pttl.mattdm.orgThe Definitive Guide - Pentax P-TTL Flash Comparison

Pentax P-TTL Flash Comparison Overview Intro Pentax Lineup Metz Lineup Sigma Lineup Promaster Lineup Tumax/Generic Lineup Features Feature Tables Tilt/Swivel Wide-Angle Diffuser Bounce Cards Secondary Reflector Zoom Wireless High-Speed Sync Rear-Curtain Sync P-TTL EV Compensation Manual Power Control Other Flash Modes Customizable Auto-Off Contrast Control Sync Modeling Light Option Stroboscopic Mode Automatic Flash Bracketing Auto-Focus Assist / Spot Beam Beep Function Camera Format Conversion Illumination Patterns Sync Port Field Upgradeable Flash Power Guide Numbers Focused Power Normal Power Wide-Angle Power Flash Burst Profiles Relative Potential Flash Coverage More… Flash Duration Recycle Time Size and Weight Build Quality User Interface Accessories Documentation and Support Further P-TTL Information Category Guides Contact Info Acknowledgments Content License Purchase Info Help Support this Guide Pentax @ Amazon Metz @ Amazon Sigma @ Amazon Promaster @ Amazon Tumax/Generic @ Amazon Accessories @ Amazon Selected Book List Create account or Sign in ✚ View Tag Cloud ━ Hide Tag Cloud 44af1 48af1 50af1 54mz4i 5750dx 58af1 58af2 7500edf af360fgz af540fgz dpt3afz dpt5afz ef530dg-st ef530dg-super ef610dg-st ef610dg-super metz pentax promaster sigma tumax more tags… Contact Info Support this guide . Please see my editorial disclaimer . Looking for a different system? I recommend • Metz 50 AF-1 for Canon • Nikon AF Speedlight SB-700 • Metz 50 AF-1 for Nikon The Definitive Guide This site updated 05 Sep 2016 19:06 . The definitive guide to Pentax hot shoe flashes and compatible 3rd-party options. P-TTL is Pentax's preflash-based through-the-lens flash metering system. It's used by all current and recent Pentax digital SLR cameras to automatically obtain correct exposure for both camera-mounted flashes and wireless slave units. If you're interested in buying a Pentax-compatible flash, there are many options to choose from. This site provides a comprehensive look at the different flash models available and explains in detail how they differ from one another. There is a lot of information available here. Use the menu bar above or the side panel to get to specific information quickly, or just start reading right here. Important Site Note (July 2014) Okay, so… it's clear that I don't have time to really work on this anymore, especially with my new job. The information that's here should still be helpful, though, and I'm interested in the site continuing, though — if you are a Pentaxian and interested taking over, please contact me! In the meantime, here's my basic advice…. Just Want Someone to Tell You What To Buy? The Metz mid-line flash (currently, Metz 52 AF-1 ) is a great choice and generally the best features for the money, but going with the Pentax AF360FGZ II will save you possible compatibility headaches in the future, and since this model adds swivel, there are no real drawbacks except for the price. Either of these flashes will do well for basic on-camera bounce flash, and also be excellent for easy off-camera P-TTL optical wireless. But, in the years since I started making this site, the are a number of new options which I think are better if you are doing any kind of studio/portrait lighting. These are non-TTL manual flashes that let you set power from a transmitter mounted on the camera itself. In a controlled situation, especially with multiple flashes, you want this manual control anyway , and you can get a nice setup with multiple flashes for the price of one of the above units. Check out the Godox V850II and radio trigger , for only about $150 + $40 — not bad at all! (There are several labels for the same thing, including Neewer, Cheetahlight, and Flashpoint.) As a bonus, these come with a lithium rechargeable battery, so there's no extra buying a NiMH set, and you get very fast recharge time, and it's more environmentally friendly. You could also get the Godox TT600 , at an incredible $70. I prefer the lithium version, but even with the addition of a set of Eneloop batteries , it's hard to argue with the price. One could get the V850 as main flash and second flashes, and fill in with the cheaper ones for less-frequently used hair light, back lighting, etc. For for the price of one AF360FGZII, you can get quite a few of these more powerful and more featureful flashes. Or, try the Cactus V6 Wireless Flash Trigger . For about $60 each (one for the camera, one for each flash), it will give you control over a wide array of current and older flash models (including mixing brands). Overview of Current Models There are currently three hot shoe flashes made by Pentax which work with the P-TTL flash metering system, plus several from Metz, one from Sigma in two variations, five from Promaster, and several generic Chinese-made models marketed under many different names in several variants. And then there's some obsolete models still readily obtainable. That's a lot of choices! (And this site doesn't even cover generic non-P-TTL options.) Official Pentax Models Pentax currently makes three hot shoe flash models: AF200FG — a basic model with no advanced features; offers a little over three times the power of the built-in flash on the K10D or K2000/K-m, and about double that on the K20D, K200D, or new K-7. In the US, this flash is bundled in a kit with the K2000. AF360FGZ — a much nicer flash available at a good price. Many advanced features; the most notable lack is a swivel head for bouncing from the ceiling in portrait orientation. AF540FGZ — Pentax's top of the line model. Big and powerful, with the ability to connect an external power source for faster refresh times. Pentax also makes a P-TTL ring flash for close-up work, the AF160FC . This is worth mentioning as part of the Pentax system, but since it's a specialty item it isn't covered on this site. Samsung Rebadged Models Samsung used to sell the Pentax AF360FGZ and the AF540FGZ as the SEF-36PZF and SEF-54PFZ . They are presumed to be functionally identical to their Pentax twins. Pentax-compatible Samsung flashes were never sold in US stores, and since Samsung has dropped their partnership with Pentax, their newer hotshoe flashes for the NX series of cameras are not compatible with Pentax P-TTL. Metz Dedicated P-TTL and SCA Models German flash maker Metz historically used a system of interchangeable modules to provide compatibility with various camera systems, including Pentax's P-TTL. They still make some models that use that system, but they now have dedicated P-TTL flashes as well. 44 AF-1 — in some ways an upgrade from Pentax's AF360FGZ, with about 30% more power, a tilt/swivel head, and some advanced functionality. But, no HSS or rear-curtain sync. And, while the 44 AF-1 can function as an off-camera wireless slave it cannot act as a camera-mounted controller for other slaves. 50 AF-1 — effectively a small upgrade from Pentax's AF360FGZ, with about 60% more power, a tilt/swivel head, and equivalent advanced functionality (plus a few unique features). Like the 44 AF-1, the 50 AF-1 can function as an off-camera wireless slave but it cannot act as a camera-mounted controller for other slaves. This model improves on and replaces the popular 48 AF-1 . 52 AF-1 — A new addition to the lineup, featuring a backlit LCD control panel. Unlike the 50 AF-1, this model can act as an on-camera wireless controller. Metz confirms that this model will replace the 50 AF-1, but that change is still working its way into the US distribution channels. 58 AF-2 — another completely-dedicated model, with top-tier power and the longest list of features of any Pentax-compatible flash. This is a minor upgrade from the previous 58 AF-1 . These flashes are available in versions specific to many different camera systems — Pentax P-TTL, Nikon CLS, Canon E-TTL, Olympus/Panasonic Micro Four Thirds, and Sony ADI. The physical differences are minor, but the flash units are dedicated, and can't be adapted or updated to work with...