[CapitanXeon]

Hi friends!

I'm looking to buy this flash:

It's a DÖRR DAF-14S TTL, where the S seems to stand for Sony. I've done a lookup on the manufacturer's web (doerrfoto) and I didn't even seen a Pantex model, which led me to think: The TTL thingy is always propietary or can Pentax word with flashes of other manufacturers? I don't really know how this works, so any kind of light will be useful.
Also, 3.95€ for a 90€+ euro unit is such a bargain!

[Not a Number]

TTL protocols are proprietary between brands. You would need P-TTL for modern Pentax cameras which do not support the older TTL protocol from the film era.

The flash unit pictured is indeed for Sony/Konica/Minolta. The foot is not compatible with the standard flash shoe found on almost every other camera brand.

[CapitanXeon]

So for a Pentax K5 (Or a K-m, whatever i end using) i'd need a P-TTL compatible flash? No adaptor, no nothing=?

[Adam]

So for a Pentax K5 (Or a K-m, whatever i end using) i'd need a P-TTL compatible flash? No adaptor, no nothing=?

You can use most non-PTTL flashes in manual mode as long as they support the same hotshoe.

However, if you want a P-TTL macro flash, go for this one:
PENTAX AF 160FC Auto Macro Ring Flash reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

Adam
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[stevebrot]

However, if you want a P-TTL macro flash, go for this one:
PENTAX AF 160FC Auto Macro Ring Flash reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

...or possibly this one...

Sigma EM-140 DG Ring flash reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

So for a Pentax K5 (Or a K-m, whatever i end using) i'd need a P-TTL compatible flash? No adaptor, no nothing=?

The Sony-type foot on the flash you were considering is adaptable to a standard hot shoe, but would be full manual only on your Pentax cameras.


Steve

[CapitanXeon]

The Sony-type foot on the flash you were considering is adaptable to a standard hot shoe, but would be full manual only on your Pentax cameras.

Steve

What does mean "full manual" Honestly, i only do macro with reversed lenses, so it may end working in manual anyway. Also, the adaptation would need an adapter like this one or i could slap the flash as is and work in manual? I thought that the hot shoe ddesign was pretty universal

[stevebrot]

What does mean "full manual" Honestly, i only do macro with reversed lenses, so it may end working in manual anyway. Also, the adaptation would need an adapter like this one or i could slap the flash as is and work in manual? I thought that the hot shoe ddesign was pretty universal

Despite the fancy foot (present on most adapters of this kind), the linked adapter allows for manual flash only fired through the center hot shoe contact. "Full manual" means that you set aperture, shutter speed, and flash output manually with no help from the camera's meter. "Universal" in the flash world means "works with any camera having a standard hot shoe". The task is easier than might appear and many users on this site do macro flash full manual as a matter of general practice. The big question might be whether the flash allows fine tuning of output (duration). Best case would be something like 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64 (six stop attenuation) for a high level of flexibility with different subject distances.

The description and reviews for a similar unit with Vello branding may be helpful:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/765449-REG/Vello_HSA_CCS_Hot_Shoe_Adapter_to.html


Steve

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Last edited by stevebrot; 09-29-2018 at 04:22 PM.

[UncleVanya]

What does mean "full manual"

You set the flash power yourself to 1/1, 1/2, 1/4... Etc. The power of the light isn't linked to camera settings or available light.

...or i could slap the flash as is and work in manual? I thought that the hot shoe ddesign was pretty universal

Sony is special...
Why is Sony flash hotshoe different than the rest ?: Sony Alpha Full Frame E-mount Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

[CapitanXeon]

You set the flash power yourself to 1/1, 1/2, 1/4... Etc. The power of the light isn't linked to camera settings or available light.



Sony is special...
Why is Sony flash hotshoe different than the rest ?: Sony Alpha Full Frame E-mount Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

Okay, now that does make sense to me. So to be clear (altough i can defend myself with a manual camera, i don't know how an external flash works) if i use a flash without TTL, it will just fire with whatever settings the flash itself has? I mean, i always thought this is how a flash works anyway, i didn't know there's a TTL comunication between flash and camera to do nasty things

By the way, i found something buried into a review, and it says: "I have to learn to use the automatic TTL mode. I like more the manual mode, but this model of flash doesn't allow it."
I guess this is all? Or it just means it will fire at maximum power?

[UncleVanya]

Okay, now that does make sense to me. So to be clear (altough i can defend myself with a manual camera, i don't know how an external flash works) if i use a flash without TTL, it will just fire with whatever settings the flash itself has? I mean, i always thought this is how a flash works anyway, i didn't know there's a TTL comunication between flash and camera to do nasty things

By the way, i found something buried into a review, and it says: "I have to learn to use the automatic TTL mode. I like more the manual mode, but this model of flash doesn't allow it."
I guess this is all? Or it just means it will fire at maximum power?

Some flashes lack manual controls. These vary in how they behave when used without TTL. Some have an auto mode which uses a sensor on the flash to try to appropriately set the light levels without directly integrating to the camera's exposure system.

[CapitanXeon]

Some flashes lack manual controls. These vary in how they behave when used without TTL. Some have an auto mode which uses a sensor on the flash to try to appropriately set the light levels without directly integrating to the camera's exposure system.

I'm guessing if there's a way to test that. I mean, the most basic operation is with a trigger voltage, and it should be as basic as putting the ground pin on the negative and the trigger pin on the positive of a known voltage power supply with a switch on the way to not having continuous supply, do i miss something?

[UncleVanya]

Looking on the web I found a picture of the back. There are no controls that I saw - on/off. That will likely not work at all other than 100% power.

[Not a Number]

I'm guessing if there's a way to test that. I mean, the most basic operation is with a trigger voltage, and it should be as basic as putting the ground pin on the negative and the trigger pin on the positive of a known voltage power supply with a switch on the way to not having continuous supply, do i miss something?

UncleVanya is talking about the flash tube output power. Flash output is determined mainly by the duration of the flash so the output power settings cut the duration by 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 and so forth.

[mcgregni]

It’s cheap, but it’s not looking like your ideal macro flash, at least not for practical real world photography.

[CapitanXeon]

Idk how powerful an external flash turns out, but with what you say, i guess i should look for another thing?