Re: 2 segment metering:
http://members.tripod.com/~ZXM/ http://members.tripod.com/ZXM/zxm_test.html
The second link has a graph showing the 2 segment metering.
Re: flash:
I don't think it has TTL metering, so the camera doesn't do much flash thinking for you. With some flashes it seems that it will automatically set flash sync speed for you, though.
I'd get a Sunpack 383 or a Vivitar 285HV flash unit. Either has a fair amount of power, plus some usable auto-flash modes. With these units, in automatic mode, you have a choice of aperatures to set at depending on your film speed, and you set the shutter speed to the flash sync speed (1/100th second) or slower. The flash unit controls itself, all your camera does it say 'fire!'.
When you figure out how to use it, it allows a lot of flexibility, varying fill flash, multiple flash units at once, and for the cost of one fancy Pentax unit you may be able to afford several Vivitar or Sunpack units.
Example:
Broad daylight, 100 speed film, and you want to do fill flash. Your camera says it wants f/16 at 100th of a second. I think the Vivitar 285HV at 100 speed film has an f/11 auto range setting. You may select that range, stay within 10 feet or so of the subject so the flash will reach, set the camera to f/16 and 100th second, and fire away. You should get a fill flash around 1 stop dimmer than the subject. Other auto ranges are f/2, f/4, and f/8. These change when you change film speeds. There are also manual power levels, which do not use auto exposure for flash. They're great when you need a fixed amount of light no matter what the subject is, such as studio work or objects which might trick the sensor such as a small object in front of a large dim background.
With two of these units you can set each to the same auto range, point them at the subject from two different directions at the same distance, and get some nice multi-flash results. Examples are on my website listed below, under 'double lighting'.
The Sunpack 383 has one less auto range but has a swivel head, for bouncing the flash off walls or ceiling if you are holding the unit for a vertical shot. It's also a little smaller to fit in the camera bag.
With either unit, you can do a lot of indoor photography with 200 speed film, f5.6, and 1/60th or maybe 1/30th second to bring up some background light. These settings will give you flash dominant lighting to overpower the room's incandescent or flourescent light, while still maintaining some glow from the room lights.
To have dominant room lights and a hint of flash fill, you'd meter for the room, and find an auto range a bit dimmer than the room lights.
With manual mode, you can tell it to give you, say, f10 at 10 feet with full power for 100 speed film, and as long as you are 10 feet away from the subject and the flash has been allowed to recharge, it will give you f10 even if you are shooting right into the sun.
Brian Dunn Photographic http://www.bdphotographic.com
