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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 08-27-2013, 05:30 PM  
New Weather-Sealed Pentax AF 360 and AF 540 Flashes
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 18
Views: 2,909
I will not be buying one unless they've improved the flimsy battery door cover design (I've already got one AF540FGZ rendered unusable because of cheap broken piece of plastic).
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 05-16-2013, 05:03 AM  
K5 and Metz 52
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 16
Views: 4,522
I also have a K-5 and both Pentax AF540 & Metz 58 flashes. I agree about the poor build quality of the AF 540. Mine is now more or less unusable owing to the flimsy battery door cover having broken...
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-03-2013, 02:07 AM  
Purple Fringing with DA* 200mm
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 11
Views: 1,771
Yes the 60-250 gets better reviews - pity it weighs (& costs) half as much again as the DA* 200 :-(

I picked this lens to be able to do hand-held - wandering about in the bush for opportunistic wildlife shots. I don't think that would work too well with the 60-250
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-03-2013, 01:52 AM  
Purple Fringing with DA* 200mm
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 11
Views: 1,771
I've just bought one of these (brand-new) and am a bit surprised at how bad the PF is - from F2.8 right up to about 5.6

Is this normal for this lens? or do I have a defective copy?
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 11-09-2012, 06:59 PM  
how to control ambient vs flash light?
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 26
Views: 3,954
I use HSS with an AF360 on board (either controller or master) and AF540 in wireless mode for close-up/macros of small flowers, orchids etc. With this combo, I can get an evenly lit subject with almost black background (if the background is far enough away).

The value of HSS is that it enables me to use a faster shutter speed & thus reduce the effect of ambient light. Of course you need two flashes for this, as the built-in flash can't do wireless faster than 1/180th. The AF540 is powerful enough at close range, so I don't need to worry about the loss of power associated with HSS.
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 11-08-2012, 03:20 PM  
Flash questions
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 11
Views: 1,220
I use a pentax AF360 on the camera and an AF540 in wireless mode for controlling lighting of close ups (orchids etc) mostly out of doors & often in quite low light. With a dedicated flash on the camera, I can use HSS mode & have the full range of exposure speeds. Because of the small distances involved I've never felt the need for radio trigger or cable.

I've experimented with the dedicated flash set to master or control. But one thing I haven't quite figured out yet is how to change the relative 'weight' of each flash - i.e. if I want the wireless flash to contribute more or less. I've tried turning the output of each flash up/down, but I'm not sure I can really detect much difference (I am probably fighting against PTTL here)...
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 10-18-2012, 04:09 AM  
AF540fgz battery compartment cover broken
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 3
Views: 1,747
Thanks Ari. Tape will make it work but also obscure the controls and/or LCD - thus making it really awkward to change settings etc. Good one Pentax...
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 10-18-2012, 04:04 AM  
AF540fgz battery compartment cover broken
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 3
Views: 1,461
Thanks Steve. I haven't had any of those other problems. But the battery compartment is bad enough - it really erks me. I hate stupid, badly thought-out design... Not to mention spending $600 on something which failed owing to a few cents worth of flimsy plastic. I mean would it really have cost that much to make it out of metal?
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 10-16-2012, 04:04 AM  
AF540fgz battery compartment cover broken
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 3
Views: 1,747
Hi,

I have a Pentax AF 540 fgz flash (about 2 years old) and the battery compartment no longer closes properly. A tiny piece has broken off the inside of the flimsy plastic cover, with the result that it won't stay properly shut and powered on.

I can still use the flash by tightly holding the battery case shut with one hand, but since I frequently use this flash in wireless mode, this severely cramps my style. As soon as I release the pressure it powers off. The failure of a small $1 plastic component basically renders a $600 flash almost useless. Very poor design Pentax! :mad:

Has anyone else had this experience? Is it possible to get that bit of plastic (battery cover) replaced? Or does Pentax seriously expect me to buy another flash? (in which case, my next flash will definitely not be a pentax one!)
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 10-16-2012, 02:31 AM  
AF540fgz battery compartment cover broken
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 3
Views: 1,461
Hi,

I have a Pentax AF 540 fgz flash (about 2 years old) and the battery compartment no longer closes properly. A tiny piece has broken off the inside of the flimsy plastic cover, with the result that it won't stay properly shut and powered on.

I can still use the flash by tightly holding the battery case shut with one hand, but since I frequently use this flash in wireless mode, this severely cramps my style. As soon as I release the pressure it powers off. The failure of a small $1 plastic component basically renders a $600 flash almost useless. Very poor design Pentax! :mad:

Has anyone else had this experience? Is it possible to get that bit of plastic (battery cover) replaced? Or does Pentax seriously expect me to buy another flash? (in which case, my next flash will definitely not be a pentax one!)
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 08-21-2012, 03:50 PM  
AF Fine Adjustment in metadata?
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 4
Views: 1,865
Using 'exiftool' I can see a setting "AF Adjustment" which shows the level of fine adjustment. This may depend on the software you use to view the exif information (?)
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 08-13-2012, 04:35 PM  
Shooting RAW
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 36
Views: 4,113
CMG: I'm coming from a similar place. I've been trying to get the best shots possible without PP (in terms of exposure, noise, etc) but am now considering learning some PP software (Lightroom probably, going by comments in this discussion). As a long time IT person, I'm not too fazed about the learning curve, but it seems to me that it's worth the effort in order to have more options in producing the end result (& also for salvaging those 'marginal' pictures too)...
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 08-13-2012, 03:50 AM  
Wireless flash with AF-360 and AF-540
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 5
Views: 1,358
Thanks Steve. I think I have mastered this now, including HSS...
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 08-11-2012, 05:20 AM  
Wireless flash with AF-360 and AF-540
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 5
Views: 1,358
Thanks for your reply Ole. Yes the camera was switched to wireles flash mode (but the locally mounted flash wasn't - which was why it didn't work)
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 08-11-2012, 05:19 AM  
Wireless flash with AF-360 and AF-540
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 5
Views: 1,358
After some more experimenting I discovered what the problem was. BOTH flashes must be set to wireless mode (somewhat counter-intuitively in my opinion). I did not have the locally mounted flash set to wireless, so it was not triggering the remote flash.

I also discovered that the master/control/slave switch on the locally mounted flash overrides the setting in the K-5 camera menu. In other words if I set the flash to 'control' mode in the K-5, but switch the mounted flash to 'master' mode, it ignores the camera setting and uses master mode. Strange but true. There's so much to learn with this camera!
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 08-11-2012, 02:22 AM  
Wireless flash with AF-360 and AF-540
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 1
Views: 1,591
I am moving this to the "Pentax Flashes and Lighting Technique" forum...
Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio 08-11-2012, 02:22 AM  
Wireless flash with AF-360 and AF-540
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 5
Views: 1,358
Hi,

I have an issue with wireless flash. I have two external pentax flashes (AF 540FGZ & AF 360FGZ). I can successfully trigger either (or both) of them as wireless slaves using the K-5 built-in flash (as master or control). I've been doing this for some time with no problems.

However when I mount one of the external flashes ON THE CAMERA & set it to master or control, it will not trigger the other flash in wireless mode.

I feel like I'm banging my head against a wall. I've checked & double-checked the manual and as far as I can see, this is supposed to work (and it should also allow me to use HSS mode, which is the main reason I want to do this). But I can't get it to work at all even at low shutter speeds.

I thought at first that one flash may be faulty, but both of them behave in the same way - i.e. it doesn't matter which one I mount on the camera, it won't trigger the other one wirelessly...

Anyone have any ideas about this?

P.S. I should add that I checked they are both using the same channel...
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 08-10-2012, 11:51 PM  
Wireless flash with AF-360 and AF-540
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 1
Views: 1,591
Hi,

I have an issue with wireless flash. I have two external pentax flashes (AF 540FGZ & AF 360FGZ). I can successfully trigger either (or both) of them as wireless slaves using the K-5 built-in flash (as master or control). I've been doing this for some time with no problems.

However when I mount one of the external flashes ON THE CAMERA & set it to master or control, it will not trigger the other flash in wireless mode.

I feel like I'm banging my head against a wall. I've checked & double-checked the manual and as far as I can see, this is supposed to work (and it should also allow me to use HSS mode, which is the main reason I want to do this). But I can't get it to work at all even at low shutter speeds.

I thought at first that one flash may be faulty, but both of them behave in the same way - i.e. it doesn't matter which one I mount on the camera, it won't trigger the other one wirelessly...

Anyone have any ideas about this?

P.S. I should add that I checked they are both using the same channel...
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 06-10-2012, 07:52 PM  
Shutter count for new K5
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 54
Views: 10,354
Althought I got mine replaced, I am very annoyed at Pentax and/or their dealers for pulling these kinds of stunts. They are giving Pentax a bad reputation (well deserved in this case).

If you pay for a new camera, you are entitled to get a new one. It may that be these 'pre-used' cameras have gone back to the factory for a total check-up & are good-as-new, but you don't know that and have no way of telling.

I'd have no hesitation in returning anything which isn't brand new and demanding a new replacement. Not sure what country you are in saff, but it's illegal in Australia to sell something 'as new' when it's not.
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 05-31-2012, 11:44 PM  
SMC Pentax-D FA 50mm F2.8--VS.--Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG, on Macro and Portrait
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 6
Views: 3,144
I have both the Pentax 100mm and the Sigma 70mm macro - they are both excellent for portrait and macro. For portraits, both can both be cruelly sharp (warts & all :-) but macro subjects don't usually complain about this.

I don't have the Pentax 50mm macro, but I'm sure its IQ is in the same class as the other two. If you have to chose between them, it shouldn't be over their IQ, but what you want in terms of typical working distance, field of view, etc (you will have to get a lot closer to macro subjects with a 50mm lens).

Unless you can afford all 3 lenses, the sigma 70mm would be a good compromise...
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 05-26-2012, 06:31 AM  
PK/A extension tubes?
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 110
Views: 18,714
thanks RioRice & Newarts - I have successfully removed the glass from a K-mount Kenko 2x MC4 - now to do some testing...
Forum: Pentax Camera and Field Accessories 05-25-2012, 05:01 AM  
PK/A extension tubes?
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 110
Views: 18,714
imtheguy: Sorry if this is a dumb question, but how would one go about removing the glass (and still leave the contacts working :-)

As it happens I have just such a cheap 1.4x K-mount extension tube... [Edit: Sorry I meant TC not extension tube]
Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 05-03-2012, 01:52 AM  
Image Resolution and DPI
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 20
Views: 4,155
I had an experience like this when ordering a canvas print from a clueless photography franchise in Australia which I won't name. They proudly told me my default DPI was wrong (at 72) , but "Don't worry we fixed it - we printed it at 72, then scanned it at 300".... The print looked absolutely crappy. Needless to say I don't go there again
Forum: Photographic Technique 04-27-2012, 10:16 PM  
Are you packing all the time?
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 40
Views: 3,557
I tend to wander around in the Australian bush looking for orchids. Mostly this is off the trail in fairly open forest. I carry a large day-pack with K-5 plus 100mm DFA macro WR, 35mm DA macro limited, Sigma 70mm macro, CPL filters, Velbon ultra maxi M tripod, Garmin e-Trex GPS, emergency first-aid kit, space-blanket, EPLB, drinking water & usually something to eat. I think that's about it...
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-24-2012, 03:33 PM  
Which is the best macro lens for my K-5?
Posted By tonyrodgers
Replies: 61
Views: 34,164
Hi Sten, Looking good!

I find this lens is still very sharp at smaller apertures (& of course the DOF increases too). This picture of a tiny ant orchid was taken at f9.5

(Edit: Oops: I forgot to mention it was taken with a K200D before I bought my K-5)
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