One last one for a while...
Yep.. as I have found in *some* cases, and as some have pointed out; stepping back a few feet can have an impact.
The K3 is much more sensitive to the pre-flash than prior models. This not only affects bounce flash but also wireless flash and adjustments need to be made when shooting either.
If I can get enough distance such that the pre-flash is diminished, it seems that my issues disappear.
I don't always have that option, but I can workaround the issue if the K3 is consistent!
*** Yeah! ***
So white objects within about four feet when using bounce flash is a No-No!
In general, you're likely going to blind a person at that range, so it is probably not an issue in a lot of cases.
But for product and macro, it isn't unusual. So I still hope there is a better solution.
---------- Post added 03-24-14 at 06:28 PM ----------
Originally posted by johnc I noticed that the PTTL K-3 flash behaviour is VERY different to the K-5. Not necessarily a bad thing, it was very easy to make the K-5 overexpose with light coloured subjects and bounce, and this behaviour is fixed (here at least).
The negative is that I have found it IS possible to provoke significant underexposure under certain circumstances. I'm trying to test to bottom these out (AF450 so far), but I would say it happens with dark (black) coloured subjects where the path of the flash bounce is not 'direct' enough to result in a reading. Seems maybe the flash/camera defaults to the lowest level where a reliable PTTL reading can't be obtained?
In short I think that when you have a dark object that is not illuminated 'enough' by the flash, the shot may underexpose excessively. I can't seem to prompt bad behaviour with anything other than black objects.
ha, ha, yeah very different indeed.
I had a horrible time with the K5 overexposing with flash.
Now I have a horrible time with the K3 underexposing. But in the end I am hoping the K3 may be more predictable and consistent once its peculiarities are determined. It would still be nice though if Ricoh could refine the pre-flash to help get exposure back towards neutral-gray rather than soul-sucking black.