Hi Vic, There are a few things to remember when using bounce flash: 1.) A ceiling, even a white one, diffuses and absorbs a lot of light. Losing 1-3 stops of light isn't uncommon. 2.) When bouncing, the distance from flash to subject increases dramatically, it becomes the distance from flash to ceiling plus from ceiling to subject. Since light decreases in proportion to the _square_ of the distance, doubling the distance decreases the light to 1/4. 3.) When bouncing, the flash should be aimed about 1/2 way to the subject, aiming straight up puts most of the light on you, not the subject. This is most evident when the ceiling is low. Think of bouncing a rubber ball off the ceiling and hitting the subject.
Also, if this is a flash that has not been used for a while it has probably lost a good bit of its power. This can be remedied by "forming" the capacitor in the flash. To do this let the flash charge up for several minutes and then fire it in manual to get a full discharge. Repeat this 10-20 times, this should bring the capacitor back to near full efficiency. The 280t is a very good flash, it is still a _current model_, pretty impressive in this day and age! HTH Don > -----Original Message----- > From: Vic Mortelmans [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Sunday, December 18, 2005 3:57 AM > To: pentax epostlijst > Subject: Bounce flash AF280T > > > Hello, > > I recently bought a used Pentax AF280T, with auto and TTL features. This > flash should be capable for being used for bounce flash, isn't it? > > When I use the 'test' button, I only get the green light when aiming the > flashlight directly to the subject. Even in a room with a low, white > ceiling, I couln't get the green light when aiming the flashlight to the > ceiling (completely vertical, or at an angle slightly towards the > subject). The flash was in auto-mode. I tried both green and red mode. > > What does this mean? I had the impression that this flash is quite > powerful, even to today's standards? What's the use of combining > swiveling flashhead and auto/TTL measuring features if they won't work > together? > > Not wanting to use direct flash, I ended up opening two stops above the > flash-indicated setting, hoping this will give me acceptable exposure... > (results to be expected still). > > Slightly disappointed greetings, but with remaining hope that someone of > you will let mee see the light... > > Groeten, > > Vic >
