Having used these flashes for quite a long time for lots of weddings, portraits and events, I can say they work just fine. It sounds like you are wanting the A mode to basically function like it was TTL - basically taking any readings/changes you make on the camera and then setting the flash to the same. So basically the only difference with that and TTL is that the sensor is in the flash instead of the body. While this is an interesting concept you have proposed, it is not the way normal A mode on any flash I have ever used is. Basically the A mode is fully controlled on the flash independent of the camera.
If you were going to use A mode the way you describe, it would get problematic when you set something on the flash and then changed a setting on the camera (especially f stop in automated modes) - should the flash change also or do you want it overridden? Basically the A mode is an override mode where the flash is in control - not the camera. Remember that you can use flash compensation if you feel the P-TTL is too dark or light. Just press the center of the dial and spin to set compensation while in P-TTL. That should get you what you are looking for. The A mode may be no more effective than that. Remember that the reflectivity of the subject has just as much bearing on the exposure for the flash system as it does for the camera. In fact, many times it is a bit more sensitive due to the reflective nature of the light source. So my suggestion is to use P-TTL with flash compensation at times. -- Best regards, Bruce Wednesday, January 10, 2007, 3:38:38 AM, you wrote: T> Well in A mode it should read the parameters from the body *correctly*. T> If then I want to override that's my problem but it should set the T> parameters correctly at first. T> Also, I don't see why I couldn't use A flash mode when I use anything T> else than M camera mode. This si very stupid and BTW if I judge PTTL T> not to my taste I should be able to use A mode. So yes I'm quite T> annoyed but this. T> I will check with my Z1 how it reacts. T> Could someone check with a 360 and MZ-S and a K10D and 540 FGZ ?? T> 2007/1/10, Bruce Dayton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: >> My understanding and usage of A mode is that there is a sensor on the >> flash that is used instead of the one in the body. The flash can be >> set to any parameters that you want, independent of the body. This >> allows you to control the flash as you want. It lets you do fill >> flash by telling the flash that it is brighter than it really is. >> >> So although it initially reads the ISO the body has set, it can be >> overridden. >> >> It sounds to me that your flash is working as it is supposed to. I >> have had 2 AF360FGZ's for several years and they have been working all >> along. They work exactly as you describe on the K10D. Basically you >> either live with P-TTL mode and flash settable compensation, or you >> switch to A or M and control the flash as you like. >> >> -- >> Bruce >> >> >> Tuesday, January 9, 2007, 2:32:30 PM, you wrote: >> >> T> Very weird. >> T> I can confirm that even with fresh batteries (alkaline but well they >> T> provide 1.5V each and were perfectly new one) that unless in M mode >> T> (camera) I can only choose PTTL or SB. >> T> Also, it will not show correct parameters when in A mode (flash) and M >> T> mode (camera). My FA50/1.4 exhibits the same problem ad my FA 100/3.5 >> T> MAcro. >> >> T> Defenitely not bettery related. >> >> T> So either the camera(firmware?) or flash is faulty ! >> >> T> 2007/1/9, Bruce Dayton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: >> >> Hmmm....I just put one of my AF360FGZ flashes on my K10D and was able >> >> to cycle between P-TTL, A, M and SB. The lens in place was the DA >> >> 16-45/4. >> >> >> >> -- >> >> Best regards, >> >> Bruce >> >> >> >> >> >> Tuesday, January 9, 2007, 11:37:02 AM, you wrote: >> >> >> >> T> Here are a couple observations since I took time to play a bit with >> >> T> external flash on my K10D. I have no other flash to test to compare >> >> T> results. >> >> >> >> T> * Exposure seems to be mostly OK (PTTL mode). At least way better than >> >> T> RTF which tends to overexpose (based on my short experience since I >> >> T> have had my K10D for only a couple days). >> >> >> >> T> * Mode selection on the flash itself is screwed up. Basicaly, except >> >> T> in M mode, I can only choose P-TTL or SB (AF assist only). Not having >> >> T> TTL is of course normal but I cannot access A mode nor M mode which is >> >> T> weird to say the least. Pushing mode button will cycle between PTTL >> >> T> and SB , period. >> >> >> >> T> * M mode allows to select A mode and M mode but... It seems appart >> >> T> from the ISO, the exposure parameters are not shown correctly on the >> >> T> flash screen. I was using FA 100/3.5 macro and the screen showed f/2.8 >> >> T> !! However the camera of course showed correct info. Also, the flashed >> >> T> showed 58mm as max zoom. It'd be correct with an DA lens but with an >> >> T> FA lens it is very.. disturbing !! >> >> >> >> T> * If I let the flash powered-on and do power-off the camera and then >> >> T> back on, I can choose whatever mode until I take a picture. After this >> >> T> picture the camera forces again the flash to only accept PTTL and SB. >> >> >> >> T> * In the couple shots I tried in A mode (using the power on/off trick) >> >> T> exposure didn't seem far off but it is way to early to traw a >> >> T> conclusion as far as I'm concerned. >> >> >> >> T> Now, a firmware update will hopefully take care of this. They'd >> >> T> better. Or then upgrade the flash but that'd be harder ... >> >> >> >> T> It doesn't change my love for this camera. I don't like using flash, >> >> T> probably because I'm unable to do it well enough but that won't help >> >> T> me for sure ;) >> >> >> >> T> Is somebody able to confirm this behaviour and maybe try with a 540FGZ >> >> T> ? I guess it works the same way as IMO the camera is the culprit here. >> >> >> >> T> -- >> >> >> >> T> Thibault Massart aka Thibouille >> >> T> ---------------------- >> >> T> *ist-D,Z1,SuperA,KX,MX, P30t and KR-10x ;) ... >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> -- >> >> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> >> [email protected] >> >> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> >> >> >> >> T> -- >> >> T> Thibault Massart aka Thibouille >> T> ---------------------- >> T> *ist-D,Z1,SuperA,KX,MX, P30t and KR-10x ;) ... >> >> >> >> >> -- >> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> [email protected] >> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> T> -- T> Thibault Massart aka Thibouille T> ---------------------- T> *ist-D,Z1,SuperA,KX,MX, P30t and KR-10x ;) ... -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
