Why is Pentax dropping wireless flash mode?

mcgregni · 01-20-2017, 02:35 AM

It looks like you're setting a challenge now Philip, to start to explore more the use of flash, despite the apparent limitations of the K70 !

MrB1 · 01-20-2017, 03:22 AM

One thing I have discovered Nigel during my brief explorations is as I mentioned earlier - in manual flash mode the built-in flash power on the K-70 can be controlled down to 1/128, i.e. down 7 stops. At that level there is still enough of a flash to trigger the off-camera Yongnuo flash. However, as I usually use zooms or limited lenses that don't open wider than f/2.8, that level of camera flash will have little effect in lighting the subject, or alternatively its power could be increased to balance the light from the off-camera flash as required.

Philip

mcgregni · 01-20-2017, 12:52 PM

Yes, It's a way of doing it given the limitations', and allows you to take advantage of the Yongnuo's optical slave mode. A lot of peoples flash work is exactly about getting results from what you have available, so a bit of experimentation is always a positive thing.

thesia26 · 01-23-2017, 12:28 AM

So I went on youtube to see if there is anything about Pentax flash that I can post up here.

Seems like he recently made a video about it.

You Tube

I notice in this video, he is using a Cactus with the 360.

It looks like with the Cactus you can use flash on your M43 system

You Tube

cheers!

BATMON · 01-26-2017, 06:18 PM - **1 Like**

The K-P has wireless flash👺👺👺💩

MrB1 · 01-27-2017, 07:15 AM

Originally posted by BATMON

The K-P has wireless flash👺👺👺💩

True.....but it's double the cost of the K-70!

Philip

mcgregni · 01-27-2017, 07:20 AM

Despite all the debate about where in the camera range the new KP falls, in many respects, and now also the wireless flash functioning (where did you discover that info?), into the higher end 'semi-pro' / enthusiast category I think ..... Another defining aspect that supports that categorisation I believe is the lack of Scene Modes on the main mode dial. If you're right the inclusion of wireless flash functions will be much appreciated I'm sure.

There you are Philip, all you need is a nice new Pentax AF-540FGZ, and you've got another reason to upgrade from the K70 !

BrianR · 01-27-2017, 08:05 AM

Originally posted by mcgregni

Despite all the debate about where in the camera range the new KP falls, in many respects, and now also the wireless flash functioning (where did you discover that info?),..

From:

PENTAX KP A mid-class digital SLR camera, featuring a new APS-C-sized image sensor and super-high-sensitivity night-scene snapshot photography at ISO 819200 in a newly designed, compact body?RICOH IMAGING

Flash Modes

Auto Flash Discharge (Scene Analyze Auto), Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction (Scene Analyze Auto) Flash On, Flash On+ Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, Manual Flash Discharge (Full-1/128), Wireless (Controller)

It looks promising

stevebrot · 01-27-2017, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by BrianR

Wireless (Controller)

Yes...nice compromise on Ricoh's part. Controller is better than nothing and is probably more appropriate than Controller/Master given the low guide number of the flash on the KP.

Steve

mcgregni · 01-27-2017, 10:19 AM

Hmmm, seems odd to offer only 'control' mode, not 'master' .... Could they just be using the term 'controller' to mean both options? That is how the other built-in flashes have always worked, as far as I know .....

If a manual is available yet we should be able to settle it.

deus ursus · 01-27-2017, 01:09 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Yes...nice compromise on Ricoh's part. Controller is better than nothing and is probably more appropriate than Controller/Master given the low guide number of the flash on the KP.

Steve

Wow! Only 6 can hardly be useful for anything but controlling an external flash.

**clackers** · 01-27-2017, 01:37 PM

Originally posted by deus ursus

Wow! Only 6 can hardly be useful for anything but controlling an external flash.

Well, if at ISO 200, that's f4 at three metres.

BrianR · 01-27-2017, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by clackers

Well, if at ISO 200, that's f4 at three metres.

Off by a stop. It's listed as "GN: approx. 6.0 (ISO100/m)". At f/4, iso 100 you're good out to 6/4=1.5m, you need iso 400 to double the effective range to 3m.

I'm also curious about the low guide number. I had thought 11 to 13 (iso100/m) was pretty standard for pentax dslrs (not counting the ones with GN 0

). Makes you think it uses different components from the k-70. I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a typo or translation error somewhere.

edit- I just saw a picture of the flash in the up position here: Features4 | PENTAX KP | RICOH IMAGING. The business part looks tiny and like it fits into a little tiny indent.

mcgregni · 01-27-2017, 02:29 PM

Or perhaps with the super duper new sensor they just think we should shoot the flash images at high ISOs !

**clackers** · 01-27-2017, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by BrianR

Off by a stop. It's listed as "GN: approx. 6.0 (ISO100/m)". At f/4, iso 100 you're good out to 6/4=1.5m, you need iso 400 to double the effective range to 3m.

.

Yes, you're quite right, Brian.

And GN 6 is point-and-shoot strength.

01-27-2017, 02:16 PM	#58
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Originally posted by clackers Well, if at ISO 200, that's f4 at three metres. Off by a stop. It's listed as "GN: approx. 6.0 (ISO100/m)". At f/4, iso 100 you're good out to 6/4=1.5m, you need iso 400 to double the effective range to 3m. I'm also curious about the low guide number. I had thought 11 to 13 (iso100/m) was pretty standard for pentax dslrs (not counting the ones with GN 0). Makes you think it uses different components from the k-70. I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a typo or translation error somewhere. edit- I just saw a picture of the flash in the up position here: Features4 \| PENTAX KP \| RICOH IMAGING. The business part looks tiny and like it fits into a little tiny indent. Last edited by BrianR; 01-27-2017 at 02:29 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K-S2 wireless flash mode	n-light	Pentax DSLR Discussion	48	06-15-2018 07:49 PM
Pentax K-3 wireless flash mode with Sigma EF-610 DG Super	AndreiPurcarea	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	12	07-22-2016 07:28 AM
Does kr flash like normal when it is set to wireless mode + controller mode?	Zev23	Pentax K-r	8	05-24-2012 07:09 AM
Why is SR disabled in wireless flash mode?	panoguy	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	6	04-04-2009 04:43 AM
High-Speed Sync in Wireless Mode- WHY?	NeverSatisfied	Photographic Technique	9	03-09-2009 07:10 PM

01-20-2017, 02:35 AM	#46
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	It looks like you're setting a challenge now Philip, to start to explore more the use of flash, despite the apparent limitations of the K70 !

01-20-2017, 03:22 AM	#47
MrB1 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Hertfordshire, England Posts: 845	One thing I have discovered Nigel during my brief explorations is as I mentioned earlier - in manual flash mode the built-in flash power on the K-70 can be controlled down to 1/128, i.e. down 7 stops. At that level there is still enough of a flash to trigger the off-camera Yongnuo flash. However, as I usually use zooms or limited lenses that don't open wider than f/2.8, that level of camera flash will have little effect in lighting the subject, or alternatively its power could be increased to balance the light from the off-camera flash as required. Philip

01-20-2017, 12:52 PM	#48
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	Yes, It's a way of doing it given the limitations', and allows you to take advantage of the Yongnuo's optical slave mode. A lot of peoples flash work is exactly about getting results from what you have available, so a bit of experimentation is always a positive thing.

01-26-2017, 06:18 PM - 1 Like	#50
BATMON Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 207	The K-P has wireless flash👺👺👺💩

01-27-2017, 07:15 AM	#51
MrB1 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Hertfordshire, England Posts: 845	Originally posted by BATMON The K-P has wireless flash👺👺👺💩 True.....but it's double the cost of the K-70! Philip

01-27-2017, 07:20 AM	#52
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	Despite all the debate about where in the camera range the new KP falls, in many respects, and now also the wireless flash functioning (where did you discover that info?), into the higher end 'semi-pro' / enthusiast category I think ..... Another defining aspect that supports that categorisation I believe is the lack of Scene Modes on the main mode dial. If you're right the inclusion of wireless flash functions will be much appreciated I'm sure. There you are Philip, all you need is a nice new Pentax AF-540FGZ, and you've got another reason to upgrade from the K70 !

01-27-2017, 08:05 AM	#53
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Originally posted by mcgregni Despite all the debate about where in the camera range the new KP falls, in many respects, and now also the wireless flash functioning (where did you discover that info?),.. From: PENTAX KP A mid-class digital SLR camera, featuring a new APS-C-sized image sensor and super-high-sensitivity night-scene snapshot photography at ISO 819200 in a newly designed, compact body?RICOH IMAGING Flash Modes Auto Flash Discharge (Scene Analyze Auto), Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction (Scene Analyze Auto) Flash On, Flash On+ Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, Manual Flash Discharge (Full-1/128), Wireless (Controller) It looks promising

01-27-2017, 08:52 AM	#54
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by BrianR Wireless (Controller) Yes...nice compromise on Ricoh's part. Controller is better than nothing and is probably more appropriate than Controller/Master given the low guide number of the flash on the KP. Steve

01-27-2017, 10:19 AM	#55
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	Hmmm, seems odd to offer only 'control' mode, not 'master' .... Could they just be using the term 'controller' to mean both options? That is how the other built-in flashes have always worked, as far as I know ..... If a manual is available yet we should be able to settle it.

01-27-2017, 01:09 PM	#56
deus ursus Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Stårheim, Norway Posts: 658	Originally posted by stevebrot Yes...nice compromise on Ricoh's part. Controller is better than nothing and is probably more appropriate than Controller/Master given the low guide number of the flash on the KP. Steve Wow! Only 6 can hardly be useful for anything but controlling an external flash.

01-27-2017, 01:37 PM	#57
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by deus ursus Wow! Only 6 can hardly be useful for anything but controlling an external flash. Well, if at ISO 200, that's f4 at three metres.

01-27-2017, 02:29 PM	#59
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	Or perhaps with the super duper new sensor they just think we should shoot the flash images at high ISOs !

01-27-2017, 03:04 PM	#60
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by BrianR Off by a stop. It's listed as "GN: approx. 6.0 (ISO100/m)". At f/4, iso 100 you're good out to 6/4=1.5m, you need iso 400 to double the effective range to 3m. . Yes, you're quite right, Brian. And GN 6 is point-and-shoot strength.