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mysterick · 01-21-2008, 06:17 AM

When using my AF540FGZ and AF360FGZ as remote slaves on channel 1, I am unable to set the modes to P-TTL, only A or M. It is my understanding that the K10D body is still operating in P-TTL Mode and "expects" the remote flashes to be set in the same manner. The 540 has just come back from servicing (the WA diffuser and Catchlite deflector were broken) and they checked the overall operation of the unit, but probably not the remote function. The 360 is new and does the same. Any ideas how to work with this?

susanc · 01-21-2008, 07:05 AM

The manual always says to use Channel 2. Not sure if that will make a difference.

mysterick · 01-21-2008, 08:55 AM

The Channel doesn't make any difference. I have set the channel to sync between the camera and the flash(es) according to the instructions in the flash manuals. Iinitially goes to P-TTL and then reverts to "A" and if I press the Mode button it only permits A or M. I can work around this, but if it is in fact meant to operate in P-TTL, I would like it to do so. Thanks, though.

Ole · 01-21-2008, 09:23 AM

A wild shot in the dark - do you happen to use a lens with an aperture ring, which is not set to "A"?

mysterick · 01-21-2008, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by Ole

A wild shot in the dark - do you happen to use a lens with an aperture ring, which is not set to "A"?

No, the two lenses I want to use for now are the SMCP18-250 and Sigma 70mm 1:2.8 DG Macro; neither having aperture rings. Thanks, though.

ChrisA · 01-21-2008, 11:29 AM

Originally posted by mysterick

When using my AF540FGZ and AF360FGZ as remote slaves on channel 1, I am unable to set the modes to P-TTL, only A or M.

I've noticed this a couple of times with my AF540, and I was completely mystified by it to start with. There are only so many times you can go through the instructions one line at a time, have it still not work, and not end up thinking you're either mad, or something's not working right.

However, putting in freshly recharged batteries has seemed to cure it, despite the batteries in it being perfectly capable of charging the flash to the point of lighting the test light in a reasonable time, and discharging (in A mode on the hot shoe) to produce a perfectly well exposed photo.

I'm far from convinced that this really is the root of the issue, though - it's not as if the problem reliably reappears as soon as the batteries get a bit tired.

mysterick · 01-21-2008, 11:40 AM

Originally posted by ChrisA

I've noticed this a couple of times with my AF540, and I was completely mystified by it to start with. There are only so many times you can go through the instructions one line at a time, have it still not work, and not end up thinking you're either mad, or something's not working right.

However, putting in freshly recharged batteries has seemed to cure it,...

Yes, not to mention the headache!

I have used fully-charged batteries to no avail. Thanks.

MNCurt-K10D · 01-21-2008, 02:29 PM

Is the power switch on the flash in the middle "wireless" position? (It's not well marked)... You only get P-TTL in wireless mode (or, at least that's all I get with my setup, a K10D and AF360FGZ!) I went round and round on this same problem until I looked at the pdf brochure photo of the flash, showing P-TTL on the lcd... and the switch in the center position!

mysterick · 01-21-2008, 03:47 PM

Yes, with the red light blinking. Fn flash setting "wireless mode" as well.

MNCurt-K10D · 01-21-2008, 05:08 PM

Just checked my 360 again... power up in wireless mode, it switches to P-TTL and manual zoom. Doesn't care if the camera is even turned on! Can then cycle mode to A and M and back to P-TTL. Red light is blinking away. Power up K10D, Fn to wireless flash, pop up the built in flash, and off we go. So I'm of no help to you, except that my 360 did exactly what your flashes are doing a couple of months ago, and I was on the point of sending it out for repair when 'something' clicked and it started working as advertised.

One thought... have you pulled the batteries and let the flash sit long enough for it to maybe 'forget' everything? Kind of like getting a 'power-on reset'? Then go through the set up procedure once again... but you've probably tried this one already. Sorry!!! And if you figure it out, be sure to let us know... you are not alone on this one!

Curt

MNCurt-K10D · 01-21-2008, 05:29 PM

Another thought - is the flash in 'Slave Mode 1'? Not talking about the channel number... I think, if my memory serves, this was the problem I had - pg 49 of the 360 manual talks about this, and it wasn't until I figured out the K10D was the same as the MZ-S that I got the setting right... it was the line "set to ... Slave2 for all other cameras" that got me in trouble.

Curt

MNCurt-K10D · 01-21-2008, 05:49 PM

Just confirmed that my 360 only permits A and M modes when in Slave2...

Curt

mysterick · 01-21-2008, 07:40 PM

Originally posted by MNCurt-K10D

Another thought - is the flash in 'Slave Mode 1'? Not talking about the channel number... I think, if my memory serves, this was the problem I had - pg 49 of the 360 manual talks about this, and it wasn't until I figured out the K10D was the same as the MZ-S that I got the setting right... it was the line "set to ... Slave2 for all other cameras" that got me in trouble.

Curt

MNCurt, Thank you very much! That was it. One of those duh moments albeit not as intuitive as some of this digital stuff. Muchas gracias!

MNCurt-K10D · 01-21-2008, 07:43 PM

You are most welcome... sorry it took me so many tries before the brain got properly fired up! Must be the current cold snap here in Minnesota...

Curt

01-21-2008, 06:17 AM	#1
mysterick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 44266 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568	No P_TTL available... When using my AF540FGZ and AF360FGZ as remote slaves on channel 1, I am unable to set the modes to P-TTL, only A or M. It is my understanding that the K10D body is still operating in P-TTL Mode and "expects" the remote flashes to be set in the same manner. The 540 has just come back from servicing (the WA diffuser and Catchlite deflector were broken) and they checked the overall operation of the unit, but probably not the remote function. The 360 is new and does the same. Any ideas how to work with this?

01-21-2008, 07:40 PM	#13
mysterick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 44266 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568 Original Poster	Bingo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Originally posted by MNCurt-K10D Another thought - is the flash in 'Slave Mode 1'? Not talking about the channel number... I think, if my memory serves, this was the problem I had - pg 49 of the 360 manual talks about this, and it wasn't until I figured out the K10D was the same as the MZ-S that I got the setting right... it was the line "set to ... Slave2 for all other cameras" that got me in trouble. Curt MNCurt, Thank you very much! That was it. One of those duh moments albeit not as intuitive as some of this digital stuff. Muchas gracias!

01-21-2008, 07:05 AM	#2
susanc Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Glasgow, UK Posts: 38	The manual always says to use Channel 2. Not sure if that will make a difference.

01-21-2008, 08:55 AM	#3
mysterick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 44266 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568 Original Poster	The Channel doesn't make any difference. I have set the channel to sync between the camera and the flash(es) according to the instructions in the flash manuals. Iinitially goes to P-TTL and then reverts to "A" and if I press the Mode button it only permits A or M. I can work around this, but if it is in fact meant to operate in P-TTL, I would like it to do so. Thanks, though.

01-21-2008, 09:23 AM	#4
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,409	A wild shot in the dark - do you happen to use a lens with an aperture ring, which is not set to "A"?

01-21-2008, 10:29 AM	#5
mysterick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 44266 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ole A wild shot in the dark - do you happen to use a lens with an aperture ring, which is not set to "A"? No, the two lenses I want to use for now are the SMCP18-250 and Sigma 70mm 1:2.8 DG Macro; neither having aperture rings. Thanks, though.

01-21-2008, 11:29 AM	#6
ChrisA Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: London Posts: 393	Originally posted by mysterick When using my AF540FGZ and AF360FGZ as remote slaves on channel 1, I am unable to set the modes to P-TTL, only A or M. I've noticed this a couple of times with my AF540, and I was completely mystified by it to start with. There are only so many times you can go through the instructions one line at a time, have it still not work, and not end up thinking you're either mad, or something's not working right. However, putting in freshly recharged batteries has seemed to cure it, despite the batteries in it being perfectly capable of charging the flash to the point of lighting the test light in a reasonable time, and discharging (in A mode on the hot shoe) to produce a perfectly well exposed photo. I'm far from convinced that this really is the root of the issue, though - it's not as if the problem reliably reappears as soon as the batteries get a bit tired.

01-21-2008, 11:40 AM	#7
mysterick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 44266 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568 Original Poster	Originally posted by ChrisA I've noticed this a couple of times with my AF540, and I was completely mystified by it to start with. There are only so many times you can go through the instructions one line at a time, have it still not work, and not end up thinking you're either mad, or something's not working right. However, putting in freshly recharged batteries has seemed to cure it,... Yes, not to mention the headache! I have used fully-charged batteries to no avail. Thanks.

01-21-2008, 02:29 PM	#8
MNCurt-K10D Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 113	Is the power switch on the flash in the middle "wireless" position? (It's not well marked)... You only get P-TTL in wireless mode (or, at least that's all I get with my setup, a K10D and AF360FGZ!) I went round and round on this same problem until I looked at the pdf brochure photo of the flash, showing P-TTL on the lcd... and the switch in the center position!

01-21-2008, 03:47 PM	#9
mysterick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 44266 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 568 Original Poster	Yes, with the red light blinking. Fn flash setting "wireless mode" as well.

01-21-2008, 05:08 PM	#10
MNCurt-K10D Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 113	Just checked my 360 again... power up in wireless mode, it switches to P-TTL and manual zoom. Doesn't care if the camera is even turned on! Can then cycle mode to A and M and back to P-TTL. Red light is blinking away. Power up K10D, Fn to wireless flash, pop up the built in flash, and off we go. So I'm of no help to you, except that my 360 did exactly what your flashes are doing a couple of months ago, and I was on the point of sending it out for repair when 'something' clicked and it started working as advertised. One thought... have you pulled the batteries and let the flash sit long enough for it to maybe 'forget' everything? Kind of like getting a 'power-on reset'? Then go through the set up procedure once again... but you've probably tried this one already. Sorry!!! And if you figure it out, be sure to let us know... you are not alone on this one! Curt

01-21-2008, 05:29 PM	#11
MNCurt-K10D Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 113	Another thought - is the flash in 'Slave Mode 1'? Not talking about the channel number... I think, if my memory serves, this was the problem I had - pg 49 of the 360 manual talks about this, and it wasn't until I figured out the K10D was the same as the MZ-S that I got the setting right... it was the line "set to ... Slave2 for all other cameras" that got me in trouble. Curt

01-21-2008, 05:49 PM	#12
MNCurt-K10D Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 113	Just confirmed that my 360 only permits A and M modes when in Slave2... Curt

01-21-2008, 07:43 PM	#14
MNCurt-K10D Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 113	You are most welcome... sorry it took me so many tries before the brain got properly fired up! Must be the current cold snap here in Minnesota... Curt

No P_TTL available...

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