Please help me expand my article on P-TTL flashes

MidwestMax · 11-23-2008, 07:32 PM

Thanks for posting this. I especially appreciate the comparison chart.

One thing about the Pentax AF-200FG, though: you can actually set the power to three manual modes: "Full," -0.5 and -1.

mattdm · 11-23-2008, 07:44 PM

Originally posted by MidwestMax

Thanks for posting this. I especially appreciate the comparison chart.

One thing about the Pentax AF-200FG, though: you can actually set the power to three manual modes: "Full," -0.5 and -1.

As I understand it, the Full mode means full manual, but the -0.5 and -1 settings are EV compensation values for the automatic P-TTL mode. That's why they're expressed as stops rather than as fractions. Am I wrong?

MidwestMax · 11-23-2008, 08:31 PM

Originally posted by mattdm

As I understand it, the Full mode means full manual, but the -0.5 and -1 settings are EV compensation values for the automatic P-TTL mode. That's why they're expressed as stops rather than as fractions. Am I wrong?

No, you're right--I just checked my 200FG.

Deni · 11-24-2008, 07:13 AM

Originally posted by mattdm

I found this thread where the Vivitar DF400MZ is reviewed — it's one of the Sakar / Digital Concepts look-alikes:

Vivitar's New DF400MZ a Credible Rival to Canon? [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums

Would you agree with the assessment of the build quality? (Especially the comments in the third post?)

Well the build quality is ok-ish. I don't through my stuff around and so far it has survived.

I only have another Chinese auto flash and their construction is similar but nothing like the k100d.

I've used both flashes, but I find the auto flash more reliable, but the p-ttl is faster. I used the p-ttl flash for some indoors football matches were it performed fine, but chose to use the auto flash for a wedding.

The only problem I've had with my flashes so far is that the secondary fill-in flash of the auto flash burned (it popped). You had to see the face of the poor bride but I assured her everything was fine.

I took about 1400 shots from 6pm to 3am with the poor flash. The small flash died only the next day after about 400 extra shots. I also had the p-ttl flash as a backup.

If I'd start from the beginning I would either look for a 285hv or a sigma 500/530 super. Too bad the sigma doesn't have an auto option.

11-23-2008, 07:32 PM	#46
MidwestMax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 199	Af-200fg Thanks for posting this. I especially appreciate the comparison chart. One thing about the Pentax AF-200FG, though: you can actually set the power to three manual modes: "Full," -0.5 and -1.

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11-23-2008, 07:44 PM	#47
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948 Original Poster	Originally posted by MidwestMax Thanks for posting this. I especially appreciate the comparison chart. One thing about the Pentax AF-200FG, though: you can actually set the power to three manual modes: "Full," -0.5 and -1. As I understand it, the Full mode means full manual, but the -0.5 and -1 settings are EV compensation values for the automatic P-TTL mode. That's why they're expressed as stops rather than as fractions. Am I wrong?

11-23-2008, 08:31 PM	#48
MidwestMax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 199	Originally posted by mattdm As I understand it, the Full mode means full manual, but the -0.5 and -1 settings are EV compensation values for the automatic P-TTL mode. That's why they're expressed as stops rather than as fractions. Am I wrong? No, you're right--I just checked my 200FG.

11-24-2008, 07:13 AM	#49
Deni Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tirana, Albania, South Europe, Planet Earth Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 621	Originally posted by mattdm I found this thread where the Vivitar DF400MZ is reviewed — it's one of the Sakar / Digital Concepts look-alikes: Vivitar's New DF400MZ a Credible Rival to Canon? [Archive] - Canon Digital Photography Forums Would you agree with the assessment of the build quality? (Especially the comments in the third post?) Well the build quality is ok-ish. I don't through my stuff around and so far it has survived. I only have another Chinese auto flash and their construction is similar but nothing like the k100d. I've used both flashes, but I find the auto flash more reliable, but the p-ttl is faster. I used the p-ttl flash for some indoors football matches were it performed fine, but chose to use the auto flash for a wedding. The only problem I've had with my flashes so far is that the secondary fill-in flash of the auto flash burned (it popped). You had to see the face of the poor bride but I assured her everything was fine. I took about 1400 shots from 6pm to 3am with the poor flash. The small flash died only the next day after about 400 extra shots. I also had the p-ttl flash as a backup. If I'd start from the beginning I would either look for a 285hv or a sigma 500/530 super. Too bad the sigma doesn't have an auto option.