Q 1/2000 Off-Camera Flash Possible

Aegon · 10-10-2012, 06:51 AM

Q maximum flash capabilities include:
• the on-board flash fires at a maximum 1/2000 shutter speed with leaf-shutter lenses
• the hotshoe fires at a maximum 1/250 shutter speed with leaf-shutter lenses

I was able to use a Yongnuo YN-560 in slave mode S1 (optical trigger) at up to the power level corresponding to a zoom of 80 (7 out of 8 lights) . At 100% power the flash fires too late, after the shutter closes. (It may be possible that the S1 mode fires on preflash and exposure-flash, if so then maybe 100% is power limited, but I'm not sure. I couldn't get S2 mode working, so I couldn't test this.).\

This compares favorably to an average DSLR which generally has a sync speed of about 1/160, even for the on-board flash.

Last edited by Aegon; 10-10-2012 at 08:19 AM.

snostorm · 10-11-2012, 05:33 PM

Hi Aegon,

I read this post a number of times before I think I understand what you're saying. What I think you're saying is that with the Q and leaf shutter lenses, we can get much more powerful flash synced at very high shutter speeds by using the pop up flash to trigger external remote flashes with optical slave modes or separate optical triggers. This is a very good observation, and something to remember.

Personally, I don't use high speed sync much, but this might encourage me to use it for more things. Thanks!

Scott

Alizarine · 07-09-2013, 08:06 PM

Originally posted by Aegon

I was able to use a Yongnuo YN-560 in slave mode S1 (optical trigger) at up to the power level corresponding to a zoom of 80 (7 out of 8 lights) . At 100% power the flash fires too late, after the shutter closes. (It may be possible that the S1 mode fires on preflash and exposure-flash, if so then maybe 100% is power limited, but I'm not sure. I couldn't get S2 mode working, so I couldn't test this.).\

My reply is a little late, but nice seeing this post really. So in S1 mode the Q can fire the flash at 1/2 power? I mean at speeds higher than 1/180... or even higher than 1/250? Intriguing..indeed, nice!!

**crewl1** · 07-09-2013, 08:36 PM

With the 540FGZ Pentax flash the Q flash will trigger the remote flash in optical slave SL2 mode up to 1/2000 second shutter.

Alizarine · 07-09-2013, 08:44 PM

Originally posted by crewl1

With the 540FGZ Pentax flash the Q flash will trigger the remote flash in optical slave SL2 mode up to 1/2000 second shutter.

Hmm how did you get the SL2 mode to work? What mode was the 540 in? Hoping my Metz 58 AF-2 also has a similar mode...

**crewl1** · 07-09-2013, 08:50 PM - **1 Like**

For the AF540FGZ the power switch is set to middle (Wireless)
Press and hold the Light button to expose the modes.
Press the Mode switch to cycle through PP PH and SL modes.
Once on SL hit the S button to toggle between SL1 and SL2.
Press the Light button to save and exit the mode setting screen.
Now I can switch the flash to manual to set power from 1/1 to 1/64.

I don't know the Metz but perhaps once you are in S1 you can press a setting or dial to change to S2?

Alizarine · 07-09-2013, 09:02 PM

Originally posted by crewl1

don't know the Metz but perhaps once you are in S1 you can press a setting or dial to change to S2?

Thanks for that info! It's really helpful. I have a friend who has a 540 but I'm not sure on the slave modes of my Metz... so far it has the 4-channel mode for slaving it with the K-5/K-x's built-in flash, but if I can use it as a Master for my YN560 that would be awesome. Will do some experiments with some buddies and update the thread as soon as possible. Thanks again crewl1!

**crewl1** · 07-09-2013, 09:31 PM

I looked at a Metz-58 Pentax manual on line and I don't see a way to set a remote slave to anything other than S1 type.

Hopefully you can figure it out.

ASa · 07-10-2013, 12:11 AM

Whoa, I have to give this a go, I have two Yongnuos lying around and even though I haven't felt limited with the sync peeds, it's nice to know these things. If it works at 1/2000 at 80% it's actually really quite nice. I'll give it a go later this week when I have time!

ASa · 07-10-2013, 10:46 AM

I can confirm that with the YN-560's at 7/8 power they can sync with the Q's on-board flash at 1/2000s. Full power they have no change of keeping up, but this is great news for all of my future experiments!

**crewl1** · 07-10-2013, 11:10 AM

Now that you mention it, I tested the 540 and it will sync at 1/4 power or less, but not at 1/1 or 1/2. I had only been trying lower power previously.

EricT · 07-11-2013, 06:36 AM

The main use of high sync speed is to shoot with off camera flash in bright sunlight. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to use the weak on-board flash as a trigger in such situations. It's a shame that they have limited the hot shoe in such a way, the Q would be an excellent camera for strobist work otherwise, more flexible than the fixed lens Fujifilm x100s and extremely compact.

snostorm · 07-11-2013, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by EricT

The main use of high sync speed is to shoot with off camera flash in bright sunlight. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to use the weak on-board flash as a trigger in such situations. It's a shame that they have limited the hot shoe in such a way, the Q would be an excellent camera for strobist work otherwise, more flexible than the fixed lens Fujifilm x100s and extremely compact.

Hi Eric,

It might be possible to fashion very lightweight fiber optic extensions for the popup flash to get more reliable triggering of optical slaves if the remotes don't need to be too far away from the camera.

A possible source of lightweight flexible fiber optic bundles that would be usable for this might be your dentist as they use fiber optics for their high speed handpieces and the hoses (with their integral fiber optic bundles) need to be replaced regularly, mostly because of air leaks, so the fiber optics are usually intact.

I have considered this as a possibility, and obtained a few free fiber optic bundles from my dentist, but haven't implemented it because I haven't found the need yet.

Scott

**wizofoz** · 07-11-2013, 07:21 PM

Originally posted by crewl1

I looked at a Metz-58 Pentax manual on line and I don't see a way to set a remote slave to anything other than S1 type.

Hopefully you can figure it out.

I have both the Metz 58-1 and the Pentax 540. I can get the Metz to fire at 1/2000 from the Q. I set the metz to 'slave' mode and then 'servo'.

I can get the flash to fire at every setting from full power down to 1/256 power.
This could be quite handy, but the flash is bigger than the camera!

**wizofoz** · 07-11-2013, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by crewl1

Now that you mention it, I tested the 540 and it will sync at 1/4 power or less, but not at 1/1 or 1/2. I had only been trying lower power previously.

I can confirm this observation, the 540 only syncs at 1/4 power or less.

I also tried this experiment with my older AF-500 and not only does it work in wireless HSS mode from the Q, it similarly only syncs at 1/4 power or less.

10-10-2012, 06:51 AM	#1
Aegon Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,416	Q 1/2000 Off-Camera Flash Possible Q maximum flash capabilities include: • the on-board flash fires at a maximum 1/2000 shutter speed with leaf-shutter lenses • the hotshoe fires at a maximum 1/250 shutter speed with leaf-shutter lenses I was able to use a Yongnuo YN-560 in slave mode S1 (optical trigger) at up to the power level corresponding to a zoom of 80 (7 out of 8 lights) . At 100% power the flash fires too late, after the shutter closes. (It may be possible that the S1 mode fires on preflash and exposure-flash, if so then maybe 100% is power limited, but I'm not sure. I couldn't get S2 mode working, so I couldn't test this.).\ This compares favorably to an average DSLR which generally has a sync speed of about 1/160, even for the on-board flash. Last edited by Aegon; 10-10-2012 at 08:19 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Looking to get into off camera flash, need ideas for a lens/flash combination	Sagitta	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	11	06-25-2012 04:04 PM
Flash sync speed with On-camera flash.	Tonto	Pentax Q	4	04-28-2012 05:26 AM
For Sale - Sold: Metz 48 AF-1 Flash; Pentax off-camera flash cable set (Adapter F, FG (US/UK/CA	bigben91682	Sold Items	4	10-12-2010 04:23 AM
For Sale - Sold: Sunpak Auto511 off-camera flash and bracket, Large Quantaray black camera bag	pxpaulx	Sold Items	3	02-11-2010 09:06 PM
2000 miles and 2000 pictures later	Petthefish	Post Your Photos!	4	10-03-2007 03:04 PM

10-11-2012, 05:33 PM	#2
snostorm Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago suburb, IL, USA Posts: 1,535	Hi Aegon, I read this post a number of times before I think I understand what you're saying. What I think you're saying is that with the Q and leaf shutter lenses, we can get much more powerful flash synced at very high shutter speeds by using the pop up flash to trigger external remote flashes with optical slave modes or separate optical triggers. This is a very good observation, and something to remember. Personally, I don't use high speed sync much, but this might encourage me to use it for more things. Thanks! Scott

07-09-2013, 08:06 PM	#3
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	Originally posted by Aegon I was able to use a Yongnuo YN-560 in slave mode S1 (optical trigger) at up to the power level corresponding to a zoom of 80 (7 out of 8 lights) . At 100% power the flash fires too late, after the shutter closes. (It may be possible that the S1 mode fires on preflash and exposure-flash, if so then maybe 100% is power limited, but I'm not sure. I couldn't get S2 mode working, so I couldn't test this.).\ My reply is a little late, but nice seeing this post really. So in S1 mode the Q can fire the flash at 1/2 power? I mean at speeds higher than 1/180... or even higher than 1/250? Intriguing..indeed, nice!!

07-09-2013, 08:36 PM	#4
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	With the 540FGZ Pentax flash the Q flash will trigger the remote flash in optical slave SL2 mode up to 1/2000 second shutter.

07-09-2013, 08:44 PM	#5
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	Originally posted by crewl1 With the 540FGZ Pentax flash the Q flash will trigger the remote flash in optical slave SL2 mode up to 1/2000 second shutter. Hmm how did you get the SL2 mode to work? What mode was the 540 in? Hoping my Metz 58 AF-2 also has a similar mode...

07-09-2013, 08:50 PM - 1 Like	#6
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	For the AF540FGZ the power switch is set to middle (Wireless) Press and hold the Light button to expose the modes. Press the Mode switch to cycle through PP PH and SL modes. Once on SL hit the S button to toggle between SL1 and SL2. Press the Light button to save and exit the mode setting screen. Now I can switch the flash to manual to set power from 1/1 to 1/64. I don't know the Metz but perhaps once you are in S1 you can press a setting or dial to change to S2?

07-09-2013, 09:02 PM	#7
Alizarine Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Manila Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,185	Originally posted by crewl1 don't know the Metz but perhaps once you are in S1 you can press a setting or dial to change to S2? Thanks for that info! It's really helpful. I have a friend who has a 540 but I'm not sure on the slave modes of my Metz... so far it has the 4-channel mode for slaving it with the K-5/K-x's built-in flash, but if I can use it as a Master for my YN560 that would be awesome. Will do some experiments with some buddies and update the thread as soon as possible. Thanks again crewl1!

07-09-2013, 09:31 PM	#8
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	I looked at a Metz-58 Pentax manual on line and I don't see a way to set a remote slave to anything other than S1 type. Hopefully you can figure it out.

07-10-2013, 12:11 AM	#9
ASa Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tampere/Helsinki Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 218	Whoa, I have to give this a go, I have two Yongnuos lying around and even though I haven't felt limited with the sync peeds, it's nice to know these things. If it works at 1/2000 at 80% it's actually really quite nice. I'll give it a go later this week when I have time!

07-10-2013, 10:46 AM	#10
ASa Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Tampere/Helsinki Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 218	I can confirm that with the YN-560's at 7/8 power they can sync with the Q's on-board flash at 1/2000s. Full power they have no change of keeping up, but this is great news for all of my future experiments!

07-10-2013, 11:10 AM	#11
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Now that you mention it, I tested the 540 and it will sync at 1/4 power or less, but not at 1/1 or 1/2. I had only been trying lower power previously.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-11-2013, 06:36 AM	#12
EricT Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 484	The main use of high sync speed is to shoot with off camera flash in bright sunlight. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to use the weak on-board flash as a trigger in such situations. It's a shame that they have limited the hot shoe in such a way, the Q would be an excellent camera for strobist work otherwise, more flexible than the fixed lens Fujifilm x100s and extremely compact.

07-11-2013, 10:30 AM	#13
snostorm Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago suburb, IL, USA Posts: 1,535	Originally posted by EricT The main use of high sync speed is to shoot with off camera flash in bright sunlight. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to use the weak on-board flash as a trigger in such situations. It's a shame that they have limited the hot shoe in such a way, the Q would be an excellent camera for strobist work otherwise, more flexible than the fixed lens Fujifilm x100s and extremely compact. Hi Eric, It might be possible to fashion very lightweight fiber optic extensions for the popup flash to get more reliable triggering of optical slaves if the remotes don't need to be too far away from the camera. A possible source of lightweight flexible fiber optic bundles that would be usable for this might be your dentist as they use fiber optics for their high speed handpieces and the hoses (with their integral fiber optic bundles) need to be replaced regularly, mostly because of air leaks, so the fiber optics are usually intact. I have considered this as a possibility, and obtained a few free fiber optic bundles from my dentist, but haven't implemented it because I haven't found the need yet. Scott

07-11-2013, 07:21 PM	#14
wizofoz Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Outer east. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,695	Originally posted by crewl1 I looked at a Metz-58 Pentax manual on line and I don't see a way to set a remote slave to anything other than S1 type. Hopefully you can figure it out. I have both the Metz 58-1 and the Pentax 540. I can get the Metz to fire at 1/2000 from the Q. I set the metz to 'slave' mode and then 'servo'. I can get the flash to fire at every setting from full power down to 1/256 power. This could be quite handy, but the flash is bigger than the camera!

07-11-2013, 07:31 PM	#15
wizofoz Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Outer east. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,695	Originally posted by crewl1 Now that you mention it, I tested the 540 and it will sync at 1/4 power or less, but not at 1/1 or 1/2. I had only been trying lower power previously. I can confirm this observation, the 540 only syncs at 1/4 power or less. I also tried this experiment with my older AF-500 and not only does it work in wireless HSS mode from the Q, it similarly only syncs at 1/4 power or less.