Help me spend some money!

dansamy · 02-04-2014, 09:44 PM

I think I might pick up a YN560II from eBay.

For Adorama & B&H, probably some cleaning tools & stuff to go with the flash. Or maybe a monopod. Still deciding!

Bcrary3 · 02-04-2014, 09:46 PM

Originally posted by dansamy

Nope. So maybe some basic cleaning tools & a flash? Any recommendations?

I don't know if you'd be able to find one from either Adorama or B&H but for a good flash unit I strongly suggest the good 'ol Pentax AF280T flash unit. Probably one of the best units ever made by Pentax, and can be had for less than $50 usually.

Boris_Akunin · 02-04-2014, 09:52 PM

Originally posted by Bcrary3

I don't know if you'd be able to find one from either Adorama or B&H but for a good flash unit I strongly suggest the good 'ol Pentax AF280T flash unit. Probably one of the best units ever made by Pentax, and can be had for less than $50 usually.

For manual flash, the Yongnuos are hard to beat... Do you wan't TTL or Auto-mode in your flash?

dansamy · 02-04-2014, 09:55 PM

Originally posted by Boris_Akunin

For manual flash, the Yongnuos are hard to beat... Do you wan't TTL or Auto-mode in your flash?

I don't know! :-D

Boris_Akunin · 02-04-2014, 10:18 PM - **1 Like**

To use manual flash, you either need trial and error or prior experience. If you have time for test shots on location, you can look at the test shots (and their histograms) and dial in the flash power until you get it right. You can keep shooting at that setting but you need to change it if you change distance. Prior experience can reduce the need for test shots.
P-TTL on the K-5(II) has some bugs when using bounce-flash, that's why many people use their flashes in auto-mode*

*Flashes with Auto-mode have their own light meters, they tend to be more reliable than P-TTL on the K-5(II), the current Pentax 360&540 and the Metz 58 have auto modes, if the budget is tight you can also look at some of the older Metz SCA3000 flashes (i.e. Metz MZ40), those don't have P-TTL but they work just like the new ones in auto-mode.

Bcrary3 · 02-04-2014, 10:27 PM - **1 Like**

The Pentax AF280T has a flexible bounce head, which is a really nice feature, TTL auto, auto (green box and red box, I have no idea what that even means) MS (H & L) and Manual. It is fairly simple to use.

Boris_Akunin · 02-04-2014, 10:40 PM

Originally posted by Bcrary3

The Pentax AF280T has a flexible bounce head, which is a really nice feature, TTL auto, auto (green box and red box, I have no idea what that even means) MS (H & L) and Manual. It is fairly simple to use.

It has TTL but no P-TTL, only manual and auto-mode will work on newer DSLRs (same as the older Metz flashes)

Bcrary3 · 02-04-2014, 10:42 PM

Originally posted by Boris_Akunin

It has TTL but no P-TTL, only manual and auto-mode will work on newer DSLRs (same as the older Metz flashes)

I haven't had a problem using it on my K-5 unless you mean ones newer than that?

Boris_Akunin · 02-04-2014, 10:42 PM

Originally posted by Bcrary3

I haven't had a problem using it on my K-5 unless you mean ones newer than that?

In TTL-mode?

Bcrary3 · 02-04-2014, 10:52 PM

Originally posted by Boris_Akunin

In TTL-mode?

Just fooled around with the TTL-Auto mode, and it seemed to work fine, as in, it discharged.

Boris_Akunin · 02-04-2014, 10:55 PM

Originally posted by Bcrary3

Just fooled around with the TTL-Auto mode, and it seemed to work fine, as in, it discharged.

Maybe it defaults to auto mode if it doesn't get the right response from the camera. My Metz MZ40-3i dicharges too when I set it to TTL on my K-5 but it's always at full power.
The reviews seem pretty clear about the AF280T not having P-TTL: PENTAX AF 280T reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

Bcrary3 · 02-04-2014, 10:56 PM

I don't even know how to tell if it is at full power or not... Truth is, I don't really use it a whole lot..

Boris_Akunin · 02-04-2014, 11:00 PM

Originally posted by Bcrary3

I don't even know how to tell if it is at full power or not... Truth is, I don't really use it a whole lot..

Anyway, it's a good cheap option for auto mode.

dansamy · 02-04-2014, 11:00 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks!

Bcrary3 · 02-04-2014, 11:03 PM

Originally posted by Boris_Akunin

Anyway, it's a good cheap option for auto mode.

Plus the movable head. When I looked at new flash units a few years back, from Pentax, ones that had no bounce head, fully auto, and were frankly really ugly looking ran about $400. For like $30-$50 you can't really beat the AF280T... Even if it is at full power all the time, the bounce head compensates for that.

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02-04-2014, 09:44 PM	#16
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450 Original Poster	I think I might pick up a YN560II from eBay. For Adorama & B&H, probably some cleaning tools & stuff to go with the flash. Or maybe a monopod. Still deciding!

02-04-2014, 09:46 PM	#17
Bcrary3 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Gallery Posts: 391	Originally posted by dansamy Nope. So maybe some basic cleaning tools & a flash? Any recommendations? I don't know if you'd be able to find one from either Adorama or B&H but for a good flash unit I strongly suggest the good 'ol Pentax AF280T flash unit. Probably one of the best units ever made by Pentax, and can be had for less than $50 usually.

02-04-2014, 09:52 PM	#18
Boris_Akunin Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 674	Originally posted by Bcrary3 I don't know if you'd be able to find one from either Adorama or B&H but for a good flash unit I strongly suggest the good 'ol Pentax AF280T flash unit. Probably one of the best units ever made by Pentax, and can be had for less than $50 usually. For manual flash, the Yongnuos are hard to beat... Do you wan't TTL or Auto-mode in your flash?

02-04-2014, 09:55 PM	#19
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450 Original Poster	Originally posted by Boris_Akunin For manual flash, the Yongnuos are hard to beat... Do you wan't TTL or Auto-mode in your flash? I don't know! :-D

02-04-2014, 10:18 PM - 1 Like	#20
Boris_Akunin Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 674	To use manual flash, you either need trial and error or prior experience. If you have time for test shots on location, you can look at the test shots (and their histograms) and dial in the flash power until you get it right. You can keep shooting at that setting but you need to change it if you change distance. Prior experience can reduce the need for test shots. P-TTL on the K-5(II) has some bugs when using bounce-flash, that's why many people use their flashes in auto-mode* *Flashes with Auto-mode have their own light meters, they tend to be more reliable than P-TTL on the K-5(II), the current Pentax 360&540 and the Metz 58 have auto modes, if the budget is tight you can also look at some of the older Metz SCA3000 flashes (i.e. Metz MZ40), those don't have P-TTL but they work just like the new ones in auto-mode.

02-04-2014, 10:27 PM - 1 Like	#21
Bcrary3 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Gallery Posts: 391	The Pentax AF280T has a flexible bounce head, which is a really nice feature, TTL auto, auto (green box and red box, I have no idea what that even means) MS (H & L) and Manual. It is fairly simple to use.

02-04-2014, 10:40 PM	#22
Boris_Akunin Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 674	Originally posted by Bcrary3 The Pentax AF280T has a flexible bounce head, which is a really nice feature, TTL auto, auto (green box and red box, I have no idea what that even means) MS (H & L) and Manual. It is fairly simple to use. It has TTL but no P-TTL, only manual and auto-mode will work on newer DSLRs (same as the older Metz flashes)

02-04-2014, 10:42 PM	#23
Bcrary3 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Gallery Posts: 391	Originally posted by Boris_Akunin It has TTL but no P-TTL, only manual and auto-mode will work on newer DSLRs (same as the older Metz flashes) I haven't had a problem using it on my K-5 unless you mean ones newer than that?

02-04-2014, 10:42 PM	#24
Boris_Akunin Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 674	Originally posted by Bcrary3 I haven't had a problem using it on my K-5 unless you mean ones newer than that? In TTL-mode?

02-04-2014, 10:52 PM	#25
Bcrary3 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Gallery Posts: 391	Originally posted by Boris_Akunin In TTL-mode? Just fooled around with the TTL-Auto mode, and it seemed to work fine, as in, it discharged.

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02-04-2014, 10:55 PM	#26
Boris_Akunin Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 674	Originally posted by Bcrary3 Just fooled around with the TTL-Auto mode, and it seemed to work fine, as in, it discharged. Maybe it defaults to auto mode if it doesn't get the right response from the camera. My Metz MZ40-3i dicharges too when I set it to TTL on my K-5 but it's always at full power. The reviews seem pretty clear about the AF280T not having P-TTL: PENTAX AF 280T reviews - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

02-04-2014, 10:56 PM	#27
Bcrary3 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Gallery Posts: 391	I don't even know how to tell if it is at full power or not... Truth is, I don't really use it a whole lot..

02-04-2014, 11:00 PM	#28
Boris_Akunin Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 674	Originally posted by Bcrary3 I don't even know how to tell if it is at full power or not... Truth is, I don't really use it a whole lot.. Anyway, it's a good cheap option for auto mode.

02-04-2014, 11:00 PM - 1 Like	#29
dansamy Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,450 Original Poster	Thanks!

02-04-2014, 11:03 PM	#30
Bcrary3 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Wisconsin Photos: Gallery Posts: 391	Originally posted by Boris_Akunin Anyway, it's a good cheap option for auto mode. Plus the movable head. When I looked at new flash units a few years back, from Pentax, ones that had no bounce head, fully auto, and were frankly really ugly looking ran about $400. For like $30-$50 you can't really beat the AF280T... Even if it is at full power all the time, the bounce head compensates for that.