*ist DL with Metz 44 flash, quick question

ryan in texas · 03-08-2009, 11:28 AM

So glad I found this site!

I'm new to the DLSR world. Put me in the group that got a good deal from Wolf Camera on the *ist DL for $250.00

I also got my hands on a used Metz 44af-3p flash, but no manual for the flash.

I just want to take good photos of the kids, family, dogs, etc. I'm having a hard time getting the camera tweaked for the best settings for indoor family shots.

I did figure out that bouncing the flash off the ceiling is much better!

It seems that the shots are over-exposed. If anyone has suggestions on the best settings, I would appreciate it.

In the short time I have had this DLSR, I have much more respect for those pros out there! Much more to this than point and shoot.

AndrewG NY · 03-10-2009, 08:34 AM

Bouncing off the ceiling is a great approach and helps a lot to make images look less harsh and 'flashy'. This works well in most residential settings with white ceilings. Try not to overdo it or get too close or your subjects will have dark shadows under eyes & noses. I don't think the Metz 44 af-3p is P-TTL, so it isn't really compatible with your *ist DL's flash metering. It seems likely that it is always firing at full power. It does however have a manual mode that would allow you to manually reduce the power. I believe on your flash there is a 'M' (full output) and a 'MLo' with 1/8 output. Beyond that you can modulate the exposure by changing aperture and ISO. (Shutter speed doesn't have much of an effect on flash because the flash burst is generally of very short duration).

If you want more automation, you probably want a different flash; a P-TTL flash like AF-360FGZ offers the most features and automation, but even a low-cost "Auto thyristor" flash like Pentax AF-280T might offer more automation than the flash you have...but since you already have it, it's probably worth some experimenting with using M/MLo manual flash and learning to use the aperture & ISO to control the exposure.

Unfortunately I don't see a manual specific to the Pentax version on metz.de, but there are other 44 af-3 here which may help.

Primer -- There are four basic flash modes for Pentax:
M: no automation, sometimes flash output can be manually reduced on the flash. Some flashes have more manual settings than others, yours appears to have 2.

A: Auto thyristor - uses a little sensor built into the flash body to automatically reduce flash power. This system has been around for a long time so there are lots of cheap flashes that offer it. This was the best that most of the manual focus cameras had, though a few such as Super Program and LX supported TTL.

TTL: Through-the lens. Uses sensors in the camera body to automatically dial down flash exposure. Supported by most Pentax autofocus film SLRs. Not supported by most Pentax D-SLRS; only *ist D, DS, and DS2 supported it. Replaced with P-TTL.

P-TTL: Through-the lens but uses pre-flash to determine appropriate flash output. Depending on the flash unit in use also offers high-speed sync, wireless triggering of multiple flashes, and trailing curtain sync. Most Pentax D-SLRs partner best with these flashes. Because these are the newest and in greater demand they are generally more costly.

Hope this helps.

ryan in texas · 03-10-2009, 10:53 AM

Thanks so much for the above reply!

You're right about the 44 af 3p always firing at full output. I got it used from B&H and they said they would take it back if it did not work with my camera.

I couldn't find a manual for the flash from metz either, so that makes it kind of frustrating.

Thanks again for the suggestions!

03-08-2009, 11:28 AM	#1
ryan in texas Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 4	ist DL with Metz 44 flash, quick question So glad I found this site! I'm new to the DLSR world. Put me in the group that got a good deal from Wolf Camera on the ist DL for $250.00 I also got my hands on a used Metz 44af-3p flash, but no manual for the flash. I just want to take good photos of the kids, family, dogs, etc. I'm having a hard time getting the camera tweaked for the best settings for indoor family shots. I did figure out that bouncing the flash off the ceiling is much better! It seems that the shots are over-exposed. If anyone has suggestions on the best settings, I would appreciate it. In the short time I have had this DLSR, I have much more respect for those pros out there! Much more to this than point and shoot.

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03-10-2009, 08:34 AM	#2
AndrewG NY Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chappaqua, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 688	Bouncing off the ceiling is a great approach and helps a lot to make images look less harsh and 'flashy'. This works well in most residential settings with white ceilings. Try not to overdo it or get too close or your subjects will have dark shadows under eyes & noses. I don't think the Metz 44 af-3p is P-TTL, so it isn't really compatible with your ist DL's flash metering. It seems likely that it is always firing at full power. It does however have a manual mode that would allow you to manually reduce the power. I believe on your flash there is a 'M' (full output) and a 'MLo' with 1/8 output. Beyond that you can modulate the exposure by changing aperture and ISO. (Shutter speed doesn't have much of an effect on flash because the flash burst is generally of very short duration). If you want more automation, you probably want a different flash; a P-TTL flash like AF-360FGZ offers the most features and automation, but even a low-cost "Auto thyristor" flash like Pentax AF-280T might offer more automation than the flash you have...but since you already have it, it's probably worth some experimenting with using M/MLo manual flash and learning to use the aperture & ISO to control the exposure. Unfortunately I don't see a manual specific to the Pentax version on metz.de, but there are other 44 af-3 here which may help. Primer -- There are four basic flash modes for Pentax: M: no automation, sometimes flash output can be manually reduced on the flash. Some flashes have more manual settings than others, yours appears to have 2. A: Auto thyristor - uses a little sensor built into the flash body to automatically reduce flash power. This system has been around for a long time so there are lots of cheap flashes that offer it. This was the best that most of the manual focus cameras had, though a few such as Super Program and LX supported TTL. TTL: Through-the lens. Uses sensors in the camera body to automatically dial down flash exposure. Supported by most Pentax autofocus film SLRs. Not supported by most Pentax D-SLRS; only ist D, DS, and DS2 supported it. Replaced with P-TTL. P-TTL: Through-the lens but uses pre-flash to determine appropriate flash output. Depending on the flash unit in use also offers high-speed sync, wireless triggering of multiple flashes, and trailing curtain sync. Most Pentax D-SLRs partner best with these flashes. Because these are the newest and in greater demand they are generally more costly. Hope this helps.

03-10-2009, 10:53 AM	#3
ryan in texas Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 4 Original Poster	Thanks so much for the above reply! You're right about the 44 af 3p always firing at full output. I got it used from B&H and they said they would take it back if it did not work with my camera. I couldn't find a manual for the flash from metz either, so that makes it kind of frustrating. Thanks again for the suggestions!