Can a Metz 58 AF-1 use manual flash power with rear-curtain sync on Pentax bodies and manual lenses?
Asked 4/17/2012
5 views
2 answers
0
I’m shooting a Pentax K-7 with fully manual M42/microscope lenses and adapters, so there is no electronic lens communication. For extreme macro and focus stacking, I want to combine ambient light with flash and use rear-curtain (trailing curtain) sync to avoid ghosting. I also need to set manual flash power rather than full output.
A Pentax AF360FGZ will fire in rear-curtain sync, but with a non-A/manual lens it appears to fire at full power only. Will a Metz 58 AF-1 let me use manual flash power together with rear-curtain sync on a Pentax body when using manual/non-A lenses?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
2
My experiments with K-5 and K100d Super show that yes, you can certainly set it up this way; it may or might not work that way.
I tried it out with a Pentax K-5 (firmware 1.01, repeated after upgrade to 1.13 - most recent), Metz 58AF-1 (firmware v3.0 - most recent), and Lensbaby (as manual as a lens can get). This combination can be set up in the described way; the flash will pop in the end of exposure at the set level. However, it seems that the pop comes just a tad late (after rear curtain closes), so the light from flash will not actually be caught by sensor. I tried several shutter speeds from 1/4 to 4 seconds, but was able to catch some flash only after switching off rear curtain sync.
EDIT: I did the same experiment using K100D Super (firmware 1.00) instead of K-5, and it worked flawlessly. So the mistiming could be limited to (my) K-5.
So it might work using a K-7, the newer 58AF-2 and/or some future firmware version.
Originally by user4390. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4390
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Based on the reported tests, a Metz 58 AF-1 can be configured for manual flash power plus rear-curtain sync on Pentax with a fully manual lens. However, actual operation appears body-dependent.
One user tested a Metz 58 AF-1 on a Pentax K-5 with a fully manual Lensbaby and found that although the setup could be selected, the flash seemed to fire slightly too late in rear-curtain mode, so little or no flash exposure was recorded. The same user then tested a K100D Super and reported that it worked correctly there.
So the practical answer is: yes, the combination is possible in principle, but it may not work reliably on every Pentax body. From the evidence given, the Metz 58 AF-1 is not guaranteed to solve this on a K-7 specifically. If this feature is critical, you should verify it on your exact camera/flash firmware combination before relying on it.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI14y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Do Pentax flash bracket adapters preserve full P-TTL features, and is it worth it for reducing red-eye?
How can I fix incorrect flash exposure with a Metz 48 AF-1 on a Pentax K-3 II?
Can a manual flash be used for rear-curtain sync?
Why won’t my Metz 58 AF-1 fire after sitting unused for years?
Why does my Metz 58 AF-1 show low battery and recycle very slowly with fresh batteries?