|
![]() |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
![]() |
#1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4
|
![]()
I'm not new to photography but the selection of flashes is confusing.
I have a Pentax IST Ds and I will be photographing a wedding this month. I was considering getting a better flash but not sure which type would suit me best (dedicated, dedicated/slave, or slave) My budget is around $100. I would like to stay under $75 if possible. So I was shopping around B&H and I have a selection to choose from. The issue I have is that flashes for digital Pentax seem to be EXTREMELY difficult to find because of the preflash function of the camera, and lack of PC connector. (TTL vs. p-ttl) I am still learning about how this camera utilizes different flashes with different type lenses, and it's confusing. Basically I want a TTL slave flash, but with this would I have to go with a dedicated? Excuse my ignorance, but will these work with the IST DS?> SunpakAuto 355 AF TTL Shoe Mount FlashSunpak | Auto 355 AF TTL Flash | 035P | B&H Photo Video SunpakMZ-440AF TTL Shoe Mount FlashSunpak | MZ-440AF TTL Shoe Mount Flash | 0440P | B&H Photo Video PentaxAF220T TTL Shoe Mount Flash Pentax | AF220T TTL Shoe Mount Flash | 30307 | B&H Photo Video BowerSFD829TW Digital Slave Twin Flash Bower | SFD829TW Digital Slave Twin Flash | SFD829TW | B&H Photo BowerSFD328 Digital Slave Flash Bower | SFD328 Digital Slave Flash | SFD328 | B&H Photo Video PhoenixD92-BZS Digital Slave Flash Phoenix | D92-BZS Digital Slave Flash | P04219 | B&H Photo Video |
![]() |
![]() |
Sponsored Links |
|
![]() |
#2 |
Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Savannah, GA (USA)
Posts: 22,378
|
![]()
If you want a flash to be aware of your camera settings, it's my understanding that you will need a newer "designed for digital" type flash that supports P-TTL (and that rules out everything in your list).
I'd avoid the slaves (they are designed to fire with the camera's flash, most are weak, no way to easily control their output, and you'd have other cameras with flashes setting them off, too). If you have to stay within $100, I'd probably look at something like a Sunpak 383 Super or equivalent. This is a non-dedicated flash. You'd need to go with manual exposure, setting the flash and camera to match for ISO speed and aperture for the distance range selected on the flash. But, note that this type of flash is not well suited for fill outdoors (because of the camera's sync speed limtations). Some of the dedicated flash models will support High Speed Sync. Perhaps some Pentax owners will chime in... But, I think you're probably going to be limited to the newer Pentax AF-200FG (too weak to do you much good for larger areas), AF-360 FGZ or AF-340FGZ But, even the mid range AF-360FGZ model (around $219 now) it's not all that powerful of a flash for larger areas (especially if you bounce or diffuse it), since it has a GN of 119 Feet/36 Meters at ISO 100 (you divide the GN by the aperture to see flash range at ISO 100 for an unbounced direct flash). Sigma also has some new models you may want to look at. For example, the Sigma EF-530 DG Super is $259 at B&H with a more powerful GN of 174 Feet/53 Meters at ISO 100. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4
|
![]()
I have increased my budget to $200 because i really want the p-ttl feature.
I am deciding between the Pentax AF 360 FGZ and the Sigma EF-530 DG ST both have full TTL Do you have any better recomendation for a flash under $200? |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Savannah, GA (USA)
Posts: 22,378
|
![]()
That Sigma Sigma EF-530 DG ST model does not support High Speed Sync.
You need the Sigma EF-530 DG Super (not the ST) model I mentioned in my previous post to use shutter speeds faster than the camera's x-sync speed, which is limited to 1/180 Second with your Pentax if you don't use a flash model supporting High Speed Sync (a.k.a., FP Mode). So, if you want to use a flash outdoors in brighter lighting without needing to stop down the aperture or use a neutral density filter to block some of the light to keep shutter speeds slower, buy the Super model instead. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 953
|
![]()
aweir wrote:
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Decatur, GA
Posts: 2,053
|
![]()
JimC wrote:
Quote:
Good luck at the wedding dave |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 4
|
![]()
thanks for the replies. I'm torn between these flashes:
Metz 48 AF-1 TTL and Sigma EF-530 DG Super and possibly the Pentax AF540FGZI'm getteing conflicting information. do these both support p-ttl? Help me decide. Basically the feature I WANT are True p-ttl swivel/tilt high speed synch rear curtain flash(but does my Pentax ist DS support this?) And do i have to buy a new body to recieve the $50 rebate? http://www.pentaxslr.com/buy/rebates |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|