[Pentax Bob]

Anyone know of a compatible shoe mount flash that is working on a K-3, that is not Pentax? I had a nice one ( Bell & Howell ) that I was using on my K-x, but it is not compatible with my K-3.

Pentax Bob

[mamethot]

Both the Sigma EF-610 DG ST and the Yongnuo YN460 flashes work, here.

[lister6520]

I have the Metz 58AF-2 and it works great with the K-3.

[Jon]

Just got the Sigma EF-610 DG Super. came in today. P-TTL and High Speed Sync. Cheaper than the Metz.

[derekkite]

Metz af-50 is fine. The slave mode using builtin as master works nicely.

[stevebrot]

Just got the Sigma EF-610 DG Super. came in today. P-TTL and High Speed Sync. Cheaper than the Metz.

I will be curious as to how well it works. I already have the EF-610 DG Super and am contemplating buying the K-3 when I have the funds.


Steve

[burb]

I can confirm that Sigma EF-530 DG Super Flash is working just fine on my k-3

[Jon]

Great. Once I figure out how to get the most out of mine, I presume that will be the case as well. But, so far so good.

[klkitchens]

I simply use Lumopro flashes: LP-120 and LP-160 now (discontinued), will get two LP-180s in the future. If I need it hot-shoe mounted, i use a sync cable from the PC port.

TTL is so iffy, it's better to control the flash manually and be able to take it off camera as much as possible (if not always) for better lighting.

[lister6520]

.....
TTL is so iffy, it's better to control the flash manually and be able to take it off camera as much as possible (if not always) for better lighting.

I haven't yet had many opportunities to use P-TTL with the K-3 but from what I have it is looking to be very accurate and reliable, certainly way better than the K-r and K-30.

Whether it's best to use P-TTL or not will depend a lot on the situation. For instance in a studio where you have the time to set up things properly I would definitely do everything manually. On the other hand in cases where you don't have that luxury P-ttl can often be the only way to get a good shot before the fleeting moment passes.

[Jon]

^Nailed it.
The P-TTL is good on the K-3, and having a flash with it is a necessary evil for HSS.
I also completely agree with klkitchens, a well controlled manual flash set up when appropriate is preferred.
I have done the vast majority of my flash work manually, and it is the only way to get creative results.
In those moments where speed and changing conditions are factors though, you can rest assured that the K-3's P-TTL has you covered.

[philbaum]

Monday evening i got called in with 20 minutes notice to do some playhouse promo shots. And was told to just use whatever camera i had in my car. They needed the pics by the next AM. While waiting for the stage to be set up and the actors to dress, i set up the only flash i had with me, a manual Yongnuo 460 II to use on the top of my K5. I have a metz 48 that will do pttl, but rarely use it anymore in favor to 2 Yongnuo manual flashes. The main reason is that my pttl flash uses this preflash which too often seems to cause people to blink.

The simple MANUAL yongnuo flashes are full power capable and they are all simply controlled by buttons off the back of the flash, unlike the complex menu diving of the metz 48. When one is in a hurry, the simplicity of the of the yongnuo flashes and complete fractional power option, is appreciated.

I took a coupla test shots to set up the manual flash, these were basically good for the subsequent 15 shots for the promo shoot.

There was fairly good stage lighting, and i just bounced the flash off the ceiling to add some additional brightness to the scene. So yes, manual flashes can be really effective. (and at $45 like what i paid for the yn460 II - cheap)

[tx0h]

I can confirm that Sigma EF-530 DG Super Flash is working just fine on my k-3

can you/anyone else confirm that this flash has an effect on images when
using HSS (FP) and shutterspeeds shorter than 1/180 (1/160)?

when i set the flash to FP (HSS) and set the shutter to about 1/250s i can't
see any effect in the image. i cross checked with my K-5 and K10d. All
settings where the same on K-3, K-5 and K10d but only the K-5 and
K10d seem to get the HSS 'right'.

camera problem? flash problem? user problem?

greetings,
tx0h

[philbaum]

can you/anyone else confirm that this flash has an effect on images when
using HSS (FP) and shutterspeeds shorter than 1/180 (1/160)?

when i set the flash to FP (HSS) and set the shutter to about 1/250s i can't
see any effect in the image. i cross checked with my K-5 and K10d. All
settings where the same on K-3, K-5 and K10d but only the K-5 and
K10d seem to get the HSS 'right'.

camera problem? flash problem? user problem?

greetings,
tx0h

A better way of testing your HSS is to go into a darkish room in your house, point the camera and flash mounted to it, at a mirror and take a picture. If its working at all - it will be visible in a picture. I've found that with fractional power use, like down to 1/128 or lower, that its often difficult to see if the flash is working unless i took a picture of it

[MViborg]

I will be curious as to how well it works. I already have the EF-610 DG Super and am contemplating buying the K-3 when I have the funds.


Steve

The sigma 610 super which i got for christmas, works perfectly with my k3. I've tested hss and TTL with no problems..
The k3 is really nice ;-)