Originally posted by Neo_ still 1/180th sync
This is actually a limitation of the camera shutters pentax have been using - not a flash system limitation
per se. I can get my Pentax K5IIs* to synch at 1/250th, though what you end up with is this:
Originally posted by Neo_ no fry protection
Why would a Pentax flash need this? the trigger voltages on modern flash units are quite well suited to cameras - there isn't the wild variation that you would see in the mid 80s where some flash units would use triggering voltages as high as 800 volts.
Originally posted by Neo_ updatable firmware?
This only really makes sense for metz and other off brand flash units where cross system compatability is essential and occasional bug-fixes are needed.
Originally posted by Neo_ limited zoom range,
I haven't found this to be a problem with my wildlife photography:
Pentax K7 - Sigma 100-300mm f/4 APO EX DG @ 300mm (450mm equiv in 35mm terms) - Exposure: f/4 @ 1/180th ISO 100. Pentax AF540FGZ P-TTL wireless flash @85mm with Honl 1/2CTO filter Originally posted by Neo_ no manual ratio wireless control from camera
Even if you use off brand wireless flashes you still have no wireless control of flash power output, and even with Nikon CLS you have to deal with a rather annoying menu system when you want to change anything. Elinchrom allow you to control flash units (BRX and Style RX only) from an Ipad or Iphone, I find this to be a great solution because the interface on a tablet PC or smartphone is miles ahead of any camera.
Originally posted by jonny1986 Simply put thewireless(sic) system is preistoric(sic).
Prehistoric you say? - have you ever had to use one of these with an AF540 for AF360 flash?
Originally posted by Neo_ You need a hotshoe adapter with a sync port to be able to use an industry standard pocket wizard with an af540
I agree with this complaint, however it is possible to modify an AF540 with a plug so that it can be used with these systems, though such a modification would in all probability void your warranty, and not many people are comfortable opening up a flash unit. Or you can simply buy an accessory shoe with the required plug on it and keep your warranty.
* in a nutshell: I got my Pentax K5IIs and linked the shutter release remotely to my Nikon D4 which was set at its synch speed of1/250th which in turn triggered my studio strobes - I had to carefully compensate for the differentials in response time between the two cameras but when I got them to open their shutters to open in perfect sync with each other at 1/250th, I simply had to fire the flash and that was the result that I got.