[C_Jones]

I know the K-3II did not come with the on board flash, and that most likely will not effect the use of external Pentax flashes. So, if I had my two Pentax AF360FGZ flashes on stands, and had a K3II, without a flash mounted, as the master and on the same channel, then when I press my shutter button both of the external flashes should fire. I am assuming this is correct.

Thank you.

[Steve.Ledger]

What's going to trigger your external flash units unless you have a flash mounted on the camera?

[Adam]

Since the K-3 II doesn't support on-board wireless flash you'd either have to use a radio trigger or a cable (in which case functionality is identical to that of the K-3). If you do want to do things wirelessly you could get one of the 360's to act as the master.

[C_Jones]

So, since the K-3II does not have an onboard flash, I would have to use one of the AF360FGZs on the K3II to activate the other AF360FGZ which would be on a stand (external). That would be an alternative to using cable or a radio trigger?

[UncleVanya]

So, since the K-3II does not have an onboard flash, I would have to use one of the AF360FGZs on the K3II to activate the other AF360FGZ which would be on a stand (external). That would be an alternative to using cable or a radio trigger?

Correct.

[C_Jones]

Okay, one AF360FGZ mounted on the K3II. One AF360FGZ external on a stand.

AF360FGZ mounted on K3II designated master. AF360FGZ external on stand designated as slave on same channel as master.

The flash emission from the AF360FGZ mounted on the K3II activates the external AF360FGZ mounted on the stand.

I am assuming that is basically what I would do then. The K-5 series seemingly had an option where you would not have to use the pop up flash to activate the external off camera flashes. If so, I thought that the K-3II would have inherited that option through some sort of infrared capability, not having to have the on board flash.

[Adam]

I am assuming that is basically what I would do then. The K-5 series seemingly had an option where you would not have to use the pop up flash to activate the external off camera flashes. If so, I thought that the K-3II would have inherited that option through some sort of infrared capability, not having to have the on board flash.

The K-3 has that feature, since it has a flash. But without a flash there isn't much that can be done Perhaps you'd want to swap your K-3 II for a K-3?

The flash emission from the AF360FGZ mounted on the K3II activates the external AF360FGZ mounted on the stand.

Exactly. I believe you can also set the on-camera flash to "controller" mode if you don't want it to illuminate the scene.

Adam
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[C_Jones]

The K-3 has that feature, since it has a flash. But without a flash there isn't much that can be done Perhaps you'd want to swap your K-3 II for a K-3?



Exactly. I believe you can also set the on-camera flash to "controller" mode if you don't want it to illuminate the scene.

Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.

[clackers]

. The K-5 series seemingly had an option where you would not have to use the pop up flash to activate the external off camera flashes.

Don't think so, CJ.

With a K-5 you'd have to use a hotshoe cable, external flash or third-party wireless remote, surely.

[UncleVanya]

Here's an example of using the onboard flash as a wireless controller rather than a master.



The AF540FGZ flash was to the right of the frame on a table about level with the bed and lying flat on its back with the flash set at about a 45 degree bounce.

[clackers]

Nice pic, Brad. Some people fret about the controller flash contributing to the lighting but your example show it isn't enough for two catchlights in the eyes.

[UncleVanya]

Nice pic, Brad. Some people fret about the controller flash contributing to the lighting but your example show it isn't enough for two catchlights in the eyes.

I should dig up the one I did with the flash on master. It was pretty good but cast a shadow on the wall behind her. Also the light was too uniform and her pose didn't have as much interest. But it is useful to see that delta.

I have seen those complaints myself but so far I can't recreate s situation where the controller mode contributes enough light to cause any issues for me.

[C_Jones]

Don't think so, CJ.

With a K-5 you'd have to use a hotshoe cable, external flash or third-party wireless remote, surely.

What I was referring to was the K-5 ability to have the built in flash discharge method used in an "Off" mode (set in Custom Setting 3).

---------- Post added 09-18-15 at 09:31 AM ----------

Here's an example of using the onboard flash as a wireless controller rather than a master.



The AF540FGZ flash was to the right of the frame on a table about level with the bed and lying flat on its back with the flash set at about a 45 degree bounce.

Nice picture. The subject actually seems to be posing.

[clackers]

What I was referring to was the K-5 ability to have the built in flash discharge method used in an "Off" mode

Forgive me, because I don't have a K-5, but are you saying it does this without the popup flash? Please explain! :-)