Why Pentax fps is slow when using flashes?

siluet · 06-25-2022, 09:56 AM

Hello!
I would like to ask if anyone has somehow managed to get a Pentax camera to shoot with high fps when using a flash with or without a synchronizer. regardless of HSS or 1/200
I shoot with k3 iii, flash Godox ad200pro and Xpro synchronizer. Does anyone know what is the exact reason that causes all Pentax cameras to slow down the fps when they have a flash installed or communicate with one. Is there a way to solve this? When I shoot with Nikon and Canon, there is no such problem. I shoot mostly wildlife and sometimes I have to use artificial lighting. I hope there is a solution...

pid · 06-25-2022, 10:22 AM

refreshrate of the flash?

siluet · 06-25-2022, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by pid

refreshrate of the flash?

same flash..same synhro on other cameras working with fps of the camera..canon ..nikon ..fuji ..sony ..With all Flashes on market this problem is with Pentax ..someting in camera is wrong

**othar** · 06-25-2022, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by pid

refreshrate of the flash?

I think the camera would still take a picture, the flash would just not fire (for external flashes; with the in-camera flash (does the K-3 iii have one?) this might be different though)

siluet · 06-25-2022, 11:34 AM

that's how it should be .. but instead the fps is reduced to 2 frames per second

siluet · 06-25-2022, 11:35 AM

same flash..same synhro on other cameras working with fps of the camera..canon ..nikon ..fuji ..sony ..With all Flashes on market this problem is with Pentax ..someting in camera is wrong

slartibartfast01 · 06-25-2022, 11:39 AM

How slow is it? Someone had a similar problem with a Nikon Z6
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4447876

siluet · 06-25-2022, 11:45 AM

the same problem ..but I didn't understand how they solved it and whether they would work at Pentax

**Lowell Goudge** · 06-25-2022, 12:54 PM - **1 Like**

There may be an option that you can toggle that blocks the shutter while flash is charging.

Also use manual flash, so there is no preflash and metering.

Even 1/200 Will only be 5 fps maximum

siluet · 06-25-2022, 01:24 PM

i use Godox ad200 pro ..she is professional studio flash ..i use in M mode on flash and trigger ...just someting happend in body

Not a Number · 06-25-2022, 03:35 PM

If you are using P-TTL there is a pre-flash to set the exposure which will slow the FPS. The camera is more or less taking two shots for every one that gets saved.

bschriver11 · 06-25-2022, 03:44 PM - **2 Likes**

The recycle time of that flash is.8-1.8 seconds depending on the power the flash is set at, you can't expect to get 5 frames per second when the flash is not capable of that recycle speed. Nikon, Canon, and Sony flash units also do the same thing as the Pentax and take time to recycle so you can not shoot at high speed with those either. You could probably shoot high speed with a flash but the flash would only fire after it has recycled. What would be the point of shooting five frames a second if the flash is only capable of firing 2-3 times per second, half or more of the photos would never get any light from the flash. The cure for the guy over at Dpreview with the Nikon was that he now understands the flash is only capable of 2-3 frames per second.

Not a Number · 06-25-2022, 08:07 PM

Without referring to the manual as I recall my Vivitar 285 from the 1980's can shoot up to 3-5 frames a second but only at 1/16th power and you can only shoot a couple bursts before having to pause a while to allow the flash to cool down.

stevebrot · 06-25-2022, 08:50 PM

If willing to accept missed flash, shoot full manual (flash and bodY) with the flash set to short duration.

I am not a fan of PTTL flash and am currently shootiing auto flashes along and trigger units that provide flash ready dedication.

If PTTL is a requirement, up the ISO and or drop the distance.

Steve

(Do we really need AF when doing rapid rate rate flash?)

zapp · 06-26-2022, 12:34 AM

It would help to describe more cameras you worked with that supposedly did well. What do you mean by all Pentax cameras then only working with one model. You conclude in the beginning that the camera is doing something, but I doubt that you other Canon, Nikon test are really that conclusive. What camera accomplished what frame rate before. What were the settings. There is a lot of guessing here and so far, we have no evidence to conclude that the combo should reach full fps.

06-25-2022, 09:56 AM	#1
siluet New Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 19	Why Pentax fps is slow when using flashes? Hello! I would like to ask if anyone has somehow managed to get a Pentax camera to shoot with high fps when using a flash with or without a synchronizer. regardless of HSS or 1/200 I shoot with k3 iii, flash Godox ad200pro and Xpro synchronizer. Does anyone know what is the exact reason that causes all Pentax cameras to slow down the fps when they have a flash installed or communicate with one. Is there a way to solve this? When I shoot with Nikon and Canon, there is no such problem. I shoot mostly wildlife and sometimes I have to use artificial lighting. I hope there is a solution...

06-25-2022, 03:44 PM - 2 Likes	#12
bschriver11 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 558	The recycle time of that flash is.8-1.8 seconds depending on the power the flash is set at, you can't expect to get 5 frames per second when the flash is not capable of that recycle speed. Nikon, Canon, and Sony flash units also do the same thing as the Pentax and take time to recycle so you can not shoot at high speed with those either. You could probably shoot high speed with a flash but the flash would only fire after it has recycled. What would be the point of shooting five frames a second if the flash is only capable of firing 2-3 times per second, half or more of the photos would never get any light from the flash. The cure for the guy over at Dpreview with the Nikon was that he now understands the flash is only capable of 2-3 frames per second. Last edited by bschriver11; 06-25-2022 at 03:53 PM.

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06-25-2022, 10:22 AM	#2
pid Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 567	refreshrate of the flash?

06-25-2022, 10:43 AM	#3
siluet New Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 19 Original Poster	Originally posted by pid refreshrate of the flash? same flash..same synhro on other cameras working with fps of the camera..canon ..nikon ..fuji ..sony ..With all Flashes on market this problem is with Pentax ..someting in camera is wrong

06-25-2022, 11:06 AM	#4
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	Originally posted by pid refreshrate of the flash? I think the camera would still take a picture, the flash would just not fire (for external flashes; with the in-camera flash (does the K-3 iii have one?) this might be different though)

06-25-2022, 11:34 AM	#5
siluet New Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 19 Original Poster	that's how it should be .. but instead the fps is reduced to 2 frames per second

06-25-2022, 11:35 AM	#6
siluet New Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 19 Original Poster	same flash..same synhro on other cameras working with fps of the camera..canon ..nikon ..fuji ..sony ..With all Flashes on market this problem is with Pentax ..someting in camera is wrong

06-25-2022, 11:39 AM	#7
slartibartfast01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,931	How slow is it? Someone had a similar problem with a Nikon Z6 https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4447876

06-25-2022, 11:45 AM	#8
siluet New Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 19 Original Poster	the same problem ..but I didn't understand how they solved it and whether they would work at Pentax

06-25-2022, 12:54 PM - 1 Like	#9
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	There may be an option that you can toggle that blocks the shutter while flash is charging. Also use manual flash, so there is no preflash and metering. Even 1/200 Will only be 5 fps maximum

06-25-2022, 01:24 PM	#10
siluet New Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 19 Original Poster	i use Godox ad200 pro ..she is professional studio flash ..i use in M mode on flash and trigger ...just someting happend in body

06-25-2022, 03:35 PM	#11
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	If you are using P-TTL there is a pre-flash to set the exposure which will slow the FPS. The camera is more or less taking two shots for every one that gets saved.

06-25-2022, 08:07 PM	#13
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Without referring to the manual as I recall my Vivitar 285 from the 1980's can shoot up to 3-5 frames a second but only at 1/16th power and you can only shoot a couple bursts before having to pause a while to allow the flash to cool down.

06-25-2022, 08:50 PM	#14
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	If willing to accept missed flash, shoot full manual (flash and bodY) with the flash set to short duration. I am not a fan of PTTL flash and am currently shootiing auto flashes along and trigger units that provide flash ready dedication. If PTTL is a requirement, up the ISO and or drop the distance. Steve (Do we really need AF when doing rapid rate rate flash?)

06-26-2022, 12:34 AM	#15
zapp Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,385	It would help to describe more cameras you worked with that supposedly did well. What do you mean by all Pentax cameras then only working with one model. You conclude in the beginning that the camera is doing something, but I doubt that you other Canon, Nikon test are really that conclusive. What camera accomplished what frame rate before. What were the settings. There is a lot of guessing here and so far, we have no evidence to conclude that the combo should reach full fps.