Anybody know of a accessory or fix for the K-x to add an autofocus assist light?

darrenleow · 07-31-2010, 01:24 AM

Here's my DIY focus assist lamp. Total cost under US$0.50 for a DX keychain flashlight and a strip of gaffer tape

Doesn't affect use of pop-up flash or hotshoe flash.

troutman · 07-31-2010, 01:21 PM

Thanks Netsoft...I had know idea that this product was out there!!

crossover37 · 08-02-2010, 04:23 PM

Darren - I might just try that. I'm just worried its gonna look unprofessional on the camera.

kxr4trids · 08-02-2010, 07:57 PM

Try it with an IR LED.

Russell-Evans · 08-02-2010, 08:34 PM

Originally posted by crossover37

Well my flash assist on my Vivitar DF-383 doesn't reach that far and isn't as effective as a bright beam of light like onset other DSLR's. Even the Entry-Level Nikon D3000 has it. I need a workaround somehow because it's needed in low light (sometimes I don't use flash so the red assist lamp wouldn't apply in this case)

The reason people mentioned the Pentax flashes is they have a spot beam mode. In this mode the flash is not added to the exposure calculations, or is it activated with the shutter. The flash simply provides a spot beam assist when needed. The Metz 48 AF-1 and 58 AF-1 also have this mode. There may be others.

Thank you
Russell

darrenleow · 08-15-2010, 09:11 PM

Originally posted by crossover37

Darren - I might just try that. I'm just worried its gonna look unprofessional on the camera.

It's dark, no one can see your camera anyway

Anyway DX sells the keychain flashlights in black too, if that helps

JoepLX3 · 08-16-2010, 01:01 AM

Originally posted by darrenleow

It's dark, no one can see your camera anyway

Anyway DX sells the keychain flashlights in black too, if that helps

Black light?

darrenleow · 08-16-2010, 01:28 AM

Nope, the plastic used to make the flashlight is black and not white

JoepLX3 · 08-19-2010, 07:36 AM

Also with red light?
- That would be a good combi with e.g. Sigma 30 or 50 mm F1.4 prime

cps_goodbuy · 08-19-2010, 01:43 PM

I feel there must be a product out there which is based on the following steps.

Obtain wiring diagram of Pentax brand flash with spot beam light assist.
Reverse engineer spot beam light assist and camera communication.
Reproduce the spot beam light assist and package as a hotshoe mountable module.

Maybe add another shoe on top of module for flash, etc or make a slim line hotshoe module with the spotbeam light assist to the side.

.......we need more electrical engineers in this thread.

I'm not though

It seems to me a good idea anyway

**ChipB** · 08-19-2010, 05:27 PM

Originally posted by cps_goodbuy

I feel there must be a product out there which is based on the following steps.

Obtain wiring diagram of Pentax brand flash with spot beam light assist.
Reverse engineer spot beam light assist and camera communication.
Reproduce the spot beam light assist and package as a hotshoe mountable module.

Maybe add another shoe on top of module for flash, etc or make a slim line hotshoe module with the spotbeam light assist to the side.

.......we need more electrical engineers in this thread.

I'm not though

It seems to me a good idea anyway

Or, you could buy one of the older 35mm cameras like the PZ-1P that has the focus assist light built into the on-board flash.

JoepLX3 · 08-19-2010, 08:26 PM

Or you want until Pentax build it back in...
- I think it is also a pitty they didn't add a connection for an external stereo microphone, but on the other side I like the compactness and IQ/price balance.

Eruditass · 08-21-2010, 10:26 AM

Originally posted by future_retro

Pop up the flash before you autofocus, and then it uses it as the AF assist light, then after the AF confirm just put the flash down before you fire.

Easy and free

Just wanted to note that if you put it in wireless flash mode, you don't have to put the flash down, the flash won't be in the exposure.

The K-x does pretty well with the pop-up flash compared to other bodies that need to strobe the pop-up in low light.

Russell-Evans · 08-21-2010, 08:03 PM

Originally posted by Eruditass

Just wanted to note that if you put it in wireless flash mode, you don't have to put the flash down, the flash won't be in the exposure.

This disables SR however.

Thank you
Russell

r0ckstarr · 08-22-2010, 09:41 AM

Originally posted by crossover37

I'm just worried its gonna look unprofessional on the camera.

...unprofessional on an entry level DSLR?

08-02-2010, 08:34 PM	#20
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553	Originally posted by crossover37 Well my flash assist on my Vivitar DF-383 doesn't reach that far and isn't as effective as a bright beam of light like onset other DSLR's. Even the Entry-Level Nikon D3000 has it. I need a workaround somehow because it's needed in low light (sometimes I don't use flash so the red assist lamp wouldn't apply in this case) The reason people mentioned the Pentax flashes is they have a spot beam mode. In this mode the flash is not added to the exposure calculations, or is it activated with the shutter. The flash simply provides a spot beam assist when needed. The Metz 48 AF-1 and 58 AF-1 also have this mode. There may be others. Thank you Russell Last edited by Russell-Evans; 08-15-2010 at 11:09 PM.

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07-31-2010, 01:24 AM	#16
darrenleow Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	Here's my DIY focus assist lamp. Total cost under US$0.50 for a DX keychain flashlight and a strip of gaffer tape Doesn't affect use of pop-up flash or hotshoe flash.

07-31-2010, 01:21 PM	#17
troutman Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sorrento, British Columbia Posts: 65	Thanks Netsoft...I had know idea that this product was out there!!

08-02-2010, 04:23 PM	#18
crossover37 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 214 Original Poster	Darren - I might just try that. I'm just worried its gonna look unprofessional on the camera.

08-02-2010, 07:57 PM	#19
kxr4trids Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: VA Photos: Albums Posts: 227	Try it with an IR LED.

08-15-2010, 09:11 PM	#21
darrenleow Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	Originally posted by crossover37 Darren - I might just try that. I'm just worried its gonna look unprofessional on the camera. It's dark, no one can see your camera anyway Anyway DX sells the keychain flashlights in black too, if that helps

08-16-2010, 01:01 AM	#22
JoepLX3 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 518	Originally posted by darrenleow It's dark, no one can see your camera anyway Anyway DX sells the keychain flashlights in black too, if that helps Black light?

08-16-2010, 01:28 AM	#23
darrenleow Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 541	Nope, the plastic used to make the flashlight is black and not white

08-19-2010, 07:36 AM	#24
JoepLX3 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 518	Also with red light? - That would be a good combi with e.g. Sigma 30 or 50 mm F1.4 prime

08-19-2010, 01:43 PM	#25
cps_goodbuy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ireland Posts: 291	I feel there must be a product out there which is based on the following steps. Obtain wiring diagram of Pentax brand flash with spot beam light assist. Reverse engineer spot beam light assist and camera communication. Reproduce the spot beam light assist and package as a hotshoe mountable module. Maybe add another shoe on top of module for flash, etc or make a slim line hotshoe module with the spotbeam light assist to the side. .......we need more electrical engineers in this thread. I'm not though It seems to me a good idea anyway

08-19-2010, 05:27 PM	#26
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,701	Originally posted by cps_goodbuy I feel there must be a product out there which is based on the following steps. Obtain wiring diagram of Pentax brand flash with spot beam light assist. Reverse engineer spot beam light assist and camera communication. Reproduce the spot beam light assist and package as a hotshoe mountable module. Maybe add another shoe on top of module for flash, etc or make a slim line hotshoe module with the spotbeam light assist to the side. .......we need more electrical engineers in this thread. I'm not though It seems to me a good idea anyway Or, you could buy one of the older 35mm cameras like the PZ-1P that has the focus assist light built into the on-board flash.

08-19-2010, 08:26 PM	#27
JoepLX3 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 518	Or you want until Pentax build it back in... - I think it is also a pitty they didn't add a connection for an external stereo microphone, but on the other side I like the compactness and IQ/price balance.

08-21-2010, 10:26 AM	#28
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Originally posted by future_retro Pop up the flash before you autofocus, and then it uses it as the AF assist light, then after the AF confirm just put the flash down before you fire. Easy and free Just wanted to note that if you put it in wireless flash mode, you don't have to put the flash down, the flash won't be in the exposure. The K-x does pretty well with the pop-up flash compared to other bodies that need to strobe the pop-up in low light.

08-21-2010, 08:03 PM	#29
Russell-Evans Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,553	Originally posted by Eruditass Just wanted to note that if you put it in wireless flash mode, you don't have to put the flash down, the flash won't be in the exposure. This disables SR however. Thank you Russell

08-22-2010, 09:41 AM	#30
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Originally posted by crossover37 I'm just worried its gonna look unprofessional on the camera. ...unprofessional on an entry level DSLR?