Off camera flash equipment and setup

giselag · 11-13-2020, 05:24 PM

I have a Pentax K1 and a Pentax AF360FGZ II. Trying to find a way to use my Pentax flash off camera in a wireless setup for outdoor fill flash situations.
Are there any triggers / receivers compatible with Pentax brand for this kind of setup? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

WhatsMyNameAD67 · 11-13-2020, 06:23 PM

While I haven’t tried this, I’ve heard good things about this setup: Yongnuo RF-605C RF-605 Wireless Flash Trigger with LCD for Pentax DSLR Cameras

stevebrot · 11-13-2020, 06:44 PM

Are you wanting to do off-camera P-TTL flash automation or manual flash?

Steve

**BWG** · 11-13-2020, 07:31 PM

The easiest way is to use another Pentax flash on the camera. You can buy used 360 flashed off of eBay for less than $100. You have the choice of having the on-camera flash provide light or only be a trigger for the off-camera flash.

giselag · 11-13-2020, 09:41 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Are you wanting to do off-camera P-TTL flash automation or manual flash?

Steve

I would like the option to do both.

chrism888 · 11-14-2020, 07:09 AM

Cactus triggers will do this plus give you HSS, useful for balancing against daylight, you'll need to have 2 thou, one to act as transmitter and one set to receiver, I've had really good success with these on a K1 and 645z, add a cactus RF80x flash with a build in receiver for even easier use.

Caribe · 11-14-2020, 07:13 AM

Check out the Cactus system. I’ve used a couple for outdoor portraits with HSS. No complaints. (Bought them during a sale). Pentax K-3 and KP with the AF360.

Cactus Wireless Flash Transceiver V6 II CACV6II B&H Photo Video

Last edited by Caribe; 11-14-2020 at 07:20 AM. Reason: Added info

**BarryE** · 11-14-2020, 08:21 AM

You're probably out of luck with Cactus. See Cactus are soon to be no more, sadly ... - PentaxForums.com.

stevebrot · 11-14-2020, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by giselag

I would like the option to do both.

If you want to use your AF360FGZ as the flash, the Cactus system would be a solution. I believe you would need two V6II transceivers. The company is ceasing business, but online merchants still have inventory. If looking at this option, speed to purchase might be advised. Ditto for download of required firmware updates.

Another option might be Godox/Flashpoint. You would not be able to use your Pentax flash except in full manual, but you would be able to do P-TTL and HSS using one of their controllers in conjunction with one of their flash at a price point similar to or less than a Cactus solution. I would suggest the Flashpoint (Adorama) versions of the Godox products since Adorama provides the post-purchase support of those variants.

Steve

stevebrot · 11-14-2020, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by BarryE

You're probably out of luck with Cactus. See Cactus are soon to be no more, sadly ... - PentaxForums.com.

US outlets still have stock and OP is in the US.

Steve

giselag · 11-14-2020, 06:17 PM

Thank you everyone for the useful information. May try to purchase a couple of Cactus V6II. Has anyone heard if Pentax plans to provide a wireless trigger compatible with Pentax flashes?

pschlute · 11-14-2020, 07:41 PM

Originally posted by giselag

Thank you everyone for the useful information. May try to purchase a couple of Cactus V6II.

I use cactus V6IIs and RF60X units together with Pentax AF540s. All works very well.

Us this page to update the firmware on your units when you get them. Downloads | CACTUS

stevebrot · 11-14-2020, 09:46 PM

Originally posted by giselag

Has anyone heard if Pentax plans to provide a wireless trigger compatible with Pentax

It they are, it is a very well-kept secret.

Steve

**clackers** · 11-15-2020, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by giselag

Thank you everyone for the useful information. May try to purchase a couple of Cactus V6II. Has anyone heard if Pentax plans to provide a wireless trigger compatible with Pentax flashes?

I don't think so, I suspect the numbers of potential customers don't make it worthwhile, Giselag.

Even if they did, I think a pair of Cactus v6 iis will be cheaper anyway. I have some, and they work fine.

inkista · 11-16-2020, 04:38 PM

Originally posted by giselag

I would like the option to do both.

While it wouldn't help you use your existing Pentax speedlight off-camera, you could get Godox gear. A Godox TT685-C (for Canon) is $110, and can be firmware-upgraded to do P-TTL/HSS as an off-camera radio slave (it cannot be a P-TTL on-camera flash, though, since it has a Canon foot). And the Godox X2T-P ($60), XPro-P ($70), and Flashpoint R2 Pro II-P ($70) transmitters will let you do P-TTL and HSS, with remote power/group/zoom control.

So, $180 total, which is slightly less than 2x$95 => $190, which is what new V6 II transceivers cost. And you have a built-in radio transceiver in the TT685-C, so you don't need to sandwich a trigger between the flash and the lightstand. And you'll be in the Godox system, which has a lot of larger light options, if you need them.

11-13-2020, 05:24 PM	#1
giselag Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 58	Off camera flash equipment and setup I have a Pentax K1 and a Pentax AF360FGZ II. Trying to find a way to use my Pentax flash off camera in a wireless setup for outdoor fill flash situations. Are there any triggers / receivers compatible with Pentax brand for this kind of setup? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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11-13-2020, 06:23 PM	#2
WhatsMyNameAD67 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 307	While I haven’t tried this, I’ve heard good things about this setup: Yongnuo RF-605C RF-605 Wireless Flash Trigger with LCD for Pentax DSLR Cameras

11-13-2020, 06:44 PM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Are you wanting to do off-camera P-TTL flash automation or manual flash? Steve

11-13-2020, 07:31 PM	#4
BWG Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Monterey County, California Posts: 165	The easiest way is to use another Pentax flash on the camera. You can buy used 360 flashed off of eBay for less than $100. You have the choice of having the on-camera flash provide light or only be a trigger for the off-camera flash.

11-13-2020, 09:41 PM	#5
giselag Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 58 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Are you wanting to do off-camera P-TTL flash automation or manual flash? Steve I would like the option to do both.

11-14-2020, 07:09 AM	#6
chrism888 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 178	Cactus triggers will do this plus give you HSS, useful for balancing against daylight, you'll need to have 2 thou, one to act as transmitter and one set to receiver, I've had really good success with these on a K1 and 645z, add a cactus RF80x flash with a build in receiver for even easier use.

11-14-2020, 07:13 AM	#7
Caribe Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 90	Check out the Cactus system. I’ve used a couple for outdoor portraits with HSS. No complaints. (Bought them during a sale). Pentax K-3 and KP with the AF360. Cactus Wireless Flash Transceiver V6 II CACV6II B&H Photo Video Last edited by Caribe; 11-14-2020 at 07:20 AM. Reason: Added info

11-14-2020, 08:21 AM	#8
BarryE Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,653	You're probably out of luck with Cactus. See Cactus are soon to be no more, sadly ... - PentaxForums.com.

11-14-2020, 10:55 AM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by giselag I would like the option to do both. If you want to use your AF360FGZ as the flash, the Cactus system would be a solution. I believe you would need two V6II transceivers. The company is ceasing business, but online merchants still have inventory. If looking at this option, speed to purchase might be advised. Ditto for download of required firmware updates. Another option might be Godox/Flashpoint. You would not be able to use your Pentax flash except in full manual, but you would be able to do P-TTL and HSS using one of their controllers in conjunction with one of their flash at a price point similar to or less than a Cactus solution. I would suggest the Flashpoint (Adorama) versions of the Godox products since Adorama provides the post-purchase support of those variants. Steve

11-14-2020, 11:00 AM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by BarryE You're probably out of luck with Cactus. See Cactus are soon to be no more, sadly ... - PentaxForums.com. US outlets still have stock and OP is in the US. Steve

11-14-2020, 06:17 PM	#11
giselag Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 58 Original Poster	Thank you everyone for the useful information. May try to purchase a couple of Cactus V6II. Has anyone heard if Pentax plans to provide a wireless trigger compatible with Pentax flashes?

11-14-2020, 07:41 PM	#12
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	Originally posted by giselag Thank you everyone for the useful information. May try to purchase a couple of Cactus V6II. I use cactus V6IIs and RF60X units together with Pentax AF540s. All works very well. Us this page to update the firmware on your units when you get them. Downloads \| CACTUS

11-14-2020, 09:46 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by giselag Has anyone heard if Pentax plans to provide a wireless trigger compatible with Pentax It they are, it is a very well-kept secret. Steve

11-15-2020, 08:57 PM	#14
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by giselag Thank you everyone for the useful information. May try to purchase a couple of Cactus V6II. Has anyone heard if Pentax plans to provide a wireless trigger compatible with Pentax flashes? I don't think so, I suspect the numbers of potential customers don't make it worthwhile, Giselag. Even if they did, I think a pair of Cactus v6 iis will be cheaper anyway. I have some, and they work fine.

11-16-2020, 04:38 PM	#15
inkista Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 256	Originally posted by giselag I would like the option to do both. While it wouldn't help you use your existing Pentax speedlight off-camera, you could get Godox gear. A Godox TT685-C (for Canon) is $110, and can be firmware-upgraded to do P-TTL/HSS as an off-camera radio slave (it cannot be a P-TTL on-camera flash, though, since it has a Canon foot). And the Godox X2T-P ($60), XPro-P ($70), and Flashpoint R2 Pro II-P ($70) transmitters will let you do P-TTL and HSS, with remote power/group/zoom control. So, $180 total, which is slightly less than 2x$95 => $190, which is what new V6 II transceivers cost. And you have a built-in radio transceiver in the TT685-C, so you don't need to sandwich a trigger between the flash and the lightstand. And you'll be in the Godox system, which has a lot of larger light options, if you need them.