Pentax k20D with sigma em-140 setup

Shanshay · 05-24-2022, 09:15 AM

Hi

Can anyone tell me how to set up the sigma em-140 ring flash with my k20D. I was using the Metz wireless but that unit is now malfunctioning. I just can get the sigma to work! Any tips?

Tia

steephill · 05-24-2022, 10:59 AM

Do you have the Pentax compatible version of this flash? The full name should be something like Sigma EM-140 PA-PTTL, that last part tells you which brand it will be compatible with.

Shanshay · 05-25-2022, 01:11 AM

OMG how stupid am I - it's a canon compatible one. Is there any way I can use it in manual mode?

kypfer · 05-25-2022, 05:48 AM

Originally posted by Shanshay

OMG how stupid am I - it's a canon compatible one. Is there any way I can use it in manual mode?

Possibly … you'll need to be in Manual mode, with the shutter speed set to 1/180 or slower, (or possibly X Mode for a non-Pentax compatible flash) then set the aperture according to the distance from the subject, the Guide Number of the device and the ISO selected on the camera … (old-school manual flash photography!)
If the flash fires and you get "some kind of exposure" you can then "jiggle it a bit", ie. adjust the aperture or ISO appropriately, for a correct exposure.
Not ideal for an insect or similar which may spook at the first flash, but for more inanimate objects should be perfectly OK.
If you establish that it can be made to work, you'll be able to draw up a reference chart for yourself to know what settings to use in the future.
The flash will probably only fire at full output (if at all) so you may need to fit an ND filter to the lens to tone things down a bit if working very close.
Unfortunately, if the flash doesn't fire at all, there's probably nothing you can do about it.
Good luck

Last edited by kypfer; 05-25-2022 at 05:54 AM.

05-24-2022, 09:15 AM	#1
Shanshay New Member Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 2	Pentax k20D with sigma em-140 setup Hi Can anyone tell me how to set up the sigma em-140 ring flash with my k20D. I was using the Metz wireless but that unit is now malfunctioning. I just can get the sigma to work! Any tips? Tia

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05-24-2022, 10:59 AM	#2
steephill Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 379	Do you have the Pentax compatible version of this flash? The full name should be something like Sigma EM-140 PA-PTTL, that last part tells you which brand it will be compatible with.

05-25-2022, 01:11 AM	#3
Shanshay New Member Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 2 Original Poster	OMG how stupid am I - it's a canon compatible one. Is there any way I can use it in manual mode?

05-25-2022, 05:48 AM	#4
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Photos: Albums Posts: 1,976	Originally posted by Shanshay OMG how stupid am I - it's a canon compatible one. Is there any way I can use it in manual mode? Possibly … you'll need to be in Manual mode, with the shutter speed set to 1/180 or slower, (or possibly X Mode for a non-Pentax compatible flash) then set the aperture according to the distance from the subject, the Guide Number of the device and the ISO selected on the camera … (old-school manual flash photography!) If the flash fires and you get "some kind of exposure" you can then "jiggle it a bit", ie. adjust the aperture or ISO appropriately, for a correct exposure. Not ideal for an insect or similar which may spook at the first flash, but for more inanimate objects should be perfectly OK. If you establish that it can be made to work, you'll be able to draw up a reference chart for yourself to know what settings to use in the future. The flash will probably only fire at full output (if at all) so you may need to fit an ND filter to the lens to tone things down a bit if working very close. Unfortunately, if the flash doesn't fire at all, there's probably nothing you can do about it. Good luck Last edited by kypfer; 05-25-2022 at 05:54 AM.

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