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HeavyD · 06-25-2009, 01:31 PM

I'm having serious issues with my k10d and af-360fgz flash. When I use the flash in pttl mode the pics are extremely under exposed. I don't get it. I shot a TV not 10 feet from the camera and it came out dark. It must be the AF 360 flash. See samples below.

TV no flash

TV pop up flash

TV AF 360 PTTL

Book case no flash

Book case pop up flash

Book case AF 360 PTTL

**Ash** · 06-25-2009, 01:47 PM

Are you sure the flash is firing at all?
Are you in X, Av or M mode? If in M mode, is the Tv longer than 1/180 sec?

Test out the flash by having your eyes off the viewfinder and on the flash when you trip the shutter.
If not firing, check to see that the red 'ready' light is on on the flash and it is in P-TTL mode.
But if it is firing, check that your flash exposure compensation value is not minus something (should be 0 or above when being used as the primary light source).

There are lots of possibilities here, you need to let us in on your flash and camera settings to know for sure.

wlachan · 06-25-2009, 01:58 PM

The exif says manual flash. Wrong power output perhaps?

Duck Dodgers · 06-25-2009, 02:02 PM

The camera knows a flash is being used, but thinks it is in manual mode, I believe.

Exif from last shot:

Camera Make: PENTAX Corporation
Camera Model: PENTAX K10D
Image Date: 2009:06:25 03:23:43
Flash Used: Yes (Manual)
Focal Length: 48.0mm (35mm equivalent: 72mm)
Exposure Time: 0.017 s (1/60)
Aperture: f/7.1
ISO equiv: 400
White Balance: Manual
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: program (Auto)

Edited to add: The exifs for the pop-up flash pics say "Yes (manual)" too. Hmmm.

HeavyD · 06-25-2009, 02:11 PM

I don't understand why it's saying manual. Is the camera not recognizing the flash unit? I bought it off of ebay, maybe it's a dud. Here is how it's set up. I had to take the flash off the camera to take a pic.

HeavyD · 06-25-2009, 02:13 PM

Heres two more pics, it has to be a communication issue with the camera.

pop up flash

AF 360 pttl mode

Duck Dodgers · 06-25-2009, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by HeavyD

Heres two more pics, it has to be a communication issue with the camera.

That's what I'm thinking. Try wiping the contacts with a dry cloth.
And make sure the flash is all the way forward in the shoe.

GeneV · 06-25-2009, 02:22 PM

I don't know if this was true when it was on the camera, but in the photo, the AF360 appears to be set for wireless, rather than "on."

HeavyD · 06-25-2009, 02:43 PM

Originally posted by GeneV

I don't know if this was true when it was on the camera, but in the photo, the AF360 appears to be set for wireless, rather than "on."

It's in the on position.

felix68 · 06-25-2009, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by GeneV

I don't know if this was true when it was on the camera, but in the photo, the AF360 appears to be set for wireless, rather than "on."

Ding, Ding, Ding - I think we have a winner! GeneV observed the same thing as me, the power switch is set to wireless mode. Depending on the other settings, the flash may be acting as a controller and not firing for the exposure at all.
HeavyD - Switch make sure the power switch is all the way over to ON. Also, set the M - C - S switch to M so that the flash at least acts as the Master if you accidentally use the wireless mode.

filorp · 06-25-2009, 03:01 PM

No guys it isn't wireless i would opt for a contacts... even if it was it works as a master

HeavyD · 06-25-2009, 05:58 PM

OK, I've tried the other modes. The flash works fine in Auto mode, I set the camera to AV mode, ISO 250 and f/4.5 and I got proper exposure. Pttl auto zoom, manual zoom and pttl wireless produces underexposed shots. It doesn't help if I add flash compensation. I even tried shooting at ISO 1600 and +1 flash comp, no good. I'm guessing it's the flash. It shouldn't be the camera. How are the Sigma ef-530 supers on the k10d?

Auto mode

Pttl mode

Duck Dodgers · 06-25-2009, 06:08 PM

Is the strobe even firing? Does it pre-flash in P-TTL mode?

**Canada_Rockies** · 06-25-2009, 06:08 PM

One setting that could give you trouble that I don't see mentioned above - the flash needs to be set to SL-1, not SL-2.

HeavyD · 06-25-2009, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by Duck Dodgers

Is the strobe even firing? Does it pre-flash in P-TTL mode?

No, it's not firing a pre-flash in pttl mode. I also noticed that if I adjust the flash compensation on the camera, it does not affect the flash power, or register on the flash lcd.

06-25-2009, 01:31 PM	#1
HeavyD Inactive Account Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York Posts: 155	Having flash issues. I'm having serious issues with my k10d and af-360fgz flash. When I use the flash in pttl mode the pics are extremely under exposed. I don't get it. I shot a TV not 10 feet from the camera and it came out dark. It must be the AF 360 flash. See samples below. TV no flash TV pop up flash TV AF 360 PTTL Book case no flash Book case pop up flash Book case AF 360 PTTL

06-25-2009, 02:46 PM	#10
felix68 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 281	That's My Take As Well Originally posted by GeneV I don't know if this was true when it was on the camera, but in the photo, the AF360 appears to be set for wireless, rather than "on." Ding, Ding, Ding - I think we have a winner! GeneV observed the same thing as me, the power switch is set to wireless mode. Depending on the other settings, the flash may be acting as a controller and not firing for the exposure at all. HeavyD - Switch make sure the power switch is all the way over to ON. Also, set the M - C - S switch to M so that the flash at least acts as the Master if you accidentally use the wireless mode.

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06-25-2009, 01:47 PM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Are you sure the flash is firing at all? Are you in X, Av or M mode? If in M mode, is the Tv longer than 1/180 sec? Test out the flash by having your eyes off the viewfinder and on the flash when you trip the shutter. If not firing, check to see that the red 'ready' light is on on the flash and it is in P-TTL mode. But if it is firing, check that your flash exposure compensation value is not minus something (should be 0 or above when being used as the primary light source). There are lots of possibilities here, you need to let us in on your flash and camera settings to know for sure.

06-25-2009, 01:58 PM	#3
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	The exif says manual flash. Wrong power output perhaps?

06-25-2009, 02:02 PM	#4
Duck Dodgers Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: in the 24½th Century! Photos: Gallery Posts: 439	The camera knows a flash is being used, but thinks it is in manual mode, I believe. Exif from last shot: Camera Make: PENTAX Corporation Camera Model: PENTAX K10D Image Date: 2009:06:25 03:23:43 Flash Used: Yes (Manual) Focal Length: 48.0mm (35mm equivalent: 72mm) Exposure Time: 0.017 s (1/60) Aperture: f/7.1 ISO equiv: 400 White Balance: Manual Metering Mode: Matrix Exposure: program (Auto) Edited to add: The exifs for the pop-up flash pics say "Yes (manual)" too. Hmmm.

06-25-2009, 02:11 PM	#5
HeavyD Inactive Account Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York Posts: 155 Original Poster	I don't understand why it's saying manual. Is the camera not recognizing the flash unit? I bought it off of ebay, maybe it's a dud. Here is how it's set up. I had to take the flash off the camera to take a pic.

06-25-2009, 02:13 PM	#6
HeavyD Inactive Account Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York Posts: 155 Original Poster	Heres two more pics, it has to be a communication issue with the camera. pop up flash AF 360 pttl mode

06-25-2009, 02:17 PM	#7
Duck Dodgers Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: in the 24½th Century! Photos: Gallery Posts: 439	Originally posted by HeavyD Heres two more pics, it has to be a communication issue with the camera. That's what I'm thinking. Try wiping the contacts with a dry cloth. And make sure the flash is all the way forward in the shoe.

06-25-2009, 02:22 PM	#8
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	I don't know if this was true when it was on the camera, but in the photo, the AF360 appears to be set for wireless, rather than "on."

06-25-2009, 02:43 PM	#9
HeavyD Inactive Account Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York Posts: 155 Original Poster	Originally posted by GeneV I don't know if this was true when it was on the camera, but in the photo, the AF360 appears to be set for wireless, rather than "on." It's in the on position.

06-25-2009, 03:01 PM	#11
filorp Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Aberdeen Scotland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 398	No guys it isn't wireless i would opt for a contacts... even if it was it works as a master

06-25-2009, 05:58 PM	#12
HeavyD Inactive Account Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York Posts: 155 Original Poster	OK, I've tried the other modes. The flash works fine in Auto mode, I set the camera to AV mode, ISO 250 and f/4.5 and I got proper exposure. Pttl auto zoom, manual zoom and pttl wireless produces underexposed shots. It doesn't help if I add flash compensation. I even tried shooting at ISO 1600 and +1 flash comp, no good. I'm guessing it's the flash. It shouldn't be the camera. How are the Sigma ef-530 supers on the k10d? Auto mode Pttl mode

06-25-2009, 06:08 PM	#13
Duck Dodgers Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: in the 24½th Century! Photos: Gallery Posts: 439	Is the strobe even firing? Does it pre-flash in P-TTL mode?

06-25-2009, 06:08 PM	#14
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	One setting that could give you trouble that I don't see mentioned above - the flash needs to be set to SL-1, not SL-2.

06-25-2009, 06:16 PM	#15
HeavyD Inactive Account Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York Posts: 155 Original Poster	Originally posted by Duck Dodgers Is the strobe even firing? Does it pre-flash in P-TTL mode? No, it's not firing a pre-flash in pttl mode. I also noticed that if I adjust the flash compensation on the camera, it does not affect the flash power, or register on the flash lcd.

Having flash issues.

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