Originally posted by twitch I have a K-x too, and I honestly have no idea how to get the camera to choose sensible settings when using flash. I have found the solution though, and that is to never ever let the camera choose settings in flash photography. I only ever, no execptions, use flash while in manual mode. Doesn't matter if it's external flash or pop up. That way I can choose how much ambient light I want, and ride the FEC to give the result I want. I get very good results, but it's a big jump for someone shooting only in auto to make.
I shot several thousand shots with K-x, DAL 18-55 and Metz AF48 at work this year, mostly conferencies, workshops, information meetings and such, and I am very happy with this system
I usually shoot in A mode, ISO 800, -0,3 EV flash compensation, and vary the aperture as needed
the camera usually uses the 1/focal lenght shutter, which is okay, lets ambient light in, and with SR on, I get almost none blurred pics - if any, I blame my shaky hands in the first place
I tried the slow shutter sync in A mode, works flawless, but to my liking lets too much of the ambient light in the picture
Very rarely I get the flash overexpose problem, but I discovered this is due to bad contact and the flash then fires off at full power, so I always make sure I have good contact between flash and camera - I would just focus with lens cap on and see if the AF light from the flash works
when I need total control, I use M mode with flash in manual too