[pwrlogic]

Hi guys
i'm trying to get into speedlights off camera with my k-x
The speedlight goes off before the shutter click.
There is some kind of lag going on.
I'm using a pentax k-x with a 20mm 2.0 lens
manual mode
pentax flash menu is set to 2 controller
i'm using a new viltrox speedlight i just got from ebay
the speedlight is in slave mode
another issue is the pentax k-x won't go to wireless on the flash button menu, it's greyed out.
Can somebody please help.
Thanks

[pschlute]

The speedlight goes off before the shutter click.
There is some kind of lag going on.

It sounds like your speedlight is firing on the Pre-flash emitted by the Kx built in flash.

I'm using a pentax k-x with a 20mm 2.0 lens

Which lens ?

another issue is the pentax k-x won't go to wireless on the flash button menu, it's greyed out.

See this from the Kx manual p166 :

"When the drive mode is set to Remote Control (3s delay),or the lens aperture is not set to the "A" position, wireless flashcannot be selected." Does your lens have an "A" position ?

---------- Post added 12-15-17 at 11:24 AM ----------

pentax flash menu is set to 2 controller

Controller/Master settings will I believe only work when you are using the built in flash to fire a P-TTL compatible flash unit such as pentax AF 360/540 (or other that are compatible). Not sure if your speedlight can do this. Either way, if you are not able to put the camera into wireless mode it will make no difference what setting you select for Controller/Master, as the on boardflash will simply be firing in P-TTL mode, and as i said above your slave unit will be firing on the pre-flash, not the main flash.

[Adam]

A good old cord should get everything working for you. Otherwise, for proper wireless functionality you'd need a pttl off camera flash.

[clackers]

You haven't provided many details, Pwrlogic, but I'm going to make a guess.

You didn't buy a flash that was Pentax P-TTL compatible.

It's going off as Pschlute says, not when the K-x's shutter and real flash go off, but when the calibration *pre-flash* does.

If the manual to your Viltrox says it can ignore a first flash, you need to change it into that slave mode.

[pwrlogic]

A good old cord should get everything working for you. Otherwise, for proper wireless functionality you'd need a pttl off camera flash.

Thank you to all trying to help out.
The lens is an smc pentax 1:2
i don't see anything about an 'A' position.
I am trying to use the speedlighht off cam not on,
so how do i make the speedlight flash with the shutter,
is it because i'm not using the kit lens?

---------- Post added 12-15-17 at 07:43 AM ----------

You haven't provided many details, Pwrlogic, but I'm going to make a guess.

You didn't buy a flash that was Pentax P-TTL compatible.

It's going off as Pschlute says, not when the K-x's shutter and real flash go off, but when the calibration *pre-flash* does.

If the manual to your Viltrox says it can ignore a first flash, you need to change it into that slave mode.

yea thanks i am trying to figure that out now
i've had it on slave mode
there must be something i'm missing
gonna try again
thanks

[amoringello]

so how do i make the speedlight flash with the shutter,
is it because i'm not using the kit lens?

Hopefully the configuration to ignore pre-flash works. I have yet to see this work very well. Hopefully you have better luck with that flash.

Alternatively, you have a couple of other options.
1) get a cheap non-pttl flash mounted on top of your hot-shoe. (i.e. has only the one hot-shoe pin)
I found a small one at a garage sale for a quarter years ago.
This will not involve any PTTL metering pre-flashes and will not confuse other non-pttl flashes.
Naturally, everything is manual.

2) in a similar vein, get a wireless tigger system.
Since most do not know about PTTL, the trigger will only fire in sync with the shutter.
You'd naturally need a wireless transmitter for your hotshoe, and a receiver for your flash(es).
Again, the flash would need to be operated manually.


FYI,
If you're willing to invest the money on a wireless system, you might look into Cactus and some others that handle PTTL as well.

[UncleVanya]

Thank you to all trying to help out.
The lens is an smc pentax 1:2
i don't see anything about an 'A' position.
I am trying to use the speedlighht off cam not on,
so how do i make the speedlight flash with the shutter,
is it because i'm not using the kit lens?

The wireless mode is for Pentax compatible control of the flash. That flash we think is just generic not Pentax specific. In the mode you are in it fires when the flash sends out a small light pulse to measure the scene. If the flash has an option to use more than one slave setting, try the other settings, one of them may ignore the initial preflash. You should also check to see if the camera can be put into manual flash mode, and if that mode can turn off preflash one of these ideas should get the unit firing, but it will be an all manual setup, the flash exposure will need to be adjusted at the flash itself. Also the onboard flash will likely contribute to the exposure.

If you want true wireless use, there are many options depending on how much control you need and the flashes you want to use. A simple pair of Yognuo triggers is one of the cheapest options:

Youtu.be

Youtu.be

The 603n trigger (for Nikon) version works on Pentax. No power level controls, just firing.

[pwrlogic]

well as of right now i'm just frustrated cause i've drained all of my batteries trying to figure this out.
Oh God how i hate the k-x AA battery usage.
i know i need to upgrade soon.
I'll try to figure out how to get the speedlite to ignore preflash, if it even does it.
thanks all!!

[swanlefitte]

If there are 2 slave modes one usually ignores pre flash. If not the recycling time at low power might be fast enough to fire on both pre and real flash. Full power takes seconds to recycle so to slow by far.

[pathdoc]

Oh God how i hate the k-x AA battery usage.

It has its upsides and downsides. The upside is that in extremis you can find batteries for it almost anywhere, put them in the camera, and fire it. The downside is that if you use non-rechargeables, it eats them at a furious rate. I faced the same dilemma when going from the *istDL to something better. I considered the K-30 precisely because it shared the *istDL's power logistics, but I went for the K-5 in the end because it was simply the better camera. I bought a second OEM battery with it, and have had no issues since.

[E-man]

It has its upsides and downsides. The upside is that in extremis you can find batteries for it almost anywhere, put them in the camera, and fire it. The downside is that if you use non-rechargeables, it eats them at a furious rate. I faced the same dilemma when going from the *istDL to something better. I considered the K-30 precisely because it shared the *istDL's power logistics, but I went for the K-5 in the end because it was simply the better camera. I bought a second OEM battery with it, and have had no issues since.

I use either Energizer Lithiums (non-rechargeable) or Eneloops in my bodies that take AA batteries (K-x, K30, K200D) and have had no problems with short battery life. My K30 seems to prefer the aforementioned AA batteries to its proprietary rechargeable battery pack in terms of longevity.

[pwrlogic]

I use either Energizer Lithiums (non-rechargeable) or Eneloops in my bodies that take AA batteries (K-x, K30, K200D) and have had no problems with short battery life. My K30 seems to prefer the aforementioned AA batteries to its proprietary rechargeable battery pack in terms of longevity.

ok thanks i will give those a try.
I still can not get rid of the three second lag.
i tried it on slave 1 and two
i',m just about ready to give up.
i just don't understand it.
the manual says slave 1 should ignore the pre flash but for me slave 1 does not work.
thanks for your help all.

---------- Post added 12-15-17 at 12:26 PM ----------

The wireless mode is for Pentax compatible control of the flash. That flash we think is just generic not Pentax specific. In the mode you are in it fires when the flash sends out a small light pulse to measure the scene. If the flash has an option to use more than one slave setting, try the other settings, one of them may ignore the initial preflash. You should also check to see if the camera can be put into manual flash mode, and if that mode can turn off preflash one of these ideas should get the unit firing, but it will be an all manual setup, the flash exposure will need to be adjusted at the flash itself. Also the onboard flash will likely contribute to the exposure.

If you want true wireless use, there are many options depending on how much control you need and the flashes you want to use. A simple pair of Yognuo triggers is one of the cheapest options:

How to use the Yongnuo RF-603 N Wireless Flash Shutter Triggers - YouTube

The 603n trigger (for Nikon) version works on Pentax. No power level controls, just firing.

ok i'm going to ebay to look for triggers for the pentax. i hope i can find something compatible.
all of this is a headache!!

[mcgregni]

"3 second lag" ??? Could you explain that more , that sounds bizarre.

Also you'll need an autofocus lens, or at least an A series type (with aperture ring set to A) in order to use the Wireless modes on your camera. The advantage of "Wireless Control" mode is that the pop-up flash won't contribute direct harsh light onto the subject. You need these lens types anyway for P-TTL, but if you just want the light from the slave then control mode is the way to go ......however your slave seems to be having trouble picking up the main flash to sync with. This sort of thing is not always a guarantee. He camera does not have Manual Flash mode (this wasn't introduced until the K3), so you're limited to P-TTL (and the consequent pre-flashes) on your camera .

As said by others, you might be better trying a simple Radio Manual trigger set.

[pwrlogic]

It has its upsides and downsides. The upside is that in extremis you can find batteries for it almost anywhere, put them in the camera, and fire it. The downside is that if you use non-rechargeables, it eats them at a furious rate. I faced the same dilemma when going from the *istDL to something better. I considered the K-30 precisely because it shared the *istDL's power logistics, but I went for the K-5 in the end because it was simply the better camera. I bought a second OEM battery with it, and have had no issues since.

hi thanks for commenting
i'm seriously eyeing the lumix G7 but i have a investment in pentax and i don't need another learning curve.
I can't even get a flash t work so i cant imagine learning a new dslr os LOL!

---------- Post added 12-15-17 at 02:34 PM ----------

"3 second lag" ??? Could you explain that more , that sounds bizarre.

Also you'll need an autofocus lens, or at least an A series type (with aperture ring set to A) in order to use the Wireless modes on your camera. The advantage of "Wireless Control" mode is that the pop-up flash won't contribute direct harsh light onto the subject. You need these lens types anyway for P-TTL, but if you just want the light from the slave then control mode is the way to go ......however your slave seems to be having trouble picking up the main flash to sync with. This sort of thing is not always a guarantee. He camera does not have Manual Flash mode (this wasn't introduced until the K3), so you're limited to P-TTL (and the consequent pre-flashes) on your camera .

As said by others, you might be better trying a simple Radio Manual trigger set.

Hi thanks for commenting.
the 50mm 1:2 lens is an old SMC
maybe that is an issue.
I'm going to try the flash with my k-x kit lens.
If that does not work i'll just have to buy the triggers.
jeez more money!

[pathdoc]

I use either Energizer Lithiums (non-rechargeable) or Eneloops in my bodies that take AA batteries

Yes, well, granted, those are a special case.