[LFLee]

Thanks guys for all the explanations, links and photos.
A WR flash would indeed quite cool - but then you need a WR wireless trigger as well...

But Pentax could really build the brand over WR, this is unique to Pentax.

[Allison]

I'm still waiting for a decent owners manual on the 540 and 360 flash units....ones that recognize that Pentax has actually moved in to the digital world and is written in language relating to digital and actually makes some sense on the flash operations.
I think it was 4-5 years ago over on DPR that old Ned said he was working on that problem.......so if he is working on the new flashes too, and you are holding your breath in anticipation, you will most likely be dead before they arrive in reality.
'Regards!

+1!!!

I think the 540 manual was the worst thing that I have ever tried to read. If a total newbie tried to read that, they would be hopelessly lost in how to operate a flash.

[noahpurdy]

I dont' give a shit about it being WR. All I want is a flash that at-least has a METAL HOT SHOE. I think it's silly that the 540 is a plastic hunk of crap.

[reeftool]

I've had some pretty cool looking shots come out using the flash in both snow and rain but a WR flash probably isn't likely. Night shots in the snow can be awesome if you get the flash right. When flash is concerned, that's when I'm most jealous of Nikon owners. The Pentax flash options are pretty basic and PTTL doesn't work very well in my opinion. I'm currently using a Metz 48 and getting best results in manual mode. The settings I used on my K10D are way off on the K5. I could blame it on Metz but I've heard enough of the same complaints throughout the forum with Pentax flashes also. PTTL results are always a crap shoot. Fortunately, the K5 is excellent in high ISO so I don't use the flash on it much. I think Pentax can make all of us happy with a new and improved flash system that works.

[sebberry]

I'd like to see a WR flash. If anything it would probably be better built than the 540. I think the 540 is a bit flimsy, and I've had two break with minimal usage.

[wjjstu]

I dont' give a shit about it being WR. All I want is a flash that at-least has a METAL HOT SHOE. I think it's silly that the 540 is a plastic hunk of crap.

I've never had any issues with my trusty Vivitar 285HV or Metz 54 but I probably only take out the flash a few dozen times a year.

[Alizarine]

A weather seal flash .... quite doesn't make sense? like, if it is raining (or snowing), and you use flash, isn't the rain drops reflect the flash and ruin the pic? Why do you need a weather seal flash?

Hmm didn't the Olympus OM-D system possess a WR flash? Why would they make one?

to quote DPR's announcement catch of the Oly press release:

Powerful Portability and Rugged Durability

...The electronic viewfinder section of the body is also made of magnesium alloy to ensure durability, and the FL-LM2 Electronic Flash that ships with the camera features the same dustproof and splashproof construction.

[beholder3]

[[deleted]

[sebberry]

I'm always paranoid about damaging the camera taking the flash on and off. It's a stiff bugger! Good point about the shoe being plastic and breaking before the camera does.

[harrisonww]

If its true I hope its WR and faster than 1/180!! Cmon Pentax!

[RonHendriks1966]

If its true I hope its WR and faster than 1/180!! Cmon Pentax!

Well I guess that that is a future that needs to be incorporated in the body and the flash isn't the issue.

[thibs]

If its true I hope its WR and faster than 1/180!! Cmon Pentax!

Sync speed doesn't depends (mostly) on flash but on the body shutter (and presence or lack of SR as demonstrated by Sony).

[harrisonww]

Well I guess that that is a future that needs to be incorporated in the body and the flash isn't the issue.

I agree I should have put in my reply; upgrade the next K-(X) camera with some upgraded sync gear! And have a flash that will handle it

[awaldram]

The pentax sync speed is about standard for the class of camera

Though Nikon quote 1/250 for there baby slr's if you read the small print this is achieved by auto HSS not the real sync speed , so the same is achievable with Pentax with HSS

the d800 is rated @1/320 but in reality X-sync is 1/250 so I guess Nikon think their users are suckers ? who wouldn't notice a bit of HSS
d600 rated 1/250 but really 1/200.

But given the responses in this thread about faster X-Sync think maybe Nikon gets away with it ??

[filorp]

I guess Nikon think their users are suckers ?

both of my af540fgz works perfectly with d700 with synch 1/250 radio wireless manual mode, and 1/320 flash auto mode.... therefore, there is no dodgy hss nor limitation in the flashgun....