Ring Flash Help

sbyrne · 02-26-2013, 05:18 PM

So folks, I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a sunpak DX 8R as per the recommendation of one of the forum members, now I need to know how to use it, it came from KEH without instructions, so is there anyone who hws a copy I could copy or can anyone give me a quick explanation?
Thanks in advance

Steve

Not a Number · 02-26-2013, 05:34 PM

http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/sunpak_auto_dx8r.pdf

sbyrne · 02-26-2013, 06:38 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/sunpak_auto_dx8r.pdf

Thank you very much for the prompt reply and the link, I really appreciate your help.

Steve

bluestringer · 02-26-2013, 07:14 PM

That manual is not going to help much. There will be some trial and error to get the exposure you want. The flash is not P-TTL, so forget trying that. I use mine in manual mode most of the time, especially when working with tubes behind a 50mm lens and the working distance is really close. You will have to experiment with the power settings to find the right exposure. The auto mode works well at longer working distances using a 100mm macro lens, with the camera mode on X flash synch.

SOldBear · 02-26-2013, 07:48 PM

Originally posted by sbyrne

I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a sunpak DX 8R as per the recommendation of one of the forum members...

Me?

OK, try this (flash "auto" mode).
- Camera in M mode. Shutter speed 1/160 sec (or X, doesn't matter right now).
- Flash in one of 3 "auto" modes. Just pick one, it doesn't matter which one right now.
- Match the ISO setting on the flash and on the camera (say, 200).
- The flash indicates an aperture value. Set the aperture of the lens to that value if magnification ratio of the lens is less than 1:5. If the magnification ratio is around 1:2, open up the lens 1 more stop (or double the ISO setting on the camera). If the magnification ratio is around 1:1, open up the lens 2 more stops (or quadruple the ISO setting on the camera).
- Take a test shot.
- Adjust the lens aperture setting, or ISO setting to fix over/underexposure problem, if any.
- If you want ambient light to contributes more to the exposure, lower the shutter speed.

Manual mode:
- Camera in M mode. Shutter speed 1/160 (or X).
- Match ISO setting on the flash and on the camera.
- Estimate the distance from the image sensor plane (NOT from the front element of the lens) to the object, then adjust the flash's ratio setting (1, 1/2, 1/4....) so that the distance indicator on the flash matches the distance from the image sensor plane to the object.
- The flash indicates an aperture value. Set the aperture of the lens to that value if magnification ratio of the lens is less than 1:5. If the magnification ratio is around 1:2, open up the lens 1 more stop (or double the ISO setting on the camera). If the magnification ratio is around 1:1, open up the lens 2 more stops (or quadruple the ISO setting on the camera).
- Take a test shot.
- Adjust the lens aperture setting, or ISO setting to fix over/underexposure problem, if any.
- If you want ambient light to contributes more to the exposure, lower the shutter speed.

It's more complicated to type this than to actually do it. Before you know it, it'll become second nature.

Later on you'll know how to adjust ISO, aperture, and flash power to get the DOF or effect you want.

Not a Number · 02-27-2013, 07:56 AM

The range for auto mode is from 16 to 40 inches. Usefulness of auto-mode is further hampered by the placement of the sensor on the foot of the flash so much "chimping" is in order.

Using manual mode and the charts in the booklet will probably give you better results with less "chimping" required. Make your own exposure cheat sheet for your most commonly used lenses and magnification/distances.

If you have the Pentax TTL module and a *ist body you could use TTL flash metering. The unit will not support P-TTL so there is not a module for this mode.

sbyrne · 02-27-2013, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

The range for auto mode is from 16 to 40 inches. Usefulness of auto-mode is further hampered by the placement of the sensor on the foot of the flash so much "chimping" is in order.

Using manual mode and the charts in the booklet will probably give you better results with less "chimping" required. Make your own exposure cheat sheet for your most commonly used lenses and magnification/distances.

If you have the Pentax TTL module and a *ist body you could use TTL flash metering. The unit will not support P-TTL so there is not a module for this mode.

Guys, thanks for the info, I will play around this weekend and see what happens, thanks again

Steve

02-26-2013, 05:18 PM	#1
sbyrne Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Windsor Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 55	Ring Flash Help So folks, I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a sunpak DX 8R as per the recommendation of one of the forum members, now I need to know how to use it, it came from KEH without instructions, so is there anyone who hws a copy I could copy or can anyone give me a quick explanation? Thanks in advance Steve

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02-26-2013, 05:34 PM	#2
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/sunpak_auto_dx8r.pdf

02-26-2013, 06:38 PM	#3
sbyrne Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Windsor Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 55 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/sunpak_auto_dx8r.pdf Thank you very much for the prompt reply and the link, I really appreciate your help. Steve

02-26-2013, 07:14 PM	#4
bluestringer Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cotton fields of South Georgia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,748	That manual is not going to help much. There will be some trial and error to get the exposure you want. The flash is not P-TTL, so forget trying that. I use mine in manual mode most of the time, especially when working with tubes behind a 50mm lens and the working distance is really close. You will have to experiment with the power settings to find the right exposure. The auto mode works well at longer working distances using a 100mm macro lens, with the camera mode on X flash synch.

02-26-2013, 07:48 PM	#5
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Originally posted by sbyrne I finally pulled the trigger and ordered a sunpak DX 8R as per the recommendation of one of the forum members... Me? OK, try this (flash "auto" mode). - Camera in M mode. Shutter speed 1/160 sec (or X, doesn't matter right now). - Flash in one of 3 "auto" modes. Just pick one, it doesn't matter which one right now. - Match the ISO setting on the flash and on the camera (say, 200). - The flash indicates an aperture value. Set the aperture of the lens to that value if magnification ratio of the lens is less than 1:5. If the magnification ratio is around 1:2, open up the lens 1 more stop (or double the ISO setting on the camera). If the magnification ratio is around 1:1, open up the lens 2 more stops (or quadruple the ISO setting on the camera). - Take a test shot. - Adjust the lens aperture setting, or ISO setting to fix over/underexposure problem, if any. - If you want ambient light to contributes more to the exposure, lower the shutter speed. Manual mode: - Camera in M mode. Shutter speed 1/160 (or X). - Match ISO setting on the flash and on the camera. - Estimate the distance from the image sensor plane (NOT from the front element of the lens) to the object, then adjust the flash's ratio setting (1, 1/2, 1/4....) so that the distance indicator on the flash matches the distance from the image sensor plane to the object. - The flash indicates an aperture value. Set the aperture of the lens to that value if magnification ratio of the lens is less than 1:5. If the magnification ratio is around 1:2, open up the lens 1 more stop (or double the ISO setting on the camera). If the magnification ratio is around 1:1, open up the lens 2 more stops (or quadruple the ISO setting on the camera). - Take a test shot. - Adjust the lens aperture setting, or ISO setting to fix over/underexposure problem, if any. - If you want ambient light to contributes more to the exposure, lower the shutter speed. It's more complicated to type this than to actually do it. Before you know it, it'll become second nature. Later on you'll know how to adjust ISO, aperture, and flash power to get the DOF or effect you want.

02-27-2013, 07:56 AM	#6
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	The range for auto mode is from 16 to 40 inches. Usefulness of auto-mode is further hampered by the placement of the sensor on the foot of the flash so much "chimping" is in order. Using manual mode and the charts in the booklet will probably give you better results with less "chimping" required. Make your own exposure cheat sheet for your most commonly used lenses and magnification/distances. If you have the Pentax TTL module and a *ist body you could use TTL flash metering. The unit will not support P-TTL so there is not a module for this mode.

02-27-2013, 05:50 PM	#7
sbyrne Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Windsor Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 55 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number The range for auto mode is from 16 to 40 inches. Usefulness of auto-mode is further hampered by the placement of the sensor on the foot of the flash so much "chimping" is in order. Using manual mode and the charts in the booklet will probably give you better results with less "chimping" required. Make your own exposure cheat sheet for your most commonly used lenses and magnification/distances. If you have the Pentax TTL module and a *ist body you could use TTL flash metering. The unit will not support P-TTL so there is not a module for this mode. Guys, thanks for the info, I will play around this weekend and see what happens, thanks again Steve