k100d super & AF 340 FGZ

shang_tsung · 05-25-2009, 02:29 PM

Hi all, in descriptions for the AF 340 FGZ flash it says it can be triggered wirelessly by cameras on board flash. Basically how do I set this up, I've tried various modes and searched the net but can't figure it out?
Help please!

Last edited by shang_tsung; 05-25-2009 at 02:29 PM. Reason: added wirelessly

filorp · 05-25-2009, 03:15 PM

is this af360fgz or 340 maybe 540? you just need to switch the power switch in the middle position: there are three dots at the switch you choose that middle one, next if you use it as a trigger switch in the master(m) or controler (c) position - if it is suposed to be a trigerred flash u chose slave (s).

GerryL · 05-25-2009, 03:22 PM

I don't think the K100D/super has wireless flash support.
K10D, K200D and K20D all have the wireless flash support.
Your flash can do wireless though only if you use it with the above cameras and not on your K100D super.

GerryL · 05-25-2009, 03:36 PM

Here's a link I found that might be useful to you.
I don't have the K100D super so I don't know for sure if it has wireless support.
Just in case, here's the link on how to use the flash wether it be the 360 or the 540: Using Pentax Wireless Flash: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

stgmgr · 05-25-2009, 07:05 PM

I have the K100DS as well as the 540 flash.
Unless I am reading it wrong........the K100DS ITSELF will not trigger the remote flash wirelessly.
HOWEVER if you mount a 360/540 flash on the camera....THAT will trigger a remote flash.
At least that's my understanding from the manual.

mattdm · 05-25-2009, 07:53 PM

Originally posted by stgmgr

I have the K100DS as well as the 540 flash.
Unless I am reading it wrong........the K100DS ITSELF will not trigger the remote flash wirelessly.
HOWEVER if you mount a 360/540 flash on the camera....THAT will trigger a remote flash.
At least that's my understanding from the manual.

This is definitely the case. However, the K10D (with firmware upgrade) and everything produced after the K100D Super does support using the built-in flash as a controller. (Including the K2000/K-m.)

GerryL · 05-26-2009, 08:43 AM

stgmgr is right and that just sounds a bit ubsurd not unless you want to own two (2) 360 or two (2) 540 flashes or one of each (hehe), just to have wireless control.
That is the case too as mattdm would confirm, that with the K10D you would need a firmware update that makes the K10D have wireless flash support.

Andi Lo · 05-26-2009, 10:19 PM

If you're just using this for general purpose, I have a trick that will allow you to trigger wirelessly. Get a film canister, cut a horizontal slit along the tall side of the cylinder, just enough for the popup flash to be slid in but not slide out easily. I glue the film canister cap and cover the front of the cylinder (direction of subject) with black paper. Set exposure compensation of built in flash to -2.0. This way the flash will contribute very minimally to the exposure, but still flashes backwards somewhat.

Now turn on your AF 360 and hold the LIGHT button for three seconds. You will be to select mode 1 ('smart' flash), or mode 2 ('stupid' flash). In mode 2 the flash will trigger everytime the red part senses a flash triggered, and it will (usually) ignore the popup's preflash if you seal the film canister properly. I think this happens because the preflash is not strong enough to trigger the flash if you cover it up. You can only use this method with auto mode, and not P-TTL.

Alternatively I also use an old af-300 ftz on the camera, covered with foamcore like in the film canister method, so I can use the AF spotbeam and trigger the 360 wirelessly

GerryL · 05-27-2009, 07:38 AM

Originally posted by Andi Lo

Now turn on your AF 360 and hold the LIGHT button for three seconds. You will be able to select mode 1 ('smart' flash), or mode 2 ('stupid' flash). In mode 2 the flash will trigger everytime the red part senses a flash triggered, and it will (usually) ignore the popup's preflash. You can only use this method with auto mode, and not P-TTL.

Alternatively I also use an old af-300 ftz on the camera, covered with foamcore like in the film canister method, so I can use the AF spotbeam and trigger the 360 wirelessly

So, it would just be basically a "slave" flash that would trigger each time it senses a flash being fired.
This is fine if you are the alone but if you are with other photogs who fires their flashes also, then your "slave flash" will always fire whenever somebody takes a picture with a flash.

Andi Lo · 05-27-2009, 10:08 AM

Yep, that's true. That's why i said "general use"

It's still quite helpful.

05-25-2009, 02:29 PM	#1
shang_tsung New Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: LDN Posts: 1	k100d super & AF 340 FGZ Hi all, in descriptions for the AF 340 FGZ flash it says it can be triggered wirelessly by cameras on board flash. Basically how do I set this up, I've tried various modes and searched the net but can't figure it out? Help please! Last edited by shang_tsung; 05-25-2009 at 02:29 PM. Reason: added wirelessly

05-26-2009, 10:19 PM	#8
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	If you're just using this for general purpose, I have a trick that will allow you to trigger wirelessly. Get a film canister, cut a horizontal slit along the tall side of the cylinder, just enough for the popup flash to be slid in but not slide out easily. I glue the film canister cap and cover the front of the cylinder (direction of subject) with black paper. Set exposure compensation of built in flash to -2.0. This way the flash will contribute very minimally to the exposure, but still flashes backwards somewhat. Now turn on your AF 360 and hold the LIGHT button for three seconds. You will be to select mode 1 ('smart' flash), or mode 2 ('stupid' flash). In mode 2 the flash will trigger everytime the red part senses a flash triggered, and it will (usually) ignore the popup's preflash if you seal the film canister properly. I think this happens because the preflash is not strong enough to trigger the flash if you cover it up. You can only use this method with auto mode, and not P-TTL. Alternatively I also use an old af-300 ftz on the camera, covered with foamcore like in the film canister method, so I can use the AF spotbeam and trigger the 360 wirelessly Last edited by Andi Lo; 05-27-2009 at 10:09 AM.

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05-25-2009, 03:15 PM	#2
filorp Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Aberdeen Scotland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 398	is this af360fgz or 340 maybe 540? you just need to switch the power switch in the middle position: there are three dots at the switch you choose that middle one, next if you use it as a trigger switch in the master(m) or controler (c) position - if it is suposed to be a trigerred flash u chose slave (s).

05-25-2009, 03:22 PM	#3
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	I don't think the K100D/super has wireless flash support. K10D, K200D and K20D all have the wireless flash support. Your flash can do wireless though only if you use it with the above cameras and not on your K100D super.

05-25-2009, 03:36 PM	#4
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Here's a link I found that might be useful to you. I don't have the K100D super so I don't know for sure if it has wireless support. Just in case, here's the link on how to use the flash wether it be the 360 or the 540: Using Pentax Wireless Flash: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

05-25-2009, 07:05 PM	#5
stgmgr Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: MiltonBrampton Posts: 84	I have the K100DS as well as the 540 flash. Unless I am reading it wrong........the K100DS ITSELF will not trigger the remote flash wirelessly. HOWEVER if you mount a 360/540 flash on the camera....THAT will trigger a remote flash. At least that's my understanding from the manual.

05-25-2009, 07:53 PM	#6
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Originally posted by stgmgr I have the K100DS as well as the 540 flash. Unless I am reading it wrong........the K100DS ITSELF will not trigger the remote flash wirelessly. HOWEVER if you mount a 360/540 flash on the camera....THAT will trigger a remote flash. At least that's my understanding from the manual. This is definitely the case. However, the K10D (with firmware upgrade) and everything produced after the K100D Super does support using the built-in flash as a controller. (Including the K2000/K-m.)

05-26-2009, 08:43 AM	#7
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	stgmgr is right and that just sounds a bit ubsurd not unless you want to own two (2) 360 or two (2) 540 flashes or one of each (hehe), just to have wireless control. That is the case too as mattdm would confirm, that with the K10D you would need a firmware update that makes the K10D have wireless flash support.

05-27-2009, 07:38 AM	#9
GerryL Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 2,731	Originally posted by Andi Lo Now turn on your AF 360 and hold the LIGHT button for three seconds. You will be able to select mode 1 ('smart' flash), or mode 2 ('stupid' flash). In mode 2 the flash will trigger everytime the red part senses a flash triggered, and it will (usually) ignore the popup's preflash. You can only use this method with auto mode, and not P-TTL. Alternatively I also use an old af-300 ftz on the camera, covered with foamcore like in the film canister method, so I can use the AF spotbeam and trigger the 360 wirelessly So, it would just be basically a "slave" flash that would trigger each time it senses a flash being fired. This is fine if you are the alone but if you are with other photogs who fires their flashes also, then your "slave flash" will always fire whenever somebody takes a picture with a flash.

05-27-2009, 10:08 AM	#10
Andi Lo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 2,924	Yep, that's true. That's why i said "general use" It's still quite helpful.