Wireless Flash and a K-3

Glen · 09-29-2016, 06:22 PM

A very close call for me resulted in a fatal fall for my K-5 with my favourite lens on it. The K-5 will spend the rest of whatever in the mountains somewhere in a very steep canyon. Yes, it still hurts to think about how preventable that was.

I'm now considering a K-3 II purchase. One of the first questions that comes to mind is how will the wireless flash work? My K-5 used communication from its built in flash to communicate with the 540 FGZ Pentax flash. Since the K3II obviously doesn't have a built in flash, how does it connect to the wireless system? Would I have to buy a new flash? The loss of my K-5 was just what I was holding (no I was not wearing a neck strap) so I still have the rest of my gear, including my flash. If I have to buy a new flash as well, that makes this a more expensive upgrade than anticipated.

CarlJF · 09-29-2016, 06:55 PM

Yes, you'll have to buy another flash to act as a controler or a radio trigger.

Unregistered User 8 · 09-29-2016, 06:58 PM

Originally posted by Glen

I'm now considering a K-3 II purchase.

Hi Glen. Unless you need the features ( pixel shift, GPS etc ) the K-3 would be an excellent upgrade. As it has the built-in flash, you would have no wireless issues and it should be cheaper as well. Good luck.

**UncleVanya** · 09-29-2016, 07:38 PM

The lack on on-board flash and the lack of any suitable small replacement for it that includes wireless master/controller functions is one of the factors that led me to the K-3 over the K-3ii.

That said, wireless triggers are available that work well so that's another option.

**jpzk** · 09-29-2016, 08:08 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by UncleVanya

The lack on on-board flash and the lack of any suitable small replacement for it that includes wireless master/controller functions is one of the factors that led me to the K-3 over the K-3ii.

.

Totally agree on that !

Glen · 09-30-2016, 03:26 PM

Originally posted by pjv

Hi Glen. Unless you need the features ( pixel shift, GPS etc ) the K-3 would be an excellent upgrade. As it has the built-in flash, you would have no wireless issues and it should be cheaper as well. Good luck.

Oh Oh, I can see this is not going to be an easy decision. The pixel shift sounds kind of nice. I presently carry around a GPS to add coordinates so that isn't a big deal. I don't use the flash often but I'm trying to use it more so having to buy a controller and maintain it would only slow that process. Then there's the unseen improvements to the K-3 II that Pentax may have put in there. I thought that this would be so easy.

Are there any rumours of a K3-III or other replacement? How bulky is a controller?

Unregistered User 8 · 09-30-2016, 05:25 PM

Originally posted by Glen

I thought that this would be so easy.

Good luck !!!

**UncleVanya** · 09-30-2016, 10:44 PM

The k-3ii also works with the new kaf4 lens and future lenses like it. The k-3 will not be able to control aperture on these new lenses.

09-29-2016, 06:22 PM	#1
Glen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 329	Wireless Flash and a K-3 A very close call for me resulted in a fatal fall for my K-5 with my favourite lens on it. The K-5 will spend the rest of whatever in the mountains somewhere in a very steep canyon. Yes, it still hurts to think about how preventable that was. I'm now considering a K-3 II purchase. One of the first questions that comes to mind is how will the wireless flash work? My K-5 used communication from its built in flash to communicate with the 540 FGZ Pentax flash. Since the K3II obviously doesn't have a built in flash, how does it connect to the wireless system? Would I have to buy a new flash? The loss of my K-5 was just what I was holding (no I was not wearing a neck strap) so I still have the rest of my gear, including my flash. If I have to buy a new flash as well, that makes this a more expensive upgrade than anticipated.

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09-29-2016, 06:55 PM	#2
CarlJF Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Quebec City Posts: 1,185	Yes, you'll have to buy another flash to act as a controler or a radio trigger.

09-29-2016, 06:58 PM	#3
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Originally posted by Glen I'm now considering a K-3 II purchase. Hi Glen. Unless you need the features ( pixel shift, GPS etc ) the K-3 would be an excellent upgrade. As it has the built-in flash, you would have no wireless issues and it should be cheaper as well. Good luck.

09-29-2016, 07:38 PM	#4
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	The lack on on-board flash and the lack of any suitable small replacement for it that includes wireless master/controller functions is one of the factors that led me to the K-3 over the K-3ii. That said, wireless triggers are available that work well so that's another option.

09-29-2016, 08:08 PM - 1 Like	#5
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Originally posted by UncleVanya The lack on on-board flash and the lack of any suitable small replacement for it that includes wireless master/controller functions is one of the factors that led me to the K-3 over the K-3ii. . Totally agree on that !

09-30-2016, 03:26 PM	#6
Glen Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 329 Original Poster	Originally posted by pjv Hi Glen. Unless you need the features ( pixel shift, GPS etc ) the K-3 would be an excellent upgrade. As it has the built-in flash, you would have no wireless issues and it should be cheaper as well. Good luck. Oh Oh, I can see this is not going to be an easy decision. The pixel shift sounds kind of nice. I presently carry around a GPS to add coordinates so that isn't a big deal. I don't use the flash often but I'm trying to use it more so having to buy a controller and maintain it would only slow that process. Then there's the unseen improvements to the K-3 II that Pentax may have put in there. I thought that this would be so easy. Are there any rumours of a K3-III or other replacement? How bulky is a controller?

09-30-2016, 05:25 PM	#7
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Originally posted by Glen I thought that this would be so easy. Good luck !!!

09-30-2016, 10:44 PM	#8
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,404	The k-3ii also works with the new kaf4 lens and future lenses like it. The k-3 will not be able to control aperture on these new lenses.