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PentaxPZ · 09-19-2009, 02:58 PM

I own a Pentax K-m but in TV mode how, if at all possible can I force flash?

I know it may sound odd, but there is a reason why.
Im not too good with manual at the mo..... but can i do it in manual mode?

egordon99 · 09-23-2009, 08:36 AM

Not sure about the K-m, but on my K10D, I would just hit the little "flash" button on the side of the hotshoe, and the flash would pop-up. I believe most DSLRs work like this (my two Canon bodies do

)

Should work in P, Av, Tv, and M...

PentaxPZ · 09-23-2009, 12:30 PM

yes, but im using a hotshoe flash or wireless set up.....
on board flash works but its terrible!

enoeske · 09-23-2009, 02:10 PM

You'll have to up the ISO in Tv mode until you have less than 1/180th second shutter speed (the sync speed of pentax cameras). Anything above that and the flash won't fire, unless you set it up for high speed sync.

egordon99 · 09-24-2009, 04:24 AM

Originally posted by PentaxPZ

yes, but im using a hotshoe flash or wireless set up.....
on board flash works but its terrible!

OK, then just turn the flash on...It should fire if it's power on, regardless of what mode the camera is in.

PentaxPZ · 09-27-2009, 09:33 AM

pop up flash will fire reguardless of what mode im in even auto!
the flash is set to "ON", pop up flash alwayz fires!

so why will a hot shoes flash not fire unless I get a flashing flash symbol in viewfinder?
is it possible that you cannot force a hotshoe flash to fire?

egordon99 · 09-29-2009, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by PentaxPZ

pop up flash will fire reguardless of what mode im in even auto!
the flash is set to "ON", pop up flash alwayz fires!

so why will a hot shoes flash not fire unless I get a flashing flash symbol in viewfinder?
is it possible that you cannot force a hotshoe flash to fire?

1)WHAT hot-shoe flash?
2)So you're in M on the camera, hot-shoe flash is powered on, what happens?
3)Same for Av
4)Av and M are really the only two modes you should be using with flash, so I don't care about what happens in any other mode.

Maybe the "flashing flash symbol" in the viewfinder is used to indicate that the flash has recharged?

I never had any problems with my hotshoe flash (540FGZ) on my K10D. Unless your flash is defective (or the batteries are depleted), there really isn't anything special you need to do to "force a hotshoe flash to fire"

PentaxPZ · 09-30-2009, 10:49 AM

right the flashes in question are a vivitar 283 and a 2000

in ANY mode the hot shoe will NOT fire the flash!
but if i remove the hot shoe flash and use the pop up flash it WILL fire!

The flashing flash symbol means that a flash is required on the K-m.
so why on earth will a hot shoe flash not fire?

or shall i sell the K-m and K100D super and buy a K10?

alohadave · 09-30-2009, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by PentaxPZ

right the flashes in question are a vivitar 283 and a 2000

in ANY mode the hot shoe will NOT fire the flash!
but if i remove the hot shoe flash and use the pop up flash it WILL fire!

The flashing flash symbol means that a flash is required on the K-m.
so why on earth will a hot shoe flash not fire?

or shall i sell the K-m and K100D super and buy a K10?

What shutter speed are you setting the camera to?

You don't need to sell anything, all the bodies work the same IRT flash.

egordon99 · 10-01-2009, 09:37 AM

Originally posted by PentaxPZ

right the flashes in question are a vivitar 283 and a 2000

in ANY mode the hot shoe will NOT fire the flash!
but if i remove the hot shoe flash and use the pop up flash it WILL fire!

The flashing flash symbol means that a flash is required on the K-m.
so why on earth will a hot shoe flash not fire?

or shall i sell the K-m and K100D super and buy a K10?

Can you get the flash to fire AT ALL? Do you have another body you can try? Go to a store? Are the batteries fully charged in the flash?

I don't think going to a K10D will solve this problem.

Re. "The flashing flash symbol means that a flash is required on the K-m.", I wouldn't trust my (not very smart) camera to decide if flash is required for a certain shot

aleonx3 · 10-01-2009, 10:36 AM

With the older flash system such as the Vivitar 283, "a word of warning: you can't just mount this flash on the hotshoe without testing it's trigger voltage output or getting a special adapter, or you risk damaging your camera permamently".

Here is the link to the post:

As other posters suggested, if there is no voltage problem, the flash should fire once you turn it on. Hope your flash did not cause any harm to your K-m camera.

PentaxPZ · 10-02-2009, 06:28 AM

The flash works very well!
the 283 and the 2000 work when in low light, like the club i shoot in!

so if the flash is set to ON, why will it not set off a hot shoe flash?
with the flash on top or the wifi sender on top!
but with EXACT same setting the pop up WILL fire!

I have tried various settings on the camera!
None seem to work!

I would like to be able to use the flash outside!
obviously the auto setting will NOT work in this situation!

it may sound odd but I want to use a flash for special effects on a friends car!
Seen very impressive results online and want to give it a go, also for outdoor portraits too!

I must be missing something!
Im sure that pentax would have let the K-m force a hotshoe flash?
maybe not the K100D but the K-m should!

Mister Guy · 10-02-2009, 07:31 AM

Sorry if I'm repeating what others are said, but I haven't seen you address it specifically yet: What settings are you using for aperture, shutter, and ISO when you're trying to use the flash in non-dark situations?

If you are trying to take a relatively bright picture, it's possible (and likely) that your settings for shutter speed is above 1/180. To take a picture in that setting, you'll need HSS (p142 of your manual, per the online manual for the k2000), which may not be supported by your flash.

Try setting your camera to Tv mode, set the shutter speed to 160 or 180, and see if the flash fires.

egordon99 · 10-02-2009, 07:36 AM

Originally posted by PentaxPZ

The flash works very well!
the 283 and the 2000 work when in low light, like the club i shoot in!

OK, when you're in low light and the flashes work, HOW are they being triggered? Are they on the hot shoe in these situations?

If there is an operable flash mounted on the hot-shoe, there is no reason why it should NOT fire when you trip the shutter.

PentaxPZ · 10-02-2009, 07:37 AM

OK will try high settings over the weekend.

I dont think my Tv have been that high to be honest!
think beween 1/30 and 1/90, pretty slow I know!

Sorry will try higher settings and update you all.

My ISO is 800/1600 and aperture is auto as usually in Tv mode.

09-19-2009, 02:58 PM	#1
PentaxPZ Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Camborne, Cornwall, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 377	Flash activation question! I own a Pentax K-m but in TV mode how, if at all possible can I force flash? I know it may sound odd, but there is a reason why. Im not too good with manual at the mo..... but can i do it in manual mode?

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09-23-2009, 08:36 AM	#2
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	Not sure about the K-m, but on my K10D, I would just hit the little "flash" button on the side of the hotshoe, and the flash would pop-up. I believe most DSLRs work like this (my two Canon bodies do ) Should work in P, Av, Tv, and M...

09-23-2009, 12:30 PM	#3
PentaxPZ Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Camborne, Cornwall, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 377 Original Poster	yes, but im using a hotshoe flash or wireless set up..... on board flash works but its terrible!

09-23-2009, 02:10 PM	#4
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	You'll have to up the ISO in Tv mode until you have less than 1/180th second shutter speed (the sync speed of pentax cameras). Anything above that and the flash won't fire, unless you set it up for high speed sync.

09-24-2009, 04:24 AM	#5
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	Originally posted by PentaxPZ yes, but im using a hotshoe flash or wireless set up..... on board flash works but its terrible! OK, then just turn the flash on...It should fire if it's power on, regardless of what mode the camera is in.

09-27-2009, 09:33 AM	#6
PentaxPZ Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Camborne, Cornwall, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 377 Original Poster	pop up flash will fire reguardless of what mode im in even auto! the flash is set to "ON", pop up flash alwayz fires! so why will a hot shoes flash not fire unless I get a flashing flash symbol in viewfinder? is it possible that you cannot force a hotshoe flash to fire?

09-29-2009, 09:08 AM	#7
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	Originally posted by PentaxPZ pop up flash will fire reguardless of what mode im in even auto! the flash is set to "ON", pop up flash alwayz fires! so why will a hot shoes flash not fire unless I get a flashing flash symbol in viewfinder? is it possible that you cannot force a hotshoe flash to fire? 1)WHAT hot-shoe flash? 2)So you're in M on the camera, hot-shoe flash is powered on, what happens? 3)Same for Av 4)Av and M are really the only two modes you should be using with flash, so I don't care about what happens in any other mode. Maybe the "flashing flash symbol" in the viewfinder is used to indicate that the flash has recharged? I never had any problems with my hotshoe flash (540FGZ) on my K10D. Unless your flash is defective (or the batteries are depleted), there really isn't anything special you need to do to "force a hotshoe flash to fire"

09-30-2009, 10:49 AM	#8
PentaxPZ Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Camborne, Cornwall, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 377 Original Poster	right the flashes in question are a vivitar 283 and a 2000 in ANY mode the hot shoe will NOT fire the flash! but if i remove the hot shoe flash and use the pop up flash it WILL fire! The flashing flash symbol means that a flash is required on the K-m. so why on earth will a hot shoe flash not fire? or shall i sell the K-m and K100D super and buy a K10?

09-30-2009, 10:55 AM	#9
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	Originally posted by PentaxPZ right the flashes in question are a vivitar 283 and a 2000 in ANY mode the hot shoe will NOT fire the flash! but if i remove the hot shoe flash and use the pop up flash it WILL fire! The flashing flash symbol means that a flash is required on the K-m. so why on earth will a hot shoe flash not fire? or shall i sell the K-m and K100D super and buy a K10? What shutter speed are you setting the camera to? You don't need to sell anything, all the bodies work the same IRT flash.

10-01-2009, 09:37 AM	#10
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	Originally posted by PentaxPZ right the flashes in question are a vivitar 283 and a 2000 in ANY mode the hot shoe will NOT fire the flash! but if i remove the hot shoe flash and use the pop up flash it WILL fire! The flashing flash symbol means that a flash is required on the K-m. so why on earth will a hot shoe flash not fire? or shall i sell the K-m and K100D super and buy a K10? Can you get the flash to fire AT ALL? Do you have another body you can try? Go to a store? Are the batteries fully charged in the flash? I don't think going to a K10D will solve this problem. Re. "The flashing flash symbol means that a flash is required on the K-m.", I wouldn't trust my (not very smart) camera to decide if flash is required for a certain shot

10-01-2009, 10:36 AM	#11
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	With the older flash system such as the Vivitar 283, "a word of warning: you can't just mount this flash on the hotshoe without testing it's trigger voltage output or getting a special adapter, or you risk damaging your camera permamently". Here is the link to the post: As other posters suggested, if there is no voltage problem, the flash should fire once you turn it on. Hope your flash did not cause any harm to your K-m camera.

10-02-2009, 06:28 AM	#12
PentaxPZ Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Camborne, Cornwall, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 377 Original Poster	The flash works very well! the 283 and the 2000 work when in low light, like the club i shoot in! so if the flash is set to ON, why will it not set off a hot shoe flash? with the flash on top or the wifi sender on top! but with EXACT same setting the pop up WILL fire! I have tried various settings on the camera! None seem to work! I would like to be able to use the flash outside! obviously the auto setting will NOT work in this situation! it may sound odd but I want to use a flash for special effects on a friends car! Seen very impressive results online and want to give it a go, also for outdoor portraits too! I must be missing something! Im sure that pentax would have let the K-m force a hotshoe flash? maybe not the K100D but the K-m should!

10-02-2009, 07:31 AM	#13
Mister Guy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 244	Sorry if I'm repeating what others are said, but I haven't seen you address it specifically yet: What settings are you using for aperture, shutter, and ISO when you're trying to use the flash in non-dark situations? If you are trying to take a relatively bright picture, it's possible (and likely) that your settings for shutter speed is above 1/180. To take a picture in that setting, you'll need HSS (p142 of your manual, per the online manual for the k2000), which may not be supported by your flash. Try setting your camera to Tv mode, set the shutter speed to 160 or 180, and see if the flash fires.

10-02-2009, 07:36 AM	#14
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	Originally posted by PentaxPZ The flash works very well! the 283 and the 2000 work when in low light, like the club i shoot in! OK, when you're in low light and the flashes work, HOW are they being triggered? Are they on the hot shoe in these situations? If there is an operable flash mounted on the hot-shoe, there is no reason why it should NOT fire when you trip the shutter.

10-02-2009, 07:37 AM	#15
PentaxPZ Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Camborne, Cornwall, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 377 Original Poster	OK will try high settings over the weekend. I dont think my Tv have been that high to be honest! think beween 1/30 and 1/90, pretty slow I know! Sorry will try higher settings and update you all. My ISO is 800/1600 and aperture is auto as usually in Tv mode.

Flash activation question!

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