My Pentax K5 and K7 don't "pre-flash". Pls help

**UncleVanya** · 01-14-2015, 11:08 AM

Preflash isn't typically visible.

**savoche** · 01-14-2015, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by el baroda

I tried the 2-second set up as you suggested and saw 2 very distinct flashes of about the same intensity. The first looks like the "red eye reduction" flash.
Any comment?

That's your pre-flash. The intensity of the "real" flash might be weak or strong, depending on what exposure the camera needs.

sterretje · 01-15-2015, 06:25 AM

Originally posted by el baroda

I tried the 2-second set up as you suggested and saw 2 very distinct flashes of about the same intensity. The first looks like the "red eye reduction" flash.
Any comment?

Switch red-eye reduction off and try again. If I switch the red-eye reduction off, I get one flash before the mirror goes up and one when the picture is taken. Tested on K100D + AF540FGZ.

**RKKS08** · 01-16-2015, 11:53 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Preflash isn't typically visible.

As I said before, it is usually quite visible in the optical viewfinder. The main flash isn't at all, as then the mirror is up.
So, if you see flashing through the viewfinder, it is the pre-flash (and/or the redeye reduction, in case it is switched on).
Of course, this does not work with the K-01.

Using the 2 sec delay for the flash test doesn't make much sense to me, except that it may make it easier for you to concentrate on what's happening.

**UncleVanya** · 01-17-2015, 08:41 AM

Originally posted by RKKS08

As I said before, it is usually quite visible in the optical viewfinder. The main flash isn't at all, as then the mirror is up.
So, if you see flashing through the viewfinder, it is the pre-flash (and/or the redeye reduction, in case it is switched on).
Of course, this does not work with the K-01.

Using the 2 sec delay for the flash test doesn't make much sense to me, except that it may make it easier for you to concentrate on what's happening.

I have to admit that I haven't paid attention to the optical viewfinder in that way so I will test it. I haven't noticed it, and most reports on this type of flash indicate that the pre-flash is hard to see for most but some people react to it and can see it.

The 2 second delay can be used to allow you to not look through the viewfinder and casually see the preflash is working.

el baroda · 01-21-2015, 01:54 PM

Thank you all for your input. With due respect to everyone, I am still very confused because of the conflicting material I have read here and elsewhere. Many claim that the "pre-flash" is not visible to the naked eye, while some claim the opposite. The important thing is I have found that both my built in and external flash are working well. Kind regards to all.

vonBaloney · 01-21-2015, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by el baroda

Thank you all for your input. With due respect to everyone, I am still very confused because of the conflicting material I have read here and elsewhere. Many claim that the "pre-flash" is not visible to the naked eye, while some claim the opposite. The important thing is I have found that both my built in and external flash are working well. Kind regards to all.

It is visible, it is just hard to separate from the main flash unless you do some of the above things mentioned (look through the viewfinder to see it, use 2-second delay, etc)...

**UncleVanya** · 01-21-2015, 03:35 PM

Human reaction times are not fixed - people have different levels of calibration if you will. Some will see it and blink. Most will not. Some see it via aids like looking through the viewfinder which differentiates it so they know they saw it prior to the main flash which doesn't fire until the mirror is up. Does that help?

el baroda · 01-22-2015, 01:42 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

It is visible, it is just hard to separate from the main flash unless you do some of the above things mentioned (look through the viewfinder to see it, use 2-second delay, etc)...

I looked through the viewfinder and saw the "pre-flash". Thanks.

---------- Post added 01-23-2015 at 07:43 AM ----------

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Human reaction times are not fixed - people have different levels of calibration if you will. Some will see it and blink. Most will not. Some see it via aids like looking through the viewfinder which differentiates it so they know they saw it prior to the main flash which doesn't fire until the mirror is up. Does that help?

Yes, it does help. Thanks.

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01-14-2015, 11:08 AM	#16
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,384	Preflash isn't typically visible.

01-14-2015, 11:17 AM	#17
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	Originally posted by el baroda I tried the 2-second set up as you suggested and saw 2 very distinct flashes of about the same intensity. The first looks like the "red eye reduction" flash. Any comment? That's your pre-flash. The intensity of the "real" flash might be weak or strong, depending on what exposure the camera needs.

01-15-2015, 06:25 AM	#18
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by el baroda I tried the 2-second set up as you suggested and saw 2 very distinct flashes of about the same intensity. The first looks like the "red eye reduction" flash. Any comment? Switch red-eye reduction off and try again. If I switch the red-eye reduction off, I get one flash before the mirror goes up and one when the picture is taken. Tested on K100D + AF540FGZ.

01-16-2015, 11:53 PM	#19
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	Originally posted by UncleVanya Preflash isn't typically visible. As I said before, it is usually quite visible in the optical viewfinder. The main flash isn't at all, as then the mirror is up. So, if you see flashing through the viewfinder, it is the pre-flash (and/or the redeye reduction, in case it is switched on). Of course, this does not work with the K-01. Using the 2 sec delay for the flash test doesn't make much sense to me, except that it may make it easier for you to concentrate on what's happening.

01-17-2015, 08:41 AM	#20
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,384	Originally posted by RKKS08 As I said before, it is usually quite visible in the optical viewfinder. The main flash isn't at all, as then the mirror is up. So, if you see flashing through the viewfinder, it is the pre-flash (and/or the redeye reduction, in case it is switched on). Of course, this does not work with the K-01. Using the 2 sec delay for the flash test doesn't make much sense to me, except that it may make it easier for you to concentrate on what's happening. I have to admit that I haven't paid attention to the optical viewfinder in that way so I will test it. I haven't noticed it, and most reports on this type of flash indicate that the pre-flash is hard to see for most but some people react to it and can see it. The 2 second delay can be used to allow you to not look through the viewfinder and casually see the preflash is working.

01-21-2015, 01:54 PM	#21
el baroda Inactive Account Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 217 Original Poster	Thank you all for your input. With due respect to everyone, I am still very confused because of the conflicting material I have read here and elsewhere. Many claim that the "pre-flash" is not visible to the naked eye, while some claim the opposite. The important thing is I have found that both my built in and external flash are working well. Kind regards to all.

01-21-2015, 01:58 PM	#22
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by el baroda Thank you all for your input. With due respect to everyone, I am still very confused because of the conflicting material I have read here and elsewhere. Many claim that the "pre-flash" is not visible to the naked eye, while some claim the opposite. The important thing is I have found that both my built in and external flash are working well. Kind regards to all. It is visible, it is just hard to separate from the main flash unless you do some of the above things mentioned (look through the viewfinder to see it, use 2-second delay, etc)...

01-21-2015, 03:35 PM	#23
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,384	Human reaction times are not fixed - people have different levels of calibration if you will. Some will see it and blink. Most will not. Some see it via aids like looking through the viewfinder which differentiates it so they know they saw it prior to the main flash which doesn't fire until the mirror is up. Does that help?

01-22-2015, 01:42 PM	#24
el baroda Inactive Account Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 217 Original Poster	Originally posted by vonBaloney It is visible, it is just hard to separate from the main flash unless you do some of the above things mentioned (look through the viewfinder to see it, use 2-second delay, etc)... I looked through the viewfinder and saw the "pre-flash". Thanks. ---------- Post added 01-23-2015 at 07:43 AM ---------- Originally posted by UncleVanya Human reaction times are not fixed - people have different levels of calibration if you will. Some will see it and blink. Most will not. Some see it via aids like looking through the viewfinder which differentiates it so they know they saw it prior to the main flash which doesn't fire until the mirror is up. Does that help? Yes, it does help. Thanks.

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