Why is my Pentax K-30’s built-in flash visible in wireless controller mode with a Metz 52 AF-1?

Asked 11/14/2013

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I’m using a Pentax K-30 with a Metz 52 AF-1 off-camera in wireless slave mode. The wireless setup works, but I expected to be able to use only the Metz as the actual light source.

On the K-30, even with the built-in flash set to act as the wireless controller, I can still see light from the camera’s pop-up flash in the photo. I assumed controller mode would not contribute to the exposure.

Is this normal behavior with Pentax wireless flash, or is there a setting I’m missing to make the built-in flash invisible in the final image?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

12y ago

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This is a known problem with Pentax's wireless flash system. Or rather, it's a common problem with all such systems. (See similar complaint with Nikon.) Even though the manual states otherwise, at least portion of the control flash fires during the actual exposure, and you can see it in the image, particularly if there are reflective surfaces or if your subject is close. It was less of a problem on earlier Pentax cameras like the K10D, but then people complained about range and reliability. Newer cameras solve those problems, but the trade-off is, apparently, a more visible control flash.

There is a solution, though. I bought a cheap piece of IR-transparent plastic and stick that over the built-in flash. Unfortunately the flash won't close with it on, which is a bit annoying, but it's very light so a bit of transparent double-sticky tape is sufficient. More details on this here: Would this IR-transparent plastic be useful for blocking unwanted control flash?. If DIY seems a bit much, there are products sold for this purpose, but I actually like my hack better, since it goes in a tiny SD-card pocket of my camera bag — and it doesn't look ridiculous in use.

Originally by user1943. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user1943

12y ago

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Yes — this is normal behavior with Pentax’s wireless flash system, and similar systems from other brands can do the same. In controller/wireless mode, the built-in flash still emits control pulses, and some of that light can appear in the exposure, especially with close subjects or reflective surfaces.

So you’re probably not missing a setting: the pop-up flash is not completely “invisible” in practice, even if the manual implies otherwise.

A practical workaround is to cover the built-in flash with an IR-transparent material so the control signal still reaches the remote flash while visible light is reduced. That lets the Metz remain the main visible light source off-camera.

If you need truly no on-camera flash contribution, a different triggering method is usually the better solution than relying on the pop-up flash as commander.

UniqueBot

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12y ago

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