam projector of
LED to assist the autofocus system in dim light and
low-contrast conditions. When using the flash with autofocus in
such conditions, the spot beam will be projected automatically
depending on the ambient lighting conditions. This function is
activated only when the camera is set to autofocus.
1 Turn on the power switch (ON).
2 Press and hold the function button ( ).
3 Rotate the adjustment dial to display Sb on the LCD panel.
4 Press the setting button (SET) to blink 1/1, 1/2 or OFF.
1/1: Maximum brightness. (Default setting)
1/2: Minimum brightness.
OFF: Turn off AF spot beam.
5 Rotate the adjustment dial to select 1/1, 1/2 or OFF.
6 Press the setting button (SET) to complete the setting.
• To exit the function menu, press and hold the function
button ( ).
7 Turn on the camera and set the camera to the autofocus
mode.
8 Press the shutter release button halfway down to let the AF
spot beam discharge.
• The AF spot beam does not work in bright light conditions.
• If the In-focus indicator does not light up in several
seconds, it means that the subject is hard to autofocus. In
this case, use the manual focus mode to focus on the
subject.
• To change the composition, raise your finger off the
shutter release button and press it halfway down again to
recompose the picture.
• When using this flash unit’s built-in AF spot beam, the
built-in AF spot beam of the camera will not operate.
• The AF spot beam on the flash unit works accurately only
when mounted onto the camera’s hot shoe.


---------- Post added 05-30-16 at 03:25 PM ----------

Also please note:
QuoteQuote:
• Camera models marketed after September 2013 can use
the LED beam as the AF-assist spot beam for the phase
difference autofocus method. This feature can also be
made available on the models listed below, by
downloading the necessary firmware at the following
URL.
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/download
_digital.html
You may also contact your nearest service center for
firmware updates. (Charged service)
Supported models:
645D, K-5 II /s, K-5, K-30, K-50, K-500, K-r
Since this manual was created, the k-3, k-3ii, k-s1, ks-1, k-1 have all been released and should work.

Last edited by UncleVanya; 05-30-2016 at 12:27 PM.
05-30-2016, 12:44 PM   #3
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Sounds like a trumped up AF assist lamp. This is far more irritating to wedding guests at receptions and in my experience not as fast or accurate. The little IR beam finds perfect focus nearly instantly and the red light doesn't blind people or even make them aware they're about to be photographed.
05-30-2016, 01:51 PM   #4
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There has been a fair bit of comparative discussion about this change in technologies ....

Check out my quick test thread here, comparing the performance of the old red bars on the older models with the new LED ... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/125-flashes-lighting-studio/307952-pentax...uick-test.html

In some scenarios there's nothing in it in speed terms, but you have a good point about distraction for people, especially in low light events. The LED light has been made into a sort of multi-functional tool, and there are quite a few permutations to explore through the function menu. As a catchlight it is more effective I think than the old style white panel, as it remains forward facing during bounce shooting with different sideways angles.

05-30-2016, 04:58 PM - 1 Like   #5
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Well, at least I can get the old 540 for pretty cheap used. Why on earth they would take out a feature so critical to wedding photography is beyond me.
05-30-2016, 10:21 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Sperdynamite Quote
Why on earth they would take out a feature so critical to wedding photography is beyond me.
Because the new AF modules have increased low light focusing capability down to -2ev at least. AF assist not needed anymore. With my K3 and K1, I take photos in churches and I never had any problem focusing without assist light. Even if inside of churches aren't well lit, it's not completely dark either.

Last edited by biz-engineer; 05-30-2016 at 10:28 PM.
05-31-2016, 06:00 AM   #7
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Churches are one thing, people aren't moving too fast. A dark reception is a whole different animal. Those are basically NO-LIGHT situations. Lets be honestly these days with ISO 12,800 being usable in a small print, if there is any light at all, you have the option of not using flash. However when you are in the dark, and you need to lock your lens on target and fire a strobe, IR-AF can't be beat.

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