Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
02-22-2019, 01:51 PM - 1 Like   #16
Pentaxian




Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 587
Hello,

I have several Godox lights and triggers, and have the same problem with the XProP. It don't fire any light with M lenses or older, you need A lenses or more modern ones.
But...
...you can use a more simple Godox trigger like the XT32 or XT16. Also no-Pentax triggers like the XProC works too. I can fire my Godox lights with the XT32C/XproC and M lenses without issue.
Maybe you can put a tape to disable all XPro-P contacts but the central pin, and I'm sure it will work too.


Quick-tested with XT32C/XProC + AD200 + V850, K10d & K3-II cameras.


Regards.

02-22-2019, 02:03 PM - 1 Like   #17
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
QuoteOriginally posted by morenjavi Quote
I have several Godox lights and triggers, and have the same problem with the XProP. It don't fire any light with M lenses or older, you need A lenses or more modern ones.
But...
Yay! The behavior is reproduced! BTW, I consider this to be a bug.

QuoteOriginally posted by morenjavi Quote
you can use a more simple Godox trigger like the XT32 or XT16.
This is probably the least expensive option if one wants to stay in the Godox universe flash/strobe-wise, no?


Steve
02-22-2019, 03:38 PM - 2 Likes   #18
Veteran Member
mcgregni's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Surrey, England
Posts: 2,603
I'm not sure if there are yet any "experts" with Pentax DSLRs and the XPro-P ..... It's a very new combination.

The convention with Pentax is that non aperture coupled lenses (ie M, K, M42 types) cause on camera flashes in P-TTL mode to fire at full power. So the advice is to use Manual or auto thrystor flash modes.

I'm not aware of any reporting on the behavior of Radio TTL flash systems in the same configurations. .ie we don't know whether slave flashes in a system such as the Cactus XTTL will fire at full power if the transmitter is set to TTL mode with such a lens ....? It can be tested of course.

It must be something to do with the information from the camera that these triggers need, even if set to M mide. I don't suppose we should assume that they would behave exactly as a P-TTL flash. But there's surely a good chance of firmware being able to correct these sort of issues .....

Last edited by mcgregni; 02-22-2019 at 04:01 PM.
02-22-2019, 09:50 PM   #19
Forum Member
zazism_rx's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Kentucky, US
Posts: 54
Original Poster
Good news! as suggested... I tried using a few pieces of tape to block all but the center pin on the camera body, and in manual mode on Xpro-p i was able to get it to produce a flash for my Helios 44K-4!

So now the question is, what would be the easiest work around for this? I'm thinking about picking up this as mentioned in my original post. Something i could just swap on when I am using a manual lens. Or I wonder if a flash sync cable would do the trick? not sure.

02-22-2019, 10:32 PM   #20
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
QuoteOriginally posted by zazism_rx Quote
So now the question is, what would be the easiest work around for this?
Depending on how you use the camera...
  • PC sync to the 2.5mm (sub-mini) socket on the trigger (this type of cable is readily available) with XPro-P used off-camera on stand, tripod, or bracket
  • A generic "safe-sync"-type hot shoe adapter for stacked operation on-camera (allows pass-through of the x sync)
  • Generic hot shoe adapter with cold base and PC sync from camera
  • Use a non-TTL trigger for when shooting with vintage lenses
I would lean toward the first option as both easy and inexpensive.


Steve

Last edited by stevebrot; 02-22-2019 at 10:38 PM.
02-23-2019, 02:18 AM - 2 Likes   #21
Pentaxian




Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 587
Hello,

A couple of setups that works, based on stevebrot suggestions and the question from zazism_rx:
Trigger on a bracket (Demb bracket)
Trigger on a cold shoe

In both cases I use the same cable, sync to 2.5mm, cheap and easy to find on ebay.

Regards.

---------- Post added 23-02-19 at 10:31 AM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by mcgregni Quote
It must be something to do with the information from the camera that these triggers need, even if set to M mide. I don't suppose we should assume that they would behave exactly as a P-TTL flash. But there's surely a good chance of firmware being able to correct these sort of issues .....
I'm afraid the XProP is not acting as a 'full' Pentax flash. With M lenses it's just ignoring triggering orders. If you get to block all the pins/signals but the central pin, then yes, it fires and you can control power manually, as expected. I doubt that Godox will release any firmware to fix this 'minor' issue, unfortunately Godox customer service is bad. They never answer mails sent to the customer service, so different that Cactus service...
Attached Images
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-5  Photo 
View Picture EXIF
PENTAX K-5  Photo 
02-23-2019, 03:46 AM   #22
Moderator
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
pschlute's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Surrey, UK
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 8,117
QuoteOriginally posted by swanlefitte Quote
I checked my v6 triggers with the Pentax 360 and 50mm a 1.4 off a setting. That worked regardless of the flash set to pttl, m, or a.
Just for the sake of clarity. When using the Cactus triggers in manual flash mode (power controlled from the TX unit), the flash needs to be in P-TTL mode, but it wont be working in P-TTL mode. The output will be based solely on the setting chosen on the TX power setting.

02-23-2019, 07:02 AM   #23
Pentaxian
swanlefitte's Avatar

Join Date: May 2015
Location: Minneapolis
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 4,068
QuoteOriginally posted by pschlute Quote
Just for the sake of clarity. When using the Cactus triggers in manual flash mode (power controlled from the TX unit), the flash needs to be in P-TTL mode, but it wont be working in P-TTL mode. The output will be based solely on the setting chosen on the TX power setting.
I toggled into all 3 modes and they all fired at what the tx power was which surprised me. Not sure if the tx has some setting I didn't know about.
02-23-2019, 07:06 AM   #24
Pentaxian
Class A's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 11,250
QuoteOriginally posted by zazism_rx Quote
I experienced this with the cactus triggers as well.
As long as the shutter speed doesn't exceed the sync-speed, the Cactus trigger will work even with manual lenses.
If you are using a V6II, you may have to set the "FLASH SYSTEM" to "OTHERS" but it should work.

QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote
The behavior is reproduced! BTW, I consider this to be a bug.
The fact that the Xpro-P won't play with manual lenses is not a bug, but the absence of a feature.

The Godox X1T trigger still supported a "single pin" firing mode (but is not a good choice in practically every other way). This would work with manual lenses as well.
For some reason, the Xpro triggers do not support that feature.
I'm sure Godox could add it, but the absence of the feature does not technically constitute a bug.
02-23-2019, 07:31 AM   #25
Moderator
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
pschlute's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Surrey, UK
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 8,117
QuoteOriginally posted by swanlefitte Quote
I toggled into all 3 modes and they all fired at what the tx power was which surprised me. Not sure if the tx has some setting I didn't know about
That is expected behaviour when the flash is set to P-TTL (the TX unit controls the output which must be manually set)

When the flash is set to manual the TX should work as simply a trigger to fire the flash at the power set on the flash unit. But I notice a difference between my AF360 and AF540 models. The Af360 output is partially affected by the power setting on the TX unit, whereas the AF540 is not. Perhaps it is the age of the AF360 (version I) that causes the diference. If I am using this method (Manual power set on the flash unit) with the AF360 I ensure I have the TX set to 1x power just in case.

In A mode on the flash I would expect it to work as the Cactus units are simply acting as a trigger and the flash unit will quench it's output according to the built in meter.
02-23-2019, 08:30 AM   #26
Pentaxian
swanlefitte's Avatar

Join Date: May 2015
Location: Minneapolis
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 4,068
Pschlute, sounds reasonable about the 360. I had it on 1/1 power and the v6 at 1/64. It was not firing at full power. Batteries were old so took forever to recharge at full.
02-23-2019, 09:56 AM - 2 Likes   #27
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
QuoteOriginally posted by Class A Quote
The fact that the Xpro-P won't play with manual lenses is not a bug, but the absence of a feature.
Ha! Ha! I guess that is one way of looking at it.

The trigger ignoring an unambiguous signal from the primary hot shoe contact definitely indicates the absence of a feature. In all fairness, perhaps the use case creates a downstream issue with remote flash that might not be answered by a simple relay of "fire as manual flash". Even if unanticipated, the fail-over of not firing is not unforgivable.

That aside, inclusion of Pentax P-TTL into the Godox XPro ecosystem is a huge boon to Pentax shooters. Doing a workaround when the camera cannot control the aperture is a small price to pay for what the XPro-P offers.


Steve

(...writes software...lots of experience with bugs and missed use/test cases...)
02-23-2019, 09:26 PM   #28
Forum Member
zazism_rx's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Kentucky, US
Posts: 54
Original Poster
Thanks everyone! I went ahead and ordered the adapter (in my op). $8.99 shipped is a small price to pay to get all the benefits of the godox system with my manual lenses. From the looks of it, it should limit my xpro-p to the center pin only without messing with tape.

I don't think I'll need a sync cable (hopefully not) but we'll see... they're cheap .

02-25-2019, 03:38 PM - 4 Likes   #29
Forum Member
zazism_rx's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Kentucky, US
Posts: 54
Original Poster
So my passthrough adapter arrived, seems to work like I expected, I am able to pass through the fire through the middle pin only and my trigger files normally with a manual lens attached.

It should be noted, with this adapter attached, you lose the ability to use HSS and TTL with all lenses, but you gain the ability to use manual lenses where you previously could not with the Flashpoint/Godox XPro-P trigger. You're limited to 1/200th of a second... seems like a decent compromise in my book to have control over the Godox lineup, so it behaves same as any non-brand specific trigger like a pocket-wizard. Just swap it on/off when using manual lenses... a lot easier to deal with than tape.
04-25-2019, 07:41 PM - 1 Like   #30
Senior Member
Durf's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: North Georgia Mountains
Posts: 103
QuoteOriginally posted by zazism_rx Quote
So my passthrough adapter arrived, seems to work like I expected, I am able to pass through the fire through the middle pin only and my trigger files normally with a manual lens attached.

It should be noted, with this adapter attached, you lose the ability to use HSS and TTL with all lenses, but you gain the ability to use manual lenses where you previously could not with the Flashpoint/Godox XPro-P trigger. You're limited to 1/200th of a second... seems like a decent compromise in my book to have control over the Godox lineup, so it behaves same as any non-brand specific trigger like a pocket-wizard. Just swap it on/off when using manual lenses... a lot easier to deal with than tape.
I also had to do this "tape thing" too as I only shoot old manual lenses with my K1 and wanted to use my off camera Godox flashes. (2- AD200's and 2 v860ii's with the Xpro P trigger). The tape thing got old fast!
I normally run my off camera flash kit with my Canon gear but it's nice now to be able to use them with my vintage glass on the K1. !
It does suck being limited to 1/200th and not being able to use HSS, but it is what it is for the time being.....it's awesome having the option to at least now use my Godox lights with my K1 and all my old Takumars!
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
auto, bracket, camera, customer, dslr, firmware, flash, flashes, flashpoint evolv ad200, godox, k1, lens, lenses, lighting, manual, pentax, photo studio, photography, service, strobist, trigger, ttl, xpro-p
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Remote flash trigger Pentax k1 with Merz58af2 matroxication Pentax K-1 & K-1 II 6 06-07-2018 01:35 PM
K3 won't trigger external flash? AME Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 4 12-14-2017 12:08 PM
Architecture I won, I won, I won Culture Post Your Photos! 12 11-13-2015 11:34 PM
Help: Camera won't trigger flash Sofokle Pentax DSLR Discussion 2 05-30-2010 02:00 PM
Hot shoe won't trigger in manual mode - sometimes yasha Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 2 03-29-2009 07:22 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:05 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top