Pentax compatible flashes

[BradGC]

I'm looking for a flash for my Pentax K-X, does anyone know if they work with cannon style flashes, or any commonly available flashes around? The price for a genuine pentax flash I believe is around $400

[OzzieTraveller]

G'day Brad

There are a number of flash manufacturers - to some extent you will need to google to locate one
also ... suggest you look at "shopbot > electronic > camera flash" - there are flashes there for $180 upwards

Regards, Phil

[JM Tran]

Hi Brad

some of compatible flashes that are not Pentax that has TTL functions for the camera are:

-Metz series ie. mecablitz 36/48/58
-Sigma 500 and newer 530 series
-the more expensive Chinese Yongnuo models

if you do not require TTL you can just buy a cheap flash like say, a Nikon SB25 or SB28 or a Canon and use it in full manual mode both on your flash and camera to trigger it. I bought a cheap SB25 for 50 bucks a few yrs ago to use on my K100D and K20D.

[Kym]

There are two options

a) Pentax or compatible (e. Sigma 530 series) that provide p-TTL exposure control features
The older Sigma 500 series do not provide the current p-TTL on Pentax (they support an older Pentax stanard)
Edit: http://www.sigmaphoto.com/techupdates/notice-to-end-users-using-ef-500-dg-super-pentax-and-ef-500-dg-st-pentax-flashguns

b) Centre pin only manual flash (no TTL exposure control) - which is what you would use for studio anyway

a costs more than b.

Edit2: http://pttl.mattdm.org/ <<< Full list of p-TTL flashes

[BradGC]

Thanks for the helpful replys!
I have a slightly noob question.. what does "p-TTL" stand for or mean?
I've seen how some say they're only TTL and some are p-TTL, do they make a huge difference for a learner photographer?

[Kym]

TTL and p-TTL are different. Canikon etc have similar proprietary versions.

P-TTL is Pentax's preflash-based through-the-lens flash metering system.
P-TTL flash uses a preflash to meter with the normal exposure meter, then adjusts the output of the flash for the actual exposure.

[reaction]

Buy sigma 530 or pentax 540. There is no reason to get a non-TTL flash these days.
don't get baby flashes, they don't hack it when you need to bounce.

a flash will last you many camera bodies.

[MattC]

Buy sigma 530 or pentax 540. There is no reason to get a non-TTL flash these days.
don't get baby flashes, they don't hack it when you need to bounce.

a flash will last you many camera bodies.

I would say it would depend entirely on what the OP's intended use and budget is.
No point spending large amounts of money on features that may never be used.

[sugarcourt]

Thanks for the info. Its exactly what I have been looking for.

[ricstew]

hmm I use nikon sb28's in manual mode on my pentax........doesnt have ttl or pttl........works great for me.
cheers
Jan

[birdsrus]

My understanding of P-TTL is the glass protecting the sensor reflects light unlike film. TTL flash on film cameras from my experience with pentax and olympus was very accurate. The P-TTTL goes through a range of extra hoops as described above to overcome reflection issues. With film I prefered TTL flash. With digital I almost exclusively use manual flash with manual camera settings. I have 3 sigmas and 1 pentax flash. I prefer the sigma with my telphoto lenses and the pentax for indoors and outdoor people fill flash. As everyting is manual, I don't need all the extra features. Reason for all the flashes is I am always breaking them with my outdoor photography.