[Katja]

Can somebody please shine some light on the following problem? Last week, I was shooting an event for the client. I used one of my Cactus RF60X flashes, mounted directly to the camera (Pentax K1-Mark II). I took a few shots using the flash. Then, the flash didn't fire, but the red light was on.

Additional information:
- I was using rechargeable Eneloop batteries and a Cactus external battery pack EP-1 (total of 12 AA batteries); all batteries were fully charged
- The recycle time after a full power flash (using the Cactus external battery pack) should be 1.2 sec
- Lens used - HD Pentax DFA 24 - 70 mm
- The camera was set at the Flash synch speed of 1/180 or slower; ISO was set at 200 or higher to maintain a faster recycle time
- Cactus RF60X was set in L mode and 1/4 power
- Firmware of the Pentax k1 - II is v 2.30
- Firmware of the Cactus RF60X is 104.

I also have a Transceiver V6 IIs (firmware 1.1.013), but this device wasn't used in this instance.

As it happened repetitively, first of all, I checked if the flash was correctly mounted on the camera, and it was. I turned off both devices (flash and camera) and removed the batteries from the flash unit. Then, I turned back on both devices. On a few occasions, everything worked as it should, but it didn't last. I'm lost what could be the problem. Please help!

Questions:
- Could it be the Capacitor? If so, I have followed the instructions per User Manual #15. Forming the Capacitor. This was after the event.
- Can I do any tests to determine if the flash unit is the problem? I have two external flash units and must prevent this issue from reoccurring.
- Could the old firmware be causing this problem? Where can I download the latest firmware for Cactus RF60X for Mac?

Thank you, guys; I appreciate any tips on how to fix this issue.

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Last edited by Katja; 08-21-2023 at 04:22 PM.

[AstroDave]

Then, the flash didn't fire, but the red light was on.

Is that the "test" button? Does it fire reliably when you push the button? If not, it would appear that something is intermittent inside the unit.

[UncleVanya]

Does it fire from trigger? There’s a cactus thread on dpreview that may help with firmware.

[pschlute]

Yes try the trigger to see if that gives you any clues

I have two RF60Xs but never use them on the shoe.

[Katja]

Is that the "test" button? Does it fire reliably when you push the button? If not, it would appear that something is intermittent inside the unit.

That is a good question. Sometimes, the flash fired when tested. But sometimes, it didn't. Hence I decided to remove batteries from the flash unit.

---------- Post added 08-22-23 at 10:26 AM ----------

Does it fire from trigger? There’s a cactus thread on dpreview that may help with firmware.

It did before, but I didn't test it in this instance. I'll try, but the flash unit was fully working (mounted on the camera).

Thanks for the tip regarding firmware. All I could find was the firmware for Windows, not Mac.

---------- Post added 08-22-23 at 10:28 AM ----------

Yes try the trigger to see if that gives you any clues

I have two RF60Xs but never use them on the shoe.

I'll try this, but the problem is that I need to have the flash mounted on my camera when shooting events. It's impractical to hold the flash in one hand and the camera with the heavy 24 - 70 mm Pentax lens in the other hand.

[UncleVanya]

I'll try this, but the problem is that I need to have the flash mounted on my camera when shooting events. It's impractical to hold the flash in one hand and the camera with the heavy 24 - 70 mm Pentax lens in the other hand.

They make brackets for that.

[Katja]

They make brackets for that.

That is a great idea. I have the good old Metz 45 CT-4 flashgun. It came with a bracket. Honestly, I didn't even consider getting the flash bracket. That might solve the problem! A good thinking UncleVanya.

[BarryE]

My first reaction was mounting issues as I've seen this. Mounting position etc. has been covered above, but I'm not sure cleaning contacts has been mentioned. Maybe? I wonder in manual versus TTL might show different behaviour. Guess my thinking is simplifying things. (I only ever use manual, so no idea what I'm talking about if you're using TTL ;-) )

[pschlute]

wonder in manual versus TTL might show different behaviour.

I don't think the Cactus RF60X will work in P-TTL mode when directly mounted on the hotshoe. It will however work in P-TTL off-camera, when combined with a Cactus V6II transceiver on the hotshoe.

[AlwaysAl]

Hello Katja,
Experienced what I believe a very similar journey but with a Pentax "FTZ-360" flash. Shooting at events (with a high-frequency requirement), everything would start well but noticed the flash didn't always fire in-sync deteriorating to a similar "no flash" condition. Initially thought it was any variety of conditions (flash settings, wayward flash from others, poor focus, etc.) but eventually focused on potentially prematurely :"expired batteries" as a fresh set seemed to offer a temporararily remedy the situation, inconvenience aside. Long story short, finally attributed the condition to the flash or battery over-heating...once it cooled down, operations returned to normal. A conversation (professional versus consumer grade expectations) with my local camera outlet got me into a Metz 50 system (similar dimensionally) and the problem went away. To be honest, the Pentax "540" would have probably provided the same solution but it became a pocket-book driven decision. Looking back, when changing the batteries out on the Pentax unit, they were always almost too hot to handle...not so with the Metz.
With respect to flash position, acquired a Vello bracket but never enamoured with it. It works wired or wireless but it's design seems flimsy but it does the job. To be honest, also have a Metx 45 and it's my preferred go-to for using the camera in portrait position.
Good luck

[Katja]

My first reaction was mounting issues as I've seen this. Mounting position etc. has been covered above, but I'm not sure cleaning contacts has been mentioned. Maybe? I wonder in manual versus TTL might show different behaviour. Guess my thinking is simplifying things. (I only ever use manual, so no idea what I'm talking about if you're using TTL ;-) )

Thanks for your thoughts, Barry. But Cactus can be used only in M mode when mounted to the camera. Yep, the dirt was also on my mind, but the connecting parts are as clean as.

---------- Post added 08-23-23 at 02:08 PM ----------

I don't think the Cactus RF60X will work in P-TTL mode when directly mounted on the hotshoe. It will however work in P-TTL off-camera, when combined with a Cactus V6II transceiver on the hotshoe.

Agree. And it's another reason to get the flash bracket so I could use the unit in P-TTL mode. I have the Cactus V6II transceiver.

[oes]

It might be worth checking this setting on the flash. You said it happened after a few 1/4 power shots but maybe you shot more than you remember, where you shooing quickly and has the flash been ok since the event?
Thermal Cooling
To avoid the abrupt overheat cut-off after a series of bursts in full power, RF60X has an exclusive cooling mode to manage the temperature inside the flash body by regulating the recycle time.
Cooling Mode ON:
The shortest flash recycle time will be applied only when the RF60X is within moderate temperatures. The cooling mode will regulate the recycle time with reference to the temperature inside the flash body. In
a series of full-power bursts, the recycle time may become longer in later shots. However, photographers can shoot without the restriction of the overheat cut-off.
Cooling Mode OFF:
The shortest flash recycle time will be applied all the time. However, the overheat cut-off may force the flash to cool down abruptly after approximately 20 full-power bursts. Photographers have to wait for 15
minutes to resume the flash in proper operation.

1. To turn on the cooling mode,
press thee "Menu" button and then press the "Next" button until the text area shows <COOL> (short form for cooling mode).
2. Use the + or - button to turn on or off the cooling mode.

[Katja]

Hello Katja,
Long story short, finally attributed the condition to the flash or battery over-heating...once it cooled down, operations returned to normal. A conversation (professional versus consumer grade expectations) with my local camera outlet got me into a Metz 50 system (similar dimensionally) and the problem went away.

AlwaysAI, thank you for sharing your thoughts. Yes, battery overheating was on my mind as the most logical reason, when the flash didn't fire. I actually have a Metz 50 unit, but the head is very loose and it doesn't stay at the desired angle.

To be honest, the Pentax "540" would have probably provided the same solution but it became a pocket-book driven decision. Looking back, when changing the batteries out on the Pentax unit, they were always almost too hot to handle...not so with the Metz.

I might had the same recollection - no overheating with the Metz 50 unit when I used to use it.

With respect to flash position, acquired a Vello bracket but never enamoured with it. It works wired or wireless but it's design seems flimsy but it does the job. To be honest, also have a Metx 45 and it's my preferred go-to for using the camera in portrait position.
Good luck

I've already purchased a flash bracket by Glanz with a cold shoe, so, I'm curious to see if the P-TTL off-camera mode will prevent this problem.

[URL="https://www.digidirect.com.au/glanz-video-va-2224b-bracket-with-cold-shoe"]

---------- Post added 08-28-23 at 10:21 AM ----------

Cooling Mode ON:
The shortest flash recycle time will be applied only when the RF60X is within moderate temperatures. The cooling mode will regulate the recycle time with reference to the temperature inside the flash body. In
a series of full-power bursts, the recycle time may become longer in later shots. However, photographers can shoot without the restriction of the overheat cut-off.

Hi Oes, I've re-read the RF60X manual and noticed this option. I'll definitely give it a go when I'm next shooting the next event where the flash is required to fire repetitively in a short period of time. Thank you for your comments.