[plis]

Hi,
Anyone has or had Pentax K-s2 and flash Metz 52?
Although, it has PTTL-HSS mode, I was not able to get it working with times shorter than 1/90.
Camera let's me put 1/200 (although, without times between), but flash is not synchronised.
Firmwares are updated and I cannot find anything about such issue.

[stevebrot]

Camera let's me put 1/200 (although, without times between), but flash is not synchronised.

You should have been good to at least 1/180s even without HSS. What exposure mode was the K-S2 set to? Was the Metz flash in HSS mode with flash ready indicated in the viewfinder and rear display?

(Note: HSS is not available for non-PTTL optical slave with the Metz off-camera. There is also an error in the 52 AF-1 manual (p.151) in that HSS is not a camera setting in Pentaxland; it is always a flash setting.)


Steve

[plis]

Shutter time jumps from 1/90 to 1/200 (1/250 if using half-steps vs. 1/3 stops)
I've been trying with Tv, TAv and M (actually, all of them).
Flash is set to PTTL HSS (in PTTL, 1/90 is the shortest) and shows readiness itself and on the camera.
I must be missing something important as indeed 1/180 should anyway be possible.

[stevebrot]

Flash is set to PTTL HSS (in PTTL, 1/90 is the shortest) and shows readiness itself and on the camera.

Assuming the Metz is on the camera hot shoe, it should work. The other assumption is that the mounted lens is A-series or newer and that the aperture ring (if equipped) is in the "A" position to allow P-TTL.

HSS as with all P-TTL features including sync is not handled through the main sync contact on the shoe. Instead, it is managed through the data contact at upper right. You can test whether P-TTL is working by going to M-mode with 2s delay for the drive mode. The preflash will fire on shutter press with the main flash firing after the delay.

There is also the outside possibility that a firmware update on the flash may help.

mecablitz 52 AF-1 digital: Metz


Steve

P.S. The sequence for half-step shutter speeds should be 60, 90, 125, 180, 250. For one-third-step...60, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250 unless a Pentax-dedicated flash is detected. In that case it goes 125, 160, 180.

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Last edited by stevebrot; 01-11-2021 at 12:20 PM.

[plis]

You can test whether P-TTL is working by going to M-mode with 2s delay for the drive mode. The preflash will fire on shutter press with the main flash firing after the delay.

It passed this test. I had a preflash and then main one.

I am testing with DA lenses and I have also updated (again) firmware of the flash.
Getting slowly to the idea that flash needs servicing or to be trashed...

[pschlute]

I've been trying with Tv, TAv and M (actually, all of them).

Stick to Manual exposure mode. Set the shutter to faster than sync speed and the flash to HSS. What happens ?

[plis]

Stick to Manual exposure mode. Set the shutter to faster than sync speed and the flash to HSS. What happens ?

At 1/200 flashes, but out of sync, as frame is heavily underexposed (almost black).

[pschlute]

At 1/200 flashes, but out of sync, as frame is heavily underexposed (almost black).

OK , then either the flash or the camera is bust.

[plis]

OK , then either the flash or the camera is bust.

Camera works just fine with FGZ360, then suspect is just one. Not happy with it, though...

[stevebrot]

At 1/200 flashes, but out of sync

That is an indicator of failure of P-TTL or total failure of HSS*. Out of sync would show as a dark margin at that speed.

Added: The main flash contact on the shoe never provides sync above 1/180s regardless of type or brand of flash mounted.


Steve

* HSS works by pulsing the flash at a rapid rate as the curtains traverse the frame gate. No light to the frame may mean that the preflash was the only flash.

[plis]

Will try to open it and check whether there is anything visible, but I do not have high hopes.
Thanks all.

[stevebrot]

Will try to open it and check whether there is anything visible, but I do not have high hopes.
Thanks all.

Take care to not get shocked. There is a big capacitor in there.


Steve

[plis]

Take care to not get shocked. There is a big capacitor in there.
Steve

I know about that, but thanks for reminding.

[fs999]

Hi,
Anyone has or had Pentax K-s2 and flash Metz 52?
Although, it has PTTL-HSS mode, I was not able to get it working with times shorter than 1/90.
Camera let's me put 1/200 (although, without times between), but flash is not synchronised.
Firmwares are updated and I cannot find anything about such issue.

You have to choose Tv to fire at faster speeds...

[stevebrot]

You have to choose Tv to fire at faster speeds...

M-mode and TAv tend to work too, as might Av or P under bright conditions.


Steve