No onboard flash ? :(

JimC1101 · 02-07-2015, 12:21 AM

Hmmm.....so you always bring your speed light with you when you need fill flash, which could be outdoors or in low light indoor situations?

Sometimes I think people only take pictures in studio where lighting is perfect or they always carry their camera bag just in case they need to add on their hot shoe flash. Oh well, I guess for the ones who think that they would never use an on board flash in those unexpected situations, maybe they will just use a lighter or a match.....or candle if they are eating at a candlelight restaurant. Also, sometimes I think people who use on board flash keep it at full power.....yeah, that is for noobs......but there is a level of on board which can be stopped down just using it to compliment a picture with less than perfect light which is not even noticeable as a flash picture is actually very easy to do.

Last edited by JimC1101; 02-07-2015 at 12:28 AM.

rawr · 02-07-2015, 12:24 AM

Originally posted by CypherOz

On board flash is for noobs

Hardly. It's just useful sometimes - eg when a bunch of guys ask you for an impromptu shot in a dark venue at the close of their gig. I didn't have an off-camera flash with me at the time because flash use during the gig was prohibited.

Hence useful.

JimC1101 · 02-07-2015, 12:34 AM

My point exactly....your pic looks great and a perfect example of what I have tried to explain to others. Sometime it is like they only think perfect lighting.....use their hot shoe.....there are many instances where you wont have your external with you and it works great in certain conditions. I guess a lot of people don't see the "Big Picture" of all of the instances where an on board would be beneficial.

j2photos · 02-07-2015, 12:48 AM

I do carry my bag with me everywhere. But that's just me, and I'm weird.

Smeggypants · 02-07-2015, 12:55 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by CypherOz

No on board flash - yay! Waste of time and effort; only needs a hotshoe. On board flash is for noobs

Sigh.

j2photos · 02-07-2015, 01:10 AM

I wouldn't say it's for noobs, it's for in a pinch, didn't bring all the gear you might just need. I actually used to use mine when I had a k20 but I bought a fong hot shoe diffuser to combat how harsh it was. Now I just keep my speedlight with me.

Tesla · 02-07-2015, 01:11 AM

Originally posted by j2photos

I do carry my bag with me everywhere. But that's just me, and I'm weird.

I thought this thread would die..lol. Your not weird, but I do tend to just pack what I think I'll use. Anyway I don't see how having a built in flash is a negative. And accidental popup can be solved with a lock switch. Just like I don't see a negative for tilted screen.. just because a camera has a feature doesn't mean you have to use it.

j2photos · 02-07-2015, 01:18 AM

Originally posted by Tesla

I thought this thread would die..lol. Your not weird, but I do tend to just pack what I think I'll use. Anyway I don't see how having a built in flash is a negative. And accidental popup can be solved with a lock switch. Just like I don't see a negative for tilted screen.. just because a camera has a feature doesn't mean you have to use it.

At this rate it may never die

I'm sure everyone thought the "why I won't buy a k-3" thread would die.

Tesla · 02-07-2015, 01:24 AM

lol.. well the way I look at it, right now there is only one FF camera.. so load it up with as many features as possible to make everyone happy... then when and if they expand the FF line to multiple bodies they can make a die hard pro version with no video, no popup flash, no tilted screen, etc.

CypherOz · 02-07-2015, 02:29 AM

Originally posted by Smeggypants

Sigh.

Originally posted by j2photos

I wouldn't say it's for noobs, it's for in a pinch, didn't bring all the gear you might just need. I actually used to use mine when I had a k20 but I bought a fong hot shoe diffuser to combat how harsh it was. Now I just keep my speedlight with me.

The point being that the light from on-board is pretty crappy; if you are shooting with a 35mm sensor then you should have your lighting sorted.
Eg. the Nikon D4s does not have an inbuilt flash

**Rondec** · 02-07-2015, 04:14 AM

The only way I would use onboard flash would be trigger off camera flashes. I just hate the direct flash look it creates. I have seen some good results with macros and onboard flash, but my person experience has been really negative -- harsh shadows and people that look like mimes. With full frame, you have the option to push your iso a little higher, but it also doesn't take much space to stick a Metz or Pentax flash in the bag, either.

**acoufap** · 02-07-2015, 04:24 AM

If so - I don't think that's a big problem. Most of my directly "flashed" images aren't very good (taken with K5).

I think in the future continous and flashed led light will take a bigger role in lighting sceneries. Combined with the advanced ISO capabilities of the new camera we should get all we need.

rawr · 02-07-2015, 04:41 AM

Originally posted by CypherOz

Eg. the Nikon D4s does not have an inbuilt flash

But the D610/D750/D810 do ...

The lack of a built-in flash would not be a deal-breaker for me, but a built-in flash seems one of those added extra value features that are characteristic of Pentax, so I would be surprised to see it omitted.

SimonomiS · 02-07-2015, 05:40 AM

Never used the onboard flash for my K5, if leaving it off gives them more time/space for other things, good!

drawbar · 02-07-2015, 10:09 AM

Besides normal pictures in dark, or fill flash in natural light, onboard flash is handy when documenting stuff, and goal is not "artistic" picture. A while ago I used built-in flash as memory help when disassembling/renovating my computer. Before that I documented a wasp nest in a dark shed when planning my later commando attack.

Cameras have many uses, mind you.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Metering with M mode using onboard flash	JimC1101	Pentax DSLR Discussion	7	05-14-2014 12:39 PM
Macro Onboard flash	bluestringer	Post Your Photos!	8	04-11-2013 06:42 AM
Using K 30 onboard flash for fill flash	bcorson	Pentax K-30 & K-50	12	02-18-2013 04:06 PM
Onboard Flash	Na Horuk	Pentax K-r	11	04-19-2012 03:32 PM
Pentax K10D and Onboard Flash	matix	Pentax DSLR Discussion	12	03-05-2007 07:53 PM

02-07-2015, 12:21 AM	#61
JimC1101 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Fremont, Ca Photos: Albums Posts: 395 Original Poster	Hmmm.....so you always bring your speed light with you when you need fill flash, which could be outdoors or in low light indoor situations? Sometimes I think people only take pictures in studio where lighting is perfect or they always carry their camera bag just in case they need to add on their hot shoe flash. Oh well, I guess for the ones who think that they would never use an on board flash in those unexpected situations, maybe they will just use a lighter or a match.....or candle if they are eating at a candlelight restaurant. Also, sometimes I think people who use on board flash keep it at full power.....yeah, that is for noobs......but there is a level of on board which can be stopped down just using it to compliment a picture with less than perfect light which is not even noticeable as a flash picture is actually very easy to do. Last edited by JimC1101; 02-07-2015 at 12:28 AM.

02-07-2015, 12:24 AM	#62
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by CypherOz On board flash is for noobs Hardly. It's just useful sometimes - eg when a bunch of guys ask you for an impromptu shot in a dark venue at the close of their gig. I didn't have an off-camera flash with me at the time because flash use during the gig was prohibited. Hence useful.

02-07-2015, 12:34 AM	#63
JimC1101 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Fremont, Ca Photos: Albums Posts: 395 Original Poster	My point exactly....your pic looks great and a perfect example of what I have tried to explain to others. Sometime it is like they only think perfect lighting.....use their hot shoe.....there are many instances where you wont have your external with you and it works great in certain conditions. I guess a lot of people don't see the "Big Picture" of all of the instances where an on board would be beneficial.

02-07-2015, 12:48 AM	#64
j2photos Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Manteca, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,653	I do carry my bag with me everywhere. But that's just me, and I'm weird.

02-07-2015, 12:55 AM - 1 Like	#65
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	Originally posted by CypherOz No on board flash - yay! Waste of time and effort; only needs a hotshoe. On board flash is for noobs Sigh.

02-07-2015, 01:10 AM	#66
j2photos Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Manteca, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,653	I wouldn't say it's for noobs, it's for in a pinch, didn't bring all the gear you might just need. I actually used to use mine when I had a k20 but I bought a fong hot shoe diffuser to combat how harsh it was. Now I just keep my speedlight with me.

02-07-2015, 01:11 AM	#67
Tesla Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Washington State Posts: 589	Originally posted by j2photos I do carry my bag with me everywhere. But that's just me, and I'm weird. I thought this thread would die..lol. Your not weird, but I do tend to just pack what I think I'll use. Anyway I don't see how having a built in flash is a negative. And accidental popup can be solved with a lock switch. Just like I don't see a negative for tilted screen.. just because a camera has a feature doesn't mean you have to use it.

02-07-2015, 01:18 AM	#68
j2photos Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Manteca, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,653	Originally posted by Tesla I thought this thread would die..lol. Your not weird, but I do tend to just pack what I think I'll use. Anyway I don't see how having a built in flash is a negative. And accidental popup can be solved with a lock switch. Just like I don't see a negative for tilted screen.. just because a camera has a feature doesn't mean you have to use it. At this rate it may never die I'm sure everyone thought the "why I won't buy a k-3" thread would die.

02-07-2015, 01:24 AM	#69
Tesla Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Washington State Posts: 589	lol.. well the way I look at it, right now there is only one FF camera.. so load it up with as many features as possible to make everyone happy... then when and if they expand the FF line to multiple bodies they can make a die hard pro version with no video, no popup flash, no tilted screen, etc.

02-07-2015, 02:29 AM	#70
CypherOz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 246	Originally posted by Smeggypants Sigh. Originally posted by j2photos I wouldn't say it's for noobs, it's for in a pinch, didn't bring all the gear you might just need. I actually used to use mine when I had a k20 but I bought a fong hot shoe diffuser to combat how harsh it was. Now I just keep my speedlight with me. The point being that the light from on-board is pretty crappy; if you are shooting with a 35mm sensor then you should have your lighting sorted. Eg. the Nikon D4s does not have an inbuilt flash

02-07-2015, 04:14 AM	#71
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,662	The only way I would use onboard flash would be trigger off camera flashes. I just hate the direct flash look it creates. I have seen some good results with macros and onboard flash, but my person experience has been really negative -- harsh shadows and people that look like mimes. With full frame, you have the option to push your iso a little higher, but it also doesn't take much space to stick a Metz or Pentax flash in the bag, either.

02-07-2015, 04:24 AM	#72
acoufap Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Munich, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,190	If so - I don't think that's a big problem. Most of my directly "flashed" images aren't very good (taken with K5). I think in the future continous and flashed led light will take a bigger role in lighting sceneries. Combined with the advanced ISO capabilities of the new camera we should get all we need.

02-07-2015, 04:41 AM	#73
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by CypherOz Eg. the Nikon D4s does not have an inbuilt flash But the D610/D750/D810 do ... The lack of a built-in flash would not be a deal-breaker for me, but a built-in flash seems one of those added extra value features that are characteristic of Pentax, so I would be surprised to see it omitted.

02-07-2015, 05:40 AM	#74
SimonomiS New Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 12	Never used the onboard flash for my K5, if leaving it off gives them more time/space for other things, good!

02-07-2015, 10:09 AM	#75
drawbar Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Hämeenlinna, Finland Posts: 52	Besides normal pictures in dark, or fill flash in natural light, onboard flash is handy when documenting stuff, and goal is not "artistic" picture. A while ago I used built-in flash as memory help when disassembling/renovating my computer. Before that I documented a wasp nest in a dark shed when planning my later commando attack. Cameras have many uses, mind you.