shutter speed

FrumPilot · 10-09-2011, 10:07 AM

Hi I have the k-x and for some reason My choice of shutter speeds jumps from 160 to 200. When I have a flash on, it can go to 180 (vivitar). Is there a way to have the shutter speed be set at 180 without the flash?
The reason for the question is that I bought a cheap radio trigger and it doesn't work at 200, but it does at 160. I would like to trigger the strobes at at least 180.
Your input would greatly be appreciated!
Jake

aT0Mx · 10-09-2011, 10:29 AM

I've noticed that too, the flash won't fire at certain speeds.

I have a Vivitar 2800 on my K110D

**jatrax** · 10-09-2011, 10:36 AM

Do you have shutter set to 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments? That might be part of the issue.

Maximum flash sync speed on the k-x is 1/180th. So when the flash is on and you have shutter speed set higher than 1/180th it defaults to 1/180. But without the flash it is going to use either 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments whichever is set. So it jumps from 1/160 to 1/200. I don't have my k-x handy or I would test it for you but take a look at the menus and see what increments you are using.

If that is not it then maybe there is no 1/180th except as "max flash sync"? I am a little puzzled though, if the radio trigger is mounted then shouldn't the camera think a flash is mounted? So the trigger should allow 1/180 as well as the flash.....

sterretje · 10-09-2011, 10:37 AM

You can't go faster than 1/180; reason being that that is the fastest shutterspeed at which both curtains are fully open. Only way to get faster is with high speed sync.

I don't have a K-x but the setting you're looking for is called EV steps in the K5 and can be set to 1/2 or 1/3; set to 1/2 and you should be able to get 1/180. Alternative is a setting hidden somewhere in the menu called something like X-sync that will always be 1/180 on current Pentax dSLRs.

FrumPilot · 10-09-2011, 12:00 PM

Yes the 1/3-1/2 option got me to 180. I was dissapointed though that the radio triggers didn't sync well with that speed either. I got a bar on the bottom. The fastest I can sync is 160.
Too bad as I got these triggers very cheap!, and they so far seem to be reliable even at a distance $23 for a transmitter & 4 recievers!
But for now I'll either trigger optically @ 180, or via the radio triggers @ 160.
Thanks again! Jake

10-09-2011, 10:07 AM	#1
FrumPilot Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 55	shutter speed Hi I have the k-x and for some reason My choice of shutter speeds jumps from 160 to 200. When I have a flash on, it can go to 180 (vivitar). Is there a way to have the shutter speed be set at 180 without the flash? The reason for the question is that I bought a cheap radio trigger and it doesn't work at 200, but it does at 160. I would like to trigger the strobes at at least 180. Your input would greatly be appreciated! Jake

10-09-2011, 12:00 PM	#5
FrumPilot Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 55 Original Poster	Thanks for your responses Yes the 1/3-1/2 option got me to 180. I was dissapointed though that the radio triggers didn't sync well with that speed either. I got a bar on the bottom. The fastest I can sync is 160. Too bad as I got these triggers very cheap!, and they so far seem to be reliable even at a distance $23 for a transmitter & 4 recievers! But for now I'll either trigger optically @ 180, or via the radio triggers @ 160. Thanks again! Jake

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10-09-2011, 10:29 AM	#2
aT0Mx Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Nova Scotia Photos: Albums Posts: 387	I've noticed that too, the flash won't fire at certain speeds. I have a Vivitar 2800 on my K110D

10-09-2011, 10:36 AM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Do you have shutter set to 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments? That might be part of the issue. Maximum flash sync speed on the k-x is 1/180th. So when the flash is on and you have shutter speed set higher than 1/180th it defaults to 1/180. But without the flash it is going to use either 1/3 or 1/2 stop increments whichever is set. So it jumps from 1/160 to 1/200. I don't have my k-x handy or I would test it for you but take a look at the menus and see what increments you are using. If that is not it then maybe there is no 1/180th except as "max flash sync"? I am a little puzzled though, if the radio trigger is mounted then shouldn't the camera think a flash is mounted? So the trigger should allow 1/180 as well as the flash.....

10-09-2011, 10:37 AM	#4
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	You can't go faster than 1/180; reason being that that is the fastest shutterspeed at which both curtains are fully open. Only way to get faster is with high speed sync. I don't have a K-x but the setting you're looking for is called EV steps in the K5 and can be set to 1/2 or 1/3; set to 1/2 and you should be able to get 1/180. Alternative is a setting hidden somewhere in the menu called something like X-sync that will always be 1/180 on current Pentax dSLRs.