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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
02-08-2014, 01:11 PM
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I'm feeling really guilty but try as I might, I can't get my K-5, AF-360FGZ combination to fail the P-TTL bounce flash tests!!! :o
I've tried the suggested tests of moving the flash head just around the point where the tilt icon comes up in the LCD display (a difference of probably only 2-3 degrees) and taking one picture just before and a second just after the icon appears. The results of two pictures (pre-tilt icon, post-tilt-icon) can be seen at the bottom and the exposures are virtually identical!
I've also tried a couple of the suggested fixes (using A mode when bouncing and using it in wireless mode even when it's mounted on the camera) and they work too!
Sorry 'bout that (for those of you still having problems).
Some perhaps pertinent information (all from Exif data):
Camera build date: 2012:02:09 (two years ago tomorrow). Firmware version: 1.15.25.27. PentaxVersion: 7.0.0.0.
LensType: smc PENTAX-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR.
Focal Length for pictures: FocalLength35efl 21.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 31.0 mm).
Other settings: Spot Metering, ISO 400, X Sync.
Flat white ceiling about 5 feet away.
Subjects were about 8-10 feet away.
Both histograms were peaking about in the middle when I used ISO 400. At ISO 100 they were peaking slightly to the left of that (==>underexposed a tad). I didn't use any exposure compensation.
I can't tell you anything about the AF360 build date or firmware since I got the flash used on ebay.
I tried a couple other (perhaps hair-brained) tests that didn't yield any significant results: I tried to "simulate" bounce flash with both the built-in flash and the AF360. For simulation, I tried holding both a piece of white paper and a little mirror in front of the flash heads to (hopefully) reflect the light to the ceiling (otherwise direct mode for the AF360).
I thought this might fake out the flash exposure but all I got was underexposed pictures in the "shadowed" part of the pictures (was lighter at the very top where the flash wasn't blocked).
Final piece of information. I have a program that compares two files (UltraCompare) so I compared the complete EXIF data from the two pictures. I don't know what it all means but it seems like the flash metering data would be significantly different if the overexposure condition existed. But as you can see in the attached file (EXIF_Comparison_Results.txt), in my case they are virtually identical.
Conclusions:
I'm really sorry so many people have problems with the bounce flash but it appears that I'm good with my K-5.
But if they were really interested, it seems like Pentax engineers could tear apart the images and/or the Exif data to get enough data to fix the problem.
Since -- as others have said -- it works in both the wireless and "A" modes, my kneejerk reaction would be that it's a firmware problem. Yet since it works for some and not for others with identical firmware, it seems it must be either a Quality Assurance or a PentaxVersion problem (7.0.0.0 from the Exif data above). If, in fact, it's either of the latter problems, Pentax should either be recalling or replacing defective cameras!
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Since this is the first time I've posted, by way of introduction: I am a long time Pentaxian, having gotten my first "real" camera (the H1a) back in 1968 with money from the first couple of checks from my first "real" job. I also used film Nikons and a couple of starter digital point and shoots before getting a used *stD a couple of years ago. I then got my K-5 (also used) about a year ago. To feed the my inevitable LBA, my lenses to date are the DA 18-55 WR, DA 18-135 WR, DA 55-300 and vintage 50mm f1.4M and f1.4A and a 28mm f2.8.
I'm tempted to get a K-3 but it is too soon for me to shell out additional bucks plus it appears from K-3 threads there might be (different) flash problems with that camera.
So I figure I'll save my money until that settles down, e.g., maybe after 2 or 3 firmware upgrades.
And, oh, by the way, I live in Cedar Rapids Iowa (USA).
If anybody wants any additional info., just ask.
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