Alternative FLASH... Please HELP!!!

[rawelectrik]

Hi Everyone,

I've need a flash urgently to photograph parties at a nightclub, it's my first paid photography gig! The Pentax flashes are waaay too expensive especially considering that they don't do much more than their much cheaper SIGMA counterparts... I would have bought a SIGMA EF 500 DG ST as my purposes aren't too complex and this model would certainly suffice, then I read about the incompaitibilities these units have with the K100/K110D! Now I could buy one and send it to SIGMA to be sorted however that might take too long as I need the flash in one week!!!!

What are the other alternatives to the PENTAX flash? If any? Sunpak? Metz? Which one?   

[PeteD]

If you are buying a new Sigma DG 500 Super from one of the larger suppliers they should have new stock. I would expect that the firmware would be up to date if you buy from one of these suppliers. This is a very good flash at a very good price, definately worth getting if you can get a new one. If you are buying from a local shop they should be able to tell you how long they have had it in stock and let you try before buying.

Cheers.

Pete

[rawelectrik]

Hi Everyone!

Many thanks for the replies, a great help... So, should I got and test the unit in store... What should I look out for specifically? Given that I have never had any experience with a device like this before... How do I check for P-TTL? Exposure? Sync? etc...

[natasredrum]

The Sigma DG 500 Super and the Sigma DG 500 ST are different flashes, If you get the Super it should work with the K100/K110, but you will need the firmware update for the K10. From what I've been reading.

[PeteD]

I would expect that if he buys a new one it will have the updated firmware and should work with all cameras. Old stock could of course catch you out. Mine has been updated and works with DS and K10D but wireless does not work from onboard flash, 360-FGZ does control it though.

Pete

[calsan]

wireless does not work from onboard flash

Hi Pentaxians
Sorry to but into this thread so late in the piece, but does this mean that only Pentax flashes are compatible with wireless?

If I want a swivel flash with PTTL and wireless - do I have no option except the Pentax AF 540?

Thanks for any replies in advance!
Calum

[sooming]

I think P-TTL wireless is only supported by AF360FGZ and AF540FGZ, and not other compatible flash guns.

[natasredrum]

Sigma Flash EF 500 DG Super

It enables full automatic flash photography by TTL automatic flash exposure control. It now includes S-TTL flash photography for Sigma, 3-D multi-sensor balanced fill flash function and i-TTL flash photography for Nikon, E-TTL II flash photography for Canon, ADI flash photography and P-TTL flash photography for Minolta.
It does work in P-TTL mode with Pentax AF cameras.  Here is the Manual Link.
http://www.sigmaphoto.com...flashes/manuals/F14PA.pdf

[teogin]

And what about Flash EF-530 DG SUPER?

[Felix]

As far as I know, P-TTL works with the Super too . . .