AF-500 FTZ and Pentax 645 TTL compatibility

LocalFlover · 05-11-2022, 08:50 AM

Hi guys, my first post here!

Recently I've read some positive reviews about good old AF-500 FTZ TTL flash unit here:

PENTAX AF 500FTZ reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

After reading about the positive experiences with analog TTL cameras there (especially from user gofour3) I've decided to go for this flash to couple it with my Pentax 645 film camera.

Now the flash has arrived and to my disappointment it seems, that my 645 camera doesn't "understand" the TTL protocol of this flash. I conclude that from viewfinder, because when the AF-500 FTZ is attached and switched on, the little "lightning" icon doesn't appears in the viewfinder and that means the camera don't "sees" the attached flash. This, for example is not the case with my little Pentax AF220T - if I turn it on, the 645 automatically switches to TTL mode and shows the "lightning" icon in viewfinder.

The question: is AF-500 FTZ really incompatible with 645's TTL mode?..

Thanks in advance!

Not a Number · 05-11-2022, 09:05 AM - **1 Like**

Welcome to the Forums.

I moved this post to the Flash section. Hopefully someone can answer your questions.

steephill · 05-11-2022, 09:41 AM - **1 Like**

The F series of flashes (as in FTZ) uses a digital control method which is only compatible with AF bodies. Your 645 uses an analogue control method which the AF500FTZ doesn't recognize. Flash Systems Evolution, Features and Operation | The K-Mount Page covers this, read down to the section on Digital-Control Flashes.

LocalFlover · 05-12-2022, 12:24 AM

Thank you for your explanation!

But it leads me to conclusion, that the following statement on the before mentioned AF-500 FTZ Review page was rather false:

"While the AF500FTZ would not be your first choice for a Pentax DSLR, it is the flash of choice for any Pentax film camera that supports TTL flash. As a result I give it a 10, you are not going to find a better flash for a Pentax TTL supported 35mm, 645 or 6x7 film body. Highly recommended."

Not a Number · 05-12-2022, 03:11 AM - **1 Like**

It might be your unit is defective or the contacts (camera and flash) just need cleaning. Or you've overlooked some setting?

Why not contact the poster @gofour3 for more information?

**gofour3** · 05-12-2022, 01:07 PM - **1 Like**

The older manual focus TTL film cameras, like the LX, Super A and 645, fully support only the first generation of 4P TTL flashes.

Auto focus 35mm & 645N/Nii cameras support the second generation 5P TTL auto focus flashes. The manual focus 67II also works, but only via the special hot-shoe grip & 5P flash sync cable.

My guess the older 645 will work but you will loose some flash features. Another issue is the camera mount not being KFA/KFA2, so you will loose the auto zoom features of the AF500FTZ flash.

Phil.

LocalFlover · 05-13-2022, 01:48 AM

Originally posted by gofour3

The older manual focus TTL film cameras, like the LX, Super A and 645, fully support only the first generation of 4P TTL flashes.

Auto focus 35mm & 645N/Nii cameras support the second generation 5P TTL auto focus flashes. The manual focus 67II also works, but only via the special hot-shoe grip & 5P flash sync cable.

My guess the older 645 will work but you will loose some flash features. Another issue is the camera mount not being KFA/KFA2, so you will loose the auto zoom features of the AF500FTZ flash.

Phil.

Thanks for your input @gofour3.

I've tried the flash with 645 yesterday and it fired in Manual mode only. As expected. The TTL isn't a must in all situations, but I don't know yet if I'll keep this flash, because I was hoping for more.
I assume the "modest" solution could be AF280T, the fancy way could be something like battery powered studio flash - Godox? - with Radio Trigger.

**gofour3** · 05-13-2022, 08:51 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by LocalFlover

Thanks for your input @gofour3.

I've tried the flash with 645 yesterday and it fired in Manual mode only. As expected. The TTL isn't a must in all situations, but I don't know yet if I'll keep this flash, because I was hoping for more.
I assume the "modest" solution could be AF280T, the fancy way could be something like battery powered studio flash - Godox? - with Radio Trigger.

The AF400T, would be another option for the 645:

PENTAX AF 400T reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

Phil.

05-11-2022, 08:50 AM	#1
LocalFlover New Member Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 3	AF-500 FTZ and Pentax 645 TTL compatibility Hi guys, my first post here! Recently I've read some positive reviews about good old AF-500 FTZ TTL flash unit here: PENTAX AF 500FTZ reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database After reading about the positive experiences with analog TTL cameras there (especially from user gofour3) I've decided to go for this flash to couple it with my Pentax 645 film camera. Now the flash has arrived and to my disappointment it seems, that my 645 camera doesn't "understand" the TTL protocol of this flash. I conclude that from viewfinder, because when the AF-500 FTZ is attached and switched on, the little "lightning" icon doesn't appears in the viewfinder and that means the camera don't "sees" the attached flash. This, for example is not the case with my little Pentax AF220T - if I turn it on, the 645 automatically switches to TTL mode and shows the "lightning" icon in viewfinder. The question: is AF-500 FTZ really incompatible with 645's TTL mode?.. Thanks in advance!

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05-11-2022, 09:05 AM - 1 Like	#2
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Welcome to the Forums. I moved this post to the Flash section. Hopefully someone can answer your questions.

05-11-2022, 09:41 AM - 1 Like	#3
steephill Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 586	The F series of flashes (as in FTZ) uses a digital control method which is only compatible with AF bodies. Your 645 uses an analogue control method which the AF500FTZ doesn't recognize. Flash Systems Evolution, Features and Operation \| The K-Mount Page covers this, read down to the section on Digital-Control Flashes.

05-12-2022, 12:24 AM	#4
LocalFlover New Member Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Thank you for your explanation! But it leads me to conclusion, that the following statement on the before mentioned AF-500 FTZ Review page was rather false: "While the AF500FTZ would not be your first choice for a Pentax DSLR, it is the flash of choice for any Pentax film camera that supports TTL flash. As a result I give it a 10, you are not going to find a better flash for a Pentax TTL supported 35mm, 645 or 6x7 film body. Highly recommended."

05-12-2022, 03:11 AM - 1 Like	#5
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	It might be your unit is defective or the contacts (camera and flash) just need cleaning. Or you've overlooked some setting? Why not contact the poster @gofour3 for more information?

05-12-2022, 01:07 PM - 1 Like	#6
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	The older manual focus TTL film cameras, like the LX, Super A and 645, fully support only the first generation of 4P TTL flashes. Auto focus 35mm & 645N/Nii cameras support the second generation 5P TTL auto focus flashes. The manual focus 67II also works, but only via the special hot-shoe grip & 5P flash sync cable. My guess the older 645 will work but you will loose some flash features. Another issue is the camera mount not being KFA/KFA2, so you will loose the auto zoom features of the AF500FTZ flash. Phil.

05-13-2022, 01:48 AM	#7
LocalFlover New Member Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Originally posted by gofour3 The older manual focus TTL film cameras, like the LX, Super A and 645, fully support only the first generation of 4P TTL flashes. Auto focus 35mm & 645N/Nii cameras support the second generation 5P TTL auto focus flashes. The manual focus 67II also works, but only via the special hot-shoe grip & 5P flash sync cable. My guess the older 645 will work but you will loose some flash features. Another issue is the camera mount not being KFA/KFA2, so you will loose the auto zoom features of the AF500FTZ flash. Phil. Thanks for your input @gofour3. I've tried the flash with 645 yesterday and it fired in Manual mode only. As expected. The TTL isn't a must in all situations, but I don't know yet if I'll keep this flash, because I was hoping for more. I assume the "modest" solution could be AF280T, the fancy way could be something like battery powered studio flash - Godox? - with Radio Trigger.

05-13-2022, 08:51 AM - 1 Like	#8
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091	Originally posted by LocalFlover Thanks for your input @gofour3. I've tried the flash with 645 yesterday and it fired in Manual mode only. As expected. The TTL isn't a must in all situations, but I don't know yet if I'll keep this flash, because I was hoping for more. I assume the "modest" solution could be AF280T, the fancy way could be something like battery powered studio flash - Godox? - with Radio Trigger. The AF400T, would be another option for the 645: PENTAX AF 400T reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database Phil.