Best used TTL type flash for K-m

stevbike · 04-01-2011, 02:47 AM

Hello all

I have a question regarding a flash for the K-m D-slr. What used model it the best buy? I am using my old Vivitar 283 right now but would like a model that can make use of the K-m's TTL flash metering. I am looking at something that not too much to buy.

stevbike

adwb · 04-02-2011, 04:53 AM

look at the metz range good solid units less that pentax units and work just as well.

stevbike · 04-02-2011, 06:43 PM

Do you have any model numbers that I should be looking at?

adwb · 04-03-2011, 03:27 AM

go look at the Metz website 5 models from basic to full house it depends what you want I use the 48 [3 of them] one on the camera and 2 on stands Metz Flashguns
look for the new fully dedicated models section.

stevbike · 04-03-2011, 07:03 AM

Originally posted by adwb

go look at the Metz website 5 models from basic to full house it depends what you want I use the 48 [3 of them] one on the camera and 2 on stands Metz Flashguns
look for the new fully dedicated models section.

Thanks, I will look into it.

I also have Acheiver 630 TTL flash I bought 24 years ago for my SF10. It has a removable hot shoe part. Is there any replacement parts to update this flash to my K-m. I tried this flash with the current hot shoe contact plate and is does not work.

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-06-2011, 04:22 PM

Originally posted by stevbike

Hello all

I have a question regarding a flash for the K-m D-slr. What used model it the best buy? I am using my old Vivitar 283 right now but would like a model that can make use of the K-m's TTL flash metering. I am looking at something that not too much to buy.

stevbike

Steve

Just a small point but there is some confusion for new DSLR users and flash, and camera terminology.

TTL stands for Through The Lens and measures the flash intensity reflected off the film plane (or sensor) on cameras that support it. For pentax DSLRs, that means the *istD, DS, and DS2. None of the other (later) models of pentax DSLRs support TTL flash,

Later DSLRs use P-TTL, Not sure (depending on who you talk to) whether P stands for pentax or Pre-flash, or Predictive, but regardless, P-TTL is a different technology.

For P-TTL, the camera uses the built in metering sensor, which measures ambient light, plus the light from the preflash, and then calculates the flash duration needed to attain the exposure. Flashes that are P-TTL compatible are much newer and generally (but not always) not compatible with older cameras and visa versa,

You need to get a P-TTL compatible flash, or one that has its own sensor for measuring flash intensity in "AUTO " mode

stevbike · 04-07-2011, 07:01 PM

Thanks for this. I guess my old Vivitar 283 will be used for a while. I will be looking for a P-TTL flash unit down the road.

bdery · 04-11-2011, 10:02 AM

If you want an inexpensive, more advanced flash than your Vivitar, look at the Pentax AF280T which you can find used. It's less powerful however (your vivitar is probably among the most powerful flashes ever.

If you want P-TTL, the cheapest right now is probably the Sigma 530 ST. It will have features comparable to your vivitar, plus P-TTL, a zoom head and an AF-Assist lamp. All for about 130$ right now, it's being discontinued.

stevbike · 04-11-2011, 01:58 PM

Thanks for the tip on the flash. When money permits, I will look into getting one. In the mean time the Vivitar is old but still holding up well.

04-01-2011, 02:47 AM	#1
stevbike Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Newbury, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 268	Best used TTL type flash for K-m Hello all I have a question regarding a flash for the K-m D-slr. What used model it the best buy? I am using my old Vivitar 283 right now but would like a model that can make use of the K-m's TTL flash metering. I am looking at something that not too much to buy. stevbike

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04-02-2011, 04:53 AM	#2
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636	look at the metz range good solid units less that pentax units and work just as well.

04-02-2011, 06:43 PM	#3
stevbike Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Newbury, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 268 Original Poster	Do you have any model numbers that I should be looking at?

04-03-2011, 03:27 AM	#4
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636	go look at the Metz website 5 models from basic to full house it depends what you want I use the 48 [3 of them] one on the camera and 2 on stands Metz Flashguns look for the new fully dedicated models section.

04-03-2011, 07:03 AM	#5
stevbike Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Newbury, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 268 Original Poster	Originally posted by adwb go look at the Metz website 5 models from basic to full house it depends what you want I use the 48 [3 of them] one on the camera and 2 on stands Metz Flashguns look for the new fully dedicated models section. Thanks, I will look into it. I also have Acheiver 630 TTL flash I bought 24 years ago for my SF10. It has a removable hot shoe part. Is there any replacement parts to update this flash to my K-m. I tried this flash with the current hot shoe contact plate and is does not work.

04-06-2011, 04:22 PM	#6
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	Originally posted by stevbike Hello all I have a question regarding a flash for the K-m D-slr. What used model it the best buy? I am using my old Vivitar 283 right now but would like a model that can make use of the K-m's TTL flash metering. I am looking at something that not too much to buy. stevbike Steve Just a small point but there is some confusion for new DSLR users and flash, and camera terminology. TTL stands for Through The Lens and measures the flash intensity reflected off the film plane (or sensor) on cameras that support it. For pentax DSLRs, that means the *istD, DS, and DS2. None of the other (later) models of pentax DSLRs support TTL flash, Later DSLRs use P-TTL, Not sure (depending on who you talk to) whether P stands for pentax or Pre-flash, or Predictive, but regardless, P-TTL is a different technology. For P-TTL, the camera uses the built in metering sensor, which measures ambient light, plus the light from the preflash, and then calculates the flash duration needed to attain the exposure. Flashes that are P-TTL compatible are much newer and generally (but not always) not compatible with older cameras and visa versa, You need to get a P-TTL compatible flash, or one that has its own sensor for measuring flash intensity in "AUTO " mode

04-07-2011, 07:01 PM	#7
stevbike Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Newbury, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 268 Original Poster	Thanks for this. I guess my old Vivitar 283 will be used for a while. I will be looking for a P-TTL flash unit down the road.

04-11-2011, 10:02 AM	#8
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	If you want an inexpensive, more advanced flash than your Vivitar, look at the Pentax AF280T which you can find used. It's less powerful however (your vivitar is probably among the most powerful flashes ever. If you want P-TTL, the cheapest right now is probably the Sigma 530 ST. It will have features comparable to your vivitar, plus P-TTL, a zoom head and an AF-Assist lamp. All for about 130$ right now, it's being discontinued.

04-11-2011, 01:58 PM	#9
stevbike Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Newbury, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 268 Original Poster	Thanks for the tip on the flash. When money permits, I will look into getting one. In the mean time the Vivitar is old but still holding up well.