All I want from Pentax is

**MSL** · 04-15-2021, 11:59 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by texandrews

Is this thread about flashes (as in the OP's post) or about anything?

Is there ever a thread that has more than just a couple of replies that does not wander around a bit or even go way off topic at times?

I think Lowell raised one feature that would be nice - and when I started with Pentax P-TTL drove me mad so I stopped using it - but I don't think the discussion is limited to flashes but rather things we'd love to see in a Pentax camera.

Last edited by MSL; 04-15-2021 at 04:51 PM.

**mikesbike** · 04-15-2021, 03:47 PM

The thread meaning I got was what the OP wants to see coming in future models, so naturally this invites others to express what they want to see coming. As to pure TTL flash, many have thought it better overall than P-TTL flash. Here I have thought right along, if one installs a vintage TTL flash in the hot shoe of a current Pentax camera, you still will get TTL flash.

**Lowell Goudge** · 04-15-2021, 04:44 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by mikesbike

The thread meaning I got was what the OP wants to see coming in future models, so naturally this invites others to express what they want to see coming. As to pure TTL flash, many have thought it better overall than P-TTL flash. Here I have thought right along, if one installs a vintage TTL flash in the hot shoe of a current Pentax camera, you still will get TTL flash.

No that is not the case any more. It was with the *istD series cameras, but starting with the Kseries DSLRs only P-TTL was available.

The *istD actually has the most complete flash functionality of any DSLR in the pentax line up.

With an AF540 FGZ it could automatically select the most capable flash mode depending on the lens. A series and later would be P-TTL non A lenses would be TTL

With the AF500FTZ FTZ it would automatically shoot TTL regardless of lens attached

It could even use the internal flash as a flash master in high speed sync, a feature discarded soon after as well.

It truely defined what a flagship should be, the maximum possible compatibility with legacy equipment as part of a real system

Is it unreasonable to ask only for what we used to have???

**mikesbike** · 04-15-2021, 09:12 PM

I hear what you're saying. I have several of these vintage flashes. One I have especially liked is the TTL flash capable AF 280T with tilt/swivel and a special downward tilt setting for closeups- all this while being exceptionally compact for its power output capabilities. However, I do have several more recent P-TTL flash units, which I tend to use when I need a flash, thinking there might be a better working matchup with my more current cameras.

But I do wonder what would happen if I put the AF 280T on say my K-5 IIs or KP and set the flash to one of its two Auto modes? The auto modes, as I recall, do not use any type of TTL, but instead use the flash unit's own automatic metering via a sensor located in the front output lens of the unit. I found in old film cameras not having any TTL, the flash's own system works quite well. Maybe this is a workaround for getting good auto flash output metering results without engaging P-TTL.

Andrea K · 04-16-2021, 01:36 AM - **1 Like**

the redo of the smc FA 24-90

bdery · 04-16-2021, 05:15 AM

Originally posted by texandrews

Is this thread about flashes (as in the OP's post) or about anything?

It's about what we wish for Christmas, Spring, or whenever

**rtmarwitz** · 04-16-2021, 05:40 AM

The DA and FA Limited series lenses with AW / WR.

deus ursus · 04-16-2021, 08:23 AM

Originally posted by mikesbike

But I do wonder what would happen if I put the AF 280T on say my K-5 IIs or KP and set the flash to one of its two Auto modes? The auto modes, as I recall, do not use any type of TTL, but instead use the flash unit's own automatic metering via a sensor located in the front output lens of the unit. I found in old film cameras not having any TTL, the flash's own system works quite well. Maybe this is a workaround for getting good auto flash output metering results without engaging P-TTL.

I ran a test once with the AF 280T mounted on my Pentax LX. Took one shot with TTL mode, and one with the flash's auto mode. I thought the exposure in auto mode turned out a tad better.

SFTphotography · 04-16-2021, 08:40 AM - **1 Like**

All I want is a 100mp 645z II - in a DSLR format of course - with a larger viewfinder than the present 645z - no on sensor PDAF either.

And newer MF zooms to compliment the 28-45 like a 45-100 and 100-250 zoom all weather sealed with internal zooming (don't like extending barrel zoom lenses).

**MrNPhoto** · 04-16-2021, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by bdery

All I want from Pentax is better AF tracking so reviewers can't keep criticizing it.

Sigh. No matter how much Ricoh improves AF performance, there will be those reviewers who will find a way to criticize it. They'll say something like it isn't as reliable as they expect it to be, or it doesn't "feel as precise".

That said, I am looking forward to the AF improvements, especially in AF tracking, in the K-3 iii.

Volvo244T · 04-16-2021, 07:00 PM

All I want from Pentax is a KP successor that goes full-blown retro - not just retro-modern - and reverts to physical controls on top like the DF, but also includes an aperture feeler like old bodies so we can do away with that clunky stop-down metering and seeing "F - -" once and for all. And, most importantly, also trades the video function for a near-bottomless buffer. Video mode does not belong in a DSLR, and its presence forces compromise on the very thing an SLR *IS* meant to do, which is TAKE PICTURES. Curse Nikon for starting that nonsense.

---------- Post added 04-16-2021 at 09:09 PM ----------

Oh, and I want them to take the A50 1.2 and give it the HD coatings and AF.

**Just1MoreDave** · 04-16-2021, 08:37 PM

I would vote for a significantly smaller camera but I don't think it's possible to get smaller than the K-01.

Bertrand3000 · 04-17-2021, 02:19 AM

Originally posted by MrNPhoto

Sigh. No matter how much Ricoh improves AF performance, there will be those reviewers who will find a way to criticize it. They'll say something like it isn't as reliable as they expect it to be, or it doesn't "feel as precise".

That said, I am looking forward to the AF improvements, especially in AF tracking, in the K-3 iii.

I know that some reviewers has a anti-Pentax bias. Who cares about them?

On the other hand, AF performance is the real Achille's Heel of Pentax. I really hope the upcoming camera can make it comparable to cameras from other manufacturers. It needs to, since it's the real single downside of Pentax compared to the others.

SFTphotography · 04-17-2021, 04:26 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Bertrand3000

I know that some reviewers has a anti-Pentax bias. Who cares about them?

On the other hand, AF performance is the real Achille's Heel of Pentax. I really hope the upcoming camera can make it comparable to cameras from other manufacturers. It needs to, since it's the real single downside of Pentax compared to the others.

In what way is AF performance the achilles heel - is it speed or accuracy or both - or the number of AF points.

I've found the AF in the 645z particularly accurate and fast - the issue is all the points are in the middle but the performance and accuracy is a lot better than my Nikon D810 which was lauded at the time

**ThorSanchez** · 04-17-2021, 04:52 AM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

I would vote for a significantly smaller camera but I don't think it's possible to get smaller than the K-01.

Sure it is. Just not in an SLR, or a K-mount SLR.

---------- Post added 04-17-21 at 07:56 AM ----------

Originally posted by Bertrand3000

I know that some reviewers has a anti-Pentax bias. Who cares about them?

There's an entire cottage industry of people who get very indignant about all Pentax reviews. If all camera reviews were double-blind peer reviewed academic papers what would they do with their time?

04-16-2021, 07:00 PM	#26
Volvo244T Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bettendorf, IA / wherever the truck is parked Photos: Albums Posts: 99	All I want from Pentax is a KP successor that goes full-blown retro - not just retro-modern - and reverts to physical controls on top like the DF, but also includes an aperture feeler like old bodies so we can do away with that clunky stop-down metering and seeing "F - -" once and for all. And, most importantly, also trades the video function for a near-bottomless buffer. Video mode does not belong in a DSLR, and its presence forces compromise on the very thing an SLR IS meant to do, which is *TAKE PICTURES.* Curse Nikon for starting that nonsense. ---------- Post added 04-16-2021 at 09:09 PM ---------- Oh, and I want them to take the A50 1.2 and give it the HD coatings and AF. Last edited by Volvo244T; 04-16-2021 at 07:07 PM.

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04-15-2021, 11:59 AM - 1 Like	#16
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	Originally posted by texandrews Is this thread about flashes (as in the OP's post) or about anything? Is there ever a thread that has more than just a couple of replies that does not wander around a bit or even go way off topic at times? I think Lowell raised one feature that would be nice - and when I started with Pentax P-TTL drove me mad so I stopped using it - but I don't think the discussion is limited to flashes but rather things we'd love to see in a Pentax camera. Last edited by MSL; 04-15-2021 at 04:51 PM.

04-15-2021, 03:47 PM	#17
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	The thread meaning I got was what the OP wants to see coming in future models, so naturally this invites others to express what they want to see coming. As to pure TTL flash, many have thought it better overall than P-TTL flash. Here I have thought right along, if one installs a vintage TTL flash in the hot shoe of a current Pentax camera, you still will get TTL flash.

04-15-2021, 04:44 PM - 1 Like	#18
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,886 Original Poster	Originally posted by mikesbike The thread meaning I got was what the OP wants to see coming in future models, so naturally this invites others to express what they want to see coming. As to pure TTL flash, many have thought it better overall than P-TTL flash. Here I have thought right along, if one installs a vintage TTL flash in the hot shoe of a current Pentax camera, you still will get TTL flash. No that is not the case any more. It was with the istD series cameras, but starting with the Kseries DSLRs only P-TTL was available. The istD actually has the most complete flash functionality of any DSLR in the pentax line up. With an AF540 FGZ it could automatically select the most capable flash mode depending on the lens. A series and later would be P-TTL non A lenses would be TTL With the AF500FTZ FTZ it would automatically shoot TTL regardless of lens attached It could even use the internal flash as a flash master in high speed sync, a feature discarded soon after as well. It truely defined what a flagship should be, the maximum possible compatibility with legacy equipment as part of a real system Is it unreasonable to ask only for what we used to have???

04-15-2021, 09:12 PM	#19
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,549	I hear what you're saying. I have several of these vintage flashes. One I have especially liked is the TTL flash capable AF 280T with tilt/swivel and a special downward tilt setting for closeups- all this while being exceptionally compact for its power output capabilities. However, I do have several more recent P-TTL flash units, which I tend to use when I need a flash, thinking there might be a better working matchup with my more current cameras. But I do wonder what would happen if I put the AF 280T on say my K-5 IIs or KP and set the flash to one of its two Auto modes? The auto modes, as I recall, do not use any type of TTL, but instead use the flash unit's own automatic metering via a sensor located in the front output lens of the unit. I found in old film cameras not having any TTL, the flash's own system works quite well. Maybe this is a workaround for getting good auto flash output metering results without engaging P-TTL.

04-16-2021, 01:36 AM - 1 Like	#20
Andrea K Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 822	the redo of the smc FA 24-90

04-16-2021, 05:15 AM	#21
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by texandrews Is this thread about flashes (as in the OP's post) or about anything? It's about what we wish for Christmas, Spring, or whenever

04-16-2021, 05:40 AM	#22
rtmarwitz Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: rural central Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 198	The DA and FA Limited series lenses with AW / WR.

04-16-2021, 08:23 AM	#23
deus ursus Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Stårheim, Norway Posts: 658	Originally posted by mikesbike But I do wonder what would happen if I put the AF 280T on say my K-5 IIs or KP and set the flash to one of its two Auto modes? The auto modes, as I recall, do not use any type of TTL, but instead use the flash unit's own automatic metering via a sensor located in the front output lens of the unit. I found in old film cameras not having any TTL, the flash's own system works quite well. Maybe this is a workaround for getting good auto flash output metering results without engaging P-TTL. I ran a test once with the AF 280T mounted on my Pentax LX. Took one shot with TTL mode, and one with the flash's auto mode. I thought the exposure in auto mode turned out a tad better.

04-16-2021, 08:40 AM - 1 Like	#24
SFTphotography Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Scotland Posts: 291	All I want is a 100mp 645z II - in a DSLR format of course - with a larger viewfinder than the present 645z - no on sensor PDAF either. And newer MF zooms to compliment the 28-45 like a 45-100 and 100-250 zoom all weather sealed with internal zooming (don't like extending barrel zoom lenses).

04-16-2021, 06:26 PM	#25
MrNPhoto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 276	Originally posted by bdery All I want from Pentax is better AF tracking so reviewers can't keep criticizing it. Sigh. No matter how much Ricoh improves AF performance, there will be those reviewers who will find a way to criticize it. They'll say something like it isn't as reliable as they expect it to be, or it doesn't "feel as precise". That said, I am looking forward to the AF improvements, especially in AF tracking, in the K-3 iii.

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04-16-2021, 08:37 PM	#27
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I would vote for a significantly smaller camera but I don't think it's possible to get smaller than the K-01.

04-17-2021, 02:19 AM	#28
Bertrand3000 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Posts: 2,009	Originally posted by MrNPhoto Sigh. No matter how much Ricoh improves AF performance, there will be those reviewers who will find a way to criticize it. They'll say something like it isn't as reliable as they expect it to be, or it doesn't "feel as precise". That said, I am looking forward to the AF improvements, especially in AF tracking, in the K-3 iii. I know that some reviewers has a anti-Pentax bias. Who cares about them? On the other hand, AF performance is the real Achille's Heel of Pentax. I really hope the upcoming camera can make it comparable to cameras from other manufacturers. It needs to, since it's the real single downside of Pentax compared to the others.

04-17-2021, 04:26 AM - 1 Like	#29
SFTphotography Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Scotland Posts: 291	Originally posted by Bertrand3000 I know that some reviewers has a anti-Pentax bias. Who cares about them? On the other hand, AF performance is the real Achille's Heel of Pentax. I really hope the upcoming camera can make it comparable to cameras from other manufacturers. It needs to, since it's the real single downside of Pentax compared to the others. In what way is AF performance the achilles heel - is it speed or accuracy or both - or the number of AF points. I've found the AF in the 645z particularly accurate and fast - the issue is all the points are in the middle but the performance and accuracy is a lot better than my Nikon D810 which was lauded at the time

04-17-2021, 04:52 AM	#30
ThorSanchez Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,806	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave I would vote for a significantly smaller camera but I don't think it's possible to get smaller than the K-01. Sure it is. Just not in an SLR, or a K-mount SLR. ---------- Post added 04-17-21 at 07:56 AM ---------- Originally posted by Bertrand3000 I know that some reviewers has a anti-Pentax bias. Who cares about them? There's an entire cottage industry of people who get very indignant about all Pentax reviews. If all camera reviews were double-blind peer reviewed academic papers what would they do with their time?