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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-28-2016, 04:43 AM
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FYI: Interference doesn't concern or bother me too much as I'm not too likely to use the Acon system at home. I got it primarily to use in the field where any form of radio interference is less likely, although not impossible.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-27-2016, 08:05 PM
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FYI: The units were set to all green. Another odd thing: occasionally a strobe would fire spontaneously, always an extremely short flash, probably at or near the minimum output. Might indicate that CH 5 was receiving from our household wireless system (serves the computers).
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-27-2016, 03:11 PM
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Since our Thanksgiving guests have departed I was able to run a few quick & simple tests with the Acon-Photo wireless TTL flash triggers, with the 516 firmware intalled.
Set-up = a small figurine on slightly darker than mid-grey surface; tripod-mounted camera to keep distance uniform at about three feet; Acon receiver and flash on a light stand at about four feet. Camera set to ISO 100 and "X." Three test exposures taken at f4, f8 and f16.
Results: My K1 got correct exposure with an AF or MF lens with the following flash units on the receiver: Pentax 360 II; Metz 52 AF1; 44AF1; 26 AF2; and 24AF1
My K3 got correct exposure with all the same flash units BUT ONLY WITH AN AF LENS. With an MF lens all the flash units overexposed at all stops except sometimes f16 (the smallest/weakest strobes). HOWEVER, setting the in-camera flash compensation to -1.7 EV correct this problem perfectly (including at f16 with the smallest/weakest strobes).
My K5 did not get correct exposure with any lens/flash combination, and I could not adjust the in-camera flash compensation to get correct exposure. All the tests I ran with the K5 (not a great many) were at least 3EV underexposed. I conclude that the 516 firmware will not work with a K5.
For both the K3 and K5, therefore, it is probably better to install the 360 firmware, but the 516 version will work on a K3 if you remember to set the flash compensation for any MF lens.
In case you are curious about the MF and AF lens exposure problem' I initially tested the K1 with a 50mm f1.7 AF Pentax. When I switched to the K3, it already had a 50mm f2.8 SMCA macro attached, so initially I tested with that lens and discovered the exposure problem. When I switched to the 50mm f1.7 AF on the K3, flash exposures were correct. I went back to the K1 and tried it with the 50mm MF macro, but it did not have the same exposure problem.
AND ALSO, exposures were generally but not entirely consistent. I may have rushed the recharging of the strobes, but now and then I would get an exposure that was much too dark despite the ready light being illuminated. A little patience, and a second exposure at the same settings would always produce a correct exposure.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-26-2016, 07:03 AM
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Famous Peter Principle: If you fiddle with something long enough, it will break.
related PP's: Electronic gadgets work perfectly until you turn them on.
Gadgets only fail when you need them.
Improvements in design introduce more ways something can break.
The more options an electronic device offers, the fewer that will function correctly.
Instructions are only clear to people who already know what to do.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-24-2016, 06:34 PM
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I would had I been the one to figure it out first, but far better informed Pentaxians have lead me by my virtual nose to the resolution. I would hate to take credit for things I accomplished almost without understanding.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-24-2016, 06:03 PM
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YIPPEE!! I FINALLY GOT THE ACON UNITS TO WORK CORRECTLY!! Many, many thanks to everyone who posted here and helped me through this matter. Not only are the triggers working properly, I've learned something more about computers, which I guess I'm glad to know. Never been inclined to really understand computers, not through resistance, more lack of interest and indifference. So long as the thing works and does what I want, I really don't care how it manages those tasks. But it seems when the black box does not behave as expected, I must go back to school.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-23-2016, 02:48 PM
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FYI: This morning I did download the single package of 516 firmware that is available from the Acon-Photo website. However, it may suffer the same problem I had with the 3.6 firmware download from that site, namely it is dot-rar form, which I have been totally unable to open or operate with my computers. Clicking on the 516 download just brings a message that it cannot be opened. I was able to install 3.6 only because I received an unsolicited EMAIL from Acon-Photo with an attachment that contained the firmware in a different format than dot-rar. For the version of 3.6 downloaded from the website, clicking on the install program to open it would bring an instant warning from the computer that it was contaminated, dangerous, and the computer absolutely would not run the install program.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-22-2016, 08:08 PM
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In answer to a couple suggestions above. I did (as noted) jiggle/wiggle both flash on receiver show and transmitter in camera shoe several times to see if they were seated properly (the Acon units have a lot more contacts than required by the Pentax flash system),and also made sure the locking pins went down smoothly and fully, which should insure conact alignment. However,I will jiggle/wiggle some more (do not watch me, it isn't pretty). I was using the 28-105 on the K1, as that happened to be on it, but I did not try zooming to see if the flash responded. As noted, I tried the flash on pTTL, which is the default startup mode, but I also switched it to "master TTL" generally used when for a two-flash wireless setup. I will experiment more tomorrow, maybe with my Metz 52, and perhaps also with the K3 instead of the K1.
---------- Post added 11-22-16 at 10:12 PM ----------
Now, that may be the answer. Must see if I have the firmware 516 downloads. Do you know: if 516 firmware is installed, will the Acon units function ONLY with K1 + 360II, or will they also work with a K3 and/or Metz 52? I have the hope that I will get these things working, but it's been a little exasperating.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-22-2016, 03:43 PM
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thanks for start-up sequence. I was not attending to a particular sequence for activating the four components. Will try a bit later this evening if I have a chance, and let you know if I have any success.
---------- Post added 11-22-16 at 06:29 PM ----------
I ran the experiment. Flash on receiver, make sure it's in tight and the locking pin goes down. Transmitter on camera hotshoe, make sure it's snug and the locking pin goes down smoothly. Power up in sequence: transmitter, receiver, flash and finally camera. Half press the shutter release, the lights on the front of the Acon units are merrily blinking green. Camera on "X" and flash on pTTL, press shutter - nothing. Flash does not fire. Jiggle both flash and transmitter a bit to make sure they are seated in their respective hotshoes, green lights still blinking rapidly, press shutter - - nothing. Put camera on "A" and try again, nothing. Put flash to "master" pTTL mode -nothing. Check flash setting in camera menu, no question that "flash on" is selected. The rapidly blinking green lights on the front of the two Acon units presumably indicate they are talking to each other, so there should not be, for example, a wrong channel set on the transmitter. The latter has LEDs 2, 3, and 4 on, plus the happily blinking LED at the front end. But the flash still does not fire. BTW, according to the compatibility table posted by Acon, K1 + 360II has been tested and should work.
SUGGESTIONS?? (please)
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-22-2016, 11:39 AM
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SO. I loaded firmware 3.6 into the transmitter, got a message saying it had successfully loaded. When the transmitter is turned on, the LEDs light and I can change them as described in the user manual. Put it all together, transmitter on K1, 360II on receiver, turn on all four devices, wait for strobe to charge. Press shutter for test - nothing. Flash does not fire. Change channel several times on transmitter - nothing. What settings should be used on the transmitter? They cannot be made the same as those on the receiver because all the LEDs on the receiver are off, and the transmitter cannot be set that that way. Suggestions??
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-22-2016, 11:09 AM
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Thanks andy888. I gather then that with firmware 3.6 all of the options listed in the instructions are moot. The system is always TTL and always on the same channel, correct?
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-22-2016, 08:19 AM
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Another experiment. Following rawr's suggested steps that are slightly different from the "official" sequence, I started up the receiver BEFORE selecting the COM port. Eventually connection was made, clicked install firmware, and got a message that it was successful.
BUT: when I turned off the receiver, unplugged it, removed the USB connecting wire, then turned it on, it did not function properly. LEDs 1 & 3 and the LED at the front of the unit blinked quickly a few times, then all LEDs went out. Pressing and holding the "CH" unit which should turn on some LEDs to change settings has no effect. None of the LEDs will illuminate after the first blinking for a fraction of a second. SO, I guess I go through the procedure again with the firmware. At least I actually got something installed in the receiver, whatever it is.
---------- Post added 11-22-16 at 10:34 AM ----------
So I have gone through the firmware install procedure three times. Each time I get a window that says the firmware installation has been successful. But, when the receiver is separated from the computer and power is turned on, LEDS 1 & 3 and the LED at the end of the unit flicker briefly, then nothing. All LEDs off, short or long press on "CH" button does nothing.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-22-2016, 08:05 AM
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Went back to the big desktop and tried again. This time I managed to get the install program open, I got the exe program installed, I selected the appropriate software and the appropriate COM port, With receiver connected to a USB port via the "flash" port I held down the "CH" button and turned the unit on, causing LED #2 to glow green. According to the instructions, I now wait until a connection is made then click install firmware. BUT, no connection is made and eventually I get a "timed out" message and the installation program closes. Tried it again with a different USB port, and consequently a different COM port, same result. When the receiver is activated according to instructions, it fails to make a connection, the timed out window appears, and the installation firmware closes. BUT, I'm getting closer.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-22-2016, 07:19 AM
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For the most recent download, a program or line or anything labeled "driver.exe" does not appear. No matter what I click or attempt to open, those words never appear. In my previous download they did appear, and as I explained above, when I click on "driver.exe" I first get asked if I want to allow the changes to be made to my computer. Click "yes" and get a window that offers "INSTALL" "UNINSTALL" and "HELP." Click on "INSTALL" and instantly a new window opens that says the installation failed.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-22-2016, 07:04 AM
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What driver? Nothing that I download form Acon-Photo will install. I have tried on both my laptop and my desktop. I re-downloaded both the instructions and the firmware update onto my laptop less than an hour ago. The Instructions open, as they always have. but the firmware update most recently downloaded DOES NOT OPEN IN ANY WAY. No option to install a driver is offered. no "exe" app appears. NOTHING APPEARS ON THE SCREEN EXCEPT A WINDOW THAT OFFERS "OPEN" OR "SAVE". Clicking on "open" DOES NOTHING. Clicking on "save" gives me a duplicate copy that behaves in exactly the same way = "open" does nothing, "save" gives yet another duplicate that behaves the same way.
I cannot install a driver, because I am never offered an option to install a driver.
I will eventually go back to the files downloaded to the desktop. At least those offer an "exe" program that will not work.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-22-2016, 06:23 AM
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OK. I had a little time, so I moved the file recently sent to me by Acon-Photo from downloads to desktop. When I double click the icon, I get a HELP.rar file window with a choice of "open" or "save." Clicking on "open" my computer screen blips for the briefest instant, then nothing, the desktop has not changed, no new window has opened, the original window I clicked on to "open" is still there with no change. If I click on "save" I instantly get a second copy of the same file in the same window directly below the one that originally offered options to "open" or "save," and it has identical buttons to "open" or "save" which when clicked do the same thing: clicking on "open" causes a brief screen blip and nothing else, the desktop and window do not change. Clicking on "save" adds yet another identical copy of the same "HELP.rar" program directly below the second. I collected five before I quit.
AND, V-A-V the comment from andy888. Please note that the DRIVER DOES NOT INSTALL UNLESS THE RECEIVER IS PLUGGED INTO A USB PORT AND TURNED ON (second green light), which is contrary to the procedure for updating the firmware.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-22-2016, 04:33 AM
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I have just received an unsolicited very short message from Acon-Photo, obviouslly written by someone who is not a native English speaker (message directly from China?). The message indicated that they noticed my problem on the internet (are they following PF?). In any case they sent a link for a download, which I will run through my computer again after deleting the several downloads> Not sure when I will get to experiment, as there are pre-Thanksgiving preparations on schedule with multi-day visitors expected to arrive today.
And I am only interested in the stock firmware, and I still do not understand why it was not pre-installed.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-21-2016, 08:01 PM
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At the first step of your longer step-by-step list (Run DRIVER.EXE) - nothing happens. After opening driver.EXE, I get a window asking if I want the allow the changes to my computer, click "yes" and get a new window with options for INSTALL, UNINSTALL (not available), and HELP. Click on "INSTALL" and instantly get a window that says "driver install failure." IF I attach the receiver, press "CH" and turn it on, THEN when I open and click INSTALL the driver DOES install successfully, but nothing else happens. I never get a window that calls for selection of a firmware file. If you will, I never get step 1 accomplished. I have never obtained the message: "The drive is successfully Pre-installed in advance."
AND BTW: Many, many thanks for typing those lengthy and detailed instructions, but alas, I am still stuck at step #1.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-21-2016, 04:04 PM
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Will see if I can find that, but my "devices and drives" window does not recognize anything attached to the USB port when the receiver is connected and turned on.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-21-2016, 02:31 PM
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Yes. Time after time. I plug the receiver into a USB port with the supplied wire, via the "camera" plug on the receiver (have also tried the "flash" plug with exactly the same results to be described), press the "CH" button and turn it on, LED #2 illuminates green, as it should to enable firmware upgrade installation. Then I install the "EXE" program and I get an "installation successful" message (if the receiver is NOT plugged into a USB port and switched on as described, the "EXE" program will not install). At this point, nothing happens. I get no screen inviting installation of the upgraded firmware; if I open the "devices and drives" window of the computer, it does not show anything connected to the USB port (I have tried three different ports). If I click on the firmware file, I get an message from Adobe Reader that it can do nothing with the file and invites me to chose another app either on the computer or in the on-line store. The "EXE" program does not appear anywhere among my computer apps, nor on the desktop except for the original icon I used to install it. Clicking on the latter does not connect me to the receiver nor does it invite me to install the firmware. I've been round and round that situation for almost two weeks, time after time the same thing.
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Forum: Flashes, Lighting, and Studio
11-21-2016, 01:08 PM
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Acon-Photo (China) offers a wireless TTL two piece system, transmitter and receiver. I thought this could/would be a useful gadget so I ordered one. About four weeks for delivery. Each of the two units has a forest of contacts on the shoes, so basically the same transmitter and receiver serve all makes of cameras & flash units, but differ in the firmware. It is supposed to be possible to install firmware that will allow wireless TTL flash using a Nikon strobe, but a Pentax camera body (!).
I unpacked the unit and read the on-line instructions (no hardcopy instructions of any kind). Alas, the instructions were not written by someone truly fluent in English are a little abstruse at times, but three or four reads gave me the idea. So I followed the instructions and immediately ran into a problem. The receiver refused to set properly, in fact, no settings could be changed no matter what I did, and test firing did nothing = the strobe did not fire no matter what setting was used on the transmitter. An EMAIL brought back a directive to install the correct firmware, available for download from the same website that supplied the instructions*. So I did that, and following a new set of cryptic instructions attempted to install the firmware (first open & install the "exe" program, then use it to install the actual firmware). Two weeks of frustration, several EMAILs, multiple re-downloads and atttempts to install have completely failed to get the receiver working properly. Following the instructions, I cannot get the receiver to appear on the screen, to be recognized by the computer or the exe program, and I cannot get clarification via EMAIL on what is wrong or what to do. The typical instructions from the person who has responded to my queries: "download and follow instructions," EXCEPT the last EMAIL from that person suggested that I bring in someone who, to paraphrase, knows how to use a computer.
So, at the moment, the device is a total zero, money thrown down the drain. Anyone have experience or suggestions?
*Why wasn't the correct firmware pre-installed before the unit was shipped?
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