pentax M 50mm f1.7

SMeK · 09-12-2010, 06:23 PM

Hello all!

I just bought lens from subject and then i found this: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/53106-flash-is...nses-k10d.html
I have pentax k-x and i noticed that i have in menu settings for flash power control from -2.0 to 1.0.
Will that power control of flash work with this lens? What can i do? Thank you.

Adam · 09-12-2010, 06:33 PM

You have to use the aperture to manually get the right exposure. Since there's no chart for the built-in flash, you're going to have to more-or-less use trial and error.

Go ahead and set your aperture to F8 and shutter speed to 1/125. If the photo is too bright, stop down; if it's too dark, stop down

SMeK · 09-12-2010, 06:55 PM

Hey, thank you for very fast reply.

I did not got lens yet, i am waiting for a delivery so i just wondered will i be able to use pop up flash with f2.8 because fastest flash sinc is 1/180 in combination with that function (-2.0)? According to link i posted flash will always work at full power?

Adam · 09-12-2010, 07:07 PM

Depends on how dark it is, and how far away your subject is. As I said in the first post, most of it is going to be trial an error. After some experimentation, however, you will be able to come up with your own exposure chart, similar to this one:

That's for the AF 16 Pentax flash, which is only slightly stronger than the flash built-in to the K-x. If you go by the chart above and open half a stop wider than indicated, your exposure will likely be in good shape.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

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JeffJS · 09-12-2010, 07:07 PM

You are going to be far better off getting a shoe mounted flash that you can control the output on rather than trying to compensate the on camera flash. Any one that is capable of auto exposure will do.

SMeK · 09-13-2010, 04:52 AM

OK thank you all for response. Just to make sure i got this table right. On the right side is distance and the numbers on black part is recommended F number. But what is ASA? I guess i must expermient with numbers under ASA (is that iso?) 200?

One more thing, i am not quite sure where i have read that but i found some people having problems with external flash units and pentax cameras with old M lens. When i will buy external flash of what i must be aware? I saw pentax 360 and 540 and there is written that they can work in manual and auto mode, so would i be able to use one of those flashes with M lens? Thank you once again but I am quite new in DSLR photography

JeffJS · 09-13-2010, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by SMeK

OK thank you all for response. Just to make sure i got this table right. On the right side is distance and the numbers on black part is recommended F number. But what is ASA? I guess i must expermient with numbers under ASA (is that iso?) 200?

One more thing, i am not quite sure where i have read that but i found some people having problems with external flash units and pentax cameras with old M lens. When i will buy external flash of what i must be aware? I saw pentax 360 and 540 and there is written that they can work in manual and auto mode, so would i be able to use one of those flashes with M lens? Thank you once again but I am quite new in DSLR photography

ASA = ISO for our purposes, Yes.

After responding to your post, I tried the flash on my K7 (built in) and it's usable as Adam states. You can gain better control however (I think) with an external flash that is capable of auto mode. The problem is that with a completely manual lens such as your M50, the camera has no way of knowing what the Aperture is and P-TTL does not work at that point. Therefore, it just fires the flash at full output. The 360 and 540 are examples of flashes that work quite nicely in auto. There are far less expensive options however. As long as the flash meets the trigger voltage requirements (keep it below 12 volts to be safe), you're good to go. You simply tell the flash what ISO and Aperture you are using (to an extent you can pick the focal length on the 360 and 540 as well), and the flash will adjust the output accordingly.

Here are a few examples taken close up with a Pentax K 30mm f2.8 wide open using the AF540 in Auto mode.

These were taken at minimum focus distance, wide open, to show the blurring behind the subject (someone had asked to see it when I first got the lens).

SMeK · 09-13-2010, 07:13 AM

very nice DOF indeed :-)

Ty for response, next shopping - external flash

09-12-2010, 06:23 PM	#1
SMeK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 150	pentax M 50mm f1.7 Hello all! I just bought lens from subject and then i found this: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/53106-flash-is...nses-k10d.html I have pentax k-x and i noticed that i have in menu settings for flash power control from -2.0 to 1.0. Will that power control of flash work with this lens? What can i do? Thank you.

09-12-2010, 06:33 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,233	You have to use the aperture to manually get the right exposure. Since there's no chart for the built-in flash, you're going to have to more-or-less use trial and error. Go ahead and set your aperture to F8 and shutter speed to 1/125. If the photo is too bright, stop down; if it's too dark, stop down Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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09-12-2010, 06:55 PM	#3
SMeK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 150 Original Poster	Hey, thank you for very fast reply. I did not got lens yet, i am waiting for a delivery so i just wondered will i be able to use pop up flash with f2.8 because fastest flash sinc is 1/180 in combination with that function (-2.0)? According to link i posted flash will always work at full power?

09-12-2010, 07:07 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,233	Depends on how dark it is, and how far away your subject is. As I said in the first post, most of it is going to be trial an error. After some experimentation, however, you will be able to come up with your own exposure chart, similar to this one: That's for the AF 16 Pentax flash, which is only slightly stronger than the flash built-in to the K-x. If you go by the chart above and open half a stop wider than indicated, your exposure will likely be in good shape. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

09-12-2010, 07:07 PM	#5
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	You are going to be far better off getting a shoe mounted flash that you can control the output on rather than trying to compensate the on camera flash. Any one that is capable of auto exposure will do.

09-13-2010, 04:52 AM	#6
SMeK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 150 Original Poster	OK thank you all for response. Just to make sure i got this table right. On the right side is distance and the numbers on black part is recommended F number. But what is ASA? I guess i must expermient with numbers under ASA (is that iso?) 200? One more thing, i am not quite sure where i have read that but i found some people having problems with external flash units and pentax cameras with old M lens. When i will buy external flash of what i must be aware? I saw pentax 360 and 540 and there is written that they can work in manual and auto mode, so would i be able to use one of those flashes with M lens? Thank you once again but I am quite new in DSLR photography

09-13-2010, 06:57 AM	#7
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by SMeK OK thank you all for response. Just to make sure i got this table right. On the right side is distance and the numbers on black part is recommended F number. But what is ASA? I guess i must expermient with numbers under ASA (is that iso?) 200? One more thing, i am not quite sure where i have read that but i found some people having problems with external flash units and pentax cameras with old M lens. When i will buy external flash of what i must be aware? I saw pentax 360 and 540 and there is written that they can work in manual and auto mode, so would i be able to use one of those flashes with M lens? Thank you once again but I am quite new in DSLR photography ASA = ISO for our purposes, Yes. After responding to your post, I tried the flash on my K7 (built in) and it's usable as Adam states. You can gain better control however (I think) with an external flash that is capable of auto mode. The problem is that with a completely manual lens such as your M50, the camera has no way of knowing what the Aperture is and P-TTL does not work at that point. Therefore, it just fires the flash at full output. The 360 and 540 are examples of flashes that work quite nicely in auto. There are far less expensive options however. As long as the flash meets the trigger voltage requirements (keep it below 12 volts to be safe), you're good to go. You simply tell the flash what ISO and Aperture you are using (to an extent you can pick the focal length on the 360 and 540 as well), and the flash will adjust the output accordingly. Here are a few examples taken close up with a Pentax K 30mm f2.8 wide open using the AF540 in Auto mode. These were taken at minimum focus distance, wide open, to show the blurring behind the subject (someone had asked to see it when I first got the lens).

09-13-2010, 07:13 AM	#8
SMeK Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 150 Original Poster	very nice DOF indeed :-) Ty for response, next shopping - external flash

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