Don't have money to burn

chrism888 · 06-20-2018, 03:28 AM

" did you mention the Cactus V6II Trigger with the Cactus RF-60 X? P-TTL and HSS "

This would be my recommendation !!

bdery · 06-20-2018, 05:13 AM - **1 Like**

The main advantage of the 540 II is the weather resistance. To a lesser extent the video LED.

I prefer the interface of the Metz 52 AF-1 (I'm guessing you are referring to that one). It's cheaper, more compact, and easier to operate. I suggest you read this review, where I compare the 540 I with the Metz. You'll see what I mean

Metz 52 AF-1 Flash Review - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

j0n4hpk · 06-20-2018, 11:14 AM

Being there; suffering that. If you don't mind to work with used equipment, try KEH for earlier Pentax, Metz and other makers flash units. Before committing to buy, try downloading the manuals for the units you select to get and idea of how they'll work with your camera.

Wasp · 06-20-2018, 12:34 PM

I have the AF360FGZ. It is a pretty good unit and works well with my Pentax bodies. The dead doesn't swivel for bouncing when holding camera vertically but I can work around that.

The worst feature is the lack of memory for settings. The thing powers itself off after a few minutes of non-use to conserve the batteries. That is a good idea, except that upon powering up again you find yourself in PTTL mode, no matter what you had set up before. This is a real drag when you use it on a non-Pentax camera and you have to dial in everything from scratch.

LarryGE · 07-02-2018, 08:59 AM

One other thing. How about LED lights? Would they work ?

bdery · 07-03-2018, 04:54 AM

Originally posted by LarryGE

One other thing. How about LED lights? Would they work ?

The colour temperature is not the same, the output power is not as high, the light spectrum is not as broad (and the filters on the sensor sometimes have trouble coping with that, leading to inaccurate colours), so it's hit and miss. LED lights can serve but do not replace a strobe.

**clackers** · 07-03-2018, 05:03 AM

Originally posted by LarryGE

One other thing. How about LED lights? Would they work ?

Very, very weak, any that you'd be looking at.

LarryGE · 07-03-2018, 09:34 AM

Originally posted by clackers

Very, very weak, any that you'd be looking at.

Looking at the Flashpoint budget studio monolight flash, 120 watt seconds. open for ideas. I want to to stay light and portable.

mcgregni · 07-03-2018, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by LarryGE

One other thing. How about LED lights? Would they work ?

For what specifically? ..... That's really the crucial bit you missed out.

**clackers** · 07-03-2018, 11:28 AM

Originally posted by LarryGE

Looking at the Flashpoint budget studio monolight flash, 120 watt seconds. open for ideas. I want to to stay light and portable.

?

This is mains powered and sits on a stand, not your camera.

For a studio.

reh321 · 07-03-2018, 11:47 AM

Originally posted by LensBeginner

Have you considered manual flashes?
Light-wise they are the most bang for your bucks, if you don't need P-TTL and HSS.

P-TTL has never worked that well for me. Sometimes I use an "automatic" flash {flash measures light instead of having camera do it} dating back to 1987-1995, when I used my Super Program to photograph my infant daughters, and sometimes I use my Canon flash in purely manual mode. Honestly, though, I don't use flash very often .... in most cases natural light works better for me.

**BigMackCam** · 07-03-2018, 02:01 PM

Originally posted by reh321

P-TTL has never worked that well for me. Sometimes I use an "automatic" flash {flash measures light instead of having camera do it} dating back to 1987-1995, when I used my Super Program to photograph my infant daughters, and sometimes I use my Canon flash in purely manual mode. Honestly, though, I don't use flash very often .... in most cases natural light works better for me.

P-TTL is great for when you're shooting "situations", rather than taking time to get the lighting just right. You still have to put some thought into it, and make flash / EV adjustments if you've time to do so, but it can produce fairly reliable results in situations where a manual flash would simply be impractical. But I far, far prefer using my cheap, all-manual flash units when the situation allows

Of course, most P-TTL flashes (except for the very base models) allow full manual control too, so if funds allow it's worth having one or more of these...

reh321 · 07-03-2018, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by BigMackCam

P-TTL is great for when you're shooting "situations", rather than taking time to get the lighting just right. You still have to put some thought into it, and make flash / EV adjustments if you've time to do so, but it can produce fairly reliable results in situations where a manual flash would simply be impractical. But I far, far prefer using my cheap, all-manual flash units when the situation allows

Of course, most P-TTL flashes (except for the very base models) allow full manual control too, so if funds allow it's worth having one or more of these...

These days, I use flash most often for situations around home, and for those I bounce the flash off the {white} ceiling and light up the whole room. The only "trick" here is figuring out what settings are needed, but once I figure that out, I can use the same settings almost any time.

**clackers** · 07-03-2018, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by reh321

P-TTL has never worked that well for me. Sometimes I use an "automatic" flash {flash measures light instead of having camera do it} dating back to 1987-1995,

Just as in Manual mode you tweak the power level so you get the contribution to the scene right, you do the same with the Flash Exposure Compensation dial. It's pretty easy.

**Mikesul** · 07-03-2018, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by clackers

Just as in Manual mode you tweak the power level so you get the contribution to the scene right, you do the same with the Flash Exposure Compensation dial. It's pretty easy.

But, for me at least it takes some test shots.

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06-20-2018, 03:28 AM	#16
chrism888 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 178	" did you mention the Cactus V6II Trigger with the Cactus RF-60 X? P-TTL and HSS " This would be my recommendation !!

06-20-2018, 05:13 AM - 1 Like	#17
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,362	The main advantage of the 540 II is the weather resistance. To a lesser extent the video LED. I prefer the interface of the Metz 52 AF-1 (I'm guessing you are referring to that one). It's cheaper, more compact, and easier to operate. I suggest you read this review, where I compare the 540 I with the Metz. You'll see what I mean Metz 52 AF-1 Flash Review - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews

06-20-2018, 11:14 AM	#18
j0n4hpk Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 293	Being there; suffering that. If you don't mind to work with used equipment, try KEH for earlier Pentax, Metz and other makers flash units. Before committing to buy, try downloading the manuals for the units you select to get and idea of how they'll work with your camera.

06-20-2018, 12:34 PM	#19
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	I have the AF360FGZ. It is a pretty good unit and works well with my Pentax bodies. The dead doesn't swivel for bouncing when holding camera vertically but I can work around that. The worst feature is the lack of memory for settings. The thing powers itself off after a few minutes of non-use to conserve the batteries. That is a good idea, except that upon powering up again you find yourself in PTTL mode, no matter what you had set up before. This is a real drag when you use it on a non-Pentax camera and you have to dial in everything from scratch.

07-02-2018, 08:59 AM	#20
LarryGE New Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Philadelphia PA Posts: 22 Original Poster	One other thing. How about LED lights? Would they work ?

07-03-2018, 04:54 AM	#21
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,362	Originally posted by LarryGE One other thing. How about LED lights? Would they work ? The colour temperature is not the same, the output power is not as high, the light spectrum is not as broad (and the filters on the sensor sometimes have trouble coping with that, leading to inaccurate colours), so it's hit and miss. LED lights can serve but do not replace a strobe.

07-03-2018, 05:03 AM	#22
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by LarryGE One other thing. How about LED lights? Would they work ? Very, very weak, any that you'd be looking at.

07-03-2018, 09:34 AM	#23
LarryGE New Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Philadelphia PA Posts: 22 Original Poster	Originally posted by clackers Very, very weak, any that you'd be looking at. Looking at the Flashpoint budget studio monolight flash, 120 watt seconds. open for ideas. I want to to stay light and portable.

07-03-2018, 11:18 AM	#24
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	Originally posted by LarryGE One other thing. How about LED lights? Would they work ? For what specifically? ..... That's really the crucial bit you missed out.

07-03-2018, 11:28 AM	#25
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by LarryGE Looking at the Flashpoint budget studio monolight flash, 120 watt seconds. open for ideas. I want to to stay light and portable. ? This is mains powered and sits on a stand, not your camera. For a studio.

07-03-2018, 11:47 AM	#26
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by LensBeginner Have you considered manual flashes? Light-wise they are the most bang for your bucks, if you don't need P-TTL and HSS. P-TTL has never worked that well for me. Sometimes I use an "automatic" flash {flash measures light instead of having camera do it} dating back to 1987-1995, when I used my Super Program to photograph my infant daughters, and sometimes I use my Canon flash in purely manual mode. Honestly, though, I don't use flash very often .... in most cases natural light works better for me.

07-03-2018, 02:01 PM	#27
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,693	Originally posted by reh321 P-TTL has never worked that well for me. Sometimes I use an "automatic" flash {flash measures light instead of having camera do it} dating back to 1987-1995, when I used my Super Program to photograph my infant daughters, and sometimes I use my Canon flash in purely manual mode. Honestly, though, I don't use flash very often .... in most cases natural light works better for me. P-TTL is great for when you're shooting "situations", rather than taking time to get the lighting just right. You still have to put some thought into it, and make flash / EV adjustments if you've time to do so, but it can produce fairly reliable results in situations where a manual flash would simply be impractical. But I far, far prefer using my cheap, all-manual flash units when the situation allows Of course, most P-TTL flashes (except for the very base models) allow full manual control too, so if funds allow it's worth having one or more of these...

07-03-2018, 02:43 PM	#28
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by BigMackCam P-TTL is great for when you're shooting "situations", rather than taking time to get the lighting just right. You still have to put some thought into it, and make flash / EV adjustments if you've time to do so, but it can produce fairly reliable results in situations where a manual flash would simply be impractical. But I far, far prefer using my cheap, all-manual flash units when the situation allows Of course, most P-TTL flashes (except for the very base models) allow full manual control too, so if funds allow it's worth having one or more of these... These days, I use flash most often for situations around home, and for those I bounce the flash off the {white} ceiling and light up the whole room. The only "trick" here is figuring out what settings are needed, but once I figure that out, I can use the same settings almost any time.

07-03-2018, 03:53 PM	#29
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by reh321 P-TTL has never worked that well for me. Sometimes I use an "automatic" flash {flash measures light instead of having camera do it} dating back to 1987-1995, Just as in Manual mode you tweak the power level so you get the contribution to the scene right, you do the same with the Flash Exposure Compensation dial. It's pretty easy.

07-03-2018, 07:20 PM	#30
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Originally posted by clackers Just as in Manual mode you tweak the power level so you get the contribution to the scene right, you do the same with the Flash Exposure Compensation dial. It's pretty easy. But, for me at least it takes some test shots.