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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-08-2016, 06:31 AM
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Greetings,
After much experimenting, I got the following equipment working together including a Pentax AF201FG. I have a flashless K-3II, 2 Pentax AF540FGZII's, one AF201FG, 2 CactusV6II's and one Cactus V6. Some of the settings were to me at least counter intuitive, which is why I'll be as detailed as I can in the hope that it will help others with different equipment.
Because of the limitations of the V6 and the AF201FG, this setup is for shutter speeds <=1/180 (ie NOT HSS).
One AF540 is mounted on top of a V6II mounted on top of the camera set P-TTL. DO NOT have TTL turned on on the V6II and you may have to depress a group button temporarily to do this, even tho the camera top flash is NOT in a group. The power can now be adjusted holding the menu button and the adjust wheel and the setting shows in the V6II window.
The second AF540 is mounted on the second V6II, group B with the AF540FG2 profile on the V6II, Sync Normal HSS (even tho I am not going to use HSS in this setup).
The AF201FG is mounted on the V6-- with power at either 1/1 or 1/4 (NOT AUTO) set to group C. On the camera top V6II set group C and configure the Pentax flash to AF308F (the profile works with the AF201!)
The Cactus V6II on the camera can now independently control the power of the two AF540's. The power on the AF201 is controlled on the flash.
Hope this helps. I hope pieces of my settings can be used in other setups.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-28-2016, 07:47 AM
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mcgregni,
Yes you are correct. Actually the operation is much simpler. With the Flash set to HSS, I can use all shutter speeds. This is really a great design on the part of Cactus, but they really need help in the Operation Manual department.
I have not examined the Max Sync feature so I cannot comment, but your logic seems correct.
Cheers
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-28-2016, 06:12 AM
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I thought you'all might be interested in how my problem got solved.
I separately sent a note to Cactus about my problem and they had a surprising solution. Even though in this example I am NOT using HSS, I needed to set my flash to HSS. Apparently the Pentax HSS protocol is what Cactus uses to communicate with the flash even if HSS is not used.
This is really counter intuitive, but whatever.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-27-2016, 03:22 PM
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Thanks again.
I changed the Sync Mode on the V6II Rx to "HSS OFF" Results were the same.
I will want to use HSS at some point, but right now I have the simpler goal of independently controlling 2 flashes at below sync speed. I started with just one flash and am not getting very far.
Per ClassA's suggestion, I'll start a new trouble shooting thread.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-27-2016, 11:03 AM
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Many thanks for your personal reply.
I do understand the two different “wireless” systems. I tried various alternatives in the hope of discovering an answer to my problem.
I’ll trace the steps I use to try to get the Cactus V6II’s to do Power Sync. Perhaps you’ll spot an error.
I installed the latest firmware upgrade to my Cactus V6II (V1.1.004 dated 5/9/2016). My AF540FGZ II flash has all functions set to defaults (including Fn5:Slave mode #1 “When taking pictures in wireless mode” Note: I have tried option 2 as well without a difference.).
With both units turned off, I connect my flash to my Cactus while listening to the hot shoe for a “click” before locking the units together. I connect my Pentax K-3II and a Cactus V6II the same way.
I turn on the flash; it displays P-TTL.
I turn on the Cactus with RX. The Cactus displays full battery, Ch 5, AF540F2, 1/8th, the Pentax flash icon, and the radio antennae icon showing strong connection. Group B button is on.
I turn on my Pentax K-3II, Manual mode, 1/90th, f22, ISO100, 70mm lens. With shutter half depressed, I turn on the Cactus in TX mode. The Cactus displays full battery, ch 5, 1/8th under the B group and the B group light is on.
Press menu on the Cactus, Function shows POWER SYNC, other off including TLL PASSTHROUGH. Camera & Flash System = Pentax; flash Profile Pentax AF540F2. Power Mode I change from RELATIVE to ABSOLUTE (SETUP)>OK and the Cactus displays 1 flash found.
Press test button on Cactus on flash: Flash fires. Press test button on camera Cactus: Flash fires. I adjust power settings on the Cactus TX. Settings transfer to flash Cactus.
With EV9.5 (lowest setting) I take picture of wall hanging (Sorry I did not have a stuffed bear to put on a rooftop!). Get a slightly under exposed image.
I change the EV to 16.5 (highest) which the flash Cactus shows. I take a picture. The exposures are identical. It would appear that the on-flash Cactus does not communicate with the flash unit.
As you might guess, I have played around with all sorts of settings with out success. The above outline is how I think the units should work. But they don’t.
As an aside I also have a Cactus V6–upgraded to make it compatible with the V6II. Altho I have not tested this pair as extensively, the same problem exits. Could the Cactus V6II upgrade be faulty?
Any ideas? Really thanks in advance for you time. Ralph Sell
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-27-2016, 05:01 AM
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mcgregni Thanks for your help. Your flash guide is great too.
Per your suggestion, I set the flash to P-TTL. The flash only presents P-TTL with Wireless included (and Slave, Control & Master options). With this setting, the V6ii does not even fire the flash. Nor does the test button on the V6ii Rx work. My understanding is that Pentax Wireless is light controlled while the Cactus Wireless is radio controlled.
ClassA Thanks too.
---------- Post added 10-27-2016 at 07:05 AM ----------
mcgregni Additional note. If I put the AF540FGZ II flash in the K-3II hot shoe, I can get a plain P-TLL to display (and it works correctly on camera). Without turning off the flash, I can mount it on the V6ii in Rx mode. Test button still does not fire the flash. If I turn off the flash while on the V6ii, then turn it on again, I cannot access the plain P-TLL without Wireless mode. There clearly is something I do not understand here.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
10-26-2016, 02:46 PM
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I recently updated the firmware for 2 V6ii's and 1 V6. I shoot with a Pentax k-3ii and use a Pentax flash AF540FGZ II. Before turning to getting the V6 to work with the V6ii, I have tried to get the two V6ii's to work. I cannot get the power sync to work (I have not tried HSS). The power setting are transferred from the Cactus Tx to the Cactus Rx (I see these in the cactus panels) and the flash fires. But the power levels do not vary (ditto zoom changes). The flash is set to TTL and all function setting are at the defaults (I've trued other setting too). Both Tx and Rx show the Af540FGZ II flash.
I am new to the Cactus system so I could be missing something simple. But it seems to me the Cactus is not communicating with the flash. What should I change or test?
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
09-11-2016, 04:01 AM
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Great technique for fireworks. Shows movement.
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Forum: Winners' Showcase
09-01-2016, 03:41 PM
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So many great fireworks, but you show a city celebrating. Great!
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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest
04-29-2014, 08:35 AM
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Nominate. Classic vogue look
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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest
04-29-2014, 08:33 AM
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Nominate. Use of color in two ways. Great.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest
04-29-2014, 08:29 AM
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 | Streets Smile
Posted By
rrsell |
Replies: 26
Views: 4,589
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Nominate. Great use of depth of field and then "face reflections" in the drawing--original and it works.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest
04-29-2014, 08:26 AM
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Nominate. The contrasting colors--esp the green "line"--draw in the eye.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest
04-29-2014, 08:24 AM
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Nominate. Great abstration
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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest
04-29-2014, 08:23 AM
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Nominate. Great reflection. Your wait paid off.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest
04-29-2014, 08:22 AM
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Nominate. Unique perspective.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest
04-29-2014, 08:19 AM
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Nominate. I like his explanation of how he did it for great dramatic effect.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest
04-29-2014, 08:17 AM
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Nominate. Great lighting.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest
04-29-2014, 08:17 AM
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Nominate. Great contrast with glove and flower.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest
04-29-2014, 08:15 AM
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Nominate. Great tension in the viewpoint.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest
04-29-2014, 08:01 AM
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I nominate this photo. Great use of lighting.
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Forum: Pentax K-3 Photo Contest
04-29-2014, 07:54 AM
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Made this image from a friend's cabin in the Nebraska sand hills.
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Forum: Monthly Photo Contests
12-09-2013, 03:21 PM
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This is my first contest entry.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
08-27-2012, 12:58 PM
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I've shot the K-5 for about a year (traded in a K10) and it continues to teach me stuff especially what I can do in low light. I've chimed in because the lens I used most often is the DA 35mm macro. Small and the sharpest lens I have ever used. You'll love it
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
12-06-2011, 05:29 AM
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I'll second on "Use TAv." Letting the K5 pick the ISO to go with your shutter (prob 1/250) and aperture (prob wide open) will give the best shots overall. For hi ISO (above about 1600) you will need to use noise reduction--in camera if you shoot jpg, in post processing if you shoot raw. I've had my K5 for a couple of months and am still amazed at its high ISO performance. The TAv is a magic setting for low light.
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